In BH and had a wonderful surprise!

We made it safe and sound to Belo Horizonte and I got settled into my apartment where I will be for the next 3 weeks.  This picture is from my window, it is from the 16th floor.  I am staying with 3 other girls, Nayara, Sabrina and Priscila.  I have yet to meet them because they are gone until tonight. They have already made me feel welcome with lots of signs around the apartment.


What a surprise I received a little earlier today.  Since we arrived so late last night, I rested this morning.  At about 1pm I decided to put my "big girl" pants on and go out and find a place to eat that is close.  We ate at a pizza place really close to the apartment so my plan was to try there.  I tried one place but realized it was not the same place so I left and tried again down the same street.  And right when I was walking, who did I see getting out of a van, but Ludmilla, our dear friend and translator for our ARS trips!  We both had this shocked look on our faces then we smiled ear to ear! We, along with two other friends, Bia and her mother Bia when out for lunch.  We talked and laughed a long time as well as ate some food!!  She asked about everyone, Evelyn, Barbara, Cooweesta and Jan, the Duggin's family, Pastor Jose and Leoni.  She sends her love and hugs to all in Stillwater and Conway!  It was such a blessing to me in more ways than I can count.

God is good all the time and He truly is our good good Father!  Thanks Rhonda for your prayers this morning!

Tonight we have a baby dedication in Pr Jose/Leoni's family and tomorrow we have an appointment at the language school.  It is all getting ready to start!

Until next time!

In Manaus and now some pics

foundation starting

beginning work Mission House

We have arrived in Manaus.  Not sure if we will get to meet with Pr Mario and his wife.  She had a bad fall yesterday and is on the way to the doctor.  Going to the doctor here can take a very long time and she was in a lot of pain.  So we will see.  A little down time will feel good, since I am about to go into phase 2 of the trip with the Language Institute.

Leoni wanted me to pass this on to you, "ARS deeply appreciates the support and diligent help of LC Ministries in the work we have done and are currently developing in Manacapuru.  Lisa has been a blessing to this ministry and God willing we will be able to continue to develop the work God is directing us to!"  It has been a tremendous honor and blessing to serve Pr Jose and Leoni, they are treasures in the Lord's work.  I love them dearly.

Now let us try some pictures .......

Pr Rogerio and Estaquio

Nete

School visit

Athlete

Along the road

Andrea and Leoni

Neighborhoods

School visit

Mom and student

Hippy Hop

Listening Athletes

Neighborhoods

One of the families helped by the water.

School visit

A neighbor by the church.

Precious lady who saw dramatic
results when drinking the water from the well. 

Conversations, Conversations, Conversations!

Athletes for Christ

Helem keeps up with the kids 

What a cutie!

Pastor's Heart!

Philipe and Pr Rogerio

the kids

What a smile!

Patricia - leads youth 

Ebenezer - music project

great worship 

Bible Study

Bible Study

Days are full and time is flying by....

Wow, these last four days have been very full.  Let me give you the short or at least the shorter version..... Because of slow internet I will not be able to post pictures right now.

We have had on going conversations with Pastor Rogerio and Pastor Eustaquio all week which has been very informative on many levels.  We have walked around the streets surrounding the church visiting with families.  We have met families that have been directly impacted by the water well project.  Last night, during the weekly service on Thursday nights, we heard more testimonies from families.  One family especially blessed our hearts.  This is a story of an elderly lady who had fallen and was bedridden.  During this time while in bed her condition took a severe turn for the worse.  One of her family members had heard about the "good water" at the Agata Church.  He went and received the free water.  Once this grandmother began to drink it she began to make almost immediate improvement.  She is continuing to heal with her hip and is still not able to walk but she told Leoni that she feels much better now since drinking the "good water".  Leoni mentioned that this woman's mind was very sharp and alert.  She loves Jesus and gives all the glory to God.  That visit is one of my personal favorites so far.

