Sunday worship

What a wonderful morning of worship at Quintanilha Baptist Church!  There is something special about being a part of a Brazilian church service!  This morning we went to the church where we will be working this week.  Even though it was all in Portuguese, they translated some of it... But even when we couldn't understand the words, we could tell they were praising God by their faces! The pastor preached a powerful message about discipleship - we are the salt of the earth and we are here to make a difference.  The church's motto is "To be, to do, to say - the Gospel beyond words" and they are grateful that we would come spend a week with them to help reach their community.  It's going to be a great week!! We know that God is going to do awesome things in this community and we thank you for your prayers!

Leia Mais…

Saturday June 8th: A Taste of Brazil

After the team was able to get a good long nights sleep it was so nice
waking up to a delicious breakfast at the hotel. The continental
breakfasts in the US are no comparison to what kind of breakfast they
have here! Fresh cut mango, watermelon, pineapple, and other fresh
fruits, and so many different pastries, slices of meats and cheeses.
All so delicious. Fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee that will
definitely keep you on your feet.
After meeting around noon we then started our day driving along the
numerous Brazilian beaches Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra to the next stop
which was lunch- at this amazing buffet Resaturante Lokau. This place
is unbelievable. You go fill your plate up with food then they come
around with more food, sushi, grilled pineapple, pizzas, pastas, and
there so much more. Just when we thought our stomachs couldn't hold
any more they started bringing around dessert pizzas! Who can say no
to those. Well we found room that's for sure.
After getting a couple minutes to walk on the beautiful sand at the Recreio
beach and later seeing the incredible artwork at the hippi feira, we
made one more stop to grab a bite to eat. It was at a walk up bakery
where many local Brazilians stop by to grab ham and cheese sandwiches,
fried chicken pastries, and fresh juices.
Brazil has a lot of wonderful things that we are enjoying! After this full day of eating we were able to go back to the hotel and get a good night's rest in preparation for our day of worship with the church tomorrow.  

Leia Mais…

Estamos aqui porque Jesus te ama

Hello from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!!!  There are 16 of us spending a week in this beautiful city.  Beginning on Monday we will be holding a medical clinic in the Cidade de Deus favela, ministering to physical needs and sharing Jesus with people who don't know him.  "Estamos aqui porque Jesus te ama" - we are here because Jesus loves you - and even though this may be said with a Southern accent that half of the Brazilians may not understand :) we pray that through our smiles, our actions and our translated words this week that people may come to know our Lord as Savior.  Thank you for your prayers!  We are so excited to see what God is going to do this week here in Rio de Janeiro.

Leia Mais…

Back from South Africa

After another long trip we are back home from Cape Town.  We made it back safely with all our bags! We are tired and jet-lagged and spent from giving of ourselves this week but what an awesome journey!!  What a beautiful city Cape Town truly is!  On the last afternoon we were able to do a little sightseeing and were all blown away at the beauty and magnificence of the mountains and the oceans.  It is definitely a city to put at the top of your list to visit!  Amidst all this beauty lies so much poverty and suffering.  One minute our heart is in awe at the beauty that God created and the next our heart is breaking for someone who has HIV and no food to eat.  Living Hope is a great ministry God is really using to help so many hurting people in Cape Town. We were blessed to meet the many people that are a part of that ministry and to work alongside them this past week.  We are thankful to God for this experience.  And now as we are returning home, we know that our journey is not over.  Our week in Cape Town was one chapter in the book of our lives and it was one amazing chapter.  But come Monday morning we are still on mission with God.  We may not be giving out eye glasses or washing feet but we know God has a plan for us right here and wants to use us for His glory.  We greatly appreciate all the prayers this week and we ask for continued prayers for each of us as we continue to follow God on this next chapter of our journey!

Leia Mais…

Experiencing God's Love

Today was another great day!   On Valentine's Day we were not just able to share about God's Love but were able to experience it with some special people. This morning we had clinic at Living Grace, the substance abuse rehab and counseling program of Living Hope. God is at work in that place!  It was amazing!  We arrived in time to share in their devotion time.  The joy and passion as they worshiped and prayed to the Lord touched all of us.  Then as we began to talk with patients that came through clinic, we heard some of the stories of redemption - lives that were transformed by the power of God.  Many of them had only know Christ for a month or two and we were able to encourage them and pray with them.  Our hearts are full today! I wish that I was able to describe to you what we felt in that place or recount all the amazing stories.  You just had to be there!  Tomorrow is our last day of clinic and we can't believe how fast that it has flown by!  We appreciate all of you that are praying for us us during this week.  Your prayers are making a difference!

Leia Mais…

Another Great Day in Cape Town

We are so grateful for all that God has allowed us to experience this week!  We have seen Him at work in so many ways, both in the lives of the people we are ministering to as well in our own lives.  It was a great day! God in His wisdom allowed us to go to a new site today.  There were many needs, both physical and spiritual.  Seeds were planted, people were loved and lives were changed.  When asked if she believed in Jesus, one patient answered, "He's the only reason I'm still here today!" This week we have also been able to rejoice with South African Christians, whose joy and love for the Lord is so encouraging!  We are worn out at the end of each day but God just keeps filling us up each night.  Tomorrow is another day and we are excited to see what amazing things God is going to do!  We are so looking forward to sharing Valentine's Day and celebrating God's Love with the people of Living Grace.

Leia Mais…

Abundantly More Than We Could Ask

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

This verse has become our theme verse for the week!  We want you to know how much we appreciate your prayers!  We also appreciate all the notes from our prayer partners.  Three different notes team members received today included Ephesians 3:20.  What a God thing!  Because today we saw God do abundantly more than we could even ask or imagine! Today was the day of salvation for one of our team members!  God has brought Nathan on an amazing journey thus far and it has been amazing to watch as God has used this trip to draw Nathan into a relationship with Him.  He prayed to receive Christ as his Savior to a South African sunrise this morning and was baptized this afternoon in the Indian Ocean!!  We are all in awe and praising God for His work in Nathan's life!  Please pray for Nathan and his walk with God... We know God has special plans for his life!

We had a busy and hot day but a great one!  In our eye clinic we saw 133 patients (yesterday we saw 50) at two different sites.  This morning we ended up having to set up outside. It was HOT and there were SO many people to be seen, but the team had such a cheerful and serving spirit.  Thank you for your continued prayers!

Leia Mais…