tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72352312337088241862024-03-07T01:52:09.792-03:00David and Sharon Taylor"He must increase, but I must decrease." Jn.3:30David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-88808915079583289282012-07-31T16:32:00.001-03:002012-07-31T16:50:19.571-03:00Our summer in pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know I have done a terrible job of keeping our blog up to date. Being away from the work in Brazil makes it harder for me to write about what's going on there, so if you want to know more about the ministry there, check out Christen's blog at <a href="http://www.taylors4brazil.blogspot.com/">www.taylors4brazil.blogspot.com</a>. </div>
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We've had a fun summer, but I won't go into all the details. Here are some pictures to summarize the past couple of months. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtZowb3Sia68t_TAW7ZEHAZDMzpXqocZZfQZ7w7NQWoX2POxzT_6P3s8mWB6ZOEPlpIEvUylNU2P6tsiXCE0Ud3T8mOm_sYh5Z2lee0U5yypbtjEdcHMBM3ZO2VVzIfL1ELOK7Q4DUm70/s1600/2012-06-28+12.45.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtZowb3Sia68t_TAW7ZEHAZDMzpXqocZZfQZ7w7NQWoX2POxzT_6P3s8mWB6ZOEPlpIEvUylNU2P6tsiXCE0Ud3T8mOm_sYh5Z2lee0U5yypbtjEdcHMBM3ZO2VVzIfL1ELOK7Q4DUm70/s320/2012-06-28+12.45.52.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David was the missionary speaker for teen boys' week at Mountain View Bible Camp in VA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelMRpocIHf3B7h9SizDzX5nafEQ5i4r7LQMDosSAWfmPmGVGpuMD49e-aoSaM9b5eLYhoh03wWePdTzTMjE7MecHKJPOs7X9zVNeMDcivyvSGo0p12ZZdRC-GE-vPPse2WfuJo8IN1yYQ/s1600/2012-06-27+13.49.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelMRpocIHf3B7h9SizDzX5nafEQ5i4r7LQMDosSAWfmPmGVGpuMD49e-aoSaM9b5eLYhoh03wWePdTzTMjE7MecHKJPOs7X9zVNeMDcivyvSGo0p12ZZdRC-GE-vPPse2WfuJo8IN1yYQ/s320/2012-06-27+13.49.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up a mountain with the boys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids enjoyed meeting new friends during camp week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtsxTrGED60CZH0AE2hsjitGoIdgrXSfmhNnB2Rx5xyLco9HYWEpdCq9hC9TaQAEtXPTtAZ8kjgI4kUXRf6MYMI2GbZPtf6AXhwsnLMuZGFL5keUaqsRbI33wMNtUxLIcKti2UuuPXVlY/s1600/2012-06-28+11.41.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtsxTrGED60CZH0AE2hsjitGoIdgrXSfmhNnB2Rx5xyLco9HYWEpdCq9hC9TaQAEtXPTtAZ8kjgI4kUXRf6MYMI2GbZPtf6AXhwsnLMuZGFL5keUaqsRbI33wMNtUxLIcKti2UuuPXVlY/s320/2012-06-28+11.41.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching movies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for fireworks to celebrate July 4th</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures don't do them justice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SVqLQ2ge4cBNnbePLlehGmFYZ2t9y3-V3twCcyOOhOyneRFNvvYnURCEJeBgEbrRMZ_jSGC7TwYGNm0L-SF9XbS3ODGbggeU4Xorj0GdX7OIVpZpAgTXA5VmQ8Pkhj8njOhaQph1SpM4/s1600/2012-07-17+11.13.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SVqLQ2ge4cBNnbePLlehGmFYZ2t9y3-V3twCcyOOhOyneRFNvvYnURCEJeBgEbrRMZ_jSGC7TwYGNm0L-SF9XbS3ODGbggeU4Xorj0GdX7OIVpZpAgTXA5VmQ8Pkhj8njOhaQph1SpM4/s320/2012-07-17+11.13.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David's sister Rachel came to spend a few days with us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to go to the Andy Griffith museum in Mt. Airy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids and I have gone to the nearby public library for story time and different events, like firetruck day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating our anniversary Kanpai-style. So good ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 years!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out at the pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating birth (the daughter of a childhood friend of mine)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39ieYSEhuGd-bF41pEyQ5Y-4VeuVYWCAxj5gRzLTBbU28dQgtoUwIWHKubUgLAjdmMkVJokV3qvzs8g9IMQGZPjW_n62nuBs1L5zOb5i6Vls25Wz26GKujiKKzC1n6TlgIlA8Jsjkm2b9/s1600/2012-07-27+20.15.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39ieYSEhuGd-bF41pEyQ5Y-4VeuVYWCAxj5gRzLTBbU28dQgtoUwIWHKubUgLAjdmMkVJokV3qvzs8g9IMQGZPjW_n62nuBs1L5zOb5i6Vls25Wz26GKujiKKzC1n6TlgIlA8Jsjkm2b9/s320/2012-07-27+20.15.55.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and birthdays. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeJ4pEk4Ll6eqTkY3fPfEd8E9aBYw1A_JZdV2TADcRvDh4oaa35ClZNUXCob4Y7obtVk19qs57sx-9iMGmxorWPLI2czp8nVspsExuAO2ozWEdxd0GaibI66nTFPZHKhf8GwrXQ3i4076/s1600/2012-07-30+14.17.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeJ4pEk4Ll6eqTkY3fPfEd8E9aBYw1A_JZdV2TADcRvDh4oaa35ClZNUXCob4Y7obtVk19qs57sx-9iMGmxorWPLI2czp8nVspsExuAO2ozWEdxd0GaibI66nTFPZHKhf8GwrXQ3i4076/s320/2012-07-30+14.17.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Aunt Leah, for the cupcakes with blue icing ... :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvLwwoQQD8ItIrDWpaPwK9NMlNZyL_n4bWZ0g_TeoiS4cviPqzBrRwBB_xYiC9RRKGe3bm5gjnV3giDbyUaQ-wnl0LoU639I7jCEyaUZQ5QU1QtsEaF3HtbJXRnol3skTBw-Shaa5yyrC/s1600/2012-06-14+17.31.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvLwwoQQD8ItIrDWpaPwK9NMlNZyL_n4bWZ0g_TeoiS4cviPqzBrRwBB_xYiC9RRKGe3bm5gjnV3giDbyUaQ-wnl0LoU639I7jCEyaUZQ5QU1QtsEaF3HtbJXRnol3skTBw-Shaa5yyrC/s320/2012-06-14+17.31.21.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabriel is into superheroes these days.<br />
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Doing some fishing</div>
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Hanging out with family</div>
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So that's it in a nutshell. Most weekends we have been presentng the work in Brazil in one of our supporting churches. Pray for us as we head out to Illinois and Iowa. Enjoy your last few weeks of summer!</div>
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</tbody></table>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com156tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-55903911712337020002012-06-12T22:41:00.001-03:002012-06-12T22:46:03.720-03:00In everything give thanks. Really?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends</td></tr>
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I have struggled with knowing what to blog about while we're on furlough. Life just keeps moving along in the normal routine-ness of daily living. Our ministry obligations have changed, obviously, so there's not much to report about our work in Brazil. Christen, my sister-in-law, does a great job of <br />
updating their blog about the church in Brazil, so if you're interested in that, check out her blog at <a href="http://www.taylors4brazil.blogspot.com/">www.taylors4brazil.blogspot.com</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Smithsonian</td></tr>
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We had a great family trip a couple of weeks ago where we spent a few days in Washington, D.C. riding the metro and seeing some sights, and then we went on to Delaware where we got to spend some really special days with some friends who support our ministry, as well as present our work in a supporting church nearby. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn9NCz2zhpV9qh2WUzlvCfZzTt7LkMCav4xOH-yjqkXQ-MRh-CW7xX4Bm4Awfe8TvJL2BBiR8DB-znowe5_b9l3fXnhOLTFv0KiQ-xtbMnZcUIK7VoGfbXi1CwOBKKH7NoDqSV0iPqR2f/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn9NCz2zhpV9qh2WUzlvCfZzTt7LkMCav4xOH-yjqkXQ-MRh-CW7xX4Bm4Awfe8TvJL2BBiR8DB-znowe5_b9l3fXnhOLTFv0KiQ-xtbMnZcUIK7VoGfbXi1CwOBKKH7NoDqSV0iPqR2f/s200/096.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun at a party</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun in the pool</td></tr>
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God really blessed us on our trip. The kids behaved really well overall, we had very encouraging spiritual conversations with our friends and played some killer rounds of Farkle with them, we got to do a lot of fun stuff, the church we were in was very gracious to us, and all these gifts from God we accepted with eager, almost greedy, outstretched hands. <br />
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We returned home around 2 in the morning, tired but happy and spiritually refreshed. But then as we drove down our gravel road, David stopped and pointed out that our front door was standing open and there were lights on in the house. We immediately called the police and they came and examined the house before we went in to see what damage had been done. Thankfully, it was not as bad as it could have been, but the thief did manage to find the cash that we had set aside towards the purchase of a car and a few days later, David noticed that the external hard drive was gone too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j7A10mW1Xq9CPRTG83mJJ4ikqWCa7JhPyM3rykCjFsOR4bbo6uhyphenhyphenvX1x_sBv3X6TvJ2jvkZWZraAGrF2CSEivYRFZQViQQ_9s-3Rs6sf1I0MoamOlpBTu_CnQ_BJUGTfLhLgO453Rmcv/s1600/116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j7A10mW1Xq9CPRTG83mJJ4ikqWCa7JhPyM3rykCjFsOR4bbo6uhyphenhyphenvX1x_sBv3X6TvJ2jvkZWZraAGrF2CSEivYRFZQViQQ_9s-3Rs6sf1I0MoamOlpBTu_CnQ_BJUGTfLhLgO453Rmcv/s320/116.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
It was a frustrating way to end our little trip, and suddenly, it was very easy to forget all the blessings that we had received so eagerly during the past week. We have been robbed several times throughout the years. I've had things ranging from an old towel to a car stolen from me. And everytime, there is that feeling of indignation that rises up inside of me -- "How DARE they!!" There is that feeling of being violated, the creepy feeling of someone having been in my house, opening drawers, picking through our stuff, selecting what they want from our possessions as if it's their right to take from us what we worked hard to earn and save. It can be infuriating if I dwell on those thoughts for too long. <br />
But amazingly, we were both pretty calm about it this time. We have been growing in our trust in God's sovereignty and this was a perfect chance to test what we claim to believe. Like Job said (in my words), are we only willing to accept all the good things God has to offer and not the bad things He brings our way? (Job 2:10) What? Does God bring bad things into our lives on purpose? How is that kind and loving and merciful? How does that match up with His righteous character? And another question is, should I thank God for all the blessings I receive, but not thank Him for what I see as ... un-blessings? Does Scripture ever make an exception for what I should thank God for? I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God ..." I don't see an exception clause in there. "In everything, (except those things which you don't like or appreciate) give thanks." This is a truth I have been slowly learning recently as well as I work through a book on that very subject. Amazing, isn't it, how God teaches us a truth theoretically through His Word and through teachers who have grasped that truth, and then takes us on a field trip to give us a chance for hands-on learning, to put into practice that which we claim to believe so firmly. <br />
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So I'm blessed that I serve a God who is good and righteous, who ordains all the details of my life, and who expects my gratitude for the good and bad. Because in the end, I think I will look back and think, "what bad?" because it will all have been worth it.David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-25030648372365201702012-05-04T11:52:00.000-03:002012-05-04T12:01:16.165-03:00Confessions of a missionary wife on furlough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6ml-XxhMDEvtYVUlNbzFMfY1nGl1zWGVokr-uIHDGC2nRjvDlSlwQN_KM4sJDlSDdRB8mR_cMmyUH03e69KTERaspzkjraRotxhH88qCiMQlLZqAy5VTLtT0YXcJaLFYdigVee0yEYXD/s1600/150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6ml-XxhMDEvtYVUlNbzFMfY1nGl1zWGVokr-uIHDGC2nRjvDlSlwQN_KM4sJDlSDdRB8mR_cMmyUH03e69KTERaspzkjraRotxhH88qCiMQlLZqAy5VTLtT0YXcJaLFYdigVee0yEYXD/s320/150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Furlough ... "a temporary leave of absence." I think it's mostly a blessing ... It is nice to have a change of pace and a change of scenery and see people for the first time in years who have been an important part of our lives. It's fun to shop in the States -- really fun. The variety and great prices are wonderful. If you live here, don't take that for granted. What I would give for a Lifeway, a Kohl's, a WalMart, a Target or even a Dollar Store in Brazil. Don't laugh at me because I'm pretty sure you would miss those places too if you no longer lived near them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpixWHKw62vSg_VhrG_-fpJryC2KLPn2fdLHR6Q6VFnqs9mVkZ3XosA4n8ApnTkHcPZnrHZz_STiMklL_UKiVh7ObDLKBi8Vi3qmPZOrHIchiq5CXA-PpzCG4nRmIFvM1liYzF1EAJ1BL/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpixWHKw62vSg_VhrG_-fpJryC2KLPn2fdLHR6Q6VFnqs9mVkZ3XosA4n8ApnTkHcPZnrHZz_STiMklL_UKiVh7ObDLKBi8Vi3qmPZOrHIchiq5CXA-PpzCG4nRmIFvM1liYzF1EAJ1BL/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a>And don't even get me started on the deals at thrift shops for practically brand new stuff that people just give away. Incredible. It's fun to go to the public library, the public parks, and all the variety of restaurants. (In Brazil, I REALLY miss Mexican restaurants, mainly because of the chips and salsa. I'm already a little sad just thinking about going without that for another four years.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzZcpO-3cHcY-C6eUzRSSe-o2JXS1HaISbFq36OfOthXMT_kvopRIngR-6DNUf3xJEoQw70OIC73wI62HBwtVR1SoOFtf-oub-4gcoeV7zU_wKNGysBjybk0t7j94lot_bbH9NarRgeZ0/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzZcpO-3cHcY-C6eUzRSSe-o2JXS1HaISbFq36OfOthXMT_kvopRIngR-6DNUf3xJEoQw70OIC73wI62HBwtVR1SoOFtf-oub-4gcoeV7zU_wKNGysBjybk0t7j94lot_bbH9NarRgeZ0/s320/063.JPG" width="320" /></a> Housework is easier in the States, too. For whatever reason, houses do not seem to get so dirty as quickly, and therefore do not need to be cleaned as often. Cooking is easier, doing laundry is easier, and doing dishes is easier. (Yes, I am also a little sad thinking about not having a dish washer once we get back to Brazil. Can we say, spoiled?) <br />
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There are some things that are harder here, though. Like, pumping your own gas. Haha, seriously, why do Americans have to get out and pump their own gas? That is a luxury Brazilians enjoy and I have to say, I kind of miss that. The whole weight gain thing is hard too. Maybe that's because of all the chips and salsa and the easy housework. And what is up with the coffee here? I'm just saying ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrOhtoKbXwwxzA3pDqc9CxJNEIVgdiYDWjJHK1R3u08sLUKY25X89RXz4LKahJvnIzOTa5C1KU2RyqIeInadmw3E3qMzypzAGXtcQNnhrTrhR8q02YmHFVrH6JaU9w6XbG_9KzdzYzfLE/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrOhtoKbXwwxzA3pDqc9CxJNEIVgdiYDWjJHK1R3u08sLUKY25X89RXz4LKahJvnIzOTa5C1KU2RyqIeInadmw3E3qMzypzAGXtcQNnhrTrhR8q02YmHFVrH6JaU9w6XbG_9KzdzYzfLE/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a>But on a more serious side, there are some aspects of furlough that I am struggling with. It's not easy being in a different church on a regular basis, especially with our children. It's hard enough to feel slightly pressured to be prepared for meetings and present our work in Brazil well to those who have partnered with us, but then you add in the variable of children, and well, it can get tough. Why my kids choose the worst possible moments to be on their worst behavior is beyond me, but let's just say that I've had to fight back tears more than once because of how my children were acting in church. And since I'm the missionary's wife, it probably wouldn't look good if I were to lose it in front of our supporting churches, even if one (or both) of my children is kicking (yes) and crying and screaming not to go into their class or running like crazy little people in the sanctuary and messing with the instruments and jumping off the stage (thankfully, this is not <em>during</em> the service). <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mhUhrI9f5n4/T6PmFfEs6MI/AAAAAAAABUY/D8gCB_aII_c/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mhUhrI9f5n4/T6PmFfEs6MI/AAAAAAAABUY/D8gCB_aII_c/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a>I struggle between missing my life in Brazil and everything that goes with it -- our friends, our ministry, our house, our familiar routine -- and being worried that our time on furlough is going by too fast and soon we'll have to leave the States and all the blessings of living here. I appreciate meeting new people at our supporting churches and getting together over a meal with new and old friends, but I do not enjoy feeling the pressure of making sure my kids are behaving a certain way or that we are saying the right things. Perhaps that pressure is self-imposed and I'm working on that because I realize that I cannot be perfect and the only One who is completely perfect knows my heart and understands my struggles and is there to help me when I am fighting feelings of doubt and inadequacy.<br />
