Some pictures

Spiritualist family you all prayed for so faithfully that day



Preaching at a street service

Matt, Liz, Rachel, Bob, Leah, Joe and Brandon

Thank you all again for your prayer support! I will try to get more up from the other missionaries as I get them.

They're Baaaack

So, I survived a second trip to San Francisco airport - and the 6 who were coming here, have arrived all in one piece & with all their bags intact. Rachel went home to Arkansas from Houston - so, I can only assume she's made it as well. We are in the process of loading some of Bob's pics, so when I get things all on to the computer, I'll get some up for you all to see the work that happened because YOU prayed - and prayed hard.

California here they come

Just spoke w/Bob - yes, spoke w/him - while he was waiting to get on the plane in Houston. They are all exhausted - but glad to be headed this way....if I can, I'll try to post some pictures this afternoon, but can't make any promises - I'll be doing laundry too! Have a great day - and thank you sooooo much for your prayers during the trip, they were felt!

On their way home

I had a quick email from Bob today - closing services went well. The plan for today was to just hang out with their churches, and spend the day tomorrow as a team - sightseeing and debriefing somewhat before they head to the airport for the long flight home. I'll post more when we get back from the airport on Wednesday...pray for safety in travel...
Michelle

Saturday's news

Today Leah used the Ecube to share in large group of vbs, yesterday I used the Eball. Last night we had the celebration service here and it was a hard thing knowing our time is short here, even though we are ready to see family.

Tonight we had a service on a busy street corner, try that in the US. I spoke, the youth danced, it was fun avoiding cars.

Tomorrow morning I preach, Luana (Bob's interpreter from 2006) is supposed to come, pray her heart is open. Leah is at Ivson s church for a friend day service tonight, pray as she shares.

VBS

Hey Chelle,
We are just finishing up the first day of VBS and had over 400 kids. Tomorrow will be more because some are still in school today.

Last night Marcos and some of the others took us to a church in the Rio area to see a play called "Judgment House" it was very good and very moving. I will have to write about it more when I get home. However, the basic idea is that you walk through 8 scenes set up in different areas of the church. So far that church has had 15000 people go through it and over 300 decisions have been made as a result. Way cool, need to try it at our church.

Still not getting much sleep, but we are doing okay.

We will do VBS tomorrow and Sunday. Tomorrow evening we will have a street service and I will speak, Sunday morning I will speak also. The other churches are coming tonight to celebrate the work that has been done. Joe and Matthew´s church had a service planned so they won´t be here.

I will try and write more tomorrow, but wanted to drop an email to everyone. Keep up the praying it is being felt here in a mighty way.

Belated Birthday wishes

I am late with this - but yesterday was Liz's dad 50th birthday - she had asked me to post it on here & I forgot till this morning...so:


HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROY!

Remaining Schedule

This should get us thru the rest of the trip:

Friday:
PIBAP, IBVF, IBJB - (9am till noon) - home visits
PIBVR - (10am till noon) - home visits
PIBVR - (2pm till 5pm) - home visits
IBVF - (2pm till 4pm) - home visits
PIBAP - (2:30pm till 5pm) - home visits
IBVF - (7:30pm till 9pm) - evangelistic service (missionary speaking)
PIBVR - (7:30pm till 9pm) - evangelist service
IBJB - (7:30pm till 9pm) - drama service

Saturday:
IBVF, PIBAP - (9am till noon) -home visits
IBJB - (9am till 11am) - home visits
IBJB - (2pm till 5pm) - home visits
IBVF - (2pm till 4pm) - street invitation/parade
PIBAP - (2:30pm - 5pm) - VBS/home visits
PIBVR - (3pm till 5pm) - Impact in the streets
IBVF - (7:30pm - 9am) - Youth evangelism service

Sunday:
PIBVR, IBVF, PIBAP - (9am till 11) - Bible study/services (missionaries speaking)
IBJB - (9am till 11) - Evangelism in the streets
PIBAP, PIBVR, IBVF, IBJB - (7pm till 9:30) - all churches celebration service

Monday:
each church has a free day to spend with their missionaries - sight seeing, souvenir shopping, whatever they chose

Tuesday:
whole group back together for city tour to Christ statue, Sugarloaf mountain, lunch together before heading to airport for the long flight home

Wednesday:
Brandon, Bob, Liz, Matthew, Leah and Joe arrive in San Francisco; Rachel arrives back in Arkansas... home with their families

field news

From Bob:
Hey Sweetheart,
it is 5:20 here and I just returned from some visits and also visiting a school. Leah and I were able to get into the school earlier today and invite kids to the VBS, but the administrator stopped us from sharing about Christ (she is catholic) it is actually okay to do it in the schools here, but she prevented us. So we made the most of it by handing each child an evangelism bracelet and told them to come to vbs and we would explain what the colors mean. I went back this afternoon for the other classes and invited them the same way, many remembered me from previous years and wanted to come up for hugs and shake my hand (my interpreter said they were treating me like a celebrity).

