John 13:14, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet."

Sueli, a CENA Missionary and Diane

On Friday, the "Otimo Onze" served the CENA missionaries by cooking them lunch.  We made tacos, complete with homemade taco shells, guacamole, Spanish rice, chips and dessert.  It was a huge success and many people went back for seconds and thirds!

We then moved into the gymnasium to have a program.  We began by telling them how much we loved them and appreciated their work.  Six of the men then performed a skit for the group.  CLICK HERE to watch it. 

The Rio Trio surprised Jeff and I by thanking us for these past 6 weeks and what it had meant to them.  They then washed our feet!  What a wonderful and touching time it was for Jeff and I!  We were greatly humbled!

The eleven of us then washed the feet of all of the CENA missionaries.  Everyone was extremely touched and there was not a dry eye left in the group!

We divided up into groups and prayed for each missionary.  How wonderful it was to spend some time lifting them up before the Lord!

We arrived home in Rio today a little exhausted, but in great spirits from this wonderful week working alongside an amazing group of servants of our Lord Most High!

Privileged to serve,

Jeff, Diane and the "Otimo Onze"

Let the Little Ones Come to Me....

Above is a photo of a 5-man team from Iowa that has been serving with us here in downtown Sao Paulo this past week at CENA.

The team blessed the CENA daycare with baby quits that were sewn by women of their church.

The CENA daycare cares for children at risk and currently is caring for 32 small children.

They are praying for the Lord to provide the building next door so that they can care for more children.

A special "thank you" to the women of JEFC for these beautiful works of art!

Blessings,

Diane and Jeff

Pray for Cassiano

During this last week we've been serving at CENA in Sao Paulo where Jeff and I were blessed to meet our brother-in-Christ and fellow missionary, Cassiano.  He has been serving at CENA for the past 5 months and it was wonderful to sit around the table and fellowship together and get to know one another better.

Cassiano comes from Santa Catarina, Brazil, where Jeff and I traveled to on our first short-term mission trip to Brazil in 2003.  

He has been serving at CENA for 5 months and has been living at the Family House.  Soon he will be working with another CENA missionary, Edi, reaching out to prostitutes in Crackland.

Please pray for Cassiano.  Pray for protection from the enemy and effective ministry.  

Blessings,

Diane and Jeff

Life to the Full

We've had an amazing day today with many opportunities to share the hope we have in Jesus Christ!

Our day began with the Rio Trio teaching a little Portuguese to the CENA Cinco.

Then we were off to have a TIA (Teaching In Action) moment at a nearby park.  We read from God's Word and discussed the reason why Christ came to earth.  

John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Afterwards, we spent time in the streets with the CENA missionaries bringing the news of Jesus Christ.

We saw many destroyed lives today that only Jesus can restore through people turning from a life on the street and beginning to follow Christ.

Jesus came to reconcile the world to the Father and he is our model.  Most people end up living on the streets because of broken relationships in their lives.

Although the work of CENA is intense and can be discouraging, we are trusting that the seeds we are planting will result in a harvest of fruit one day----fruit that remains!

Walking where Jesus would walk,

Diane, Jeff and the Otimo Onze