Volumes could be written about the last four months. Lots of people, lots of activity, lots of ministry, lots of fun. I suppose I could write a chapter a day (at least) but I know most people have difficulty in even getting through a newsletter. Besides I really don't have the time and energy to put into it. (Aren't you glad?) I have decided to highlight a few of the great things that have happened and let the photos give you a peek into our lives.
Short term missionaries came to have a missionary experience with us. Quincy Koll from Nebraska spent June through mid-August. His highlight was spending time at the Miriam Infant Home in Campo Mourão (pictured below). Sarah Larson is still with us on a 3-month internship experience until mid-October. Besides helping us she has been a great help at Lighthouse (Joanna's school) and has made a great friendship with a Brazilian family (pictured below at the annual Festival of Nations that the school puts on.
July and August were great months. It was wonderful to have the AFLC Student Missions team with us for 16 days. The 23 young people and their fearless leader Jon Nelson were a tremendous blessing! It's fun to see young people who love the Lord and are willing to serve Him with a whole heart. These kids did a great job at making friends with the Brazilians. We had Bible Camp the first weekend they were here and then we got busy on work projects. Mafu and Paul kept busy organizing jobs for everyone. We did lots of interesting things, including travels to Campo Mourão and Iguaçu Falls. They formed a beautiful choir and blessed us with their voices and testimonies.
Two days after they left a group of 40 from Concordia University in Irvine, CA, joined us for another two weeks of non-stop action. Adam Lee, son of Bob and Gloria Lee, is one of the teachers leading this group as they visit 10 countries around the world until Christmas time. Brazil was their first stop. We kept them busy interacting with Brazilians and doing work projects. They were a success at Language House (our daughter Christina's school). We even had an English camp at the ARCA while the group was with us.
With groups that visit us we have a motto: "Work hard! Pray hard! Play hard!" We did all three and made lots of special memories. Try to imagine keeping clothes washed and tummies fed for upwards of 40 people for 30 days and you can imagine that we were pretty exhausted by the time it was over. To add to the excitement, we had an unfortunate accident with our faithful bus. Thankfully no one was hurt badly, and we are looking into the possibility of fixing the bus. Also, Matthew's car was stolen one night so we had a few losses, but many more blessings!
One of those blessings is the engagement of our son Matthew to Ednay! So many miracles happened since July! In mid-July we mentioned the idea of Ednay going to AFLBS to help her learn English and get to know some of Matthew's American reality. God provided for everything in the midst of our crazy schedule and she was accepted at AFLBS, applied for a visa and was granted one, found a ticket with frequent flyer miles, and now is an official student at AFLBS. Matthew also decided to return to the U.S. to work and consider the possibility of being an AFLC missionary. To add to all the excitement he decided to cut his long locks after so many years of enjoying long hair!
Whew! After all the commotion in July and August we decided to TAKE A BREAK! Our sons and son-in-laws surprised Paul with a special trip to Alaska in September to celebrate his 60th birthday (October 18). These busy guys had a fantasic time enjoying the wonders of God's creation and the unforgettable privilege of spending time together. My cousin, Dr. Tom Elton, and his wife Molli welcomed them graciously and helped them make the most of their 10 days in this gorgeous part of the world! Since they were going to be gone I also planned a trip to visit my parents and take our oldest granddaughter Deborah on a trip to visit her great grandparents. We had a special two weeks. I helped Ednay get settled at AFLBS and was also able to have special moments with 13 nieces and nephews, plus time with my sister and sister-in-law. God was so gracious in giving us this special time away.
Now we are back to work in Brazil. As soon as we arrived we jumped back into ministry roles. Our seminarians are with us again for ten days. We have a wedding in Iguaçu Falls this weekend and a quick trip to Campo Mourão planned. In October we look forward to a visit from Connely Dyrud and Brandon and Ashley Marschner.
Life goes on. Eternity in heaven approaches. How are we investing in lives to prepare them for life with Jesus? "Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:23-24
A big thanks to all of you who take time to pray for us and who faithfully support us financially so that we can work in Brazil. May the Lord bless you and renew your hope in the Lord today!
All the way from Brazil to you, Paul and Becky
Support for our work designated for Paul and Becky Abel can be sent to:
AFLC World Missions 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55441