Visits are still going good, but it is hard to get those from a catholic background to know the difference between head knowledge of Jesus and heart knowledge of Jesus. Keep praying as we all share.

I heard that Joe preached last night at his church and the service was great. They have been doing a lot of visits and the church is really working them.

Last night I spoke in VR and there were several decisions made for Jesus and many that had strayed away from church that committed to return. One man I shared with on a visit and had prayed to receive Christ came last night (awesome to see the commitment in him) he came forward because he wanted to makie his decision public.


From Rachel:
I am swell. Today was a hard day. It seems that when it rains it pours. We had a translator that barely spoke English and a lot of close minded people on visits. I just found out that I have to preach at church on Sunday again. Be praying for me. Yesterday we went to the English class and it went very well. I think that we answered a lot of questions about God and Americans. I am good. Tired but well. I have walked up several hills that would put the Ozark mountains to shame though.

a picture

From Brandon:
My interpreter in this picture name is Andy she is 18 this is her first time speaking like this. She is doing very good.We have many good updates, Christ had many victories Tuesday. We had a man give is life to Christ who was looking for something and he found yesterday. We had very similar life styles before Christ and God used my story and we cried together. God is awesome. Keep praying for us.

From Bob:
We just returned from out afternoon visits. Today Leah and I had various results. Some we planted seeds and/or watered seeds. I visited a lady I had visited in 2005, her son had just died when i was here in 2005 and I shared with her and her daughter-in-law. They did not accept Christ then. Today when I arrived she gave me a hug like I was her son and said she wanted to see pictures of my sons (she remembered i showed her in 2005). we had a great visit, I prayed with her and watered seeds already planted, she is less hard then she was in 2005. She owns the corner bakery by the church, so, yes we had cake! And she wouldn't let me only have one, I had to insist I didn't need another after she made me eat two pieces. The other visits today we had a few salvations (yeah), and we had a couple people that were already Christians and are deciding to get back to God and the church.

Tonight I preach here at Vila Rosali . Pray that God uses the message to draw people to Himself. I don´t think I have gone to bed earlier than midnight this week, keep praying for Leah and I, that we get enough rest and that we keep focused on the goal.

Leah has been doing great. I was able to be on her last visit today (it was a drop in visit, we saw a couple ladies on the street and took the opportunity), the ladies did not receive Christ (one was already a believer) but they were encouraged by Leah´s testimony and she delivered it well. We have been having a lot of fun.

Last night was the Oscars, Marcos would say something in English and I translated it into Portuguese, the crowd was laughing a lot. I had written out all my parts, a whole page. It was a lot of fun. Leah was the one that would read the name in the envelope, she read all the names great and everyone had a blast.

One phrase they had me saying over and over was: Nao dessi a pedeca cair - do not let the hackey sack fall. The award was a brasilian hackey sack. The meaning is 'keep up the good work'.

From Michelle:
I have asked Rachel for a report on how she is doing, and have asked Bob for another report from Joe & Matthew to keep us all updated on their trip...interesting news on getting the church bus parked at the San Francisco airport - seems we needed the temporary permit when I dropped everyone off the other day, as well as when we go back to pick them up! TSA regulations prohibit anything as big as a bus left unattended within 300 feet of any airport, and we would have had to had proof a $5 MILLION liability insurance policy. So, we will have to caravan down instead, which is no big deal, just means that Brandon's wife, Leah's husband and myself will have to drive down on Wednesday to get everyone home.

Report from Rachel & Liz

sometimes I think it is better that you get things in the missionaries exact words rather than my interpretation...
Things going well in our camp. We had some successful visits. Liz spoke in church tonight along with Brandon. We are being fed I would say to well. I can barely button my pants but that's another story. The sad thing is that they think we are not eating enough. Anyways a loved member of the church died today and it was an oppurtunity to minister with the rest of the church. Tomorrow is the funeral be praying for our church for they are taking it hard. Tomorrow our translator has english class and we are to go and be teachers but also witness. It should be awesome. lLz is good the Brasilians call her Japanese girl and today she got told she looks Canadian. Strange how peoples minds work. She has had a lot of very powerful home visits. Be praying for us. via com deus.

Bob's report

Pretty much - straight from his writings....

Just returned from morning visits. Many of the visits are with catholics and so they feel they already `know`Jesus. So we have to explain more detail of having a personal relationship with Him. The visits are going good otherwise.

