We're Back!

We want to thank everyone of you for your generosity and encouragement while we were in the United States!  You all blessed us with kind words, hugs, housing, stories of God's hand at work while you've served with us here in Brazil, and so many other ways!  

So much of what we do here in the field is encouraging Brazilians and affirming the ministries they are called to.  Quite often we, too, need to be encouraged and God used many of you to fill up our cups during our time in the States!  Thank you!

We were able to visit our friends Al and Carolyn in California and celebrate 3 years of Al being cancer-free with them!!!  PTL!  

While in California, we were also able to visit Pastor Mike and Karyn and see the incredible ministry where they pastor at the Green Oak Ranch.

However, while we were in California, we saw the enemy at work in so many ways and sensed a decline in the American church and have spent a lot of time praying for our country, the USA.  People all over the world need Jesus!

While speaking at one of our supporting churches, one of you passed us this encouraging note after we spoke and we've shed many tears together because of it!  We humbly thank you!

We arrived home here in Rio yesterday.  The day before we were scheduled to travel back, Jeff had difficulties getting out of bed.  He was having great pains in his back and we thought we wouldn't be able to return to Rio!

After he went to the doctor, it was decided that he possibly had twisted his back and caused some swelling.  The doctor gave him a cortisone injection, anti-inflammatory medication and a pain killer so that we were able to take our three flights home, praise the Lord!

Upon arriving at our home here, it was discovered that our cistern was almost empty and water had not been coming in.  This morning we turned on the pump and as I type this, it continues to pour in for almost 7 hours now....again---Praise the Lord!  As well, we are having a torrential rain!

We have arrived back at the end of Carnaval and we can feel the heavy spiritual oppression that is upon the city. 

Please pray for us as we readjust to being back and begin to re-engage in ministry after 2 months stateside.  Pray for continued direction from the Lord as we serve to make His name known among the beautiful people of Brazil.

Blessed to be sent,

Diane and Jeff

Spurring One Another On Towards Love and Good Deeds....

We were blessed yesterday to visit our home church in Maple Grove, Minnesota, where we worshiped and served the Lord for 12 years. Our three children were dedicated to the Lord at MGEF, attended AWANA and we all grew so much there in our knowledge of Christ!

We studied God's Word together as Pastor Jon preached a wonderful message from Mark10:46-52, where blind Bartimaeus receives his sight.

We were encouraged by so many of our brothers- and sisters-in-Christ and praise God for their partnership with us!  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by our friend, Pam, and spent the afternoon fellowshipping with Rob, Mary, Pam and Mary.

 It was a bittersweet day, as well, as we said, "goodbye" to our daughter, Hannah, who joined us for the service and dinner.  We'll see her again at her and Jake's wedding in June, Lord willing.

Thank you, Maple Grove EF Church body for your love, support, prayers and partnership with us as we populate heaven together!

Humble servants of Mighty King Jesus,

Diane and Jeff

A Very Heart-Felt "Thank You"

We want to say a very special thank you to Kathy Smith and Jessica Kunkel for the beautiful wedding shower for Hannah!

Thanks to Sandy Schuler and Brenda Blackhawk for the wonderful cookies and all your help!

Jan Priess, God bless you for sharing the devotions and always encouraging Hannah!  You are so very special to our whole family!

Kim Greathouse and Miranda, you amazed me and touched my heart with all of those delicious desserts!  They were wonderful and you guys truly went above and beyond!

Thanks to all of our sisters-in-Christ that came, sent gifts and helped us to celebrate this very special occasion of the upcoming wedding of Hannah and Jake!  We are thrilled to have Jake join our family!

As overseas missionaries, it is difficult to live so very far away from our children. We pay a price to serve there, but our children pay a price that they did not choose.

However, when the body-of-Christ comes around us at times like these and blesses us, it reminds us that we're all in this together and one day in eternity we'll celebrate together at the wedding supper of the Lamb!

Privileged to serve,

Diane and Jeff

Opportunities in Crisis!

This morning as we were catching up with news in Rio, we were saddened to learn of two recent bus accidents on Rio's new bus line, the BRT, that left 130 people injured.

The first accident occurred on the highway directly in front of our home in Rio.

Click HERE to read the article from the Rio Times.

• Pray for our Brazilian partners as we are stateside.  Pray they use all opportunities to minister and comfort the innocent people that suffered in these accidents.

• Pray for the city of Rio as preparations continue for the 2016 Olympics.

We were also saddened to read of recent shootings in the Morro do Juramento between two rivaling drug gangs.

Click HERE to read this article.

• Pray, as well, for those communities that have not yet received protection from the Unification Pacification Police (UPP) in preparation for the Olympic games.

Our hearts go out to those that were injured.  With all the added traffic caused by the World Cup, we have begun using the BRT more and more.

Praying that those affected by these trials turn to Christ,

Diane and Jeff