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Recently, I bought a kids' cd for Gabriel and Juliana to listen to on our trips. The songs are a little ... ok, a lot ... cheesy, but the words of one song kind of stood out to me.<br />
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When the sun shines bright and your heart is light,<br />
Jesus is the Friend you need;<br />
When the clouds hang low in this world of woe,<br />
Jesus is the Friend you need.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_ucDqtBGdL6LWnQ59VDibAdFhyuZPBmQGLdfjgLHZtIYGFTbUd7US7zze8LAA9t4Z6Svypte21iZPFiPgu4gi7eJrWpkfviRIrfr6j8YblUAxJXUIveV0KEBNj0I5JzK8kaMUQjk51Xn/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_ucDqtBGdL6LWnQ59VDibAdFhyuZPBmQGLdfjgLHZtIYGFTbUd7US7zze8LAA9t4Z6Svypte21iZPFiPgu4gi7eJrWpkfviRIrfr6j8YblUAxJXUIveV0KEBNj0I5JzK8kaMUQjk51Xn/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a> I liked the reminder that I need Jesus by my side regardless of whether I'm enjoying a fun outing with people I love dearly or whether I'm fighting tears of frustration over a situation that I am completely helpless to do anything about. After all, isn't God the One who has ordained everything for my life? Don't both good and bad work together to make me look more like Jesus? And so, I pray that our furlough experiences, just like every other life experience, point me always back to Jesus and that I'm not too caught up enjoying my chips and salsa to see His hand in every thing that comes my way.David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-11354731467102590442012-03-17T17:43:00.001-03:002012-03-17T17:43:13.613-03:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have been back in the States for over a week now. It's been a lot of fun. I'm just going to post some pictures with a brief explanation that kind of summarize the last 10 days or so. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are thankful for friends who came to say goodbye the day before we left. It feels good to know you are loved and will be missed. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9wyKPz-iP4nwufCh5uJnBBeIgCJE5-bWYgRSomfkrgdWxQ-pZetKu3jC4zgf1Uhh48Qu9L-mHhOVuE82hvuDvJZX2nY4FbFEtRnIC2yxzCzE_YLq3-qn9xnDU726QgRGR_jdXwcCGs0B/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9wyKPz-iP4nwufCh5uJnBBeIgCJE5-bWYgRSomfkrgdWxQ-pZetKu3jC4zgf1Uhh48Qu9L-mHhOVuE82hvuDvJZX2nY4FbFEtRnIC2yxzCzE_YLq3-qn9xnDU726QgRGR_jdXwcCGs0B/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabe was so excited to go on his first plane ride that he can remember. We are thankful for safe flights and smooth traveling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2R06GMYePo/T2I_oRTSyVI/AAAAAAAABTU/LuPKWcFH1aI/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2R06GMYePo/T2I_oRTSyVI/AAAAAAAABTU/LuPKWcFH1aI/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am thankful for my little boy who loves super heroes. This was in the Rio airport during our long layover.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ1Wv21hUEWDop69lWVqkekhEmXknvXes2J1RwWTaIIqt2D98oV77uHHbTj03eZUl-sgr7v3p7wJ6aYvcT2PgSFBUmC50r9uI_CnvWCIp17VjKoWqp4EW3Z43XpfF6HQshj233WoDHZ8h/s1600/airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ1Wv21hUEWDop69lWVqkekhEmXknvXes2J1RwWTaIIqt2D98oV77uHHbTj03eZUl-sgr7v3p7wJ6aYvcT2PgSFBUmC50r9uI_CnvWCIp17VjKoWqp4EW3Z43XpfF6HQshj233WoDHZ8h/s320/airport.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful for family who got up super early to be at the airport to welcome us back.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GmMUkoOCSdnm0oj6Qf_tqp2lOa9EmikIsyvDRVVOuPH_ay-w5Q2uacGG5BUyNV2wnZJAaayTTNoMHeaA6ZUqDYIWf6fgN6q-IpWKbbfA6F-DVLCcFgvlh4yreOK0Nn4l3_U2z5-_ftFl/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GmMUkoOCSdnm0oj6Qf_tqp2lOa9EmikIsyvDRVVOuPH_ay-w5Q2uacGG5BUyNV2wnZJAaayTTNoMHeaA6ZUqDYIWf6fgN6q-IpWKbbfA6F-DVLCcFgvlh4yreOK0Nn4l3_U2z5-_ftFl/s320/IMG_0207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starbucks ... yes, I'm thankful for that. Had to stop there on the way home from the airport.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_EqSC2n6rxCRLnEtkoXkGKliCijq3aDo0qlBuJlkJBVXyf6-4uiVD5exQSZuVuWC-fmt_c55-FY-ICti3CN1_3H_LlT_m7_YcBp6_T5omrxKqz-siXAc5g04K_H_Qqq-C3b_Ednw06pl/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_EqSC2n6rxCRLnEtkoXkGKliCijq3aDo0qlBuJlkJBVXyf6-4uiVD5exQSZuVuWC-fmt_c55-FY-ICti3CN1_3H_LlT_m7_YcBp6_T5omrxKqz-siXAc5g04K_H_Qqq-C3b_Ednw06pl/s320/IMG_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our home church has graciously provided a beautiful, furnished house for us to live in during our furlough. The kitchen table was piled with fun groceries and gifts from people in the church. I'm thankful for how the body of Christ shows love for each other in such tangible ways.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuX6vtzGft8wSAL9h0aqK8hZjMSLZq5Ly1QvP5vaNKB59npaEq2w-QEFMIRgB6zOhgn1UICoZAfnzC5hWr2L83b6JR5Yxg3JMJlXM8xplXmhXqphdmsBf1HjO9RBRk0U3jIYlMLtzKgxk/s1600/mexican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuX6vtzGft8wSAL9h0aqK8hZjMSLZq5Ly1QvP5vaNKB59npaEq2w-QEFMIRgB6zOhgn1UICoZAfnzC5hWr2L83b6JR5Yxg3JMJlXM8xplXmhXqphdmsBf1HjO9RBRk0U3jIYlMLtzKgxk/s1600/mexican.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Per my request, my family went to a Mexican restaurant the first night we were back. Chips and salsa ... how can you not be thankful for that? Try going without it for 4 years, and then you'll understand.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gbUWlPOK7Z_odr2YZppdmYd8BmonB014gpPDEZjfRwlxXz0XHqvmVLz9cWpXtK0OCthE5jNVD1MPWV5XMlr7YeOS7IozP1In6I5FbJOHb4maOX2wzC_FjstIMv9l1-A7NBnKoa0iNj1T/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gbUWlPOK7Z_odr2YZppdmYd8BmonB014gpPDEZjfRwlxXz0XHqvmVLz9cWpXtK0OCthE5jNVD1MPWV5XMlr7YeOS7IozP1In6I5FbJOHb4maOX2wzC_FjstIMv9l1-A7NBnKoa0iNj1T/s320/IMG_0233.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm very thankful for my precious little girl who turned 2 on Sunday. We had a party for her at a very crazy, crowded, loud Chuck E. Cheese's. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzdhIMD_xzlGcMrvhqOAfy8f-v1sYKECtXsRJ0-BFqSFZK6PgkyQdKe-Twtz-7xOnnGwiNce9U_bBq16ABePFqIhPiLM6oxuDupKySZGAMD7zWYTYl78C3hI2samzOTbNowtpJ5Np_qaX/s1600/baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzdhIMD_xzlGcMrvhqOAfy8f-v1sYKECtXsRJ0-BFqSFZK6PgkyQdKe-Twtz-7xOnnGwiNce9U_bBq16ABePFqIhPiLM6oxuDupKySZGAMD7zWYTYl78C3hI2samzOTbNowtpJ5Np_qaX/s320/baptism.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm so thankful that I got to be here to see my dad baptize both my brother and my oldest nephew. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_wJ_Woez0A/T2JBwGiW6iI/AAAAAAAABUA/h57QiMukxIw/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_wJ_Woez0A/T2JBwGiW6iI/AAAAAAAABUA/h57QiMukxIw/s320/family.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents and siblings -- together again after 5 years or so. I'm thankful for each of them and the fact that I can be near them for the next few months.<br />
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Here are some other things that I've been very thankful for this week that I don't have pictures for:</div>
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* Having a car to borrow while we look for one to buy</div>
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* Parks and libraries to take the kids to (for free)</div>
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* Wal Mart and Target :)</div>
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* A bag of groceries left anonymously at our doorstep one morning</div>
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* An old friend bringing bags of groceries and staying to talk for a few hours</div>
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* A cool phone provided by friends who have added us to their plan while we're here</div>
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* A dishwasher</div>
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* The kindness of random strangers</div>
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* Hearing about one of our church ladies in Brazil teaching Bible stories in her child's public school</div>
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<br />David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-41171146484900418662012-03-06T23:59:00.002-03:002012-03-06T23:59:58.585-03:00Four years ago, David and I landed in Brazil with our six-month-old baby Gabriel, pretty much clueless as to what the next four years would be like for our little family. Now we are heading "home" for our first furlough and I can only praise God for his constant presence and direction in our lives. To be very honest, if it weren't for our hope in God and our confidence that he has placed us here for now, we would probably have given up and left Brazil long before now. But he is gracious, our Strength and our Provider, and it has been an honor to serve HIM these past four years. Sometimes it feels like our efforts have been so meager in comparison to the overwhelming need all around us, but each soul who is converted and transformed by the power of the gospel is so very precious. Each little seed of truth that is planted in a cold, lifeless heart has the potential to sprout and grow. I know our work has not been in vain and only God knows the full effect the gospel will have in this spiritually dark place. <br />
Right now, I am praising God for building his church here in São José. It has been so encouraging these past few months to see our little group grow spiritually, and also in numbers. There were moments of (not so) quiet desperation in my heart that God didn't seem to be working, at least not the way I wanted him to and had asked him to. There were times of deep discouragement for us as it seemed like prayers were going unanswered. But all along, God was there with us, the Holy Spirit quietly strengthening and comforting us, encouraging us in unexpected ways, and lifting us up so that we could keep fighting this battle we're in for the lost. <br />
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The past few weeks have flown by as we get ready to leave for furlough. Here are some pictures of some happenings around here this past month. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz-zXsTJ1luNyBFC4cNoMJr0zv5LVdjFpO_dNxSn-NLeaTMX4at3CoC5moWuZ6MTgzCBHkZmhtZpxUevH76RsyZXml7mIrIh1IsRrgSQMqBvja9tppLUJfdK1xCI8dWL8QK7pa7eF-Fq5/s1600/retiro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz-zXsTJ1luNyBFC4cNoMJr0zv5LVdjFpO_dNxSn-NLeaTMX4at3CoC5moWuZ6MTgzCBHkZmhtZpxUevH76RsyZXml7mIrIh1IsRrgSQMqBvja9tppLUJfdK1xCI8dWL8QK7pa7eF-Fq5/s320/retiro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David went to Rio de Janeiro to speak at a youth retreat -- 8 messages in 5 days on living a cross-centered life</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkCXZkbaqjIZytd4iq8C7f98ankAeWIfaixwe5ypSl9An1lGfW7ZE6LZHeasQNNGhpr0PSB5XYfKvk8tZHi_izx5ondHsYEhqD_AAecT_ptEnF52y2nBlluOxA6T_Yk2wFyfweFiXw4QB/s1600/IMG_3162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkCXZkbaqjIZytd4iq8C7f98ankAeWIfaixwe5ypSl9An1lGfW7ZE6LZHeasQNNGhpr0PSB5XYfKvk8tZHi_izx5ondHsYEhqD_AAecT_ptEnF52y2nBlluOxA6T_Yk2wFyfweFiXw4QB/s320/IMG_3162.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our church group went on a one-day retreat ...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVsPFS5zPCcSwOU8aO_oBLxi_omu2cxhGlc_TZyzsRv6tVpkKw-qD0ktwMbSKwj8LMSxOlbZwIJmFTNWit5Fo0sqgyEczwL9knvEmTYHCzyGB3jHWvs8SnzmEynTUD0JZJrGA0343eykZ/s1600/IMG_3256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVsPFS5zPCcSwOU8aO_oBLxi_omu2cxhGlc_TZyzsRv6tVpkKw-qD0ktwMbSKwj8LMSxOlbZwIJmFTNWit5Fo0sqgyEczwL9knvEmTYHCzyGB3jHWvs8SnzmEynTUD0JZJrGA0343eykZ/s320/IMG_3256.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David's got ups! :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkTuR9GZnilALuBL6T_84KRZh8_e_J2CXmgjG54JLQWxN708KyRHtymB7s6B4ICUd1eNVhZkc0NE2WDJOY8umf5-LRBBukrycD4uUSktzhsoZ1zeQaQPNTBa41nP0Qfo2gsnw12rHjIGa/s1600/IMG_3195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkTuR9GZnilALuBL6T_84KRZh8_e_J2CXmgjG54JLQWxN708KyRHtymB7s6B4ICUd1eNVhZkc0NE2WDJOY8umf5-LRBBukrycD4uUSktzhsoZ1zeQaQPNTBa41nP0Qfo2gsnw12rHjIGa/s320/IMG_3195.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the camp site</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCjvdSZZn6YjwuBfGRalSKeiDLLWDN3SMnyze1IqPd442rv0yzmbvc4e4J5pqadPkqyRJGSEkdCbtfu-oEDbC6GKEQKiFBMdyDP6qR9PhXQrRWSjtJ-PsmJyDXq-NEYvVgTn8wbRlVjel/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCjvdSZZn6YjwuBfGRalSKeiDLLWDN3SMnyze1IqPd442rv0yzmbvc4e4J5pqadPkqyRJGSEkdCbtfu-oEDbC6GKEQKiFBMdyDP6qR9PhXQrRWSjtJ-PsmJyDXq-NEYvVgTn8wbRlVjel/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Wednesday night, the power went out right before the service, so we all went to a member's house close by. I had the intimidating task of teaching 20 kids, ages 1-12, in the living room but thankfully I had the help of several women for crowd control. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FaLmFWO8NLygeKkklOM5NXkdqDwl9BIxX7p2BE_MMN4C5lODRDnUuuzbWP6jJ8SJtriDhQCpQrCSWKRjnLrihS0ksUdbH24ya_ZuyjnWk-jlqfluCywzMSEspqC7N1wclhyJU9ln5fnO/s1600/IMG_4684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FaLmFWO8NLygeKkklOM5NXkdqDwl9BIxX7p2BE_MMN4C5lODRDnUuuzbWP6jJ8SJtriDhQCpQrCSWKRjnLrihS0ksUdbH24ya_ZuyjnWk-jlqfluCywzMSEspqC7N1wclhyJU9ln5fnO/s320/IMG_4684.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids have been earning points for different things and Wednesday night was their awards night.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WD50s8Jg84w/T1Zxh0MGaII/AAAAAAAABRM/ndyk9VONVzA/s1600/IMG_4687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WD50s8Jg84w/T1Zxh0MGaII/AAAAAAAABRM/ndyk9VONVzA/s320/IMG_4687.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is most of our church group, minus one family, who was there Wednesday night. How would you like to unexpectedly host this number of people in your home for a church service? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMzJcWGo2NrG-ne2BNm8vMefwUvhdPAD30gnX7c1ydIHF9XjH9aYE2k718MdvLJBuCNMl4QQXziOcrh4MvBbj1bi2lfBZ9emOZsqw4EUuKCb3zGVRX5i7PMe99eQ8BJJHPOGBQ7rOSJez/s1600/Gilmara%2527s+tea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMzJcWGo2NrG-ne2BNm8vMefwUvhdPAD30gnX7c1ydIHF9XjH9aYE2k718MdvLJBuCNMl4QQXziOcrh4MvBbj1bi2lfBZ9emOZsqw4EUuKCb3zGVRX5i7PMe99eQ8BJJHPOGBQ7rOSJez/s320/Gilmara%2527s+tea.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having café da tarde with our sweet neighbor who, along with her family, has been such a blessing to our ministry.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0CeLLPKrXU/T1ZxSVN_YpI/AAAAAAAABRE/gseQk4SxE7o/s1600/IMG_4701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0CeLLPKrXU/T1ZxSVN_YpI/AAAAAAAABRE/gseQk4SxE7o/s320/IMG_4701.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Having last visit opportunities with our church people. This past week, every night we either had someone over or were at church. <br />
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Ladies' meeting on Saturday afternoon. Our hostess invited some of her unsaved neighbors to join us, and two of them came. One of them asked to host the next meeting at her house.<br />
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Sunday night we were encouraged to have 45 people in attendance at church. We also had communion and the church people graciously surprised us with a going-away party for us afterward. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Thank you to those of you who have faithfully prayed for us and supported us during our first term. I know it's cliche, but it's true that we couldn't have done it without your help. We look forward to seeing many of you soon!</span></div>
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</tbody></table>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-65335095486283148952012-02-18T23:04:00.003-02:002012-02-18T23:14:24.315-02:00They're Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't tell you what a blessing it has been to have James and Christen back. We've had many, many conversations, often late into the night, and that's just in the first week. It is so encouraging to have family who are our close partners in ministry, who love Jesus, who share our love for the people we work with, and value the things we value. </div>
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The day they arrived, David, Gabriel and I headed to the airport to pick them up. We were right on schedule and had planned to stop at a church member's house to pick up his car since not everyone would fit in ours. It was raining, and about 10 minutes into our drive, our car broke down. Thankfully, this ...</div>
