Brazil, etc.

I can’t believe I have been here two weeks already! The time has gone by quickly as I’m getting settled into my new home and experiencing new things every day! The Lord has been so good, and the adjustment is going well so far. I have already been to 7 two-hour Portuguese language classes, so my Portuguese is improving a little bit every day.

Going to language class at PAZ headquarters

One of my favorite things is going to church. The Brazilians are so excited to worship Jesus! There are 7 services at the largest church here in Santarem and all of them are packed out! I have also been plugged into a cell group with Brazilians from the church. It meets weekly on Wednesday nights. PAZ believes that every believer needs to be discipled on a regular basis and involved in a cell group, where they can grow in their walk with Christ and also be trained up to be leaders and bring others to Christ. I can’t understand much yet, but this week I was able to read scripture verses and pray a few sentences! I also attend Tadel on Tuesday nights, which is a training service for those in the church involved in leadership.

My host family is wonderful! Cristina has welcomed me warmly into her home and has been so patient in helping me with my Portuguese. We have had many laughs as we try to understand each other and often use sign language! She has promised to teach me how to cook Brazilian food, which I’m excited about!

My hostess Cristina and me in the back of the pickup

Transportation here is interesting. I do not have a vehicle and plan to use public transportation for a while. The bus seemed like a good idea, but the buses here are not very dependable. Several times they have been late, and a couple times they have changed their route on me! My favorite mode of transportation is the mototaxi. It’s fast, easy and adventuresome! Not sure how it works during the rainy season, though! And then there’s always a creative person who comes up with their own way to get people around, like lawn chairs in the back of a pickup! That’s how we got home from cell group one night. Probably not exactly legal in the U.S.! When all else fails, my own two feet get me around. I’m getting good exercise for sure!

Giving the mototaxi directions

I’m going on my first trip with the health team this weekend! It’s a village where the church has recently started a work. We will be leaving early Saturday morning and returning Sunday. I would really appreciate your prayers that the Lord would bless our time there and give us opportunities to show the love of Jesus. I look forward to sharing about it next week!

I end with a Brazilian saying that they use when saying good-bye, “Fica com Deus.” Stay with God!

Appointed Time

Well, the day has finally arrived…tomorrow I move to Brazil! This morning at 9:00 a.m., I received my visa – just in time! I was reading the Psalms last night and came across Psalm 75:2 that says that God sets the appointed time. Over and over in these last few months, He has proved to me that He is sovereign and His timing is perfect in everything. I would appreciate your prayers as my friend Heidi and I are traveling. We will be in planes and airports for about 30 hours. We will arrive in Santarem at midnight Thursday night. It is hard to part with loved ones, and yet I’m so excited to see what God has ahead! Be watching for my next update from South America!

Visa Approved!

I’m excited to say that my visa has finally been approved!! I should have my stamped passport in hand in a week. My departure date is December 2, and I really get to go this time! It is wonderful to see how God works everything together for the good of those who love Him. He is the best provider!

Global Health Missions Conference

Last Thursday I piled in the car with my new friends Kate and Leah and headed to Louisville, KY for the annual Global Health Missions Conference. I had heard good things about it, but this was my first chance to attend. On the 5 hour trip there, we had plenty of time to get to know each other better and swap stories of experiences from mission trips around the world. Kate and Leah also have a heart to use their medical skills to help those in need and share the good news of Christ.

We arrived at Southeast Christian Church where the conference was held and got in line with hundreds of others to register. It was fascinating to see how many people from all over the world have a heart for missions! The church campus is the perfect place for such an event, with a sanctuary seating approx. 9,000, numerous classrooms of all sizes, 2 large fellowship halls, a bookstore, a cafe and more! It was a good thing I had a map to find my way around!

The focus of this year’s conference was all about empowering and equipping nationals to improve their communities and bring their countrymen to Christ. In the mornings and evenings, we all met together in the sanctuary for a time of worship and a special speaker. Then during the rest of the day we could choose from a variety of workshops on topics such as “Biblical Foundations of Health Missions”, “Personal Preparation”, “Community Health”, to name a few. I was impressed that  the speakers were seasoned missionaries with a passion to reach the most faraway places with the love of Jesus, and they spoke out of their personal experiences and learned lessons.

The two fellowship halls were filled with row after row of booths-organizations and ministries providing resources and opportunities to serve worldwide. I was almost overwhelmed as I walked from table to table and realized the extreme need from Africa and Asia to South America. And these ministries are putting hands and feet to their vision.

Myself, Kate and Leah

A question asked in one of the sessions was, “What is required of a missionary?” The answer, “Unconditional, immediate surrender”. Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Counting the cost. He requires my all. And in return He becomes all in all. A missionary is not only one who goes to a foreign country; he is anyone who has becomes a follower of Jesus. The cost is high, but the reward is eternal. Nothing compares to it!

Matthew 24:14 says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” That is an exciting promise! When the world has heard the good news, Jesus will return! I want to be a part of speeding up Christ’s return. How about you?

 

Blessings

The delay in my visa has led to many blessings:

• One blessing about still being in Illinois is that I have been able to enjoy the fall weather! The leaves have been extra colorful and brilliant this year. I also love caramel and apples, hot cider, spice pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie and all the rest that goes along with autumn!

• Another blessing is that I will be able to spend one more holiday with my family – Thanksgiving!

• I am blessed by the opportunity to attend the Global Missions Health Conference in Louisville, KY Nov. 12-14. It offers vast resources and information on medical mission work going on around the world. I look forward to sharing more about it when I get back!

• I am able to pack and take more medical supplies that have been generously donated.

• I have had more time to spend in the Word and getting to know Jesus more!

Here’s what’s happening with the visa situation:

I am now applying for a tourist visa, so that I am guaranteed to depart on December 2. I will begin language training and acclimation of the culture. When my one year visa is approved, I will make a quick trip back here to pick it up.

The Lord truly does “work all things together for those who love Him”!