Making Good Choices

The beginning of July we were blessed to serve alongside some of our awesome brothers- and sisters-in-Christ from Johnston Evangelical Free Church. YES....we were able to celebrate July 4th together by LOUDLY singing various patriotic songs! How wonderful for Jeff and I!

The theme of this team was, "Making Good Choices." God allowed us to share the Gospel message to over 2,000 children in several public schools here!

While serving with one of our Brasilian partners, Atuacao Voluntaria, we were able to have a first-time visit to a public school in Campo Grande. This team brought much excitement to these little children, many of whom had never heard English spoken in person before! These 3 couples have each been married over 30 years and spoke about choosing to put God first in their lives, choosing to stay married, and encouraged the children to make good choices in their lives.

We were blessed to visit the school in Cesar Maier, where we have taught English in the past and visit a few new classrooms. We visited the Brazilian church in Barra that is ministering to the children of Cesar Meier. In the schools, they performed a skit, taught christian songs in English, shared the gospel of Jesus Christ and played with the children!

One couple was able to give their testimony of coming to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ out of a cult and another gave encouagement to a youth group to continue going out as missionaries!

We spent an afternoon hearing the testimonies, difficulties and life stories from our partners Juliana and Gilson (Brazilian missionaries), Frido and Raquel (Brazilian Pastor and wife). We fellowshipped together and encouraged one another to fight the good fight!

Some enjoyed street evangelizing with the Evangecube and we have been able to return and continue those new relationships with the people we encountered in the Terreirao; Giane, Rozana, Joelma, Marcos and Edgar! Giane told us that she loves using the Evangecube out on the streets that Grant gave her!

They returned to the States encouraged to be even more bold in sharing Christ. Bidie shared the gospel at the airport! Shortly after returning, Don lead his father to the Lord! Grant says that he and Janene are forever changed!

This team did an amazing job! They showed the love of Christ to so many and encouraged our family so much, as well. They saw some of the difficulties we have living overseas and encouraged our youngest daughter Hannah, as well, as she prepares to start college this month! They have continued to love and support her stateside by taking her tubing and waterskiing! They now have a better understanding of our ministry here and how to better pray for us!

The body-of-Christ is an amazing gift from the Lord, for which we are eternally thankful! God bless you, Jay and Dee, Grant and Janene, Don and Birdie! Keep fighting the good fight! Thank you for your love, prayers, support and serving with us to bring the Gospel to the lost here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

Living Like You Were Dying....

These words were written on a church bulletin while we were recently Stateside and it reminded me to always be ready.

As it says in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"

I've been attempting to be ready more and more these days. And so, a short time ago, while out evangelizing on the streets of Ipanema, Jeff and I had the privilege of meeting Rosie.

This energetic Brasilian woman was selling refrigerator magnets and keychains while dressed in "Carmen Miranda attire".



After we had spoken a while, she wanted to give Jeff and I presents---keychains with the picture of the Christ Statue on them. We gladly accepted and I then asked her if she had ever seen a "EvangeCube" (a rubik's cube type gagit that shares the gospel of Christ in pictures). She said she would LOVE to see it because she is an evangelical christian! I showed it to her and told her that I wanted to give it to her as a present, but she needed to share it with others. She immediately began to cry. When I asked her why she was crying, she told us that she works at a hospital for terminally ill cancer patients and would love to use it there to share the gospel!

While Rosie is already a christian, it greatly encouraged her and touched her heart to know that she is not alone as she strives to share the best present of all---the gift of eternal life through God's son, Jesus Christ!

Please pray that the Holy Spirit works through Rosie at the hospital and that many people hear the true gospel message.

And as for Jeff and I---we again witnessed that the body-of-Christ here in Brazil is "living like they are dying"

Nossa Caçula Se Formou!!! Our Youngest Graduated!!!

Last Saturday evening we were blessed to see our "caçula" (youngest) walk down the aisle and participate in the graduation ceremony at Rio International School!

God blessed us with the presence of Craig, Ale, Maria and Leah! What a special night it was, to actually see her wearing a cap and gown!

Hannah enjoyed reconnecting and saying goodbye to some wonderful teachers that impacted her life!

This was great closure for this chapter in her life as she moves forward to study Graphic Design at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

We recently had the priviledge of serving alongside a mother and daughter short-term team from Valley Church in Des Moines, IA here in Brazil.

God made some awesome connections because of this team, and we were blessed to go into many schools to share about our lives as Christ followers as well as life in the United States. Maria and Leah brought awesome pictures and shared about their lives as followers of Jesus Christ.

They were able to join us in Cesar Meier where we have begun a pilot program alongside one of our partners, Atuacao Voluntario, where we connect Christian North American children from Valley with penpals in the public schools here in Brazil. The hope is that the children are encouraged that a committed life to Christ makes a difference.

We were also able to visit for the first time, a public school in Cidade de Deus, where we had made a connection with a teacher shortly before our Visas were denied last year and we returned to the States. At the school, our team was able to perform an evangelistic skit. The Brazilian children asked many questions about the differences in schools in the USA and about the culture. We pray we are invited back in the future!

Later in the week, we visited the island of Paqueta with Brazilian Pastor Andre and his wife Selma. It was a wonderful day to leave the craziness of the city and travel by boat to this quiet little island with no cars and fellowship together! On the boat ride to the island Diane asked Selma what spiritual gifts God had given her. She told of several, and ended saying that she especially enjoyed counseling and had the gift of compassion.

At the end of the day, on the boat ride back, a conversation was struck up with students from a school in Campo Grande because they had heard English being spoken! We had brought an "Evange Cube", which tells the gospel message in pictures. Diane asked if they had heard the gospel message and we were able to use it to share.

One girl in particular was interested in seeing the cube and hearing the message (her name was Diane, too!). Afterwards, in conversation with Diane D., she shared deeply how her grandmother had been a spiritist and had been hung in a hospital. She shared that her mother is a christian, but has not been going to church. Her father is not a believer. She shared how she has seen several demonic manifestations in her house recently. Diane D. remembered that Selma loved counseling and called her over to counsel this young woman. She was greatly encouraged by Selma and Selma and Diane D. prayed for her. She was given the Evange Cube to share the gospel message with her father.

Please pray that Diane's father receives salvation through Jesus Christ!

The teacher from this group of students from Campo Grande has invited us to come and visit her school!

Pray that those doors open for us to go to Campo Grande to this school to share!

Pray also for all the connections that were made through this team. Pray that God uses those connections for us as we strive to multiply and grow His kingdom!