Take a Look at what God has done . . .

(Here is our latest prayer update, many of you will be getting this first thing next week along with a new prayer card. Thanks so much for being a part of our lives in this way and we wait with eager minds and submissive hearts to see what God will do.)

Notes From Brasil

Beyond the excitement of ElliAnna’s arrival, God continues to prepare our hearts for ministry in Brazil. At times it seems as if the day is fast approaching, at others it still feels a long way off. In the last couple of months we received a few intriguing emails that have led to a significant increase in the “nonbaby excitement level” in our home. We want to share parts of them with you.

“Have you guys begun to think about where you will be doing language school? Are you planning on studying in Fortaleza or somewhere else? We will be able to communicate better with the Executive Committee and begin preparing for your language school better if we have an idea.”

We are often asked about where we will do our language study. (Brazilians speak Portuguese.) We will spend most of our first year in Brazil studying Portuguese.

“We are taking a container, and would love to take anything you guys need. I will be at the banquet, with a large van and trailer if necessary. I would encourage you to take electronics like computers with you, but anything else is open game. If you send any new items... washer... there may be customs to pay which would be your baby.”

This one comes from a furloughing missionary who will be returning to Brazil in a few months. We had not been planning on taking anything substantial with us but since we have the opportunity we have decided to act on it. A lot of the things we will be taking belong to the newest member of the family though we have a list of household, ministry and personal items we’re planning on taking with us.

“I will be furloughing the end of May to the middle of August. If you arrive close to or during that time would you be willing to live in my apartment? Disadvantage.. you would be on your own right away... but then maybe that is an advantage?

I live within three blocks of Iguatemi (the mall) and four blocks from Planalto Bible Church. Across the street is a beauty salon for hair cuts and it is four blocks from a pizza restaurant! Easy access to the bus that goes everywhere. But then, you would have the use of my car while I am away, giving you more time to look for your own car and apartment. The language school teacher could easily come to the apartment for classes to get started right away. Of course, I know this is just a brainstorm and totally in the Lord's hands.”

While we are not yet ready to sign on the dotted line, we are excited about the housing prospects God has already prepared for us.

Lately

It was truly a blessing to be a part of Grace and Truth Bible Church’s Missions Conference during the first week of February. We are so grateful for the churches God has given us who are committed to partnering with us for the cause of the gospel in Brazil.

It has also been a blessing to share so much of our time with our families during the last couple of months. God has blessed us with parents and siblings who challenge and support us in walking with and serving God and raising a family.

While the arrival of ElliAnna has made it tough to schedule meetings, we have been overwhelmed by the phone calls, letters and emails we have received over the last couple of months from so many of you. God has continued to increase our monthly support level so that today we have 75% of our needed monthly support promised or already being given. Even more exciting is that we have 100% of our outfit amount. This means that during the next three weeks we will be making solid plans about when we will be moving to Brazil. Depending on a couple of events this spring and summer, we are praying about moving in late May or June. Thank you for praising the Lord with us!

With these things in view we begin gathering legal documents, getting a passport for ElliAnna and prioritizing the places we would like to visit and revisit before we go to Brazil.