Living Like You Were Dying....

These words were written on a church bulletin while we were recently Stateside and it reminded me to always be ready.

As it says in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"

I've been attempting to be ready more and more these days. And so, a short time ago, while out evangelizing on the streets of Ipanema, Jeff and I had the privilege of meeting Rosie.

This energetic Brasilian woman was selling refrigerator magnets and keychains while dressed in "Carmen Miranda attire".



After we had spoken a while, she wanted to give Jeff and I presents---keychains with the picture of the Christ Statue on them. We gladly accepted and I then asked her if she had ever seen a "EvangeCube" (a rubik's cube type gagit that shares the gospel of Christ in pictures). She said she would LOVE to see it because she is an evangelical christian! I showed it to her and told her that I wanted to give it to her as a present, but she needed to share it with others. She immediately began to cry. When I asked her why she was crying, she told us that she works at a hospital for terminally ill cancer patients and would love to use it there to share the gospel!

While Rosie is already a christian, it greatly encouraged her and touched her heart to know that she is not alone as she strives to share the best present of all---the gift of eternal life through God's son, Jesus Christ!

Please pray that the Holy Spirit works through Rosie at the hospital and that many people hear the true gospel message.

And as for Jeff and I---we again witnessed that the body-of-Christ here in Brazil is "living like they are dying"

Nossa Caçula Se Formou!!! Our Youngest Graduated!!!

Last Saturday evening we were blessed to see our "caçula" (youngest) walk down the aisle and participate in the graduation ceremony at Rio International School!

God blessed us with the presence of Craig, Ale, Maria and Leah! What a special night it was, to actually see her wearing a cap and gown!

Hannah enjoyed reconnecting and saying goodbye to some wonderful teachers that impacted her life!

This was great closure for this chapter in her life as she moves forward to study Graphic Design at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

We recently had the priviledge of serving alongside a mother and daughter short-term team from Valley Church in Des Moines, IA here in Brazil.

God made some awesome connections because of this team, and we were blessed to go into many schools to share about our lives as Christ followers as well as life in the United States. Maria and Leah brought awesome pictures and shared about their lives as followers of Jesus Christ.

They were able to join us in Cesar Meier where we have begun a pilot program alongside one of our partners, Atuacao Voluntario, where we connect Christian North American children from Valley with penpals in the public schools here in Brazil. The hope is that the children are encouraged that a committed life to Christ makes a difference.

We were also able to visit for the first time, a public school in Cidade de Deus, where we had made a connection with a teacher shortly before our Visas were denied last year and we returned to the States. At the school, our team was able to perform an evangelistic skit. The Brazilian children asked many questions about the differences in schools in the USA and about the culture. We pray we are invited back in the future!

Later in the week, we visited the island of Paqueta with Brazilian Pastor Andre and his wife Selma. It was a wonderful day to leave the craziness of the city and travel by boat to this quiet little island with no cars and fellowship together! On the boat ride to the island Diane asked Selma what spiritual gifts God had given her. She told of several, and ended saying that she especially enjoyed counseling and had the gift of compassion.

At the end of the day, on the boat ride back, a conversation was struck up with students from a school in Campo Grande because they had heard English being spoken! We had brought an "Evange Cube", which tells the gospel message in pictures. Diane asked if they had heard the gospel message and we were able to use it to share.

One girl in particular was interested in seeing the cube and hearing the message (her name was Diane, too!). Afterwards, in conversation with Diane D., she shared deeply how her grandmother had been a spiritist and had been hung in a hospital. She shared that her mother is a christian, but has not been going to church. Her father is not a believer. She shared how she has seen several demonic manifestations in her house recently. Diane D. remembered that Selma loved counseling and called her over to counsel this young woman. She was greatly encouraged by Selma and Selma and Diane D. prayed for her. She was given the Evange Cube to share the gospel message with her father.

Please pray that Diane's father receives salvation through Jesus Christ!

The teacher from this group of students from Campo Grande has invited us to come and visit her school!

Pray that those doors open for us to go to Campo Grande to this school to share!

Pray also for all the connections that were made through this team. Pray that God uses those connections for us as we strive to multiply and grow His kingdom!

Brazilians Reaching the Lost for Christ!

Several weeks ago we had the opportunity to travel to CENA in Sao Paulo with our teammates, Craig and Alessandra. The largest university in Sao Paulo agreed to visit the second stage farm to consider conducting a viability study free-of-charge on fish sustainability and crop farming. This would enable CENA to move toward self-sustainability.

While at the farm, it was wonderful to see Sueli, full-time missionary from CENA's downtown rescue location, Casa Amarella. It was wonderful to hear how God has called her to now serve at the farm.

We were able to spend the day praying with, encouraging, and hearing several testimonies from the women at the farm on how Jesus has changed their lives and their desire to complete recovery from drugs and alcohol and serve the Lord!