To São Paulo and Back

Last week we took a 24-hour trip to the nearest American Consulate in São Paulo to register Juliana as an American citizen born abroad and to get some other documents taken care of. Gabriel stayed with James and Christen while David and I made the quick trip with Juliana. We weren't too thrilled to have to do this, but then a missionary informed us that we would be very close to a big mall that has both Applebee's and Starbucks in it. That may not seem like a big deal, but it was so nice to have a little taste of home! Just sitting at these places brought back good memories of times in the States with family and friends. It helped to "matar saudades", which is hard to translate into English, but word-for-word means "to kill longings for someone or something you miss." Like I said, hard to translate ...


We were very grateful for the efficiency of the American Consulate -- we were in and out in an hour with Juliana's American birth certificate in hand and the rest of the documents to be mailed to our house. I think we also left São Paulo grateful that we don't have to live there. It's huge and crazy and a different world than our São José.

So why am I blogging about such a simple event? I can see God's hand in everything that happened. From the safety He provided on the flights and taxi rides (seriously, our first taxi driver almost side-swiped a car), to how everything went so smoothly at the Consulate. From providing some fun places for us to eat, to giving us a sunny, perfect-temperature day. I believe God pays attention to the smallest details in our lives. I mean, if He knows how many hairs are on my head, then certainly He knows that I really like Starbucks mocha frappuccinos with whipped cream. :)

Quick Update

It's a little after the fact, but earlier this month we hosted a ladies' tea in honor of Mother's Day. Sadly, I didn't check my camera's battery before the event, and it was dead, so I didn't get any pictures. However, my sister-in-law, Christen, took pictures and wrote a great blog about our time and you can read about it here. I invited several different women, including my next door neighbor. She asked if she could bring her adult daughter and I said sure. It was interesting that my neighbor did not come, but she told her daughter about it and she came and brought her sister-in-law too. I had not met either of them before, so I was glad to have 2 new contacts. A few days ago, I talked to the daughter again and asked her if she was interested in having a Bible study with me. She said her family is busy with building their house right now, but that when it's done, she'll come to me for a study. More than likely, that was a polite way of saying she was not interested, but I'm praying that God will work in her heart so that she actually will come for a Bible study soon.


It has been nice to have a family of 5 join us for our Sunday morning Bible studies the past couple of weeks. James and Christen have been working with them and we would love to see the whole family receive Jesus as their Savior. We are longing to see genuine fruit in our work here. Recently, we have been tempted to be discouraged as people we have come to know and care for and have had Bible studies with have lost interest or become offended by the gospel for one reason or another. Instead of taking it personally, we have to remind ourselves that they are actually rejecting Christ, not us, and that God calls us to be faithful in proclaiming the gospel and to trust Him for the results.

As for our little family, we are doing well. Juliana is growing too fast! I am a little sad that she has already outgrown some of her clothes and has moved up a diaper size. Why do mommies want their children to stay little? She is generally a very happy, easy-going baby and she seems to have easily found her place in our lives.

Gabriel is always full of energy and is a little more high-maintenance than his sister ... well, a lot more high maintenance. He surprises us almost every day with things he has learned. Not too long ago, I walked into David's study to see Gabriel sitting at the computer. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I writing e-mails."



We are excited about some upcoming things:
1- the World Cup (soccer). I plan on doing a blog about that in a few weeks including pictures that show Brazil's passion for this sport and specifically this event. Go Brazil!

2- potentially buying a house or a piece of property on which to build a house. David has been running around a lot recently meeting with realtors and builders, trying to find a good spot for us and getting estimates. We live in a very hilly area, so we're praying for a piece of property that is flat. :)

3- going to Sao Paulo. Juliana needs to be registered at the American Embassy as an American citizen and my American passport has expired, so we (minus Gabriel) are flying to the nearest American Embassy in Sao Paulo to get those important documents taken care of. That may not sound exciting to you, but we found out there are both Applebee's and Starbucks close to the Embassy, so we're looking forward to that!

4- having a kids' club in July. We are already planning for this event. It was an effective outreach program last year and we are expecting to have many more kids come this year.

Easter Outreach Results

Result - Christ was preached and God was glorified! As you can see, there was only a handful of friends present, but God used the gospel visually and verbally to touch hearts. James focused on why Christ suffered emphasizing the justification of sinners. Adelar (first on the right in the group of three on the left) was someone I met last week and seems to be affected strongly by the gospel. Sharon and I will do a Bible study at his house on Tuesday evening.

Cristiano (here in the back) has been a work in progress. I have had two studies with him and his wife Debora. He works 10-12 hours a day making it difficult to meet up - but we will not give up.

The small group of 4 teens in the front attended a series of 6 gospel studies at our house last year. I had not seen them since. Praise God for bringing them!


José Augusto on the back row has attended 3 of our evangelistic events!

As you can see we had chairs set up for 70 or more. Obviously this did not happen - so we take refuge in clear Biblical truth: I Cor. 15:58 - "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Easter Outreach

Please pray for our Easter outreach here in Brazil. We have handed out a few hundred invitations and will be showing Mel Gibsons version of "The Passion of the Christ" at a local community center. God has granted us several opportunities to share the true gospel with some as we handed out invitations. Adelar and Ivani invited me in and we spent over an hour on the gospel and Bible related questions. Also shared clearly with Sireneu an older gentleman who lives alone and drives a taxi for a living. As a Catholic he told me he had never heard the gospel quite like that before.


Here's our plan with the movie. We will start the movie at 7:30 and pause about 50 minutes in right before the crucifixion. At this point my brother James will explain the "WHY" of what is about to happen - then we will play the rest. Pray that this will impact all who come - as many have already seen this movie. May God cause many to repent and believe in Him as a result of the true gospel message. Pray for us this Friday at 6:30 Eastern! Thanks.

Pray for Aguiar

Aguiar is a self-proclaimed Spiritist/Catholic. The implications of this in regards to his salvation are something like this. Work hard to exercise love, forgiveness and charity all the days of my life (Catholic part) so that my soul can evolve from one life to the next producing in me the goodness necessary to be accepted by God (Spiritist part). In lay terms: salvation by works. "The Passion of Jesus Christ" by John Piper has served us well to explore the gospel and all it's truth with Aguiar. He is ever so slowly connecting some dots - but has not yet been granted faith and eyes to see! Please pray with us for this man. He has a beautiful family that is simply falling apart because of selfish, sinful, unforgiven pride.

Aguiar on the right

Aguiar is evolving for sure - but not in the way he would hope! I cannot take you into his living room to listen in on a study -but I beg you to pray for us every Monday evening. May the Spirit of God illuminate his understanding of the true gospel - JESUS PAID IT ALL!