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... is the place we broke down in front of. Rough translation: "Did your car break down? Badu fixed it." However, the sign does not include the disclaimer that if it's between noon and two, Badu will not be available to fix your car. So David called a friend to come pick him up and Gabriel and I got a city bus back home to wait. </div>
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Gabe enjoying the bus ride</div>
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<br />6 people and 2 suitcases and several carry-ons fit into this car</div>
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Both David and Neguinho missed James' company :)</div>
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Big cousin Hannah has lots of fun stuff for Juju to play with</div>
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Brazilian pizza for their first night back</div>
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The next evening, our church group surprised James and Christen by all showing up at our house, serenading them with a couple of songs and bringing lots of food for us all to eat. It was their idea and I thought that it was a really special way to make James and Christen feel welcome.</div>
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(you'll never guess what that cake is made out of -- layers of sandwich bread with beets, carrots, ham and chicken salad, all covered with mayonnaise "icing" and decorated with peas and tomatoes -- it was delicious)</div>
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It was great to have a good group of people out for our Sunday services the next day. Please continue praying for us and our work here in Brazil.</div>
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<img height="72" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsOPEalKB2E/T0BBWi4jaoI/AAAAAAAABPo/gFH-fVT7X_E/s320/046.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 422px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2709px;" width="96" />David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-18832137045294055192012-02-12T15:32:00.001-02:002012-02-12T15:32:11.823-02:00Random ThoughtsLife has been keeping us busy these days. David is preparing 8 messages to preach at a youth retreat next week, and we are getting things in order for James and Christen's arrival this week (yay!) and the transition that will follow as we get ready to leave for furlough. <br />
<br />We have been blessed with the arrival of three new families in our church. They are believers and are already jumping in and helping where they can -- music, cleaning the church, taking care of the nursery, and this week the men are going to help David clear off the empty lot beside the church building so that it can be used. It has been so encouraging to see them embracing our little group of new believers as their brothers and sisters in Christ, even though they didn't know them until about a month ago. The body of Christ is awesome. <br />
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On Saturdays, David goes out and does some door-to-door witnessing. Usually he goes alone, but this week he had someone unexpected join him. They came to one house and clapped (the Brazilian version of ringing the doorbell), and then they clearly heard the lady of the house yell to her daughter, "I don't want to speak to evangelicals!" David was ready to walk on, but Roberto, who was with him, suggested he wait a minute. When the woman saw Roberto, her expression changed as she recognized him as the photographer who had recently taken some family pictures of them. She invited him and David in, and listened while David presented the gospel to her. She said that she plans on taking her two teenage children to visit our church sometime, so please pray that she does. </div>
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Thank you letters were given to the parents of the kids who came to our club a couple of weeks ago, and in the letter was the address for the church website. One girl, who has been coming to our services since the club, left a comment on the website saying that she loved our church and that her life is already being changed and that she wants to accept God. Please pray for Duda, that she will understand the gospel, place her faith in Christ, and be transformed by God.<br />
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I was recently giving a gospel presentation using the worldless book bracelets to my Wednesday night children's class. Larissa, a little girl who has been coming with her family for almost 2 years now, asked me how does someone place their faith in Christ. She and I talked after class about it, and after our conversation, she said that she would like to place her faith in Christ and prayed, asking God to forgive her of her sins and asking for His help to trust in Him.</div>
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Larissa, on the right</div>
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We are so glad to have James and Christen and their kids back with us. We've had a lot of good conversations, but there's a lot to catch up on after 8 months apart. Their arrival here deserves its own post, so I will blog about that later this week. </div>
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Cousins Juliana and Hannah getting reacquainted</div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-38741155013079206762012-01-26T13:10:00.007-02:002012-01-26T13:11:39.907-02:00God of Wonders: 2012 Kids' ClubIn my last post, I mentioned that we had had a special prayer time at church for our upcoming kids' club and asked that you all join with us in prayer. The first day of club, the rain came pouring down and the weather forecast was for pretty much nonstop rain the next several days. We were somewhat discouraged and came up with a backup plan to have the club that day and see whether any kids came. If none did, we would postpone the club until the following week. But God was testing our faith, I guess, and He graciously brought out almost 30 kids that day even though it was still raining and the next days were beautiful and sunny. There were 50 kids total who came to at least one day of the club and follow-up visits are already being made to their homes. <br />
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We rented a trampoline for a couple of days and it was a big hit ...</div>
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Lots of fun games ...</div>
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Reciting the memory verse</div>
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Song time</div>
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Story time ... Our theme was God of Wonders and we taught about creation, the fall, and the Savior</div>
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The puppets helped emphasize the main point of the story</div>
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Snack time</div>
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Being silly</div>
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We have much to thank God for:<br />
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* answering specific prayers regarding the weather<br />
* bringing out a good number of children<br />
* our neighbor who graciously offered to watch Gabriel and Juliana so that I could be freed up<br />
* two teenagers whose family has recently joined our church. They were a huge blessing to us, helping to give out invitations, get the decorations set up, help with game time, music and puppets<br />
* a lady at our church who made yummy snacks for the kids<br />
* a 12-year-old girl who has come back for services and brought along a cousin of hers<br />
* supporters who give generously to us so that we are able to host these kinds of events<br />
* people who lift us up in prayer; God hears and answers<br />
* the opportunity and privilege to share the gospel with children who have never heard before and hopefully have an impact in their lives that will last forever<br />
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<br /></div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-62500346248104267692012-01-17T10:05:00.002-02:002012-01-17T10:05:15.825-02:00Coming Together for Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past Sunday our church group had a potluck lunch after our Sunday morning prayer time. We wanted to encourage our people to come out and pray together, something which has been very difficult. It was also a way to welcome a couple of new families of believers who have joined us recently and get them to interact with our regulars in a more informal way. These families have already been such a blessing and a help to us and we are thankful God sent them our way. </div>
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Here are some things we prayed for that you can be praying for us as well:</div>
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* That God will be glorified through the kids' club we are having at church this week </div>
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* For good weather during the kids' club (it ALWAYS seems to rain, regardless of what time of year we have the club.)</div>
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* That many children will come and be impacted by the gospel</div>
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* For good opportunities for follow-up visits </div>
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* Spiritual growth in the lives of our church group -- those in leadership as well as the newer converts ... we all need to continue to be transformed by the gospel</div>
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* Salvation of several who have attended our church, including the husbands of two of our ladies</div>
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* For several children who come regularly on their own. They have little or no encouragement at home to be going to church. In fact, recently the mother of one girl has prohibited her from coming. Pray that God will save these children at their young age and use them as shining lights in their homes.</div>
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</div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-79349429338604333412012-01-02T20:10:00.010-02:002012-01-02T21:51:33.177-02:00Year-End Activities<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">Here is a picture summary of the past couple of weeks around here ...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbESI4zLPm9vlci_X5APyVumUKCnKXgidu3JQOC31l2PsefGrHfFbcXdlD2T2U5mdjcaz5wJ5L7WumOIWA25G4n73UhM-PoHcbklNINn4rvOXnMlD4xpY_R256XpWo_BPm53LOJhw7u8n/s320/IMG_0203%255B1%255D" /> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Six new puppies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpYMfquFV4k/TwIvJ8W9oRI/AAAAAAAABGI/wd03mVgrCGQ/s320/IMG_0061%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Having fun at the Christmas playground in the mall (Mom, do we HAVE to stop and take a picture?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JT60iaj4cJfIpA139e9GuaasDI-TGZR51S-ulv-MEW8pBRukNscsxZb8VNA8RF90TXZN071UYHLm92mG1VnT3liHVzi3Ogei45q7g9vd_uQu0S9QvqE9xrFfIwgz7PGCeNyL6E3Fkmq-/s320/IMG_0984.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Making lots of Christmas goodies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrG_whfSRqdW86QHhZWW322tC7FC31WxXGK09BIbGBMWl-aBquY2FHqrj3Tp6x6I3gaTwxXstWjY8ckkVy3Nz2gQsPtzqSq4-_Pb9BZp0w2BNV2tmo95lzDjMD_IEH0KS0xbWx-VOyLFK/s320/IMG_0174%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Working on a 2000-piece puzzle (WHOSE idea was it to get a puzzle with so much blue sky?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOhuu8QLyD31atfpiBJs2DwKEoQVCPY1kmya2rKm0CtimmBlLEtIlF7W358YEBpbqfcdmOtMbue9ZDxatAFuw2mAQFhmshfC0GGt_c-AIIiKgg_2jZA-57nC3ojHku6TSo1ZkkOtgGRYL/s320/IMG_0993.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">David's debut as master turkey griller</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-041R72htzOM/TwIvLYg41lI/AAAAAAAABGo/gTSYdbnFAi8/s320/IMG_0075%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve meal (we're SO glad that David's parents could spend the holidays with us)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFmvD8CwbT2QdF4ARAHwsfXCP_7JPhgYfYNkCPyt3wcnqMoaJ80QPtUDHnE3WHXt85ZV8-PbhDjK86vMtOhiS3_8lr-OblCawiVrO0Wry8yO8NQJqa_mRT7bRbf7voma3Rn2V4OK9GER3/s320/IMG_0085%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our creative fireplace and opening stockings on Christmas Eve</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJsX5qsdbXgVYZA_KlIjo6evbl8pinmu5tM8BRkdbKx0w1KunpAuyFcvbn2ymlS5nALO4tjaZDiHctwPT4uf8oDEUXzpFRFOkbzpZT9TxBBBj0X5XSYTpm9H2YmAP9CxMWtkrSTV-ttUN/s320/IMG_0103%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">EVERY year, there is the discussion: What IS that animal on David's stocking? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nH5TVDL5uyE/TwI5YJ8qp9I/AAAAAAAABIA/yZTtsbDNQHs/s320/IMG_0112%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning breakfast is not complete without homemade cinnamon rolls</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyU-D0Qqglab-0dNOJCLAp1uau-dzOmM5Fsj2d_MN3DYXn87VpE9lm7tAK_WZ_85MoaBf9sQgKH3bUVN6uO0dPaU-7UhgsOuB2gCe-WzYRWnAlywwzW_VMxKQLeVcpaXWTq1B8S-McKy0/s1600/IMG_0118%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyU-D0Qqglab-0dNOJCLAp1uau-dzOmM5Fsj2d_MN3DYXn87VpE9lm7tAK_WZ_85MoaBf9sQgKH3bUVN6uO0dPaU-7UhgsOuB2gCe-WzYRWnAlywwzW_VMxKQLeVcpaXWTq1B8S-McKy0/s320/IMG_0118%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693175982839868450" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Reading the Christmas story and finishing the advent calendar with baby Jesus in the manger</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nH5TVDL5uyE/TwI5YJ8qp9I/AAAAAAAABIA/yZTtsbDNQHs/s1600/IMG_0112%255B1%255D"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFo0_1WvdOyP3Z2otjrEnQ8GlHV_h05uPxuj4Cl2Xptc79JF-peoAppgOdk3f0z27vDAxxK1NZHVUJxtJZ4_xcAFFQQZQ7MNXThv4VsY1A95sgh4VOfC71Z9yUPup6tOm_czunWVbVwRs/s320/IMG_1042.jpg" /> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fun opening Christmas presents</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgxG-E9J66804UmjRpHW6pccLbwiJ1WmLAMKYp2KRuzmdV9oXGGib604QuXOdzIpFHVGUzGI7RmXwCO3DW0ReHAv5MKn_oRhfn91F1EbCtXEOuQmvwAv4zR_NrVVyC8LnuKewrjSJBt0s/s320/IMG_0142%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fun playing with Christmas presents</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jUCgg1D0930/TwJBSy3qKII/AAAAAAAABJY/YFO4ZLU3xUw/s320/IMG_0148%255B1%255D" /> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas service</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQj3SM7-bwY6v39wP0Dk3f_vJ4kC_g5Ue76PdYWwpV99o4Xy-rwb-B0whh_8zN-ymcdZWZik3h2QGpcTEJTM3SeLnqjcm9iwshH3BJPn8Qdue4rAeaR_9LEDtTlBj0oFLF4BgJB8GTcPdx/s1600/IMG_1053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQj3SM7-bwY6v39wP0Dk3f_vJ4kC_g5Ue76PdYWwpV99o4Xy-rwb-B0whh_8zN-ymcdZWZik3h2QGpcTEJTM3SeLnqjcm9iwshH3BJPn8Qdue4rAeaR_9LEDtTlBj0oFLF4BgJB8GTcPdx/s320/IMG_1053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693175935667974578" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Children's Christmas presentation </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqUFvoE4MlKveHOEE_qgoVgMJTXnpIafbXHy2JdoKnq7SS2mNLJXp_G_G6d_RaUECZsrIMh1H94mfVKHs3qyKvaRUYDPs-4ln8HGYl8QcEzcmqhOHqKHqupaAWO5tzaVYAcH2azfzD9ya/s320/IMG_0150%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">After service food and fellowship ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttxJ-oWeb4-IqptLIsCSHtrT69ypRjJa-bgwvnecIHw0o9xEicWm9WKxTJ4Sz8gBJWwLJGAdlhCxqVHmJlmgaqia0Pib8xUAKAsaipxfkLBC3BlZGxNqCdEAMpfe2h-bEil5I7FId0xqz/s320/IMG_0165%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMMkJSuTv09a0zJR5rwvhl5tOZC18pdD9UOtdM2dS5cDX_efbSsut3ncE8j9_u1y9wdc5Vdb7CV7iHZ39YerEi8e3u7vUFPcRReq1PWDUSXJxKbjaqxtzbnHkX-dgD1DqOqCJUvLuJtPx/s320/IMG_0153%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI-YOICFEbgCIHL1_tvh_pxB3f3themCcXXNcgUsFlE5prYLILkRH0G6h_bXEJsf8_UgcHjpsZyar44Vy-4idjzLzo_nTYJO7_OCpRAlFhYn3GB9IvrDlm_StqtMZa5wDE2dAyxy3gy7l/s320/IMG_0167%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hR707VhPEMU/TwI_fGQZSnI/AAAAAAAABJM/Jyol2aYVFzA/s320/IMG_0179%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">New Year's Eve get-together at our house</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xeon-jW0wEw/TwI_c7hExQI/AAAAAAAABIc/TuygVLd__VA/s320/IMG_1085.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Several church people came by</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjK5Yq5uzRnZPJ50XTUt_eL6yu0ziJbPMPNZrKod6snQ-l3XB61rLD7ks9kgxt3P8IO5QEummvY8UqcwgPmiFtOhmlD41Rsn8l9EcwrfUAUYHspBkkxu_dVNQQEsipTKg2qO35iJM6Ves/s320/IMG_1083.