Ephesians 4: 11 & 12 "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."

Upon our arrival back home in Rio today, we hit the ground running!  We landed at the airport, ran up to the Federal Police to check on our visa status and returned home where we reunited with fellow missionary, Craig.  

After a time of updating, we were off to the Terreirao near our home to visit one of our Brasillian partners.  They offer after school tutoring to the neighborhood children and while we were there, two young brothers stopped in to return library books they had borrowed.  

We also had some good news and a prayer request to share with this partner.  God has raised up an intern, Dawn, and ReachGlobal will be sending her to Rio around June of next year to serve with us, Lord willing.  We see an excellent fit for Dawn with this work in the Terreirao.  Dawn has her masters in family counseling and we are excited to have her join us!

Please pray for Dawn and her preparations.  Please also pray for Sandra and Pastor Helio as they lead this ministry in the Terreirao.  We see God at work in a mighty way through this ministry and are blessed to walk alongside of them!

Serving together,

Diane and Jeff

Matthew 24:27 "For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

We're in the process of getting ready...

We leave for Rio this coming Thursday and are ready to jump back into our work there!  We are missing many of our friends, our teammates, and our dog, Moses, too.  It's been wonderful to be here and catch-up with so many of our friends and family and churches here that are ready, but we're looking forward to our return.  We're looking forward to returning and sharing the wonderful message of Jesus Christ so that many more people can be ready!  Are you ready?

While we've been here sharing about our ministries in Brazil, we've enjoyed making many new friends.  As well, we had a little time to get to know better our new sister- and brother-in-law!  We love you, Sarah and Billy!  

Sarah was born and raised in Minnesota and Billy is originally from Ireland, but has lived in the USA for 15 years.  We had a couple of days last weekend "up north" to get to know them better and feel very blessed to have them join our family. 

Our new sister-in-law Sarah and brother Phil

Our new brother-in-law Billy and sister Sue

Shortly after we return to Rio we will host and participate in ReachGlobal City Team meetings along with 5 couples who serve in ministry in Mexico, Minneapolis, Costa Rica and Haiti.  Please be in prayer for us as we strategize, share and prepare together so we can be more effective so that more people can be ready!

After these meetings, grandma Diane will be blessed to care for our new granddaughter, Marissa for 6 weeks so that Jessica can return to work.  Diane has connected with several sisters-in-Christ and looks forward to sharing with women of the work in Brazil.  Pray for Jeff as he stays in Rio to minister! 

Serving together,

Diane and Jeff
CLICK HERE to see a video about being "Ready"
 

Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Yesterday we returned to Minnesota from a 2,000 mile road-trip.  It was exhilarating to meet new people and new church bodies to share how we see God at work in Rio!

We stopped at Iowa State University, where our youngest daughter, Hannah is studying.  It was great to enter her world!  It was so much fun to spend time with her, see her world, let her wait on us at the restaurant she works at, visit her church and help fix her loft ladder! We really MISS her in Rio!

We visited several churches and were blessed to hear the heart's of many brothers- and sisters-in-Christ!  We were even blessed with fresh produce and many, many hugs!  We're missing the hugs we get in Rio!

On our way home we spent one evening with an amazing family in Kansas City.  They loved on us with the love of Christ by sharing their home, their friendship, their food and encouraging words.  We were able to laugh and reminisce about their past times spent serving the Lord with us in Rio.  We were able to dream together about the future, as well!

We then spent some time sharing with a couple that God has called on a short-term trip to Romania.  How wonderful to see their excitement and share a little of how God called us to Brazil!  It was truly an encouraging time for us!

A month ago when we returned to the States, we shared with an ABF class of our emotional exhaustion and it amazes me how God has provided rest and renewal for us in so many ways.  In the midst of the busyness of our son and daughter-in-law's wedding reception, 2 baby showers, the birth of our first grandchild, a baby dedication and visiting churches, we have somehow managed to rest!

 We are rejuvenated and almost ready to return.  We have one more milestone event next Friday---the celebration of Jeff's parent's 60th wedding anniversary and 80th birthdays!

Praising God for the blessing of being here for these special occasions,

Diane and Jeff

New Life!

There is just NOTHING better than a new life!  The hope that it brings for the future and the exciting "firsts" along life's path.  The first breath, the first cry, the first bath, the first suckling at a mother's breast...so precious!

So much preparation goes into the planning of that anticipated new life!  The calculating of dates, the progress and watchfulness of the physician to make sure all is going well, the careful nutrition to feed and nurture that growing tiny body!

Jeff and I became grandparents for the first time 2 days ago.  I can't stop thinking about the similarities of seeing our beautiful granddaughter, Marissa, for the first time and seeing that beautiful face of a new follower of Jesus Christ for the first time!

It makes me stop and think of the ways we prepare for that new life in Christ, as well.  Are we evangelizing enough?  Are we often and openly sharing about the blessings of the life we have in Christ, using every opportunity? 

A few weeks ago, as we were street evangelizing with a team from Johnston Evangelical Free church in a community several blocks from our home in Rio, I had a conversation with a woman that I often see and chat with.  At the end of our conversation, she asked me why I was so sure I would spend eternity with Christ.

I was able to give her a Portuguese bible and share with her 1 John 5:11-13, that says, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

Please pray for this woman.  Pray that when I return to Rio in 4 weeks, she too, is living in the assurance of His salvation!

After having the blessing to see the face of Marissa as she took her first breath of life, I am encouraged for the future and the possibility of seeing many more people take their "first breath of life", should God choose to continue to use me in that way!

Celebrating the precious new life of Marissa and "Grandmahood" for the first time,

Diane