....I AM GOD....

Jeff, Hannah, Jake, Elizabeth, Derek and I have spent time in prayer these last couple of days for the residents of Oklahoma during this time of crisis after the recent tornado.

In this morning's devotions, Jeff read from the book of Isaiah.  In chapter 45:22 it says, "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other."

In this time of crisis in Oklahoma, our prayer is that those who have suffered loss will be comforted and saved...that those who were taken from this life are now with the Lord...that those who have yet to believe in the only one who has the power to save, will begin a life following Christ.

Praying for hearts to turn to God,

Diane and Jeff

"Is That Really True?" :) :) :)

Jeff, Jake, Hannah and I had a wonderful day yesterday with Juliana of Atuacao Voluntaria in a community here in Rio.  We gave ourselves a team name, "The Droneys"!  We combined "Droogsma" and "Loney"!

In two different classes, we performed a skit about sin and bad choices in life.  We followed up with Proverbs 13:20, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."

Jake gave his powerful testimony of when he came to follow Christ.  One little 8-year-old girl asked if that was really true :)

We taught a little English and talked about how creative God is!  He created many different countries and different people!  But, as Christ followers, we are all equal and we all worship the same God.  And He is the ONLY God and the ONLY way to salvation!

The children were mesmerized by Jake and could not believe he didn't speak Portuguese!  They asked him if children in the United States knew how to speak English when they were born :) They asked if Hannah and Jake lived together.  It gave them an awesome opportunity to share that they are waiting until marriage because the bible teaches about remaining pure until marriage.

A wonderful day, as we ministered together!

We have a young couple, Lizzie and Derek, that arrived here this morning.  It will be part honeymoon and part mission trip!  We're hoping that they can join us and return to this community next week!

Having a blast serving our Great and Mighty King together,

Diane, Jeff, Jake and Hannah

So Wonderful to be Serving with Hannah again!!!!

Hannah, Jake, Jeff and I had a wonderful time in the Word together this morning, studying 1 Peter 1.

Today we will walk alongside one of our partners, Juliana, of Atuacao Voluntaria in a community here in Rio.

We were reminded in 1 Peter 1:13 this morning to continually be preparing our minds for action, being sober-minded, self-controlled and setting our hope fully on the grace of Christ!  The imminent return of Christ is our motivation to live for Him!!!  EVERY DAY!!!  And so, it is our motivation today as we GO in the name of Jesus Christ and boldly proclaim His name!

As we minister together today as a team we will play many roles.  We will be actors in a skit.  We will be evangelists as we share how we became Christ followers.  We will be encouragers to the christian leaders and teachers.  We will be disciplers, encouraging others to "take up their cross" daily.

Sometimes we feel uncomfortable in some of these roles.  But we are reminded of the greatest suffering that Christ endured on the cross for each one of us!  And so....we GO and humbly use, as Moses did, what we have "in hand", being prepared to share of the hope that we have in Christ alone.

Pray for us today!

Serving with Joy,

Diane, Jeff, Hannah and Jake

Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

This morning we went to a public school in a nearby community with Juliana from Atuacao Voluntaria and her sons, Tiago and Caleb.  Juliana spoke on the importance of the family being involved with their children's education and that education begins at home.

During her lecture, she gave her testimony of how Jesus Christ changed her life and that now her whole family follows Christ, as well!

When we arrived at the school, it was amazing to find out that the Director of the school is a member of the mother church of one of our other Brazilian partners here in Rio!  This is an important connection for us, as we always strive to connect the public schools with the local bible-preaching church.

Pray that through all of our connections, the kingdom of God grows and we always model God's command to go and make disciples of all nations! 

Following the Spirits' leading,

Diane and Jeff