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Playing video games</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqsDssPOTXcqjW3hDdzLCCtY1SHyV9OFeA_kIQIO2wAd_071jpE1V4w5muv_-zcLUwNKctpKhjPA1LnOhKDrh-PLt55M9C4Pr-yiDitycGSOCz16F78mPAtOwGvEPFVGtnxVMIuAH5l4L/s320/IMG_0194%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Setting off firecrackers at midnight to bring in the New Year (a big tradition here) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAFVwNBbvpCHSWMCfEDPAhZWFyAzaS11vTqlEtd7IQBRdWEnmIBTs95z7VDy6XaiD02aV0yT7drpihvpIyv83UjVtcfEVxIs31Z4NK19l-xb6koE4mCqPfUAxurgP7A922Frs7kwDtlXZ/s320/IMG_0197%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little fire poppers for the little boys (I don't know what they're actually called)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0E-JysWQUBpUNatorK1cex2O0z0_1t50DpPqX3OXWHj90ZKrL58PLO4yU1FbPmHx40klwimHVv0gdjdbAwma_A7QaVSt2KHNNPalUs3Pd96uErKxdfIw9DbZejnB3sjq0qIYmCTcDmNM/s320/IMG_0193%255B1%255D" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bringing in 2012 with loved ones</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-76565353940914391442011-12-13T10:33:00.006-02:002011-12-13T11:42:17.859-02:00Total Impact: Christmas Outreach EventThis past Saturday, we hosted a neighborhood outreach event at our church in which we offered several different services, as well as clothes and other items, for free. The idea was to give of our time and resources freely as a way of demonstrating the gospel, in which God gives forgiveness of sin and eternal life to us through His Son freely.<br /><br />Things didn't quite go as planned. For example, one of the things we wanted to do was a car wash. We were all set up, with a pressure washer, lots of soap and rags and tire cleaner. God even gave us a beautiful, warm sunny day. However, as is often the case on Saturdays, there was no water. The city can't keep up with the water demands, so frequently on the weekends, they will just shut off the water. But we were able to provide other services, such as ...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5_WEasWZ03Ixz_jxx8-sX6Nsi4t1dd1xcUkQGl5_VT1bS-hp_OuNzEpXqPrHRy_iQoY2QIPlAQqRa_4rZuXAKjx_HB7abSwhhGrkI8eQjQreJO58qEtCHJZqHIXzpU5RIoM63IPjsWnN/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5_WEasWZ03Ixz_jxx8-sX6Nsi4t1dd1xcUkQGl5_VT1bS-hp_OuNzEpXqPrHRy_iQoY2QIPlAQqRa_4rZuXAKjx_HB7abSwhhGrkI8eQjQreJO58qEtCHJZqHIXzpU5RIoM63IPjsWnN/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685592152382238514" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Manicures<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvUe_5SOgB8/TudH9pwimAI/AAAAAAAABFQ/13WdCF9aaas/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvUe_5SOgB8/TudH9pwimAI/AAAAAAAABFQ/13WdCF9aaas/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685592179085580290" border="0" /></a>Pictures taken, edited and printed on the spot, and given in a frame<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV19ETT_mbdqalqs-dS5wFvckUpEgJIk4TcHhhkNoYa6fXS_5K9b2i9TUZA4HCsJ0Cl6zm2jB50HzZQILkxAlozIqrNlahtnkZ0Cg-wq91w6DoavRvLPZZwNmG5VL9ZYySHNqb7eaf9YP7/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV19ETT_mbdqalqs-dS5wFvckUpEgJIk4TcHhhkNoYa6fXS_5K9b2i9TUZA4HCsJ0Cl6zm2jB50HzZQILkxAlozIqrNlahtnkZ0Cg-wq91w6DoavRvLPZZwNmG5VL9ZYySHNqb7eaf9YP7/s320/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685594039604986194" border="0" /></a>Haircuts<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6P0DHGCMY7wD3mFUYuDwqbpZfjUXBj2G5DaKlDce8udyMDdXKO-lleMEBTsOGMOT5Bs1VxB13jzxNeFV5WY0D0uOuzpYoVSv7h-qKDDUQVNCOtGCNRCsA2YjuwLLvE6RgqypFxc9arpL/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6P0DHGCMY7wD3mFUYuDwqbpZfjUXBj2G5DaKlDce8udyMDdXKO-lleMEBTsOGMOT5Bs1VxB13jzxNeFV5WY0D0uOuzpYoVSv7h-qKDDUQVNCOtGCNRCsA2YjuwLLvE6RgqypFxc9arpL/s320/019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685592162056590914" border="0" /></a>Blood pressure checks (sorry, I don't have an "action shot" of that)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDOskmOiTM6ZS0kw9HPjo8ovaxXqlgs2KjqP-g-xwYKn6ExF3D3ym_H1lMcD70wlBSIJroOg_Ra8VStfITorvf_kjmsy3Xl40keFoxwQH2OfSZ9S6uYWh7XUHQAlUUP3gqGtgqilYJxAK/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDOskmOiTM6ZS0kw9HPjo8ovaxXqlgs2KjqP-g-xwYKn6ExF3D3ym_H1lMcD70wlBSIJroOg_Ra8VStfITorvf_kjmsy3Xl40keFoxwQH2OfSZ9S6uYWh7XUHQAlUUP3gqGtgqilYJxAK/s320/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685594650119410226" border="0" /></a>Lots of free stuff to choose from<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfjaUNXyNVKC3B-K91HzUhrlTjLF1SFa9uSFtwnZipEgBedxqI5i9RWZcmn8411dD_XRBETkQRr68xN6XIOXcroiWGV6G7zf9DjR27yON3ymM6IeppwC0vIwmjeIhJ83WFa56RrblzeeL/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfjaUNXyNVKC3B-K91HzUhrlTjLF1SFa9uSFtwnZipEgBedxqI5i9RWZcmn8411dD_XRBETkQRr68xN6XIOXcroiWGV6G7zf9DjR27yON3ymM6IeppwC0vIwmjeIhJ83WFa56RrblzeeL/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685592149301688722" border="0" /></a>One on one gospel presentation for everyone who came.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our church building is located beside a bar. This is not a problem on church nights since the bar is closed. But on Saturday afternoon, there was a lot of activity over there and a few of the drunks came over to get their blood pressure checked. One joked that when he drinks, his blood pressure drops to a normal level, but the next day, it will sky rocket. So sad to see people enslaved to something that is so damaging to them physically as well as spiritually. One man insisted that God would let him into heaven because God is love and won't turn anyone away. He saw no need to repent of his sins and follow Christ in this life.<br /><br />I checked one woman's blood pressure who had come along with her friends just to look around. At first, she didn't want to check her blood pressure, but her sister insisted, so she agreed. As a former nurse, I have checked hundreds of people's blood pressure, but I have never personally seen someone's pressure be so high as this woman's. It was 210/100 (normal is 120/80 or lower). I had to take it twice because I couldn't believe how high it was reading. I told her she needed to be seen by a doctor right away.<br /><br />We were encouraged that all of our church people came out to help at some point during the event. It is so good to see young believers learning to give of themselves. We are praying that God will use this event to touch people in our community and bring some tangible result in the near future. One woman who agreed to have us visit her had just buried her brother that very day. Pray that God will open her eyes to the fact that life on earth is short, but it matters because who or what we believe in for salvation determines our eternal destiny. <br /></div><br /></div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-51222032928109143792011-12-06T14:56:00.011-02:002011-12-06T16:10:04.919-02:00How Christmas is a Little Different in Brazil<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk6k8yYuNrs-fRYsu8pcLrBWRzlmpXtEezmKaeXd32VpDz5Oe8ZdHDu8JzD0NVxeYLoExS_rwJSJqdDxkIlon0sGymyQNEuoVNT0U-n9CHz5qa9m52LAVyoVB3lp928DWrLbuz3MqmWUD/s1600/060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk6k8yYuNrs-fRYsu8pcLrBWRzlmpXtEezmKaeXd32VpDz5Oe8ZdHDu8JzD0NVxeYLoExS_rwJSJqdDxkIlon0sGymyQNEuoVNT0U-n9CHz5qa9m52LAVyoVB3lp928DWrLbuz3MqmWUD/s320/060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683077226108560850" border="0" /></a><br />I thought I would do a little cultural blog and point out some things that are different about celebrating Christmas in Brazil. For example, the big celebration is usually held on Christmas Eve with a big meal (often beginning at midnight) and presents. Also, since it is summer time here, you can ...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv4jutQaMZpGgf02LNJiSdoEz898wI-rXaN3MI1S8bxjCJM-RjEMdRpQj6tOcjn45gz1mZSB1BX04EykOFwKpZTbunkN1duBlJU0H_OyDSJkMjLTSQcejpytQyJwBHrkzptOeNJ5283cG/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv4jutQaMZpGgf02LNJiSdoEz898wI-rXaN3MI1S8bxjCJM-RjEMdRpQj6tOcjn45gz1mZSB1BX04EykOFwKpZTbunkN1duBlJU0H_OyDSJkMjLTSQcejpytQyJwBHrkzptOeNJ5283cG/s320/028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683066349030970882" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Go swimming in your kiddie pool with friends ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLTKQaNBl76It5FCVsbvVYWmfm3yk5hTuic7ZMRN3MXOwa9SZWmB0_5LBtdIIXS151RAoSTkzbO-nmGYjZ2hHMd2EVN0-rxMEVS9FqJJmrmR306s_GJT6xcYra6QudZRV0CsE41TykWjB/s1600/323.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLTKQaNBl76It5FCVsbvVYWmfm3yk5hTuic7ZMRN3MXOwa9SZWmB0_5LBtdIIXS151RAoSTkzbO-nmGYjZ2hHMd2EVN0-rxMEVS9FqJJmrmR306s_GJT6xcYra6QudZRV0CsE41TykWjB/s320/323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683063306630121602" border="0" /></a>Hang up your Christmas lights outside in your summer clothes ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH_P77T5HUtZfPLtYCNxHSYJ7wO-Hy2kl389Uh-bQzCTyuYXqjd3zxfsqeYS2lFy8YTIXn0qCrb8B5kfLzyrdBj62OlV8DRcVfwi4Whl2jO1nIKvJBeC7v51k4ORnSBHZE3NBDl4xXQ66/s1600/337.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH_P77T5HUtZfPLtYCNxHSYJ7wO-Hy2kl389Uh-bQzCTyuYXqjd3zxfsqeYS2lFy8YTIXn0qCrb8B5kfLzyrdBj62OlV8DRcVfwi4Whl2jO1nIKvJBeC7v51k4ORnSBHZE3NBDl4xXQ66/s320/337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683073013718958626" border="0" /></a>Have a yummy cookout ...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib32ciCifTli7qOXcKpSiwM2k6AhhTTJK2sd4ZVAp4G9uCdSIrlI5V4js2O09IpCHZqz_buj4HwfkG5mYyCXHzkBw2Ksr6YLEtitFZ67vBmvVVRVN6YkYbmOe3jTftTq57X9hQnCeCY4Be/s1600/IMG_9776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib32ciCifTli7qOXcKpSiwM2k6AhhTTJK2sd4ZVAp4G9uCdSIrlI5V4js2O09IpCHZqz_buj4HwfkG5mYyCXHzkBw2Ksr6YLEtitFZ67vBmvVVRVN6YkYbmOe3jTftTq57X9hQnCeCY4Be/s320/IMG_9776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683061645171321730" border="0" /></a>Buy your Christmas decorations along with your beach toys ...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_WpP66QPX9HW8Yw3wvU5puFN_lWICpg09NLU-3NsbotJBBp7eBmYoXsv-iVPXMx9iAYjh29014bISlo3SOyJaigSy2EAb59ZIaO41mBPo4H6UTKmJe1ajjgwpB6cANFJgfztdWxBSNIV/s1600/IMG_9779.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_WpP66QPX9HW8Yw3wvU5puFN_lWICpg09NLU-3NsbotJBBp7eBmYoXsv-iVPXMx9iAYjh29014bISlo3SOyJaigSy2EAb59ZIaO41mBPo4H6UTKmJe1ajjgwpB6cANFJgfztdWxBSNIV/s320/IMG_9779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683061667205242914" border="0" /></a> and make Christmas tree shapes in the sand.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Since we are in the tropics, you can also find palm trees decorated in Christmas balls and lights (although most of the decorations are very American-looking),<br /><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyLuHJbPJgE1INaUyQRmTqNvqfkw3ArJPAqAl9aC3RnfOhO5BfdbCrVpytbstmlWFuZV3vL1GQWGTI7zi2UjcHyAnPOQq5IlukVTJ_t1HXBSnlK47J_0NJIUAfSwwomy_qVwDYW_z3a3D/s1600/IMG_9777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyLuHJbPJgE1INaUyQRmTqNvqfkw3ArJPAqAl9aC3RnfOhO5BfdbCrVpytbstmlWFuZV3vL1GQWGTI7zi2UjcHyAnPOQq5IlukVTJ_t1HXBSnlK47J_0NJIUAfSwwomy_qVwDYW_z3a3D/s320/IMG_9777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683061651471958178" border="0" /></a>but you might have to shake the termite wings out of your artifical tree from when they took over your house last Christmas season.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfm0mQVKQS3X_EN9iE1eknb92AvJvvGSKlD_8GqeanFSWjYNT66HBoOojt3Q7VuPm2JlsOos8SyCALJ3AwuFUzwy60l2_HB6gGKflKqi3qTgSXSCnLIVvbzamy8jCxc-ddsw4ynot5lo2/s1600/302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfm0mQVKQS3X_EN9iE1eknb92AvJvvGSKlD_8GqeanFSWjYNT66HBoOojt3Q7VuPm2JlsOos8SyCALJ3AwuFUzwy60l2_HB6gGKflKqi3qTgSXSCnLIVvbzamy8jCxc-ddsw4ynot5lo2/s320/302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683063323008007554" border="0" /></a><br />One of my favorite Christmas foods in Brazil is Panettone. I think it actually originated in Italy, but it is a classic here this time of year. It is a sweet, soft bread with either chocolate chips or crystalized fruits. Prices range from a couple dollars to $20 or more, depending on the size, brand, extras, etc.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3pyac0bUhhv9oNQkFJAHmM4DVOUOOW4kXguA1ZOdWn_i1LB57fanYXZ9IXLhZgpuZOCDOuyTSO6TQwXCAV1JuV2Db8GKv9eHEazzlIIMdwzaykm_-r_Rw8p7bpQHSSdwwIsKYk4dgRN8/s1600/IMG_9780.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3pyac0bUhhv9oNQkFJAHmM4DVOUOOW4kXguA1ZOdWn_i1LB57fanYXZ9IXLhZgpuZOCDOuyTSO6TQwXCAV1JuV2Db8GKv9eHEazzlIIMdwzaykm_-r_Rw8p7bpQHSSdwwIsKYk4dgRN8/s320/IMG_9780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683061681587843634" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifSv9exqVF10tzcsPV-xExJGsE8lhFgZnd0ap1-GDuS0mMDHw9sF3bbS07GehlAkRQ6_pGCjm3x1Lup_pWXaTML2ihUbzeGvyspcvwOvio7pOk1fHR7g3yM4iW37WJQOi6btYh4osRI7h/s1600/063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifSv9exqVF10tzcsPV-xExJGsE8lhFgZnd0ap1-GDuS0mMDHw9sF3bbS07GehlAkRQ6_pGCjm3x1Lup_pWXaTML2ihUbzeGvyspcvwOvio7pOk1fHR7g3yM4iW37WJQOi6btYh4osRI7h/s320/063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683072405205180178" border="0" /></a><br />I don't know how much an 8 ft. artificial Christmas tree would cost in the States, but this one is R$199, or US$110. But if you notice on the paper on the box, you can pay for it in 10 easy monthly payments of R$19,90 or US$11. That way, you can be done paying your Christmas tree off by next September.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gBCG9yIBlsqzOJ_SeN9uXdQ4fOPpuUWy_GPlBvF83uw_gmI1DcBmNbWPNbUlJCDGQZ-qGdxINqbx_Guxe2evxElgA3OIrOiBe4Kqu0Dp0YtQUAY-2F2ny24TdrK8LGztDdMsoTgmogxz/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gBCG9yIBlsqzOJ_SeN9uXdQ4fOPpuUWy_GPlBvF83uw_gmI1DcBmNbWPNbUlJCDGQZ-qGdxINqbx_Guxe2evxElgA3OIrOiBe4Kqu0Dp0YtQUAY-2F2ny24TdrK8LGztDdMsoTgmogxz/s320/064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683072404862765170" border="0" /></a><br />I hope this video works for you because you won't want to miss hearing the gingerbread men singing a traditional Brazilian Christmas song. :)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwnvc02F9jBi0SIqRGgAXfbvxgv0vfaBSMUgh17tr9H_4OYqtRsYzpSR7UFr8q5xdCGxstzQnsSiAeLjGxs_Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-637218501830714952011-11-26T12:09:00.001-02:002011-11-26T12:25:47.960-02:00Advent 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Black Friday is over and yet something tells me the mad rush has only begun. What are you most eagerly waiting for this Christmas? Better yet - what are you functionally waiting for this Christmas - sure we say one thing, but our hearts scream another. Things that compete for my joy once again this year are gifts, yummy foods, family fun, christmas tunes, and a thriving church (by that I mean a church full of people). All wonderful gifts from God, but all pseudo joys. <br />
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This year we have developed an advent guide to use with our church. It is designed to help us build a sense of anticipation and waiting for two events. One which has already happened and one which is to come. Christ has come, and yet we want to help one another feel like Israel did as they awaited a King. At the same time - we realize we now await a more glorious event - the coming of our Savior - redemption from these mortal bodies and joy with Him forever in heaven!<br />
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If you would like a guide like ours to help you and your family think heavenward this year, the village church has a great guide online which you can download and print off <a href="http://www.thevillagechurch.net/the-village-blog/advent-at-the-village/">here</a>. It is of utmost importance that we as leaders and fathers guide our children to consider Christ above all this season. It is our one and only joy. <br />
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<br />David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-60275723607603128192011-11-22T13:59:00.001-02:002011-11-22T15:06:56.385-02:00Gratidão (Gratitude)Thanksgiving Day is not celebrated here in Brazil. Maybe it is a uniquely American holiday, I don't know. I'm planning on putting up my Christmas decorations and maybe making a special meal for our little family in honor of Thanksgiving Day this week, but it's just not the same as celebrating with a bunch of family and friends with that big huge feast spread out on the table, and the separate side table filled with all the yummy desserts. I want to list a few things that I'm thankful for -- big gifts and little gifts, but all of them special because they come from the hand of a loving God who cares about each one of his children.<br />
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* A visit from my sister Jonna. We haven't seen each other since 2008, and the 9 days she was here were hardly long enough to get caught up. It was so fun to show her around our city and introduce her to our ministry and have her help with the music and go shopping together and stay up late every single night in good conversation. Her trip was really a special gift from God to our family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are drinking freshly squeezed sugar cane juice with lime. If you've never had this, come visit us -- we'll hook you up. :)</td></tr>
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* Root beer floats. Ok, so this would be one of the smaller gifts, but still, I'm thankful for it. Jonna brought us, I mean, David, some root beer and Dr. Pepper. He was so kind to share it with me. :) Wow, it was so good. <br />
