Ministering Together with Johnston Evangelical Free Church!

Jeff and I, along with the mission team that is here from JEFC, had a wonderful day today loving the children in Campinho at Projeto Amar (Project Love)!

One of the leaders has a 2-month old baby boy and so we were able to bring her a baby quilt sewn by the women of JEFC!!!  Thank you so much, ladies!  Bless you!

Nick shared his awesome testimony of how God has provided him a wonderful father figure (Grant) and godly example to follow in his life and how he is walking with Jesus.

Jenna and Nick together shared how their family studies the bible together and prays together.  

Sonia, the Director of the program, followed up Nick's testimony with a word of how, no matter where you are from, we all have problems in life and can choose to change our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit by becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ!

Cullen read an awesome children's book about a village of people, a farmer and his tractor who learned to follow God's word and work together to help those in need.

Grant shared about Iowa and answered many wonderful questions that the children had!!!!

Jay shared about God's goodness and sweetness as he taught the children how to make baked S'Mores.  They loved them and now can make them at home!  The leaders are already talking about making them for their next party!

We all enjoyed running and playing together as the team led several games!

During our ride in the van to Campinho, we were sad to learn that the van driver, our friend, Guilherme's wife passed away three weeks ago and the team was able to pray for this dear friend and his family in this time of sorrow and loss.  However, we celebrate with them that his wife is a believer in Jesus and is now in eternity with Christ!

Tomorrow we will travel to Mare, another community here in Rio to share the love of Christ with a whole new group of children!

Pray for us as we minister together this week in the strong name of Jesus,

Diane and Jeff

Walking Where Jesus Would Walk....

Jeff and I returned to the streets late last evening to reconnect with our new friends that we made during the World Cup.  We spent some time talking to Rianna, Bianca, Kelly, and two new friends, Baby and Michelle (not their real names).

While speaking with these men and looking deep into their eyes we can't help but see a sadness and despair that is indescribable.  They don't yet know of the grace and mercy that Christ offers---that we ALL, in our brokenness, need!

As we move forward with faith in Him---who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine---through these relationships with these men, we realize the amount of prayer, perseverance and patience that it will require.  It will be a long road ahead.  We are encouraged by the brothers-in-Christ that we know that have come out of this world of transvestite prostitution and today are disciples of Jesus Christ!  Nothing is impossible with God!

Matthew 9:11-13 says, "When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?" But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Please pray with us for these precious lives that have been rejected by men.

Walking by faith,

Diane and Jeff

Jeff and Rianna, August 29, 2014

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore..."

 The TREK7er's prepared us a beautiful candlelit dinner for their appreciation!

Jeff and I arrived home yesterday morning from attending the Latin America/Caribbean Missionary Conference in Costa Rica and spending a little time catching up with our family in Minnesota.  It was cheaper to fly to Costa Rica from the US rather than Rio and we thank the Lord for this blessing!  We left the day after our TREK7er's had departed Rio after their 6-1/2 weeks serving with us.

Upon landing at the Rio airport yesterday, we made a quick stop at the Federal Police, which is located in the airport, and we were ecstatic to receive our Identity Cards (our permanent visas)!!!  How wonderful to actually have these little plastic cards in our hands!  To Him be the glory!

Everything is well at the mission house, although we were told that the wild cats that live in the vacant lot next to the house have been getting very brave in the absence of Moses our dog and have been coming into the house if the doors are left open!   Sadly, Moses  passed away a few days after the arrival of our June/July TREK7 team.  We miss his faithfulness to us and his added protection here! 

We're praying for God to provide the resources for another 4-legged family member to chase out those unwanted guests!  They are diseased and can bring fleas and other unwanted intruders into the house :(

We will receive a 5-person team from Johnston Evangelical Free Church this Sunday and are busy preparing for their arrival.

Friday evening, we will again return to the streets near our home to converse with the group of transvestite prostitutes that we began befriending during the World Cup.  Please pray for these friendships to be furthered!  We were blessed to share a little about this work in a break-out session at our Missionary Conference in Costa Rica.

....as I was writing this, my thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang out in the street in front of our home that sounded a little more serious than just a fire cracker.  That well-known line from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" came to my mind...."Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore..."  So, when you think of us, please remember to pray for our safety, as well!  We covet your prayers! 

Humble servants of the Lord Most High,

Diane and Jeff

Delighting in Weaknesses!

Jeff and I are currently in Costa Rica at our triennial Latin America/Caribbean missionary conference.

Yesterday was set aside for prayer and fasting and I spent time reflecting on the last 8 1/2 years we've spent in Brazil.

God has walked with us through some major hardships during these years on the field including a major car accident, being sued by the Brazilian government and being given 8 days to leave the country with visa problems. 

We look back and delight in Him for these things:

• We are completely healed---our bones are stronger than before the accident! 

• God provided a competent lawyer and He quickly raised up the funds needed to pay off our debt!

• We have permanent visas!

God directed me to the verses in 2 Corinthians 12: 9 & 10, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We boast gladly about our weaknesses, depending on His help every step of the way.  We know that everything we witness Him doing through and around us is Christ's power alone and we're looking forward to the next chapter of this very exciting God story!

Resting in His power and provision,

Diane and Jeff