A Year To Remember, A Day To Live!

When you look back on the year 2012, what stands out to you?  In what ways have you grown?  In what ways have you seen setbacks?  If you could change anything that was done or said, what would it be?  Is there anyone who needs to forgive you or you need to forgive?  Was there a hug you wanted to give and now cannot?  Is there an "I love you" that you can no longer hear from someone you wish you could?  A lot of things happen in a day much more in 365 of them.  There are many things I wish I would have done differently this year.  I thank God that He gave us more than one day this year, we need time to learn and grow.  
This year is almost gone and many are looking forward to a brand new year, planning and dreaming.  Plans and dreams are good and necessary but let's not forget that both are reached one day at a time.  Live everyday seeking God's Kingdom first and you will live a life without regrets.  

God bless you all and your families,

The mission team in João Pessoa - Brazil

Stepping Back and Moving Forward

            Yesterday afternoon, Nicholas (my son) and I traveled to Alagoinha, a city about an hour and a half away from João Pessoa.  I don't know if you remember or not, but a couple of months ago I met Fabiano in this city who I thought was an answer to my prayers for God to lead me to someone who could move the church forward.  He seemed like he was a planner and could focus on a plan as well as execute it.  Now, he is gone, not dead, just meeting with a denomination.  I felt saddened by the fact that we did not have the man power to meet his expectations of visiting the city and studying with him.  I also understand that each of us makes his or her own choices. 

Sometimes we take steps back that may lead to steps forward.  I met with the two men who are working with the church in Alagoinha.  They have never really had a good working relationship, and the church has suffered a great deal because of their different visions in the way to deal with people.  We have tried many different ways to help them, but it has been difficult which is why I was so excited about Fabiano, who now does not show any interest in wanting to know the truth.  So, anyway, back to my meeting with Antônio and Zezito: together we planned for them to visit the members and spend time nurturing and maturing them.  I had this same meeting months ago, but it didn't seem to stick.  This time, I hope, will be different.  They even set up a visit to one of the members last night. 

Please pray:

·       That Antônio and Zezito will love God more than their own opinions;

·       That the church in Alagoinha will grow in maturity;

·       That God will open people's hearts in this town.

Financial Peace

            One of the important aspects of any mission and its future continuance is the financial side of those who give.  If Christians are having financial problems, that is, overburdened in debt, then hardly anything will be left for supporting mission efforts.  The question of whether it should be this way or not is rendered irrelevant since this is the practice in most people's lives. 

            You may think that I am writing about my own support, or that of other missionaries and mission works, but I am actually writing about the local work here in Brazil.  Brazil is booming economically.  People have more financial buying power than they have ever had before by the increase in salaries, easy credit, some lower interest rates (although lower, they are still around 280% a year on major credit cards, yes, that is not a mistype).  Most everyone is buying new cars, new TV's, new everything, and going into major debt.  This is also happening with a lot of Christians.  The similarities of this new economic "freedom" remind me of the U.S. in the 90's. 

            If the church is to become mature and support its own workers and mission efforts then the Christians need to control their buying habits, live on less than they make, and save for emergencies by being content with what God has given them.  I have been teaching the João Pessoa church, material from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course. I asked for his permission to teach and distribute some of his material.  He happily agreed, and I began translating and teaching.  I have even had the privilege of cutting up Terezinha's credit cards. 

            I traveled to Patos this past weekend where I also taught this same Financial Peace material over a 16 hour intensive class.  I was already hearing the comments about saving to invest in God's Kingdom and stop wasting money on our own desires.  I also preached, using the parable of the Unfaithful Steward in Luke 16:1-13.  It was great to spend time with these Christians and to be encouraged by their desire to seek God's will in everything they do.

The mentality of those taking the course has changed, and with time the signs will show.   Please pray for Terezinha, the church in Patos, and all of those who have gone through this course so that God's Word may spread with more speed and through good examples.

One Missionary And A Half

            I traveled to Cubati where I spent the day with Afonso and Vania, visited families, gave a Bible study, taught the Church, and spent more time with Afonso and Vania.  I took Dylan, my youngest son with me on this weekend trip.  Training can never start too early.

            Leaving Cubati, Dylan and I traveled to Areial where we spent time with Sônia, Beta, and Beatriz, participated in a radio program, gave some ideas to the church (the three ladies) about how to evangelize, and we worshipped together.

            Leaving Areial, we traveled to Campina Grande where we met with the church and talked with the Brazilian mission team about their work, and I heard some ideas about our state-wide evangelism as well.

            It was a two-day, three-city trip but well worth it.  I saw a light bulb in Areial, not literally, although they do have them, but something seemed to click as we talked about evangelizing their city, and I think and hope they begin to move forward.  I was not as encouraged this time with my visit to Cubati.  Not that they are not moving forward, but I was hoping to see more progress.  It is a tough city and they need our prayers.  In Campina Grande I was encouraged and always enjoy meeting with the mission team.  It is great to spend time with them and be encouraged by their love and joy in serving the Lord.

Financial Peace

            One of the important aspects of any mission and its future continuance is the financial side of those who give.  If Christians are having financial problems, that is, overburdened in debt, then hardly anything will be left for supporting mission efforts.  The question of whether it should be this way or not is rendered irrelevant since this is the practice in most people's lives. 

            You may think that I am writing about my own support, or that of other missionaries and mission works, but I am actually writing about the local work here in Brazil.  Brazil is booming economically.  People have more financial buying power than they have ever had before by the increase in salaries, easy credit, some lower interest rates (although lower, they are still around 280% a year on major credit cards, yes, that is not a mistype).  Most everyone is buying new cars, new TV's, new everything, and going into major debt.  This is also happening with a lot of Christians.  The similarities of this new economic "freedom" remind me of the U.S. in the 90's. 

            If the church is to become mature and support its own workers and mission efforts then the Christians need to control their buying habits, live on less than they make, and save for emergencies by being content with what God has given them.  I have been teaching the João Pessoa church, material from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course. I asked for his permission to teach and distribute some of his material.  He happily agreed, and I began translating and teaching.  I have even had the privilege of cutting up Terezinha's credit cards. 

            I traveled to Patos this past weekend where I also taught this same Financial Peace material over a 16 hour intensive class.  I was already hearing the comments about saving to invest in God's Kingdom and stop wasting money on our own desires.  I also preached, using the parable of the Unfaithful Steward in Luke 16:1-13.  It was great to spend time with these Christians and to be encouraged by their desire to seek God's will in everything they do.

The mentality of those taking the course has changed, and with time the signs will show.   Please pray for Terezinha, the church in Patos, and all of those who have gone through this course so that God's Word may spread with more speed and through good examples.

Monica Is Back

Monica traveled to São Paulo and spent a week in a retreat for missionary wives of South America.   She came back refreshed, relaxed, renewed, rejuvenated and reminded of the important things in life.  The event was sponsored and organized by a group of women from CCC (Continent Care Connection).   The women only needed to buy their plane ticket to get to the São Paulo airport, the rest was taken cared for by this wonderful group of women. 

The women received Bible classes, counseling sessions, moments of silence, solitude and prayer, relaxing massages, and of course a lot of conversation and sharing. 

Meanwhile, I was left all alone with my sons.  We had fun and were very busy.  Monica left us well stocked with food; all I needed to do was make some rice.  We had some late nights and we sort of camped-in, in the living room.  We were all glad to see her come home safely and very glad she was able to have some well deserved time to herself, with God and some God-fearing servants.

Thank you, CCC women.