10/12/2009

October



Chris and long-time missionary, David Ingram

In October, Chris had the blessing to participate in the first CCC (Continent Connection Conference) for Men. This was a tremendous spiritual renewal retreat for missionaries in South America, hosted by Continent of Great Cities. The speakers were highly-qualified former missionaries and missionary-support experts and targeted topics like missionary burnout and prayer. I am thankful that I was able to participate in this fantastic event. It renewed me and helped me focus on my own spirituality even as I try to help others. Thanks, CGC!
Chris and his small group at the CCC conference for Men
Repairing the front door after the second robbery

On returning from the conference, Sunday morning I discovered that the church building had again been broken into. Stolen items were the trash can, coffee pot, a few pots and pans, the new Lords' Supper trays and cups Liduina had brought from the US, grapejuice, and a fan. We were very discouraged, again. The most important loss was the folder with all the church documents and reciepts. The cost of the door repair was also hard to swallow: 250 reais. It is, however, stronger than ever.


The smiling thief, carrying our coffee pot, aluminum pan, and a folder with all our church reciepts, was caught by the camera of the supermarket across the street. He is still at large.
One of the ever-challenging aspects of mission life: long lines.


Carlos helping install new locks on the front doors on our workday.

Jorge also helped install locks and wire the new fans we bought to replace the stolen ones.

Installing the new fans

Francisco and Liduina returned from the US, which was a great relief to us. They had a wonderful trip, but we are very glad they are back!

The School of the Bible students took their final test in December, and did very well. I am proud of their commitment and dedication to learn the Word of God. They all committed to return in March to study the Old Testament as well, and return they did!

I have been studying martial arts, which I have always loved, in order to get some exercise and I have really enjoyed it. As I progressed, I began to experience pain in my right knee. It saddened me to discover recently that I have a bone fragment in my patellar tendon. I have had to quit, and I miss the exercise, but the good news is that the surgery to fix it is fairly simple. I am scheduled for the 9th of April to have the surgery, and the complete recovery time is 2 months or less.

Please keep us and the work in your regular prayers. We continue to work on security here, knowing that our true security is not in posessions bu tin Christ, and is therefore assured.