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* New clothes for our kids. Again, Jonna brought us several items of clothes for both Gabriel and Juliana. Some were from her, some from a friend, some from Christen, my sis-in-law. That was such a big blessing. God knew what we needed and he provided. Even a fun Superman outfit for Gabriel who wears it al the time. <br />
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* Renewed interest in a couple of people who left our group quite a while back. It's interesting because these two were the first two to join our studies back when we were beginning in 2009. It was a painful loss to have both of them walk away, but recently they have come back around. I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit who continues to work in people's hearts even when we think that there's nothing else we can do. The woman who came back said that she was in several churches the past few months, and she missed hearing about Jesus. She said it was so good to come back to our church with her boyfriend and be able to hear God's Word being taught and to hear about Jesus. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going out for pizza with some church people, including the woman I mentioned and her boyfriend on the left. Pray that God will be working in both of their hearts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After-church fellowship. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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* Our church kids. We really have a great group of kids. Sure, they have their moments and it's almost impossible to keep them completely quiet during lesson time, but I know that they are learning and growing in their knowledge of God and the Bible. Most of the ones who come walk over 2 km to get to church. The mother of one of the girls told me that her school teacher asked her one day, "Are you a Christian?" When the girl answered yes, the teacher said, "I thought so." I don't know what prompted the teacher to ask that, but I know the kids try to live in a way that pleases Jesus. Please pray for our little group of kids, that those who haven't been saved yet will place their trust in Christ soon and that they will all grow up into godly young people, spared from the scars of a life lived without Christ. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta love those beautiful faces.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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* Gabriel and Juliana. They are so different from each other, but they both make me laugh and teach me things about life and about myself that I never knew. Things like how my heart can hurt when a friend hurts their feelings; how feeding a very picky 20-month-old can be more challenging than finals in school, how proud my heart feels when someone compliments my son on being kind and sharing, how preciously sweet it is to see my little girl run to David and say, "book! book!" and snuggle in his lap to leaf through her favorite book. </div>
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* My husband. We celebrated 7 years of marriage in July. I think that working together in ministry these past few years has caused us to grow closer to each other. It's exciting to be working towards the same goals together. I'm grateful for David's generosity, his willingness to help people even when it's inconvenient for him, his passion to teach and preach and share God's Word, the fact that he eats anything I cook for him, that he doesn't complain when the dishes and/or laundry have piled up, and many other things I could list.</div>
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God is good. I need to step back sometimes when things are hard and discouraging and analyze all that God is and has done for me. I quickly see how much God's hand is evident in every aspect of my life. What has he done for you this year?<br />
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<br /></div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-56393239870943629462011-10-18T09:57:00.001-02:002011-10-18T09:59:41.706-02:00Proposal<br />
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In
light of what God is doing, we have
prayed about a proposal we would like you to consider and pray over. God
has graciously given us a small group of believers and a rental to meet in. From the beginning of our first services we
have stated the vision of our church:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>The Exaltation of God in all things</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>The Transformation of God’s people</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>The Proclamation of God in Christ</div>
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God has been exalted, he has been transforming, and He is being proclaimed on a weekly basis. We are looking at what God is doing, and simply trying to think ahead for what He would be pleased to do. We realize that a church building is NOT the church, <b>but it would be helpful for several reasons.</b></div>
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<b>The Neighborhood</b>. Our location is in a strategic spot. To the east there is an established
neighborhood and to the west, there is an establishing neighborhood. New homes, small businesses, schools and
hospitals. </div>
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<b><span lang="PT-BR">Ministry Avenues</span></b><span lang="PT-BR">. Having a church building
would facilitate us to accomplish outreach ministries in greater ways than we
have been able to:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Kids’ clubs (Space for activities)</div>
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</span></span>Hospitality events (Ladies meetings, giving out
of food baskets, etc.)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Athletic ministries </div>
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</span></span>Meeting spiritual needs for larger groups of
people</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Better chances to receive first-time visitors</div>
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<b>Gospel
Deficiency</b>. I can safely say that out of 100 surveys I
have made, only one person has been able to explain the gospel to me in its simplest
form. This is by far the greatest reason
to have a facility in order to shed light on the glorious gospel so as to bring
men to Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This endeavor would be impossible on our own,
so here is the plan. The Taylor Team has
committed to invest as much as we are able into this project. Our church here is also committed to this
project through their personal giving. Considering the fact that many of our
people make around $600 per month and this is a very expensive city to live in,
it will be exciting to see what God does through their efforts. <b>We
would also like to ask YOU</b> to consider giving, either as churches,
families, or even individuals. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Ezra SIL SR'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3 Step Process</span></u></b><span style="font-family: 'Ezra SIL SR'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u>Step 1: Property
and Building.<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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We would like to buy <u>one</u> property and
build part of our building so as to get out of the rental. For a property of 3,800 square feet,
we are looking at $55,000. For our first
phase of building we will need approximately $20,000. <b>So, we
are asking you to prayerfully consider giving to this need of $75,000. </b>Between my brother and me, we have roughly
40 supporting churches, so here is one way that could happen:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>40
churches at $1000 + 200 families at $100 + 200 individuals at $50 + 200
individuals at $25 = Step 1 Complete!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<u>Step 2:
2<sup>nd</sup> Property</u><o:p></o:p></div>
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As one property would be small, we would like to
buy an additional property. We have
considered some options to get the second property, but they all include
money. <b>This second step would cost another $55,000 (R$90,000).</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 3:
Auditorium<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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The final step would be to build an auditorium
and adjacent classrooms. We are asking
the Brazilian Christians to play a larger role in this step. </div>
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If God leads you to help, you can send any
gifts to our mission address designated as <b>Building
Project. </b> <br />
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God bless you all and
thank you for all you do! David, Sharon,
Gabe and Juliana</div>
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Feel free to post any questions in the comments area.David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-12402417875101587902011-09-24T23:06:00.000-03:002011-09-24T23:06:05.585-03:00Gabriel is 4!<div>
I became a mother four years ago yesterday. I was thrilled, exhausted, thankful, relieved, excited, scared, happy and clueless. I had no idea what being a mother to that baby boy would do to me. It has probably brought out the best and worst in me as I grow daily in learning who he is and trying to parent him in a God-honoring way. Somedays I am overwhelmed by how much I love that little boy and somedays I am ashamed of how impatient I can be as a mother. </div>
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For his birthday this year, we treated him to a Happy Meal at McDonald's. Yes, that is a treat here. I think he had a Happy Meal back around Christmas time last year. So it was a big deal for him to get that special little toy and have his own food to eat, instead of sharing Mom's (i.e., mine). As we were sitting there eating, he said, "Wow, this is a fun party!"</div>
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(Gabriel took this picture of his Happy Meal toy)</div>
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Then we took him to a toy store and let him pick out a gift he wanted. It took him a while </div>
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(maybe that was kind of mean of us to do, to give him all those options and say "you can only pick one."), but he finally settled on a Cars bat and ball set. </div>
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(Um, no, you can't have the $350 jeep)</div>
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Today, we invited our church people over for a little party. I made cupcakes and little hotdogs and we had a great time. </div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656110168127635826" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-oyykyThJ8/Tn6KOwW5AXI/AAAAAAAAA_s/n44TIztiyYU/s320/162.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656110163991670018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBo_fcQAFpzHiih2tG9Yfg5nTM7YNJpcmdabApEbB4NCEFYa5D0ZGTd4BAH6CYDEHrsWjaCY8U2nCK63bI7PMMjogHVsDz2IPCuIKCHJ4G_B1bDLrUVclAwtG4ZIcZHdRBEBUR54splJgs/s320/156.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656110155710920322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWQg8a1fP72C0jk77U4jQpPUKzPhvmzoUFFTqD0Q8xZ_bvA9OeOqVKJjgsjFNglKnRuiSrntzOyh5u_rAlKbKvBH7PQ8kvmPPPVQy0LTsaFaWtNzT2S1TQrKv7yqcPEBpsuEdZBytdJFq/s320/183.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div>
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(Another picture I found on the camera that Gabriel took of one of his toys)</div>
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Mommy and Daddy love you, little son. You are God's precious gift to us. We had no idea what to expect when you arrived, but you have turned our world upside down. You have taught us what it means to love someone unconditionally, to set aside our desire to eat/sleep/shower/go places whenever we want to attend to your needs, to humbly admit we were wrong when (before children) we used to think "my kid will NEVER do THAT", to feel almost physical pain when you are hurt. We love your love for books, your facility in learning numbers and letters, your silliness that makes us and Juju laugh, your excitement over even the simplest things, your attention to detail. And while your insistence that things be done the same way every time can be a bit frustrating, that is part of who you are, and we love that too. But maybe you can ease up a little on having to have your blankets tucked in just so at night. :)</div>
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Tonight, after everyone had left, Gabriel said, "I got 4 now, but I'm not big! I'm still little!" I guess he was imagining he would have a huge growth spurt to show that he is now a big 4-year-old. He can never understand that to Mommy and Daddy, he is growing way too fast.</div>
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David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-2081993391170950972011-08-27T10:42:00.006-03:002011-08-27T11:46:43.009-03:00Let's Do Some Good Works!I firmly believe that the Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by good works (Eph. 2:8,9; Titus 3:4,5; Rom. 4:5, Rom. 10:4). I also believe that good works are emphasized in Scripture as a natural consequence of this transforming, saving faith and should be practiced (Matt. 5:16, I Peter 2:12, the book of James). Sometimes I wonder if we don't practice good works enough because our salvation is not dependent upon them. We have even been accused recently of not caring enough about people's physical needs. This is not true because we regularly help people out in tangible, material ways out of love for Christ and for them, but I can understand some of our accuser's frustration with religious groups who go door-to-door witnessing but whose churches are not known for their social helps.
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<br />Anyway, the point of this post is to tell you about an outreach event we are hosting at our church next month. We will be giving out bags of food and clothing to people in the church's area. We are encouraging our own church people, many of whom have limited funds themselves, to be contributing towards this event. After all, generous giving should be a result of salvation.
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<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645542407370044594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeEjFfmmjX1lSzCO3y7DmHufcQAGf-OOwETAnG_LWQNjeJgzGII7pVW7-80ajarB_h_hyc7cIYXAgFbyij-6dpGlYQFLfh3uHYiIOVj-PLp4xM6lfh-P7kPRsAFUKRJuQODGxTLZpUuYL/s320/IMG_4988.JPG" />
<br />Last year, we had two of these events, and were able to have several follow-up Bible studies with some of the ones who came. Of course, most people came only to receive their food, but all who came heard the gospel. We have people in our church group now who are a direct result of those events last year.
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<br />I don't usually do this on our blog, but I'd like to see if some of you reading this would like to contribute towards this event specifically. The more bags of food we give out, the more homes can be affected by the gospel. For about US$20, we can buy a premade bag of food at a local grocery store that has many basic items -- rice, beans, pasta, flour, sugar, coffee, you get the idea.
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645544081274477922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAmEBvMILXqMYv2OAIim_iEmH-m5GwGme7I4V78gcQ4gycSmlF2ZQKcF_1eYZcGsVJlTR0ZNr9-erGURTblW7MSrSsB8Xo6J2Sqnd64uY5xU3yxbQ7gqZ3Z0Z7LLD6HjOuhuNPsYVwQ4s/s320/013.JPG" />
<br />I promise you that even a simple bag of food like this goes a long way in helping out someone who needs it. And there are many people we've come in contact with here who have serious physical needs. If you would like to help out financially, let us know. If you're State-side, you can mail a tax-deductible check to our home church, and they will get the money to us. The address is:
<br />Grace World Missions
<br />3305 Peters Creek Pkwy
<br />Winston Salem, NC 27127
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<br />If you are Brazilian, we can give you our bank account information. If you cannot contribute financially, please be praying for this event. I know that sounds cliche, but if there's one thing I'm learning more and more, it's the truth that God works through the prayers of his children. We long to see people come to know Christ as their Savior, and maybe the simple fact that we are loving them enough to meet a physical need of theirs will open up their hearts to the true gospel.
