Our summer has been delightful so far! We have seen so many special people and beautiful sights. Our travels have taken us to Wisconsin and Minnesota, to churches and Bible Camps and living rooms and campfires. We had a wonderful time with extended family at the cabin in July. Meeting our brothers and sisters in the family of God is also a treat as we “catch up” on family joys and sorrows, cry and laugh and pray and sing together.
One thing that has really impressed us in the U.S. is the great spirit of generosity we have witnessed. A pastor and his wife invest time and effort to influence Hispanic children in a trailer park for Jesus – taking them along to Bible Camp, picking them up daily for VBS and meeting basic needs. Several people we have met have adopted children or do foster care or care for their elderly parents. The responsibilities go on day after day and they serve the Lord joyfully investing in these precious lives. Others volunteer to help out at the prison or homeless shelters or in disaster relief or Habitat for Humanity houses or hospice care. Others are happy to contribute financially to facilitate ministry in many different places – retiring the debt at the ARC, building a church in another country, helping the pastor of the local church with a personal gift. What a blessing to see the people of God making a difference! This is a godly heritage and vey unique to the USA. We praise God for selfless acts of mercy done daily for the glory of God. If you are one of these “unsung heroes” we want to encourage you. May God continue to bless you to be a blessing!
This week we are on our way to the East Coast with our two sons, Andrew and Matthew. We will visit 7 places on the way to New York and 5 on the way home during our 2-week trip. It will be especially fun for us to spend time with Heidi Quam Havenstein who lived with us in Brazil at two different times and to see Paul’s sister Priscilla and family and to visit my aunt and uncle. Then summer will be over for our sons as they return to college.
Back home in Brazil many ministry challenges continue. We keep in touch by phone and e-mail and prayer, trying to encourage and counsel people according to Scriptural principles. We are thankful for good news we have heard about new ministry outreaches in the Bateias church. Carlos reports that things are fine at the ARCA. The floor in the gym had to be redone and is near completion. Perhaps we can send a photo next time. We have also heard some discouraging reports, so we covet your prayers for the work in Brazil, especially for the pastors and leaders.
We hope you are having a blessed summer and taking time for the most important things – knowing God and making Him known wherever you are. “…that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” I Peter. 2:9
In His service, Paul and Becky
