September

In September, Alley began to train some of the older children to work as assistants in the children's class. We have had up to 23 kids at the same time in our little classroom since we moved in, which is a great challenge. The older kids have really stepped up to help, and take pride in wearing their name tags and getting supplies for the younger ones. These children are one of the most important ministries of the congregation, and a tremendous opportunity to teach about God's love. In a neighborhood characterized by adolescent drug use and the crime that accompanies it, the church is their only chance to see a different future for themselves.

Each assistant received a diploma and was recognized before the congregation after Alley's training session
The older assistants teaching the younger kids

Alley and I were required to travel to Rio de Janeiro to submit her application to the consulate for her US resident visa. While we were there we spent an afternoon walking around the city near the consulate, and enjoyed it immensely. Rio was the capital of the Portuguese empire during the Napoleonic wars, when the royal house of Portugal came to the new world. It is about 400 years old, and contains many historical buildings as well as the national library. Alley was thrilled to see this part of her history. Later, her visa and passport arrived by mail.

We were blessed with an invitation by the Gibbs, who are currently working in Itu, to come to their home so they could review some materials on culture shock and reverse culture shock with us. We had a wonderful visit with these dedicated servants, and we were encouraged and uplifted as they helped prepare us for what lies ahead in our transition back to the US. Thanks, Bryan and Becky, for your hard work and dedication to serving those who belong to the Lord!

August, Paul and Julie Hinds visit us

The Hinds, Liras, and Barrosos in our home

Julie took Liduina's trike out for a spin

Last month we were blessed by the visit of Paul and Julie Hinds. Paul currently serves as an Elder at Southwest, and as chair of their missions committee. We met with them as a couple, as a team, and I also translated for the Liras as the four of them met together as well. We had a busy week, but we were so uplifted by their loving spirits and encouraging words that we were very sad to see it end.

Talking about numbers in the Lira's kitchen

Preparing for Sunday's activities

Paul giving the special morning class on Sunday

Carlos, one of our members, passes out Bibles as class begins

Jorge leading the congregation in the Lord's Supper on Sunday

That Sunday we had to special classes before worship. Paul taught the first class, centered around what the congregation could expect as we leave Brazil, and also what we can expect as we move to the US. Julie and the ladies shared the second class time and talked about having a purpose and being beautiful to God, which was wonderful for the ladies and visitors. The guys took advantage of the break to rest up (in other words, catch one of the FIFA World Cup finals games). In worship we had 31 adults and 12 kids, including several first-time visitors.

Julie's presence was a special treat for the women of the congregation

The Ladies' class

We didn't let Paul and Julie leave without going to the beach. Although it was our winter, the weather cooperated and they enjoyed a nice 75-degree day in the sun.

Since their visit, attendance has stayed fairly stable, with about 25 adults and 10-14 kids every Sunday. The little kids' classroom is bursting at the seams with 14 kids, and we ask for your prayers for God to prepare helpers and teachers so that this class can go smoothly until He provides a larger facility. These kids also are bringing their parents. One woman, Regina, who has become a regular visitor full of questions and excitement has ten children, and her oldest daughter Vanessa has now visited with her 5 children. These opportunities are wonderful. In some cases the kids and the parents are very needy, especially of the unconditional love that God gives. But we pray that the church will grow as it church heals and loves on these people.

Vanessa and her five children

The attic/Francisco's study

Our newly-organized kids' class

The kitchen and attic stairs

Alley, Julie, and the recently-purchased Bibles

Some of the Bibles purchased with a donation from Southwest's VBS

The kids' class attendance list (it has since been expanded)

Julie was a fantastic resource for Alley and Liduina as well as an encourager!

We are proud of our little kitchen!

Chris, Francisco, and Manoel outside the new building, with the Lira's new car

As we prepare to leave, the church has begun to adjust to our departure as well. We began a series of sermons through the book of Acts, a need Francisco and I saw for our newest members and visitors. I will be preaching less frequently in order to focus on leading singing and preparing new songs, as well as training Lucas to begin leading singing. Jorge has stepped up at every opportunity to help, as well as Carlos. Carlos preaches well, and has a very to-the-point, practical style. They both will be helping teach adult class while Francisco is traveling. Jorge also helps count the offering with Liduina. Adauto from Sao Vicente has been a great help as well with the Thursday study. I pray that our departure will be a natural cue for many members to become more involved in the body, and reap the benefits of growth that come from increased commitment.
Francisco and Liduina left last week for some much-needed vacation in the norteast part of Brazil. They will return at the beginning of September. We pray they will have a restful time with family and safe travels.