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<br />David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-83672084105735671772011-08-03T08:09:00.017-03:002011-08-04T19:21:41.136-03:00Total Freedom/Liberdade Total<div><div><div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636601869624187426" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqE-aUi3cuDBew8WUKdbPlhar3MvxMKJNdQQdAfMVQldf9GJvYsTtVWxCtTI3DAyUzlJFwOpa0lXW4oFvJPIGEuHL2sqD35_Cz-lgRdg9hycsBPaHAjISSPcEiW8u-jC7eFy5fxj2pd26/s320/137.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Because we changed our church name recently to Redemption Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Redencão), we decided to incorporate the idea of redemption and freedom in Christ in the theme for our kids' club. We played games involving being tied or connected to others (giving the idea of bondage), sang songs about God setting us free from sin and the joy we have in Him, and taught the story of the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt. I'd love to say that we had no distractions in preparing for the club, lots of help from our church people, beautiful sunny days, a big turnout for the club, and parents show up for the Sunday evening conclusion. The truth is we had to deal with a crashed laptop (which we use regularly for ministry purposes), a blown transformer, little help from our church people in preparing for the club, COLD wind and rain (it is winter, after all), small turnouts each day and no parents on Sunday night. As a missionary, it's often tempting to present only the bright, positive aspects of our ministry efforts. But we all know that things aren't always as wonderful and exciting as we'd like them to be, and we have to guard against being discouraged and frustrated when things don't go as we hope. However, we continue confident in the sovereign God we serve who uses even the cold wind and rain for His purposes and doesn't need a computer in order to accomplish His work. Here are a few of the ways in which God blessed us this weekend during the kids' club:<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636610939018460290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMe7P2VlkbzKq_xxetJpG-nSxq_6_kVSX31n4EUchacnLoyAztt4W9nV6Vo6tKw30Qeaoc5cRY3pVf6LDAf2cSdiikwYhSmz5DjlzGrDz3dyP49eEh3P3s_MLKL9CcrPzL4blE0RwoNi4/s320/ea+cam+aug+2+006.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>1) The few kids who came seemed to have a great time and several brought friends back the next day.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636605584596489826" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDVeUort5NslefOO2F0mQBuMyqQwREGMijmtFgGo4EcaSDX41JBVv46oHO-WBbiHZH2rBppTdMl3VPWTZ857bisMBU82DovuNjOpu9s6XVKw0p3ASb7daN9RtitqMJhGd3v57QVdUNcYy/s320/124.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>2) The gospel was clearly presented and the seed of God's Word was sown in hearts that probably had never heard it before.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636605577183416290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIi4YHyJTP7jBIGBH5zMRBb7A4Rl2qEnBWJ9bx-OXfpgQimw9o9vZVpnB-ElRdyD1AfpVuq92ZPzWL7GpOZtgCiW29Lsm-ysYymmGTNoJB9h5WDNvbSzyokbTWCCfOC9vjqH4x_iHTd7u/s320/163.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>3) My parents were able to come help us out. Mom was indispensable in taking care of our kids at home to free us both up, and Dad taught the lesson on the last day and preached Sunday night.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636605571491623746" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3V6O9TkLl5l9J8XD3QHPjKdOhlyHFO6xCZJutsokW41jnfV1ESurSMUTkDUqUmaatn111EThyH7ykW4nG4107VwEBBKkz9e0nlTyaQu2D43dO-ybjgbPY4G6PCIpEZWYw2ACMiXST2FH/s320/180.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>4) We did see many of the church people show up on club days and help out in different ways -- bringing snacks for the kids, helping out during game time and being an adult presence during song and lesson time. One older lady enjoyed it so much, she said she had more fun than the kids.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636601879791407778" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjV9zBJmDtzpe0Cb1m_rOQUp2frwmbuupO_mNfK_5xV1-HjeuKbBCTorFkoKcCZRi320ccDglMlbflONtIW5q1BFKmh9Dh3U0n1IOTH_qIwuobmmIU90B2FwyPX2l8Z-QRoTvs-1dwwFM/s320/148.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div><br />5) We have 15-20 new contacts and plan to visit these families soon. Pray that they will be interested in visiting our church and open to a potential evangelistic Bible study in their home.<br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636601875411833842" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEphdy_1CSiVmmfGI3CP2ouelIRK-jR6ADKxauWfQOWzTa0QzkoXi7UA6CpSdC0-CRUb1qrPXbLDuVGpcr7XjiQ9gRLdQhIVPtRNdimgbkrgfK2W0rsv7wkNfJELYUX7d3N6UZviRvaO1Y/s320/144.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>6) Several kids returned Sunday night, and were able to see what a regular service is like.<br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636610942113748802" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIL91K3npGMGoC1qf-buI8dSUawhpojCKln40FLp9f70irTc7Mq5NgfDfqb2-T5HBHBEvX89FXyfJdtHgodGL9LWnjblaFFiElmED0D1ITEybrWlkePSMZcPptjQRGslgMIYG_o-GYzoQ/s320/ea+cam+aug+2+002.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div><br />7) Our crashed lap top was fixed, but only the day after club was over. We know God had a reason for that ...<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636601870051394866" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1MsVO5Evp_yWFOCuxnZRJclzvsFZc2jS2rD-uk_2b_hd-cLKAgOHKVMJEIsrasNihY7pQeUUODR7-lyk1Ctf5ScyYVI5WeFIHf7hVA63gQdOAO26CNTK9y45jNOwY4st3m3DbQPoKD96/s320/142.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-3545939644970491152011-07-11T11:09:00.003-03:002011-07-11T11:44:19.755-03:00Evidence of GraceLast night we had a good group in our service. The regular group was there along with 8 visitors. The numbers certainly are encouraging, but they point to something much greater: evidences of grace. You might assume then that the visitors were believers in Christ, but most of them were not! The evidence of grace we are seeing is in the lives of those who have believed in Christ and are bringing their lost friends. Anderson and Valéria, a family of 5 picked up his sister and family - a family of 4. Can you imagine 9 in a 2 door Ford Escort?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfjrtcXM5RLS2gJe6QsPLGcxHGbvPBq9i7M9hpUn9LNvD2KvRYWDO8zaEaEa8WAxrehgiM_m41GXsC6UgcJa_Er7ygr30k6Pbe_MKF8-Ni2HbA5Ogy6zPwSts43X9tlZyxaENBwPHMUbG/s1600/snapshot_003.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfjrtcXM5RLS2gJe6QsPLGcxHGbvPBq9i7M9hpUn9LNvD2KvRYWDO8zaEaEa8WAxrehgiM_m41GXsC6UgcJa_Er7ygr30k6Pbe_MKF8-Ni2HbA5Ogy6zPwSts43X9tlZyxaENBwPHMUbG/s320/snapshot_003.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628105088361105682" border="0" /></a><br />Kelly shows evidence of grace in another way. She has begun to contribute a lot like the Corinthian church. She brought some clothes and the believers were all able to benefit from them. So she brought more along with a waterjug the church was needing. On top of that she had a ceiling fan that was not being used and thought the church could benefit from it. You should see the joy in her face as she contributes.<br /><br />Several have offered their help to clean the church weekly, including Anderson who went to another man that has been attending and asked him if he would help him clean the church this week. Two men cleaning the church - can you believe that?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOr_2TpMyogmhhwFDWalEmnwly568zH_ocsqjF6ZlSpV7hX8M5_lSavAJYijwd_VW63VKJbNpurFNgXEtq70PnaUFndq9Sun9NEWQK22PyTcq9YKATGsps339YmkllhZszNCU6HMFJncBw/s1600/snapshot_004.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOr_2TpMyogmhhwFDWalEmnwly568zH_ocsqjF6ZlSpV7hX8M5_lSavAJYijwd_VW63VKJbNpurFNgXEtq70PnaUFndq9Sun9NEWQK22PyTcq9YKATGsps339YmkllhZszNCU6HMFJncBw/s320/snapshot_004.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628105091161397202" border="0" /></a><br />Last night, a 72 year old lady came uninvited. She has been looking for a baptist church close by and really enjoyed the service. She told me after the service that she will now be attending our church saying that she was affected by the message. "I actually understood the message because it was well explained and very clear". May God be glorified.<br /><br /><br />My greatest joy last night was to see the power of the gospel. The message centered around: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." (Jn. 7:37) Adriano and Gislene were affected and commented on the message with me. May God awaken thirst within them and may they be saved. Lord willing there is a personal Bible study in the making there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIUu1ff28iMnyF9ZLN8XHwi7Gp4sIWqSZ8Lc2y7J9pDOzUWVJNjEvbSf6YiVnnUWai9NV2rDfOXly25oa0g-GN_HWjef2tLFuY4iV6Xd50zqJPLebt9it_5-wznu8hJ9B-JZ3-RFL4IFJ/s1600/snapshot_002.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIUu1ff28iMnyF9ZLN8XHwi7Gp4sIWqSZ8Lc2y7J9pDOzUWVJNjEvbSf6YiVnnUWai9NV2rDfOXly25oa0g-GN_HWjef2tLFuY4iV6Xd50zqJPLebt9it_5-wznu8hJ9B-JZ3-RFL4IFJ/s320/snapshot_002.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628105084453028242" border="0" /></a><br />There were more evidences of grace - these are just a few. Glory to God.David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-55290738329568699292011-07-02T19:59:00.005-03:002011-07-02T21:05:34.052-03:00What We Did the Last Two SaturdaysThe past two Saturdays, I had the chance to attend a <a href="http://www.cefonline.com/">CEF</a> seminar on evangelizing and teaching children with three of our church women. I'm so glad they were able to go. The younger two are relatively new in the faith, but are growing tremendously in their spiritual walk and they made a big effort to be able to attend this event.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUEAW4wf5-fZD-md5czQ_v76ZlMnA2VjksiC7F72Hq8hW96W5SlCd8gCjiQ0vWjlweGAXJNi6TgzuCLt2ZLyjlzA2UTDHctEMVt4zXftJ7qDgnQmymuuDH8wwaEVdvSzbLNCeAL47mhQ6/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUEAW4wf5-fZD-md5czQ_v76ZlMnA2VjksiC7F72Hq8hW96W5SlCd8gCjiQ0vWjlweGAXJNi6TgzuCLt2ZLyjlzA2UTDHctEMVt4zXftJ7qDgnQmymuuDH8wwaEVdvSzbLNCeAL47mhQ6/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624901525250977730" border="0" /></a><br />One of the assignments of the seminar is to witness to two children and turn in a report about the experience. We all have to do this in order to get our certificate for completing the course. I think it was a great assignment because it helped these two women to see how important it is to share their faith with others, and that they can learn to articulate their faith so that a child can understand it. They both gave testimonies during the session today of their experiences and it was so fun to see their joy over giving the gospel to others.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIeL7DANf7NE0LjxXtk5gHe8Go94XlcUuYvCqq2zrUQ18uWGRl7gDa2s-9PKEc7NRedVHQHwJd6gqd56rj2MZpuf7IanVRPUuT2XkZoljSkKQ5oay93kQkv9P8e3miixjNHpupMgzo9Kh/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIeL7DANf7NE0LjxXtk5gHe8Go94XlcUuYvCqq2zrUQ18uWGRl7gDa2s-9PKEc7NRedVHQHwJd6gqd56rj2MZpuf7IanVRPUuT2XkZoljSkKQ5oay93kQkv9P8e3miixjNHpupMgzo9Kh/s320/013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624901527712062146" border="0" /></a><br />I had given one of them some wordless book bracelets and key chains on the condition that she explain the meaning of the colors to whoever she gave them to. Today, she asked me for more because she has already given them all away. She said one of her teenage nephews who has been baptized at another church was shocked to learn that his baptism didn't save him from his sins. Pray that God will continue to use these women to be a shining light in their families and in their neighborhood.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eiCOMARdxGo/Tg-wOPia8fI/AAAAAAAAA5U/uk62daE_7ns/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eiCOMARdxGo/Tg-wOPia8fI/AAAAAAAAA5U/uk62daE_7ns/s320/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624908218344600050" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpXjpSv9V9-WdSY1Z7ibIolCyIuF21O4Q3rfYQpWfcBux-gYd1URRswDwqjFPpdXn1rgxusTNLRn77krCCylU4ZJ6FrCgxYBUZFikbPEAvcHrezVyx5-BN-ep6hkjhQ23d5HeS2YL_r3U/s1600/015.JPG"><br /></a>On a side note here, we are really enjoying having a building to meet in. Even though they are currently in the States on furlough, Christen wrote a great blog, pictures included, of how God worked so many things out for us. Please check it out <a href="http://taylors4brazil.blogspot.com/2011/06/ministry-update.html">here</a>.David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-79877676315718688022011-06-17T17:23:00.003-03:002011-06-17T17:58:47.050-03:00A Meeting Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSr194oMLkF1akI0pw95v_slkvCn7R576Wz-JJqCAkXTXypuD0y4PWN6mLQyEfD7zQtKBq0xeRxBBHaAyq4Vf2JD4PHsR43jFv3zG9GkrCzcUe5pfZJFvdcSzG3a_WP4hiBCVCzPNWqSJ/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSr194oMLkF1akI0pw95v_slkvCn7R576Wz-JJqCAkXTXypuD0y4PWN6mLQyEfD7zQtKBq0xeRxBBHaAyq4Vf2JD4PHsR43jFv3zG9GkrCzcUe5pfZJFvdcSzG3a_WP4hiBCVCzPNWqSJ/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619295351037228834" border="0" /></a><br />We are so happy to announce that God has provided the church (IBS) a place to meet! Our church family has been praying for months in specific ways for a place to meet, in a good location, in God's timing according to his will. I confess that I felt as though God had shown us to keep meeting in our home and that I should stop praying and pursuing a rental option. My brother James and I had spent hours looking at possibilities, but they always fell through - one place of which was rented the day before we decided to go for it! But we kept it before the Lord.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW87j4bJAUA7AiPJwbLYqFDokYq_TXIraNkm2lfmo5sd1aENjPdqcBmQ4E62ilMyWIh5UUoBTlGQdnOhCqSa6jjm6Qu_XjReCncm7yBN7sWyharwuokiVSZErDp8XspseP2nAzAUOXTl0w/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW87j4bJAUA7AiPJwbLYqFDokYq_TXIraNkm2lfmo5sd1aENjPdqcBmQ4E62ilMyWIh5UUoBTlGQdnOhCqSa6jjm6Qu_XjReCncm7yBN7sWyharwuokiVSZErDp8XspseP2nAzAUOXTl0w/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619295344279907634" border="0" /></a><br />So this past Wednesday, one of our converts said he had seen a real nice place, but that it may not be the best location. Little did he know that James and I had just been in that area a couple weeks ago looking ourselves! We went to look at this place yesterday at noon. The owner was there so we went in and immediately the place screamed at me - this is it! The owner shot the price at $150 more than we wanted to pay. I though "so what, everything is negotiable in Brazil." So I went home, prayed and called Agostinho, who has helped us greatly in our ministry here. He came over and we went together to speak to the owner again. After a bit of negotiation, Agostinho was able to talk the guy down to the price we wanted to spend! Thank You, Lord!