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September 7th we had our anual picnic. This year we held it at the church. The event was simple but we all had a great time of food fellowship and fun (basic Baptist doctrines in Brazil too!). Pedro, an unsaved husband of one of our ladies was there and heard several good testimonies of God's blessings in our people's lives. Here are a few pics of some of our people who participated. Isn't Mariana getting BIG! Her big sister Ana Claudia is too!

Please do not attemp to say this word quickly if you don't want a major cramp in your tongue! This word describes what we might call a Rally. In this case it is a Youth Rally. We have these get-togethers four times a year, once in each of our churchs here in Sorocaba. This time it was our turn to host the Confra. The teens descided on a Tropical theme. There was a lot of fruit to go around and a fun time of skits and games. We had special numbers from each of the teen groups and I had the privilege of preaching. My text? Galatians 5 of course, the Fruit of the Spirit. We had a good number present even though rain was in the forcast earlier in the week. Many of the teens made good decisions and we're praying for God's continued work in each of their lives. Above our teens preformed a skit. At right (below) the participating churches were being recognized individually. The theme of my message was "What type of fruit is growing in your life?" With that in mi...

We are planning on beginning work on the new look of our building within the next week or two. Praise the Lord for the great estimate we got on the cost for the project. There will be modifications to the look at left (that pic is what we'd like to look like) but we hope that the new look will greatly enhance how we present the Lord's ministry to the neighborhood. We have seen God work in the lives of many of our people and their "new look" has been attractive to their friends and neighbors. Praise the Lord for the way He works. We cannot duplicate what He is doing but we can be a part of spreading the wonderful news of His saving Grace. Pray for us as we beging some in home Bible studies with the hopes of spreading that good news to other parts of our huge city.

Matt Stewart took us to the airport on Thursday morning. I'm glad that we left early because we created a SNAFU when we arrived with our 16 heavy pieces of luggage (boxes). Upon check-in we almost got through without paying any overweight. However, when I asked about it the attendant admitted that we would indeed need to pay. But, the Lord granted us a $500 discount on what we were told that we would have to pay! That was definitely a blessing. Because the plane was only a 50 seater our boxes had to go through Chicago and then meet us in DC. God blessed and they made it. Our flight from Detroit to DC was smooth. We had a 6 hour layover at Dulles which went by fast. Our flight to SP was also a smooth one, thought the plane was full. I invested in three of those little wraparound pillows for our trip and they really helped. We had 8 carts at the SP airport which was quite a scene. But because we were making a move back to Brazil they let us go through customs without checking any of ...

Can you see the family in this picture?? This is what our house looks like just three days before our departure. We are kicking boxes in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening. We have a ton of overweight. Pray for mercy at the airport or it's going to cost us a ton too. Dawn comforted me the other day with these words, "Get use to it (living with the boxes that is) because when we get to Brazil we'll be living out of them until we find a new place. O BOY! And we have thought about THIS one TOO!

She did it! Dani (far right) passed her doctrinal defense at Baptist Mid-Mission home office in Cleveland on Wednesday. She had studied well and had biblical references for each of the answers she gave. All in the room were very impressed with her and the administrator for South American missionaries told one and all "send us more missionary candidates like Dani!" It was a blessing for me to be able to be there to watch this young lady respond carefully and with purpose to each question. Pray for both Ben and Dani as they spend this year reporting to supporting churches and looking for more financial support.

I am constantly reminded how that it is God who leads us each step of our way through this life. The more I contemplate that truth, the more amazing it is! The God of the UNIVERSE cares about every step that I take. As I take those steps, knowing of His care, it gives me a confidence like no other. I was just talking with a great saint from my past. She was having doubts about her salvation and it was such a blessing to hear her testimony of God's faithfulness in her past. We both left that conversation rejoicing in the refreshing power of God's Word and promises. With troubled times in the Middle East, isn't it wonderful to know with confidence that we know the God of it all, and we know that He loves us and has special plans for each of us!