September Trials and Triumphs

The last month has been challenging in many ways. It started off well, with big plans for a youth event at the building. We got video games together, picked up the kids (all girls this time), and went to the building to get things set up. When we arrived, the building was a terrible mess, everything moved and thrown around. We had been robbed!

They had snuck in the back through a window, and stolen our fans, microwave, computer, tools, mop, cooking pans, and even juice and crackers!

Ariane's sisters loved to have their picture taken when I picked her up for the youth event

The kids helped Alley and I clean things up a bit and take inventory, then she took them back to our house for an all-girls devotional. I stayed to continue the clean-up process, finish the inventory, and try to secure the building. Alley and I were both very disappointed.

Cleaning the building after the robbery

We were able to board up the window in case they tried to come back again, and I immediately got to work beefing up the security of the building. Most of my energy for the rest of the month went to cutting bars, installing them, and shopping for better security measures such as reinforced locks on the front doors, installing a working lock on the gate to the back passageway, and a more robust lock on the back door.

The sight that greeted me at work for the following days got me down a little.

However, with the materials from our old fence, I was able to cut bars and begin installing them without much extra cost. After filing two police reports (you have to do it twice here, once for each police jurisdiction), talking to the investigator, and neighbors, it became clear that one of the people involved was an ex-con named Agner who lived on the street and whom we had helped several times to buy milk and other basic foods. He was identified by one of the neighbors the next week when he came back to ask for food! I described him, and his address (Francisco had gone to pray with his wife and kids, and to offer them a Bible study) to the police investigator, but as is usual for Brazil, have heard nothing back, and I don't really expect to. Ours was one of about 14 robberies in a five block square are during the first two weeks of the month.

The girls' devotional at our home sparked quite an interest. Alley read a book with them called "You can be pretty," about Christian beauty, and they all loved it. They asked if they could meet again the next Saturday and read some more. So in spite of our disappointment, the girls were very encouraged, including three visitors!

The girls at our home after the robbery

In spite of trials, or maybe because of them, the church has continued to grow over the last month. Sebasitan, who was working nights and unable to participate in our cell group, has transferred to daytime hours. He and Gilda are currently studying with their neighbor, Fannie. Please pray for her.

You can be Pretty (Voce pode ser Bonita): Alley, Taynara, Ariane, Isabele, Carla, and Naiara

The next week, Isabele and Ariane were able to return for more!

The School of the Bible has grown, with an attendance now of 12 students. We have had several visitors as well, including Ne, who copies the course material for me, and my martial arts instructor Luis, his wife Carol, and mother as well. Caio, a former student, also has returned for a visit. He was recently married and his wife Sabrina is now expecting. Please pray for them. We have offered them a study, they just need to let us know when! We had dinner with them last month and met her grandparents as well. One of the highlights of the School of the Bible last month was the presentation on the archeological sites of Corinth and Rome I presented with our projector. That technology helped me make a huge impact as I presented them with the cultural context of three very important letters in the New Testament.

Caio, Sabrina, and her grandmother, in Boquerao

Eduardo Dutra

Another challenge this month has been the absence of Francisco and Liduina as they visit their daughter in Washington. We sure miss their help! But, things have kept on moving nevertheless. We had a wonderful pizza night on one of the most rainy and dismal Sundays so far this winter, and the day after the robbery. But our spirits were warm as we talked and shared about everything that was happening. That night, Carlos was out of work, Sebastian also, the church had been robbed, and we were lacking our usual regular visitors. In hindsight we can see how the bonding and mutual encouragement nurtured our faiths and helped us all move on.

The Kids on pizza night


Pizza does help one to feel better

Carlos and Adriana: consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds...

Sebastian and Gilda, with unshaken faith in the face of financial uncertainty

Sebastian and Gilda have taken it on themselves to be our cheerleaders and encouragers.

As work continued on the building's security issues, I expereinced another personal tragedy. My PDA and cell phone died. Again. I spent two trips to Sao Paulo to try to have it repaired, but all was lost. For those of you who rely on such devices, you know how hard it is to lose them. Here it is also a major challenge to replace them, as they sell for about three to five times the price in the US. However, thanks to a generous donation from my parents, a new one is on the way. Whew.

Hanging those bars

Clean up after all the activity

The bars are rather ugly, but are also safe. Life in South America.

We made contact recently with a couple who lives very near us, Ray and Edna. Ray is an American, retired, and Edna is a Brazilia. They are very alone and were looking for some friends. They have agreed to study the Bible with me. Please pray for these studies. I also continue to study with Lucas on Sundays. Please pray for him as well.

The School of the Bible is exciting and strong. The congregation is taking care of one another's needs. God is taking care of all of us, in spite of unpleasant circumstances. After all, if God can't be Lord, even in hard times, what kind of all-powerful God would He be? Yet, in all things, he is watching over us for our good. We are thankful to be part of His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Thank you very much to those of you who have decided to pray for us as we strive to plant the church here. Thank you also for the help some of you have sent: the work here moves on because fo your generosity. Thanks, Southwest VBS, for the donation to improve our kitchen! Thanks to the Nelsons! Your donation bought much-needed fans for our hot summer (and winter) months. Thanks to my cousin Amber for your generosity as well. Thanks to the Kerseys for your generous help, again. Thanks also to Juanita Hall, and thanks to the Kelleys for my new drill and phone. May God reward your earthly donations with credit in heaven.