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwCLzPkZm1PRvcA-ypurJIIll7Tf2radn_eNcp9RelGig6naiyzB1YH_Pq0BytS9XcCB4SMH59oIYCwo1Vvzvnmfn9oaIAUtECnPLgm9X9Erbjn56egycbPqNuBw4EpiVtac68oVAVDOn/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwCLzPkZm1PRvcA-ypurJIIll7Tf2radn_eNcp9RelGig6naiyzB1YH_Pq0BytS9XcCB4SMH59oIYCwo1Vvzvnmfn9oaIAUtECnPLgm9X9Erbjn56egycbPqNuBw4EpiVtac68oVAVDOn/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619295325145533314" border="0" /></a><br />Please pray with us that God would use this place for His glory and bring many to repentance and faith. We don't want to get comfortable, as our desire is to buy land and build. But this will definitely be a big help as we get started. Thank you all who pray for us, but please don't stop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS74J7qe8OyMhxzip4L_cGcXEOO8H0Ah8WYxgcXuj41Lr1zI6ElWym_cczgz17nAuJwXDKYgzYkrskWU4zj0k9G_KphOBt3tx9TbhccSSdq1zNbxellrlFTQKJ7C76acduVwPCmZ1v4ymJ/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS74J7qe8OyMhxzip4L_cGcXEOO8H0Ah8WYxgcXuj41Lr1zI6ElWym_cczgz17nAuJwXDKYgzYkrskWU4zj0k9G_KphOBt3tx9TbhccSSdq1zNbxellrlFTQKJ7C76acduVwPCmZ1v4ymJ/s320/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619295322802184098" border="0" /></a>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-28340765401962284932011-06-08T10:26:00.005-03:002011-06-08T11:30:35.582-03:00"Until Soon"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XV-1VPQT9w/Te99vjNsDxI/AAAAAAAAA38/sqlcWD_Rqkc/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XV-1VPQT9w/Te99vjNsDxI/AAAAAAAAA38/sqlcWD_Rqkc/s320/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615845516214275858" border="0" /></a><br />For the past two years, we have been blessed to work as a team in ministry with David's brother and sister-in-law, James and Christen. I don't know how we would have done much without them. God knew we would need each other in a brand new place, starting a brand new work. There's no price that can be put on having someone close by to work with, laugh with, talk to, share burdens with, encourage you when you're down, help when things are harder than usual, share birthdays and Sunday dinner with ... Everyone should have friends like that in their lives.<br /><br />This Monday we said "goodbye" to them at the airport as they left for furlough in the States. We will miss them greatly during these next 8 months, but such is the life of a missionary -- always saying goodbye, it seems. One of the church women here pointed out that they will be back, so instead of saying "goodbye" she said, "até breve", which translated literally is "until soon."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxLDGpd00aP8Xh1PSYbi2g_iFMpmMx7Hx7Udc_Fzcep8yT8wQkUd0ygyg1HHffMlRtaJUdK3Y1famFVykk78kzEiY4KN5zyIfeUwP20SaDQBs2kEmCoSoT4xcr-h2oGRIUmiux-Sxnwvr/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxLDGpd00aP8Xh1PSYbi2g_iFMpmMx7Hx7Udc_Fzcep8yT8wQkUd0ygyg1HHffMlRtaJUdK3Y1famFVykk78kzEiY4KN5zyIfeUwP20SaDQBs2kEmCoSoT4xcr-h2oGRIUmiux-Sxnwvr/s320/025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615844757443622530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Jer and Gabe<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveQvrdW0JSzqXqsanFR_gyj6TZEg83V0nfG3TEx8VgRtvNEn21M_wsvxg_RZbPTOqXQLEKXzwg7qA41AGy1WKVWoRomL6CjDVKLR0x8TifZMomNVQjruNpmqn5JdFUI3R0CHW2-xB71QH/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveQvrdW0JSzqXqsanFR_gyj6TZEg83V0nfG3TEx8VgRtvNEn21M_wsvxg_RZbPTOqXQLEKXzwg7qA41AGy1WKVWoRomL6CjDVKLR0x8TifZMomNVQjruNpmqn5JdFUI3R0CHW2-xB71QH/s320/023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615844753352623042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Juliana and Hannah<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0AP8YYHrHLIsZ0TGS2HTkvDzxCH6kDPUhlQfSjEUsmbSeXycmFelAWcJ1r0me9T0AGsHZfIhYyJNjk46fgdqM1gHNSp3Y9HhOXRE0CNWPWV9pRhn5JiQvdCeUncwejXoOm6clctH886q/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0AP8YYHrHLIsZ0TGS2HTkvDzxCH6kDPUhlQfSjEUsmbSeXycmFelAWcJ1r0me9T0AGsHZfIhYyJNjk46fgdqM1gHNSp3Y9HhOXRE0CNWPWV9pRhn5JiQvdCeUncwejXoOm6clctH886q/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615844742351671266" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">At the airport<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI_2jVubzpRgbTLSXJyKu5ddY3pZzIgfI8zc-N9xGDH19fYlK4yr2zTQ7p-3Pj5GlwBzt6LE5DOKd2HYrJ0wjVyvpkM7Bi8Yqus8PkVaLOwB9-AYskNr3_zhiW8-wYieRr3KJgXMsrmi_/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI_2jVubzpRgbTLSXJyKu5ddY3pZzIgfI8zc-N9xGDH19fYlK4yr2zTQ7p-3Pj5GlwBzt6LE5DOKd2HYrJ0wjVyvpkM7Bi8Yqus8PkVaLOwB9-AYskNr3_zhiW8-wYieRr3KJgXMsrmi_/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615844734598905026" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A little farewell party after the service Sunday night<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaTQlK7m7Ildq1niK3HgIGszZYbcE6m0A3cytWGWEA66RSRsEZClG8cd1KNXqNhRJP7_kgnE_53n9qci9HJQXAq_zd_mW1wVhW8GIq7uSaFzGrd0d6p4c8gJYp0tEKguJ70CtJ0hXvkU3/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaTQlK7m7Ildq1niK3HgIGszZYbcE6m0A3cytWGWEA66RSRsEZClG8cd1KNXqNhRJP7_kgnE_53n9qci9HJQXAq_zd_mW1wVhW8GIq7uSaFzGrd0d6p4c8gJYp0tEKguJ70CtJ0hXvkU3/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615844733015949122" border="0" /></a>Enjoying Brazilian pizza one last time<br /></div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-65638644677374050412011-06-02T14:19:00.008-03:002011-06-02T15:28:30.176-03:00Sisters and CoffeeI love my sisters. I have three of them. It's been over three years since I've seen them. For a while after we were all grown and married, we all lived in the same city. One of our favorite things to do was to spend an evening at a coffee shop, flipping through books and magazines, talking and laughing our heads off, and drinking fancy coffee drinks. I miss my sisters a lot and I miss those fun nights talking and laughing over coffee.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pj8lfnRH0Zg/TefLKQJzOoI/AAAAAAAAA24/fT1jLGJl8-E/s1600/July%2BNC%2Bvisit%2B076.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pj8lfnRH0Zg/TefLKQJzOoI/AAAAAAAAA24/fT1jLGJl8-E/s320/July%2BNC%2Bvisit%2B076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613678837535816322" border="0" /></a><br />My sisters and I a few months before I left for Brazil.<br /></div><br />For the past four months, Christen (my sister-in-law) and I have been having a weekly Bible study with our little group of church women. Since this was Christen's last study with us before leaving for furlough on Monday, we decided it would be fun to take the women to a coffee shop and do our study there. The women were so excited because they had never been to one before. Plus, it was a chance to get away without any of our kids and THAT doesn't happen very often.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG79PFWh2dSruEYhD1Y2DMbBhSOCylKS1Z8fuQywMrjyWCZ9UhiVnOqTjicNOiSkAkJWQ8Cc6NuxHkYY6IyHxgipkXOCONNvwCB4r9ntWUElz90rpaNpGdhRUySleYKEIpzj5J95v8ieMI/s1600/078.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG79PFWh2dSruEYhD1Y2DMbBhSOCylKS1Z8fuQywMrjyWCZ9UhiVnOqTjicNOiSkAkJWQ8Cc6NuxHkYY6IyHxgipkXOCONNvwCB4r9ntWUElz90rpaNpGdhRUySleYKEIpzj5J95v8ieMI/s320/078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613677057336685634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyJDWHrhemK6PAhf2VUsI0eO3AKSipN12YfFNplhyphenhyphenBrWw4whqtqpUkbKQ-8IvBLwknp57-zVPpgzeTIwBTH-IbWYLelfmyGxUizdOcHof7JpATsk8jslnRJDTvFfze-kju53u73UvaIV2/s1600/079.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyJDWHrhemK6PAhf2VUsI0eO3AKSipN12YfFNplhyphenhyphenBrWw4whqtqpUkbKQ-8IvBLwknp57-zVPpgzeTIwBTH-IbWYLelfmyGxUizdOcHof7JpATsk8jslnRJDTvFfze-kju53u73UvaIV2/s320/079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613684280082197938" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZHHWubc0CE/TefJizyF4aI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/5nKDcCvnPS8/s1600/079.JPG"><br /></a>It was so fun to introduce them to cappuccino and whipped cream. We had a great time and laughed a lot over our delicious drinks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFnOK8DKzOpX2CJMTluL4-_QstcwqCxAkoARNsJK1Ic4oJsqJ61N-x1527dYsyQmx5Mt85fIopW_Gyoqc3PkCaibmqWzjrNyw5pzJf39jJFUvAOA66CSo9momT2tfWt0j4A7OTcXWGKXL/s1600/081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFnOK8DKzOpX2CJMTluL4-_QstcwqCxAkoARNsJK1Ic4oJsqJ61N-x1527dYsyQmx5Mt85fIopW_Gyoqc3PkCaibmqWzjrNyw5pzJf39jJFUvAOA66CSo9momT2tfWt0j4A7OTcXWGKXL/s320/081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613677062926996114" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfDnUpjFXuijvXt2G759YwP4H8j8mZ80Z5svSlFYfPMMioLZ286EQMedvEWcemq3dBZDvJm6V1PI88pTckBkgmDnY7ZC8i5KiVLw4jrTOwed0n4VYsyKZcTZVHDeEKLq0xiEZvO0FlTdm/s1600/083.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfDnUpjFXuijvXt2G759YwP4H8j8mZ80Z5svSlFYfPMMioLZ286EQMedvEWcemq3dBZDvJm6V1PI88pTckBkgmDnY7ZC8i5KiVLw4jrTOwed0n4VYsyKZcTZVHDeEKLq0xiEZvO0FlTdm/s320/083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613677070220122370" border="0" /></a><br />We were able to do our Bible study because even though we were sitting outside and the place was pretty crowded, our tables were in a back corner and there weren't very many distractions. I think we were all challenged and convicted about sins we need to be putting off, and to be longing for the pure spiritual milk, which is God's Word.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSBI4QKCbijZ6XbrkONwFmxOouQTjTN4lm0Mjh6Y7NKx6h67fPbtp7EnhIki3zVOY3VExMjdnPn6rqNH0SiLDdaCYggh9W5RdgGaoBDLtDwaPPfGNoci5lvakCVax7zFGRwGBX0nm2arm/s1600/088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSBI4QKCbijZ6XbrkONwFmxOouQTjTN4lm0Mjh6Y7NKx6h67fPbtp7EnhIki3zVOY3VExMjdnPn6rqNH0SiLDdaCYggh9W5RdgGaoBDLtDwaPPfGNoci5lvakCVax7zFGRwGBX0nm2arm/s320/088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613688133881900274" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77JDUM1dhr9zxJUIbGZFEZoOuCMf3kOg32XjR_setWfQkxuNb2oorwbW3ZjIeHZELB_X1_uxi2xfhuCo0uNd_wvyCx4CU5-JHtCKNZFaOB0ee5xGmDkliwY0M1xiwWeRWfK7dprDg4kGF/s1600/088.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzTW16Ku2bViBTbWBmqtrkJrsQbp1RMApM74wuUiUkPYsVhZNlLYDF3T2mTk1YNCazwD7Ft5sVZ_z6ioFAqq8A33ZI76M5iLC_ZzCc8QNTRk3KNaQkHuhbVjEg7AQ9FHaUbV2QqfqtQLs/s1600/089.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzTW16Ku2bViBTbWBmqtrkJrsQbp1RMApM74wuUiUkPYsVhZNlLYDF3T2mTk1YNCazwD7Ft5sVZ_z6ioFAqq8A33ZI76M5iLC_ZzCc8QNTRk3KNaQkHuhbVjEg7AQ9FHaUbV2QqfqtQLs/s320/089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613677699293469186" border="0" /></a>Not to sound corny, but I am thankful for this new group of sisters God has placed in my life. None of us are biologically related, but because of the blood of Jesus, we have God as our Father, and that is a family bond that will last forever.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77JDUM1dhr9zxJUIbGZFEZoOuCMf3kOg32XjR_setWfQkxuNb2oorwbW3ZjIeHZELB_X1_uxi2xfhuCo0uNd_wvyCx4CU5-JHtCKNZFaOB0ee5xGmDkliwY0M1xiwWeRWfK7dprDg4kGF/s1600/088.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfDnUpjFXuijvXt2G759YwP4H8j8mZ80Z5svSlFYfPMMioLZ286EQMedvEWcemq3dBZDvJm6V1PI88pTckBkgmDnY7ZC8i5KiVLw4jrTOwed0n4VYsyKZcTZVHDeEKLq0xiEZvO0FlTdm/s1600/083.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFnOK8DKzOpX2CJMTluL4-_QstcwqCxAkoARNsJK1Ic4oJsqJ61N-x1527dYsyQmx5Mt85fIopW_Gyoqc3PkCaibmqWzjrNyw5pzJf39jJFUvAOA66CSo9momT2tfWt0j4A7OTcXWGKXL/s1600/081.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZHHWubc0CE/TefJizyF4aI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/5nKDcCvnPS8/s1600/079.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG79PFWh2dSruEYhD1Y2DMbBhSOCylKS1Z8fuQywMrjyWCZ9UhiVnOqTjicNOiSkAkJWQ8Cc6NuxHkYY6IyHxgipkXOCONNvwCB4r9ntWUElz90rpaNpGdhRUySleYKEIpzj5J95v8ieMI/s1600/078.JPG"><br /></a>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-4099180480901471832011-05-25T15:34:00.008-03:002011-05-26T08:55:57.868-03:00We're Still Here!I'm sorry for the lack of blog posts recently. There has been so much going on, and besides that, we were without internet for about three weeks. So I'm going to try to be concise and fill you in on the different things going on around here.<br /><br />1- We moved out of our rental house on April 28 into our own newly-built home. It's not quite finished, but things are falling into place and we are loving it. Christen wrote a great blog about our move which you can read about <a href="http://taylors4brazil.blogspot.com/2011/05/let-changes-begin.html">here</a>. We are so thankful for all the help we got during our transition from James and Christen, my parents and some of our church people. We couldn't have done it without them. Someday, when things are a little more organized, I will post pictures of the inside of our house. Give you something to look forward to. :) But here's one for now of our main living area: living room, dining room and kitchen all in one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe_a56fVg-CGks35zdS_S6pI6tDaTWiQebEWInS7cS3GXwZa7rLqHnZha9yCsbWx1csSj3x8snYE5EnVFbAOsfq3E_SnmZPXDqBRcLQqWxOvuKZP3fdlNvF-2chZJ_XWFiZKejlCsKYE2/s1600/DSCN3334.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe_a56fVg-CGks35zdS_S6pI6tDaTWiQebEWInS7cS3GXwZa7rLqHnZha9yCsbWx1csSj3x8snYE5EnVFbAOsfq3E_SnmZPXDqBRcLQqWxOvuKZP3fdlNvF-2chZJ_XWFiZKejlCsKYE2/s320/DSCN3334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610825993369375634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kjZZjlpOEGWMgfCIaOJv-hFIQiOHyEm0Z8gPpOrQKRuLGXmR_nrmGHz_qfR7rmo9yhg2-uzzgeHK0IgvpIb4-vrT8oeFYrHC6pqa4x3civ_YSoalsK4-AmhsCQmOqkyXj2taSgZ0yakT/s1600/DSCN3212.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kjZZjlpOEGWMgfCIaOJv-hFIQiOHyEm0Z8gPpOrQKRuLGXmR_nrmGHz_qfR7rmo9yhg2-uzzgeHK0IgvpIb4-vrT8oeFYrHC6pqa4x3civ_YSoalsK4-AmhsCQmOqkyXj2taSgZ0yakT/s320/DSCN3212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610825998843238946" border="0" /></a><br />Mom was SUCH a great help, taking care of the kids (and cooking and cleaning and doing laundry...) so we could pack and move.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nhxDJXrtRU_engMipcNNu7T7t5M3EHncDhgBfz1lmBSXT1_pCprTwCN4LqVjQUQSVdKQropSGsgD3UMyBhUMAR7OlmG-peHa6FfJ7Rp48epwrm7TLLhihZdwdHnqqI2wn0c70vFiEff/s1600/DSCN3295.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlBUYtfzXjT31ytgrUaxNflil7cam-QIsO_E9ccRmVB0q83LURFNXz5VZAGhnLFifOgDPPTGLEiff6g61l05LWhHeACmmesGi84aBXKxmwrPWQuuLJ9BNXXa5PA4whNO998XCJGwYNJXy/s1600/DSCN3326.