Visit to the States
It was so great to spend time with my nieces and nephews!
On June 2, a year and a half after I moved here to Brazil, I boarded the first of five planes to eventually end up in Peoria. It was about a 34 hour trip. It was great to travel part of the way with my missionary friends Nate, Ruth, Anna and Rebecca as well as Vontoria, a visitor who was returning to the U.S. It made traveling a lot more fun!
Dad and mom with the newlyweds
I stayed in Peoria for 3 weeks and it was wonderful to spend time my family, attend my nephews’ birthday parties, shop with my niece, celebrate Father’s Day with my dad, be part of my brother David’s wedding, share about Brazil at different churches and at my open house, eat my favorite food, shop til I dropped, and so much more! I packed as much as possible in those 3 weeks.
Brazilian snacks at my open house
God is so good, and it is amazing to me how He keeps opening new opportunities for me to pass on the vision for Brazil. He is bringing new partners willing to invest in the work here that is changing lives for eternity! There is still so much work to be done.
Congresso da PAZ 2011 (PAZ Crusade 2011)
July 1-3, Igreja da PAZ put on the annual crusade in the city soccer stadium. The church plans, prepares and prays all year for this event. Thousands heard the gospel message during these 3 nights. A dance presentation told the story of the 10 virgins from the book of Revelation , five whose lamps were full of oil and prepared for the bridegroom (Jesus) to come, and 5 who were left behind because they were unprepared. The 3rd night there was a drama that explained the reality of heaven and hell and the choice each of us has to make of whom we will serve. Throughout the 3 nights, over 600 people gave their lives to Christ and many were healed of physical problems. It was incredible to see the power of God at work!
Evangelism Trip
Kids with presents the team brought
I spent 9 days out on the river with Brazilians and an American team from Oregon. It was such a blessing to work with this group! We went to many different villages and visited people in their homes, played games with kids, gave out gifts to adults, kids and babies, held church services, prayed over the sick and saw them healed before our eyes, and so much more. We also had awesome devotions together every morning, taking time to pray for one another and encourage one another. And of course there was time to have fun, like hike through the jungle, swim in a creek, sing together on top of the boat and laugh a lot!
Villagers receiving Bibles
One really cool testimony that I’d like to share is about a young man in his 20′s. We visited his family and asked if they had any prayer requests. He asked for prayer for headaches and back pain. One of the team members sensed that he was going through another difficulty in his life. As she talked with him, he started opening up and sharing a situation that had brought a lot of shame and bitterness to his life. Another team member led him through a prayer of repentance and deliverance and he was set free and instantly healed of his pain as well! The curse of the devil cannot hold down the power of God! It was really beautiful to see his life transformed and to see peace and joy on his face.
Praying over Pr. Reinaldo
One other very special time was when we prayed over several of the river pastors and their wives. We spoke words of knowledge and encouragement for them. It was beautiful to watch them weep and laugh as the Holy Spirit filled them and touched them. These dedicated men and women are my heroes, laboring in tough circumstances to bring the gospel to the Amazon Basin. They may not be recognized on earth, but there is a big reward for them in heaven!
Health Trips
Praying for a patient
I spent 5 days in the interior, holding clinics in 3 different communities with our health team. It was quite an adventure, traveling by ferry, truck and VW van by water and dirt roads, sometimes almost impassable because of water and ruts.
New life in Christ!
I attended an elderly woman that came to the clinic with her son. She shared with me her physical ailment, and then I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to ask her if she was a believer. When she answered no, I explained the plan of salvation to her and how Jesus was offering new life to her right then if she would receive it. She said she wanted to, so I had the awesome privilege of leading her in a prayer to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior! I know the angels were rejoicing in heaven. Later, in the evening church service, her son shared how he had received a prophecy a month before that his whole family would come to salvation. I believe his mom was the first! God is so merciful, and it is His will that none should perish, but all have eternal life.