We have been following the work on the Mission House - they have begun to pour the foundation. The workers have been working in some major heat, and like I said earlier its winter!  We  have arranged one of the young ladies of the church to take weekly pictures for us and have asked her to send them to me via Face Book.  You gotta love technology!  We have asked her to take the pictures at the same spot so we can get a good perspective on the progress.

During our conversations with Pastor Rogerio and Pastor Eustaquio, we have also talked about the last remaining work to complete the details on the water well and bathrooms.  For example, on the water well they will plaster it to cover the bricks and they well be painting "The Good Samaritan Well" on the side.  I so appreciate these two men and their heart of integrity with the work!

We have made visits to some of the major ministries of Agata and it is exciting.  One of the projects involves sports, its called Athletes for Christ, led by Philipe.  This project gets children and youth involved in soccer. They have requirements and expectations for the students and of course it centers around building relationships and sharing the Gospel.  We visited two different groups, one that played outside (in the rain that day) and one that was a fenced in complex with concrete.  They work very hard in keeping track of these kids with their school work and with family needs.

On Tuesday night, I got to share with the youth along with Leoni and Pastor Jose.  It was a blessing! One thing is for sure, kids are kids no matter where they live.  Patricia, does a great job with the youth and I love her heart and spirit.  She also helps with leading worship as well and has a beautiful voice.  I also got reacquainted with a young man who helps lead the music ministry project. Ebenezer is a very talented young man and plays several different instruments. He helps teach individuals who want to learn to play.....and uses this as an opportunity to reach beyond the church walls.

Wednesday was filled with visiting classes in schools.  The schools are very open to the Gospel right now and Agata is taking advantage of this opportunity.  One ministry project called Amar e Educar (Love and Educate), will meet on Saturday mornings.  Kids who are having trouble or are the ones making trouble are told that they have to go on Saturday mornings.  Agata is making a positive twist to it and using this as a chance to tutor kids, have music and other activities to help them educationally and emotionally.... all along building relationships and looking for opportunities to share about Jesus. (this is a theme of all the projects).  The school is allowing the activities to be held in their building - what a blessing. Members of the church work at the school and have been instrumental in seeing this project begin. We used the chance to visit the classes to promote this ministry project.  We also visited another school as well and they had more older students.  I taught some English words and another sister and her daughter who is from Columbia taught the same words in Spanish.  Those words, LOVE, LIVE, LAUGH, PRAY.  Leoni ended our time with a quick word that shared about Christ's love - I didn't understand all the words! LOL

Wednesday evening finished with Leoni and I participating in the Women's Prayer meeting.  We shared from our hearts about prayer and of course prayed.  These ladies were delightful and it was a good time.

Thursday we had a powerful time of sharing together with Pastor Rogerio and Pastor Eustaquio.  We shared about the state of the ministry projects, plans and dreams for the future.  One thing I do know....these men love Jesus and are committed to loving people.  Time does not allow me to share all of the stories.

This morning, we have to leave our "family" here to head back to Manaus.  We are meeting Pastor Mario and his wife this afternoon.  Not really sure the exact agenda.  I am learning more and more to go with the flow!

All three of us, Pastor Jose, Leoni and myself are doing well and healthy!  I have fallen in love with sleeping in a hammock!  We are seeking His heart and plans for future partnerships - right now we have been doing a lot of listening and praying.  Opportunities are all around us, but we want to be sure we are right on target with His plans for us.

Until next time......and thank you again for your prayers!  God is good!

Tremendous Start!

We have had a tremendous start with our trip.  We began in Manaus. We have been graciously taken care of by our brothers and sisters of the Presbyterian Church of Manaus.  We were greeted at the airport by Pastor Rogerio and Pastor Eustaquio.  What a joy to see them again.  Just as a reminder, Pastor Rogerio is the local pastor of the Agata Church and Pastor Eustaquio is the regional Pastor and works with Pastor Rogerio.