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlBUYtfzXjT31ytgrUaxNflil7cam-QIsO_E9ccRmVB0q83LURFNXz5VZAGhnLFifOgDPPTGLEiff6g61l05LWhHeACmmesGi84aBXKxmwrPWQuuLJ9BNXXa5PA4whNO998XCJGwYNJXy/s320/DSCN3326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610989412179184466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Dad worked HARD to help us prepare the yard for grass and to get the garage cleaned out for our first service in our new house.<br /><br /></div>2- Mother's Day -- we didn't have a special program for the women, but we did have a little gift to give them and the kids sang a little song for them. We are very thankful for these women and the evidence of grace in their lives. Christen and I are doing a weekly study with them on 1Peter and it has been so encouraging to see them learning and growing in their Christian walk.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-My4ewXf0OkQ/Td2ohxs8jgI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/netDmQWTFLQ/s1600/IMG_8628.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-My4ewXf0OkQ/Td2ohxs8jgI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/netDmQWTFLQ/s320/IMG_8628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610826009004510722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3- Baptism -- A Baptist church in a neighborhood nearby graciously lent us their facilities for us to hold a Sunday afternoon baptismal service -- our very first one! Four people took this very important step of obedience in identifying with Christ.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwH4ksAKbEtn4R70ReRuE5sP2KZSlMErGysOnShpKH_hnms4fZIRm8ycLZjBVJZG5VJP6gzbtcvDTWySIzF2Gv9e2PVdwW7s5LifiLpseScjzspIURzh9xezfr0bfqxDAE2acFihKL3M7/s1600/35+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwH4ksAKbEtn4R70ReRuE5sP2KZSlMErGysOnShpKH_hnms4fZIRm8ycLZjBVJZG5VJP6gzbtcvDTWySIzF2Gv9e2PVdwW7s5LifiLpseScjzspIURzh9xezfr0bfqxDAE2acFihKL3M7/s320/35+%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610986442653888018" border="0" /></a><br />David gave a short message on the symbolism of baptism, being careful to explain that baptism does not play a role in our salvation, something that many churches here teach. James performed the baptisms and it was fun to see the people's reactions. Many had never seen baptism by immersion and commented on what a beautiful service it was. It's interesting because there's not much that's beautiful about someone being dunked under water and walking out soaking wet, but the joy on their faces was so obvious as they understood what their baptism meant. Buried with Christ and raised to walk in new life!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC3ffRc1PLiKpop8fqMl8K_zeiRPjLAVsNBEG1HVGvbrDGhPJ7EGR83EP3eYOoawa3h1nSy3G4lx4iM2vd5xUNasmKsLACimLSMDdkj0O2o3SFEYreVnpeJwnO9OCe6xJDPYwBd4u3gw9/s1600/35.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC3ffRc1PLiKpop8fqMl8K_zeiRPjLAVsNBEG1HVGvbrDGhPJ7EGR83EP3eYOoawa3h1nSy3G4lx4iM2vd5xUNasmKsLACimLSMDdkj0O2o3SFEYreVnpeJwnO9OCe6xJDPYwBd4u3gw9/s320/35.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610986439593938146" border="0" /></a><br />4- Church services -- Not too long ago, we moved our Sunday morning Bible study hour to Wednesday nights. The main reason was low attendance on Sunday mornings, and after a month-long trial period of offering the same study on Wednesday nights and having that service be very well attended, we made the change. Sunday mornings we meet for prayer at our house. This has turned out to be a very special time of fellowship with the ones who come as we seek God's help and guidance together. Sunday night services are also held at our house in our garage and this is working out well enough, but please continue to pray for us to find a more suitable meeting place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNkzP64_n1dnwViZPpMRiKu9F2KRFQ9sEiSC7gO1RyL_wLpkUnMuJXOnI7LCLKE_OslT0S3hchLm8n5hGP70HJO8r9KcNQYjy5l737SjBGvPh2FxkRR9TRmAMcXrKWXotXE7JXFok5_ap/s1600/34a.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNkzP64_n1dnwViZPpMRiKu9F2KRFQ9sEiSC7gO1RyL_wLpkUnMuJXOnI7LCLKE_OslT0S3hchLm8n5hGP70HJO8r9KcNQYjy5l737SjBGvPh2FxkRR9TRmAMcXrKWXotXE7JXFok5_ap/s320/34a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610986426364046098" border="0" /></a><br />Wednesday night Bible studies are currently being held in the homes of different church people. It has been a little tight to fit people in at times, but it always works out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGSC93hkhaDVyBogzMl4dRNKXqMjk2wpPi2V8BdZnY9HA5-bHWfaGYCGt5f3KJ1_DB53WKnYYmvnIP50Er-nOrC1WhSzcu9duF7P_ylIZvD4wnpih0cCakdyebkls0vY3Ax2a_2Xu3Cdq/s1600/34d.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGSC93hkhaDVyBogzMl4dRNKXqMjk2wpPi2V8BdZnY9HA5-bHWfaGYCGt5f3KJ1_DB53WKnYYmvnIP50Er-nOrC1WhSzcu9duF7P_ylIZvD4wnpih0cCakdyebkls0vY3Ax2a_2Xu3Cdq/s320/34d.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610986426122855026" border="0" /></a><br />5- Upcoming transition -- James and Christen are wrapping up their first term here in Brazil. Praise God that everything went smoothly with them leaving their rental house and moving their belongings into a storage space. They are currently staying with us until they leave for furlough on June 6. This means that we will be on our own in ministry responsibilities and we ask that you be praying for us during these next few months.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yiwAVz711k0xVwNQcjdgeX9lrk2asNyr8WMIvN9tCLnyhULSIziPc36kA1pugyUh-dNb0b8H0sgKzHDtQRxUef7jhlZzNLY6fRL1IMm5E7OI0iNA-_UnYNWV7E6ZfLuMaZ2vDAn4f7yr/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yiwAVz711k0xVwNQcjdgeX9lrk2asNyr8WMIvN9tCLnyhULSIziPc36kA1pugyUh-dNb0b8H0sgKzHDtQRxUef7jhlZzNLY6fRL1IMm5E7OI0iNA-_UnYNWV7E6ZfLuMaZ2vDAn4f7yr/s320/044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610989415090440578" border="0" /></a><br />We are thankful for Agostinho and Cristine, the Brazilian Christian couple God brought to us about a year ago, who will be stepping in to help out with some of the teaching responsibilities.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzJsc1HSr1PaOItMgzFH472zbsS72KjMcSkfR1ZQ1yYitkIQ8tx5bJMTS5V6YGYsYI5vyRS7MqfEa2BXbeY4nd-ettO_9_qUpmat-DYA7NsBbjxoJa2rH5EBnhZOMXe0r9i9OeLOabm-I/s1600/28.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzJsc1HSr1PaOItMgzFH472zbsS72KjMcSkfR1ZQ1yYitkIQ8tx5bJMTS5V6YGYsYI5vyRS7MqfEa2BXbeY4nd-ettO_9_qUpmat-DYA7NsBbjxoJa2rH5EBnhZOMXe0r9i9OeLOabm-I/s320/28.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610989410541641634" border="0" /></a><br />So I think you're pretty much up-to-date now. Things are happening and God is working. This morning, David is flying out to João Pessoa, the city where we worked our first year here. He was invited to be the speaker for an evangelistic conference at our old church. Please be in prayer for him when he comes to mind.David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235231233708824186.post-12939903348608961832011-04-11T13:41:00.007-03:002011-04-11T14:34:31.467-03:00Church OutingGod blessed us this past weekend with a gorgeous day for our church picnic at a beautiful resort on the island of Florianopolis. There were all kinds of fun things to do and so much of God's wonderful creation to enjoy. With the exception of one lady who is traveling, all of our "regulars" were able to go and we had a couple visitors as well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkea2QsBGdwl8G6K2LvT0ZlrgtRxr7rcGk38MAQyE1ZM4e-4qefhxxXW_uVu6afy0WJ7C0AOcAvv15T8YRY3EUBI4Wt1V5MdmAJ84kJ-ggJ2SbliLg-5Doi1yODI7B8fAB7HjQtLQ8q6Zr/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkea2QsBGdwl8G6K2LvT0ZlrgtRxr7rcGk38MAQyE1ZM4e-4qefhxxXW_uVu6afy0WJ7C0AOcAvv15T8YRY3EUBI4Wt1V5MdmAJ84kJ-ggJ2SbliLg-5Doi1yODI7B8fAB7HjQtLQ8q6Zr/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594369402271688786" border="0" /></a><br />Our cabin was right across from this pond full of ducks and geese<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaV-Xt66ZcjH_VoSNkVTAjRJeUw9Lg-M1BsmrOgXbdzha4pTV4nARzjDXethAwUYX9vHSQWDqAVyZZ_uzOfU48llu4WvwXclkavNReRmDd5jgxBTyIFf2Htq1ERX4aHCeY8Wk8OUhyphenhyphenPoP/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaV-Xt66ZcjH_VoSNkVTAjRJeUw9Lg-M1BsmrOgXbdzha4pTV4nARzjDXethAwUYX9vHSQWDqAVyZZ_uzOfU48llu4WvwXclkavNReRmDd5jgxBTyIFf2Htq1ERX4aHCeY8Wk8OUhyphenhyphenPoP/s320/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594369408621273794" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkea2QsBGdwl8G6K2LvT0ZlrgtRxr7rcGk38MAQyE1ZM4e-4qefhxxXW_uVu6afy0WJ7C0AOcAvv15T8YRY3EUBI4Wt1V5MdmAJ84kJ-ggJ2SbliLg-5Doi1yODI7B8fAB7HjQtLQ8q6Zr/s1600/005.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lots of fun things for the kids to do ...<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjIibIadKF12MLKHyzLMtDZJVyiRc38HoimI1EDTEYerejNWSmZIDL_YpXwFikmjpHJExdTwiiBGNMIbSZRx9KooBr6AhV2sh4uqsLEUnqXMizQP7tCp7oft7IYyiHSodmujIE1-Wthji/s1600/092.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjIibIadKF12MLKHyzLMtDZJVyiRc38HoimI1EDTEYerejNWSmZIDL_YpXwFikmjpHJExdTwiiBGNMIbSZRx9KooBr6AhV2sh4uqsLEUnqXMizQP7tCp7oft7IYyiHSodmujIE1-Wthji/s320/092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594376344319417378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithClfEhc48GrDlhQI3diJfas5B8rsdKPjkkZvMqzV5qoSstbeV1GlW3999sxrUv38OpXGcIcUDN3HX4bLRcogkXl-GzZubWcnT2KHJWr2ZrOvuzuvA6Qws9VtXIj9u2RgSyAg4B_iiC01/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithClfEhc48GrDlhQI3diJfas5B8rsdKPjkkZvMqzV5qoSstbeV1GlW3999sxrUv38OpXGcIcUDN3HX4bLRcogkXl-GzZubWcnT2KHJWr2ZrOvuzuvA6Qws9VtXIj9u2RgSyAg4B_iiC01/s320/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594369402685816930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Fun playground underneath a huge grove of bamboo<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDazMzHkB02_Sp97yfcWXKXJNtppTnlO44a4J92iO-xvEjZZS3IzW7ih-x149VUvk8Dt96JzUkXMB9RUW9yShuAP_EpnHEkzJgjd3snpL88DMIrLpwcfzlBu6PUqDBPAYvj78_4iIiaP3Y/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDazMzHkB02_Sp97yfcWXKXJNtppTnlO44a4J92iO-xvEjZZS3IzW7ih-x149VUvk8Dt96JzUkXMB9RUW9yShuAP_EpnHEkzJgjd3snpL88DMIrLpwcfzlBu6PUqDBPAYvj78_4iIiaP3Y/s320/023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594369406566688338" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Friends<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o7IuSffGDk1fCYRL0nHUFk3Vg6jEX8_CYsTrJpcVbEsjOtSUA_bpbsEYlsi486gyqPnqKN-OCMpO7qZSxFQyZZxxQGKr3QG0UMLHNFgx_QvJYhoTsITXkRx92I3jzvvhkADPw27KnYMN/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o7IuSffGDk1fCYRL0nHUFk3Vg6jEX8_CYsTrJpcVbEsjOtSUA_bpbsEYlsi486gyqPnqKN-OCMpO7qZSxFQyZZxxQGKr3QG0UMLHNFgx_QvJYhoTsITXkRx92I3jzvvhkADPw27KnYMN/s320/040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594370561368654498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch preparations<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTpfwqopbEWDG5tioMDnSKEen5DQt15V6Z8-H8NNSmEtRGtF47LKCqba21RYdGxQ2DFvingKQRzsB5RoQHtncaLtKsUr3gWwuz0t709TnYQ9xp2evkrK36SL0yQLgT6l3ZDldHNAaD5t3/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTpfwqopbEWDG5tioMDnSKEen5DQt15V6Z8-H8NNSmEtRGtF47LKCqba21RYdGxQ2DFvingKQRzsB5RoQHtncaLtKsUr3gWwuz0t709TnYQ9xp2evkrK36SL0yQLgT6l3ZDldHNAaD5t3/s320/046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594370556474479634" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mmmm ... churrasco!<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoYoZzHC9NRnFYwSI1lOxQ0cascZuE91FydxLK_YQc3-cU7K9DV_NCTLNWpySzwjw4ZkIn4tmSuuDSSQYNPPGUeVZvz_vlpJJqMl6VBbeZSgTJkpKNmTgRWioK_OT8DqPOhwcxAEgmD9C/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoYoZzHC9NRnFYwSI1lOxQ0cascZuE91FydxLK_YQc3-cU7K9DV_NCTLNWpySzwjw4ZkIn4tmSuuDSSQYNPPGUeVZvz_vlpJJqMl6VBbeZSgTJkpKNmTgRWioK_OT8DqPOhwcxAEgmD9C/s320/055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594370550656110802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Time to eat!<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAhyphenhyphenhxcl1JFKj31HaLmNR28RZ_1gGSFk8pBdl9c0HRf43afciXG20bsBlRRFpoQYiBPpWPjweuPrr0rv8oyES-lHKnWKdFUG1nq-EbPDNw5dLwMZBlgwAXfPu6xaJV47H9jvy3G86WzGG/s1600/066.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAhyphenhyphenhxcl1JFKj31HaLmNR28RZ_1gGSFk8pBdl9c0HRf43afciXG20bsBlRRFpoQYiBPpWPjweuPrr0rv8oyES-lHKnWKdFUG1nq-EbPDNw5dLwMZBlgwAXfPu6xaJV47H9jvy3G86WzGG/s320/066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594370548126350562" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Gathering together to sing and have a devotional from the book of Psalms<br /></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuwQApJzXXA/TaMyXTGgCbI/AAAAAAAAAy0/25toiZi8XaE/s1600/087.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuwQApJzXXA/TaMyXTGgCbI/AAAAAAAAAy0/25toiZi8XaE/s320/087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594370537970207154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The gang (except for James who is taking the picture)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gsN2jN7pv3bIP8lytwbmJgwsWseF73WHyHhQwZLaAxTrxeU8Rt3-1x-9hIAeFehyh8_y_BBf5RrGo7BAPEfDptZ0tuNNkJOpGlcIKoLcFX4Y8LleMJzOFzIvuJM8HhB_sYEUkW2WR2co/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gsN2jN7pv3bIP8lytwbmJgwsWseF73WHyHhQwZLaAxTrxeU8Rt3-1x-9hIAeFehyh8_y_BBf5RrGo7BAPEfDptZ0tuNNkJOpGlcIKoLcFX4Y8LleMJzOFzIvuJM8HhB_sYEUkW2WR2co/s320/057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594376336442760626" border="0" /></a>Our littlest member. His parents professed faith in Christ shortly before his birth. How neat to think that this little guy was born into a Christian home and can grow up learning about Jesus.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYbWZIIljFqv7REpKfRw40BatIuObFDnmtNxcx8Rtqu3Lun8Zj2vSBXxlm9VNjv_OVOkeaa2vaqs8Q-jJVwwALStoHSS0zVM-3XEWJVV7DDn9bECFqkFAegkK2jcIPaPht2_G4Py1xKyC/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYbWZIIljFqv7REpKfRw40BatIuObFDnmtNxcx8Rtqu3Lun8Zj2vSBXxlm9VNjv_OVOkeaa2vaqs8Q-jJVwwALStoHSS0zVM-3XEWJVV7DDn9bECFqkFAegkK2jcIPaPht2_G4Py1xKyC/s320/039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594376335271463554" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYbWZIIljFqv7REpKfRw40BatIuObFDnmtNxcx8Rtqu3Lun8Zj2vSBXxlm9VNjv_OVOkeaa2vaqs8Q-jJVwwALStoHSS0zVM-3XEWJVV7DDn9bECFqkFAegkK2jcIPaPht2_G4Py1xKyC/s1600/039.JPG"><br /></a>This couple represents a couple of answers to prayer. The first one is that she professed faith in Christ several months ago, and then chose to leave our group to start attending a large church nearby that preaches the prosperity gospel. Even though we warned her about the doctrinal errors of this church, she joined them anyway. We cried tears over her and sent up many prayers for her. Just last week, she came back, saying she saw things at this church that she didn't agree with and that she will be rejoining us. The second answer to prayer is that her husband came along on this outing. This is the first time he has attended any of our church programs or events, and we pray that God will soften his heart so that he will join his wife in the Christian faith.<br /></div>David and Sharon Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773251661312764924noreply@blogger.com6