Sunday, April 11, 2010

Almost 3

Next month, Lord willing, we will celebrate 3 years in Brazil. To those who have made that possible through prayer and support, we thank you. To God who makes all things possible through Jesus, we bow before You in thankfulness.


This picture of our family was taken at our annual mission conference that we attended in March. It was great to meet colleagues from all over Brazil for the first time and to talk with some missionaries who worked with Melissa's grandparents while they were here years ago.

The rains of March and April brought heavy flooding in our neighborhood and all throughout Rio(left- a street that runs close to our house). The picture on the right is of the home of a family who attends a sister congregation in another part of Rio. The stream by the house raised so high that they had over 3 feet of standing water in their livingroom and had to flee thier house. They lost virtually everything and the believers of Rio are working together to help them to replace ruined belongings, to repair the home, and to build a retaining wall along the stream.


In February we welcomed a new laborer to the harvest field of Rio when Pastor Ricardo married Helena, a seminary graduate from the capital city of Brasilia. They are working in a church in the neighborhood of Niteroi. Also in February, we had our annual Summer Youth Retreat which was well attended.


The kids are continuing to adapt well to Brazil. On a day in the high 90's, Daniel (2) enjoyed sipping a green coconut. During Youth Camp, our co-worker's daughter Joanna (in light blue) came over to our house and had a fun time with Myla, Ellie and Daniel at their own Summer Camp put on by Melissa and our co-worker Dori. In April, Myla lost her 1st tooth.