Yesterday I visited the daughter of the spiritualist. She is a believer, but has not been in church because of her mother and also because she has a 3 yr old and not care for him. I explained to her that the church is there to support her and help her raise her children, I encouraged her to get back involved and prayed with her that she would get her life committed to God, she doesn´t have the home support. She was grateful and is going to live with her mother-in-law who is a Christian and member of Vila Rosali. The spiritualist lady did not show up to the visit, which was probably good for her daughter to have that opportunity to listen to what I shared.

Last night I preached at AP (Brandon´s church). The service went well and one man came forward to get his life right with God. He was very moved and was in tears that he had not lived for God like he should. I was able to pray for him and encourage him. Very good service. Afterward, we had dinner with Brandon and his church family. So much food here!!! Brandon and I may be traveling home in the baggage compartment. Every visit they have cake, cheese balls, bread or something and also guarana or juice. In the churches we have breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, along with a fridge near our room they keep loaded with drinks and food (not that we are around to eat any of it).

Tonight we are doing a service to recognize the children´s workers. It is supposed to be kind of like the Oscars. Marcos and I are the presenters, it should be fun.

Team updates

I have edited some of this so its easier for you to read, but for the most part, this is straight from Bob...

Brandon - great visits yesterday, today the visits have been hard (people are hard hearted), I tried to encourage Brandon. He has preached twice already at his church, said that went well (more from Brandon below).

Rachel & Liz - Good visits, Rachel basically preached at one service yesterday and it went well. Both are doing fine.

Joe & Matthew - Good visits, have done them in the homes and in the streets, Joe preached at 2 services (church and street service), people are awesome and loving...having a great time.

Bob & Leah - visits are good, today we have had some great ones, this afternoon I share with the spiritualist family at 3pm. Tonight I speak at Brandon's church. We are all fine and healthy. They are feeding us way too much...will have to fly home in baggage hehe.

From Brandon:

here is little update about my days and my church. They welcomed me with open arms ready to serve the Lord. We had visits on Sat, Sun and Mon. They went well Sat and Sun. Then Satan knew we were here and started working overtime Mon. Many walls were put up on our visits. So everyone pray hard it only going to get harder the longer we are here but our God is AWESOME and He will win it in the end and Satan knows this. So far in my church I believe there have been 11 or 12 saved in Christ's name. We had a full house Sun night. All visitors may have been saved but hard to follow everything.

There you have it...I'm supposed to get an update from Rachel at some point, when it arrives, I'll get it up here. I still haven't heard from Bob about his specific visit this afternoon, but will post as soon as I do. Thank you so much for your prayers and support - they are all felt, believe me!

world wide prayer warriors

Just wanted to let you all know that while they haven't logged in officially here, there are families in Italy, Africa and West Asia praying for the team - God is way too cool for words right now!

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday schedules

As always, remember that these are entirely flexible! But God is faithful and will bless no matter what! I have yet to hear from any one other than Bob & even then those were 1 sentence emails with the time of his appointment today...so, as soon as I hear and can humanly get this updated I will. I go back to work tomorrow, which will have an impact on how quickly things get back out.

Tuesday
IBVF, PIBAP, IBJB - (9am till noon) visits in homes
PIBVR - (9am till 10) school visits
PIBVR - (10am until noon) VBS planning

IBVF, IBJB, PIBAP - (2pm till 5) home visits
PIBVR - (2pm till 5) home visits and VBS

PIBVR, IBVF (6pm till 8) home visits
IBJB - (7:30pm till 9) service - missionary speaking
PIBAP - (8pm till 9:30) service - missionary speaking

Wednesday
morning/afternoon schedule is the same

IBJB, IBVF, PIBVR (7:30pm till 9) services - missionaries speaking
PIBAP (8:00pm till 9:30) service - missionary speaking

Thursday
whole day matches Wednesday, except no evening service at PIBAP

There you have it - have a great day & don't forget to pray for Bob at 3pm Brazil time! :)

Specific time for prayer

Bob mentioned in his earlier post that he has an appointment on Monday the 14th w/a spiritualist family. He is concerned with being ready with Godly answers, etc for this visit in particular. The spiritualist religion is one that is based heavily on voodoo - the appointment is at 3pm in Brazil, so you can do your own time figuring on that for your own location. There will be a group of us meeting at Cooper for some concerted prayer at 11 if anyone wants to come join us. As soon as I hear anything tomorrow I will let you know.
Michelle

Straight from Bob

The opening rally service was a lot of fun, began at 7:30p last night and went until about 10:30p. lots of singing, videos, and speaking. Everyone likes their churches and their churches are happy with them. Leah and I made visits today (one each this morning and two each in the afternoon), my first was a 13 yr old girl, she accepted Christ, one in the afternoon was a couple and they both received also. The other of mine was prayer for strength in troubled times and with kids. Leah´s in the morning was prayer for encouragement. She is still out on her afternoon visits. Please pray for me, on the 14th I was told that I will be visiting a family of spiritualists. The african religion. Those are always more difficult and I need to be able to respond well to questions.

