Visa Update

Diane and I just got back from the Federal Police.  All went well, though we had a close call.  They have a new procedure and you now need to schedule a day and time to submit visa documentation.

The first available date to submit our documentation was in December.  After some “sweet talking” and our answer that, “Yes, we have all of our correct documents with us today”, they squeezed us in and we are now approved for this year (until early May of 2013). 

Our next step is converting to permanent visas in early 2013.

Praising Him,

Jeff and Diane

Visas GRANTED!

Jeff and I received a telegram this week that our Visas were approved this year.  That’s a HUGE answer to prayer!

That means that next year when we apply in May, we can apply for permanent Visas!

We’re off to the Federal Police this morning.  Please pray for success today with our Visas, but most importantly, for chances to share Christ!

Serving together,

Diane and Jeff

Jeff and I traveled to Cascadura today to walk alongside one of our partners, Atuacao Voluntaria, as they received a 20-person short-term mission team from their home church in the South of Brazil.  Their focus was to facilitate a children’s program for the children of the local community. 

Atuacao Voluntaria is currently leading a children’s program at this church every Monday afternoon.  It was sweet music to our ears when our dear brother, Gilson, introduced us as a couple who “cares for them” here in Rio!  We have spent some wonderful time with this couple in fellowship and prayer and support them wholeheartedly!

What a joy it was for us to meet the pastoral staff and leaders of this church in Cascadura and spend some time listening to their stories of how God has and is working in the midst of their ministry.  Their land was given to them by a militia who ran off the local drug lords in order for them to take possession of their property.

The pastor has encouraged the whole congregation to be involved in the construction of this property, even with the donation of at least a stone to build the walls.  They truly are the body-of-Christ at work, using their gifts to glorify the Lord!

Thanks for your prayers, it was a very encouraging day!

Going where He leads us here in Rio,

Diane and Jeff

p.s.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GILSON!

Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Dear Brothers and Sisters-in-Christ,

Tomorrow begins a 2-day holiday here in Brazil and so children will not be in school.  We plan to travel to Cascadura and serve in a children’s program with our partner, Atuacao Voluntaria and a group of 20 Brazilian youth traveling here from the south of Brazil.

Please pray for God to prepare the hearts of these children (and their parents) to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, receive and choose to follow Him.  Please pray for fruit that remains.

Today we are praying and asking Him to go before us and prepare the way.

Coveting your prayers,

Diane and Jeff