July activities

The move from our old building to our new location. We really really like the new one better.
Francisco helping load the moving van... er, the moving VW van flatbed...
Jonas, one of my students from the School of the Bible, helped out all day.
Not much left now
The former kids classroom
The former kitchen/fellowship area

Our new place needed some renovation as well. Luckily, the bar came right out and all we had to do was paint the wall.
The cleaning crew was rewarded with a nice lunch made right in our new kitchen.

The other side of the classroom is our kitchen/staircase. It is cozy, but has worked wonders and is even a major evangelistic tool.
The new kids' classroom is cuter, better-organized, and yes, a little smaller.
The new kitchen is a real step up from the old one, which was outside and leaky. It is a little tight, but it is clean and has no leaks.
The first worship service in our new place was full of energy. We can sense that God is going to grow us and bless us as a church in this place, even though our hopes are that in a few years we can move again into a permanent facility. Keep that in your prayers!


The old financial officer (Chris) breaking in the new treasurer (Liduina). Working with numbers is a great gift when used in service to the kingdom. Accounting can be daunting to some, but is an absolute necessity to good stewardship. Liduina will serve as the treasurer after our return to the US, together with others in the congregation like Jorge, who already signs off with her after counting the offering. These details may seem insignificant, but they are milestones in planting a mature congregation, especially when starting from zero.
Our move has brought us 10 new kids every Sunday. Pray for them. They are high-energy, love Bible class, and are a fantastic opportunity for evangelism as well.
The Kids celebrated their birthdays in the church building this year (Jonathan turned 5, Stephanie 4). The event had over 50 people, including many new members from the neighborhood who helped in many ways. Showing the Church as a family is one of our biggest assets when we seek the lost in Praia Grande.










The above video is the baptism of one of the twins from Sao Vicente. They were both baptized on the same day, witnessed by the Praia Grande and Sao Vicente congregations, after many years of patience on the part of the Sao Vicente congregation. Praise God for this encouraging victory!

A June Filled with Answered Prayers

First, let me thank all of you for your prayers. Many of our needs last month have been met by the Lord, in that special way he has to exceed what you asked for in such a way that only He can. Thank you for praying for us. The mission here has definitely been blessed because of your efforts on our behalf!

Smiles from Francisco, Liduina, Alessandra, and some visitors from Sao Vicente

At the beginning of May we held a Ladies' event, and 32 women participated. Afterwards, Geralda a 65-year old who has been visiting us, decided she wanted to be baptized, so they went to a nearby pool and she was immersed into Christ. She has 11 grandchildren and lives in the neighborhood of Jardim Anhanguera.

Some of our visitors at the Ladies event.

Francisco, and some of our members awaiting the baptism

Dona Geralda being baptized by Adauto Rodriguez

Our newest sister, Dona Geralda

Jardim Anhanguera is an interesting neighborhood, near the geographic center of Praia Grande. There is also a weekly study there with about 20 people, mostly visitors. Last month we had decided to begin looking for a new place to meet. The first day we went out to look, God led us to a nice little building on the main street of that neighborhood. Its rent was less than half of our old place, it was in good shape, safe, and has a constant stream of foot traffic in front because it is near one of the main supermarkets and fruit fairs of the neighborhood. Our new building on Fair day (behind the umbrella repairman's booth)

The entire street closes for the fair on Sunday mornings

The day after we saw it, Francisco and Liduina returned and signed a rental agreement. That Sunday we worshipped there, and have been moving things as we can into the new place. It is a wonderful location, ripe with opportunities for evangelism, and closer for our members and visitors as well.

Much of our efforts the last month have been to fix up and move to our new place. It didn't need much work, but some special attention helped to make it warm and comforting.

Jorge helping with the door

Cida, helped clean after the work was over

Francisco and Jorge fixing a leak

Liduina, adding a floral touch

Nearly ready for worship

The new kids' class

Worship in our new place. Thanks, Lord!

Vanessa, Alessandra, and Irani

The study in Jardim Anhanguera that has about 20 visitors has been a fantastic addition to the work here. They wanted to make it known that they want to be part of the Church of Christ, and are all very excited about our new building being so close to them. We praise God for these wonderful people, especially Dona Geralda, our newest sister.
I want to ask you to please keep Irani, a sister from Sao Vicente in prayer. Her picture above was taken shortly before her sister was shot to death in an assault near their home. Please pray for her. Her sister was a spiritist, as is the rest of her family, and she is trying to take every opportunity to share the gospel with them even in this hard time.
Please keep us in your prayers also, and we will keep you informed as the church continues to grow here.