There you have it - straight from the field - already 3 new siblings in Christ...yea!

Schedule for the next few days

I have listed the initials and full names of the churches on the right to make things easier for me in typing - use it to decipher what is happening where below. The times I've listed are local to Rio, which is 4 hours ahead of me here in California. Keep that in mind when praying.
Saturday evening:
PIBAP - (6:00pm) dinner and service for their adults (50 yrs old and older) - one missionary is doing an "extended reflection" (probably Bob, Joe or Brandon)
PIBVR - (6:00pm) Impact in the Streets - 2 years ago, the church members dressed up like clowns and paraded thru the streets
IBVF - (7:00pm)prayer meeting
This morning had 3 churches scheduling home visits where our group went to appointments to share Christ in homes with friends/neighbors of existing church members.
Sunday morning:
All four churches have their services beginning at 9am
PIBVR and IBJB - (2:00pm) home visits
IBVF - (3:00pm) Evangelism in the streets
PIBAP - (3:00) Parade in the streets
PIBVR - (6:50pm) Children's anniversary Service
IBVF - (7:00pm) Evangelism service (missionary speaking)
PIBAP - (7:00pm) Anniversary service (missionary speaking)
IBJB - (7:30pm) service (missionary speaking)
Monday:
IBJB, PIBAP, IBVF (9:00am till noon) home visits
PIBVR (9:00am) visits to local schools
PIBVR (10:00am till noon) home visits
IBJB, PIBVR, PIBAP, IBVF (2:00pm till 5:00pm) home visits
PIBVR, IBVF (6:00pm till 8:00pm) home visits
IBJB (7:30pm) Service (missionary speaking)
PIBAP (8:00pm till 9:30pm) Anniversary Evangelism service (missionary speaking)

I'll post more later, but that gets us thru the next few days. General things to pray for: stamina, clear thoughts, easy communication with each interpreter. You can see that there is some time built in in the middle of each day for rest, but most often, the missionaries will be walking to their appointments...makes for long days!

News from the front

Bob has been able to send me a couple emails, but the connection at the church is not consistent, so I'll be updating you as I get things from him. The remaining 5 arrived safe and sound this morning. Tired, but they made it. The final details have been nailed down & I will post the flexible schedule later. Direct quote, "the churches are asking us to comeback in 2010 and for people to begin praying, saving and giving to the project." So, let the prayers continue for this endeavor. If you are checking this on a regular basis, please comment with your name, city, and state. The missionaries would love to know just how widespread their support base is for their calling. Your prayers are definitely felt. Bob has already told me that he feels rather disconnected this time since we haven't been able to instant message each other, which can have an effect on his morale - so remember that in your prayers as well.

Bob & Brandon arrived

So, I did finally hear from Bob - the interweb connection is not the best, so, we're not sure how much updating we'll get, but...he and Brandon did make it in one piece w/all the bags they started out with! Things are beginning to happen!

And...they're off

6 hours of driving for me, but the other 5 are officially on their way south. It was nice to have fresh air to breathe & and at one point on the way home it was like driving into a wall of smoke, all of a sudden smoke was all we could smell...not fun. I can only assume that Bob & Brandon have made it in one piece since I didn't get any panicked phone calls....I'll post more when I hear more! Thanks for the prayers!

Flight update

Bob & Brandon are most likely about an hour into their flight from Houston to Sao Paulo, where they'll let people off/on the plane, then on to Rio. This flight is the long one - 12 hours or so - that can wreak havoc on knees, backs and mindsets. Pray not only for safety, but for rest as well. These two will hit the ground running tomorrow with a meeting with all 4 churches to put the final touches on the planning. I leave at the crack of dawn to take the other 5 to San Fran for their odyssey south. Maybe I'll find some clear air to breathe!

Fire update

just spoke w/Matthew's family - they have not been evacuated yet, but he is packed & ready to leave either way. Thanks for your prayers!

Packing and fires

So...Bob and Brandon are packed (or should be at this point) and everyone else is probably in the process of doing so themselves. These two leave tomorrow morning to head south, the other 5 leave on Thursday morning. Start praying for safety in travel, ease of layovers and transfers, etc...as for the fires, Matthew lives in an area that very well may be evacuated due to one of the hundreds of fires here in California. Pray not just for his safety, but that of his family as well while he is gone. Passports, visas, Portuguese Bibles have been handed out as well as evange-cubes and soccer balls w/the wordless book colors on them - things are getting close!!!