Friday was filled with meetings with not only Pastor Rogerio and Eustaquio, but also with Pastor Francis who is the man who works directly under the senior
Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Manaus.  It was a time of great rejoicing at all the Lord has done these past 20 months with the provision of over $31,000 for the three projects at the Agata Church.  It was also a great time of listening to the hearts of these wonderful men of God.  We also got to visit with Pastor Mario and his wife briefly - they are missionaries who have a work on the Amazon.  We hope to spend more time with them when we return on Friday.  We also were able to hug the necks of the wonderful women who work in the office and help with the Hospital Boat ministry.

On Saturday, we had the opportunity to visit the Mission Training Center operated by the Presbyterian Church of Manaus and visited with some of the students.  These student are eager to learn. When the 2 year training is over, they will go go to different places along the Amazon, South American and Africa.

During our time at the training center, one of the students took us a short distance away to meet a fellow student, Andre.  Andre came to know Jesus less than a year ago and God has done a powerful transformation in his life.  He is a part of an indigenous tribe, Satere-Maue, who live deep in the Amazon.  This tribe has the NT translated in their language Tupana.  It is Andre's desire to both minister to his tribe and also set up a local training center where indigenous people can go and learn Portuguese and receive training. The goal is to be equipped to further minister to their own people.  It was a joy to spend time listening to Andre's heart.

After the time with Andre, we headed to Manacapuru.  After we settled in at our hotel (a different one than in 2014) which is located just outside of town.  It is along the Solimões River, which is great because mosquitoes do not like the Solimões   It is quiet except for boats going up and down the river and there is nothing quiet in the Amazon at night.  The owner of the place is a believer and has a wonderful spirit.  After dinner at the hotel, we headed to Agata for Saturday night service.  It was awesome to hug all the necks we haven't seen since May 2014!


Sunday morning we had Sunday School at 10 am with men and women divided.  Leoni took the lead with the teaching and I added some at the end.  I will get my chance on Tuesday night for the Women's Bible Study to teach.  After Sunday School we headed to Pastor Rogerio's parents house for lunch.  They had a special treat for us.  They cooked a giant turtle.  They took out the "meat" portions and cooked that inside the house and then in the shell they cooked
some of the "guts" along with other stuff. The meat was pretty good, very fibrous in texture.  I did not try the portion that was cooked in the shell.  Pastor Jose and Leoni enjoyed it!  After a long relaxing lunch we headed back to the hotel for a rest.

Sunday evening Pastor Jose preached and did a great job!  He is truly in his element behind the pulpit!  After service we went to an open air restaurant with Pastor Rogerio, his wife, son and Pastor Eustaquio.  Brazilian's love their pizza!



Today, Monday, we are traveling to visit some schools and neighborhoods. I will keep you up dated as to what else happens today.  The internet is pretty slow, so I may not be able to post as many pictures as I would like.  Everyday is an adventure and we are going with the flow.  The heat and humidity is pretty intense - AND ITS WINTER!  Glory!

I am getting more bold each day to step out and speak Portuguese.  Bless their hearts they are so patient and kind.  It rains usually at least once a day and like right now, we are taking a break, getting out of the heat and resting.

Until next time.................

Brazil here we come!!!!

Our bags are packed and we are almost ready to go!  Pr Jose, Leoni and I will be leaving tomorrow to go to Brazil.  We will be spending a week in Manacapuru.  There we will be celebrating God's provision for all three of ARS Projects!  We will also be doing a lot of sharing, listening and praying - to discern God's next assignment for ARS.  It is such a joy to partner with ARS and minister families in great need.

I will be making posts when possible to keep you informed about all of our activities.

After Manacapuru, we will head down to Belo Horizonte where we will be spending time at a Language Institute.  I am considering that my "student teaching" experience with teaching English.  It will be an adventure!  Pr Jose and Leoni will be with me for a short time at the Institute but then they will have personal matters to attend to....so....this will be fun times!

Thank you for your prayers!

ARS Projects are completely funded!

We were thrilled just a few weeks ago when we received a generous donation that put us over the top with our financial goal for the Mission House - Project 3!  That means that in just over 20 months, the Lord provided over $31,000 for all three Projects.  We are very grateful and excited about what is ahead for ARS in Manacapuru!