School bus in the Outback

As the year draws to an end we would like your special prayers for the Outback. Progress has been slow and we have had lots of set backs through the years in our Ingazeira work. We are in need of special guidance as we look to the future there. Would you remember this work in prayer? Just thought I would ask that of you and post a picture of a school bus in the outback. May you all have a Great Christmas and end of the year!

Restaurant becomes congregation meeting place

Here's a picture of the new meeting place for the young congregation in Triunfo. It used to be a restaurant and is in a great location. The baptism in our former post was held in a neighbor's pool who lives next door to Dr. Bruno.

Baptism in Triunfo

One of our highlights during a recent trip to the Outback was to participate in a baptism. Dr. Bruno, dentist and his wife were baptized along with Missionary Jorge's son Arthur. What a nice time of fellowship we had with these and the young congregation there.

Back home and grateful for the event!

Had a great time with the team that went to the Outback for the Children's Day program. Everyone did a great job to make sure the children had a special day and that Christ would be glorified there as we ministered to the children and their families.

Current fruit from past efforts

A special highlight during the program was to see Carla, a university student from Ingazeira, sing the Ingazeira City song. She is now active in the ministry there and was once one of the little kids we ministered to at Children's Days past!

Preparations for Children's outreaches at NGO's and Outback

We've had some good help with donations and preparations for out Children's Day outreaches. Today we have Koinonia's event for our church kids and friends, and then from Wednesday on we will begin the other outreach opportunities to various NGO's in our area as well as in the Outback. Our church road was torn up to be paved so these next few weekends will be a challenge for our ministries and services here, but it will be over soon.

These kids from Ingazeira are 5 yrs older

This picture is one of my favorite one of the children of Ingazeira. It was taken during one of our yearly Children's Day events five years ago. We have taken a bus full of people from Recife every year to make the day special for the town's children. I post this for you to pray for us this year as we expand our outreach to various NGO's here in Recife as well as still sending a team to Ingazeira. We have been wanting to get more people involved and we already have 80 some volunteers to help us in these outreach opportunities. I will be going to the Outback and Marcy will stay in Recife to help coordinate the teams here. We really need your prayers. The events will take place on October 15 and 16. Thanks!

Green Bow

Arcoverde is our next target city in the Outback. The name means "Green Bow" and it is called the gateway to the Outback. We would ask you to pray for this major and strategic city. So far we have a lot of ideas, but still need to define a more specific strategy. Another need is for God to raise up a team of nationals to help in this church plant. We also want to be a blessing to pastors and leaders in the Outback, so having a ministry in this city would be a dream come true.

Pictures of our kids

I thot I'd post a few pictures of our kids from these days with them. Stephanie and Daniel are expecting any day. Kelli and Marcelo have our first grandchild Leah, and Mike and Anne also live near Mike's sisters. It's been fun to be at each of their houses these days.

New Stage for Junior Church

It's been exciting to see the new stage taking shape for the Junior Church. The team that works in this ministry are encouraged with the new possibilities this gives them. Training leaders has always been a goal of ours and this ministry has given the chance for many to gain experience and learn how to better invest in young lives.

Youth Group Summer Kick-off

On Saturday Feb. 5th we had our big Kick-off for the Koinonia youth group.  It was a big bash as we had the beach/summer theme going on with the whole church decorated and set up that way.  We had 185 out, including a few young at heart like Marcy and I and other helpers.  Pray that many of these who don't have a church home will be back to our weekly events.  

Pastor's group starts up again

Tomorrow my pastor's mentoring group starts up again after our summer vacation time.  It's been a real learning experience for me to lead this group.  We have had some leave and others come in the last few years, but there's been a core group that has hung together.  I'm posting a picture from one of our outings a while back.  Most weeks we meet at Koinonia Baptist.

Ingazeira's Paved Road

Yesterday I got to go on a quick trip to Ingazeira.  I hadn't been there since the 18 kilometers of road had been paved.  I think it was the first time we had gone there and returned on the same day.  Marcy and the many others saw it on the Children's Day celebration there. What a blessing it has been for this small town and sure helps our trip go better.  

We appreciate your prayers as Carlos and Dinalda have been investing time in a few young couples.  Carlos recently did a little one day retreat with some of them at a little hotel in Afogados da Ingazeira.  Carlos is pictured here chatting with some owners of a local business.

Some Perks in Missionary Work

Would love to do biking every week, but so far don't get to go that often.  But when I do it's a great way to get away from the intensity of ministry.  I was glad to find this new hobby and glad Marcy has encouraged me to "go for it". 

News from Ingazeira

Pastor Carlos recently shared stories and pictures about the work in Ingazeira.  The celebrations at the end of the year included a special Christmas service with presentations by the children, and a graduation celebration for graduates and teachers from Ingazeira held at the Church building.  Each precious life is being touched by our faithful prayers and giving to the Outback ministry.  I am so thankful to all of you.  We have seen some real miracles recently so know many are remembering our Brazilian missionaries in this tough region.