Arrived in Brazil yesterday!

Yesterday, I arrived in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.  It was a little longer  trip than usual due to the fact I stopped in Manaus to drop off luggage for Manacapuru.  But overall the flights went great and I am grateful to finally arrive here.

I want to thank everyone for the help during these past months of preparation, for those who faithfully give every month, for those who give annual gifts, for those who helped me close out my apartment and who have stood in prayer.  I especially want to thank Rhonda Madison for her incredible help and encouragement.  She herself will leave for Uganda January 4th!   We have walked this process out together and it has been a gift for both of us.

So here is the plan for the next month.  You can use these has guidelines for prayer.

• Nayara and I are engaged in serious language study - Nayara with English and me with Portuguese.  Everyday we will work on both.   She is very serious with her study and I am too!
• Nayara and I will be going over curriculum plans for the English classes.  We will be getting an outline together the best we can right now and then adapt it as we get to Manacapuru.
• We will be doing a lot of walking here because Nayara's car is in the shop.  That will be good for both of us.  These hills are challenging but we need to prepare physically for what is ahead!
• We will be doing a lot of praying together - for each other, for the transition time, for our future encounters with those who want to learn English and for new opportunities to serve.
• We have been asked to consider helping with possibly 5 mini English camps through the Presbyterian Church of Manaus and they are wanting to do one in Manacapuru.  I had some time with Pr Djard when I arrived in Manaus.  He told me of the rough structure and where he saw Nayara and I serving.  Good stuff!  As I get more information on dates and cities I will pass it on to you.  For right now, we are covering it in prayer together.
• Nayara is closing out her official church leadership roles where she has been serving for about 10 years.  Her church of course has mixed feelings with this new ministry role with LCM.  They are excited and they see God's leading but they also will miss her very much.  Pray for continued grace for Nayara and for her church.
• I will need to shop for clothes that will be appropriate for the weather in the Amazon.  I will admit, I do not "like" to shop.  What a blessing to have Nayara here, to know where to go and to give her counsel.
• I am continuing to try to sell my car.  A brother at New Covenant is taking the lead for me.  I even got an email today asking if my Total Gym is still available!  Yeah!

Thank you for covering those things in prayer.

We will be going back and forth to Nayara's home church on the weekends.  This week we will take the train which will be nice and relaxing.  It takes about 3 hours.  I am looking forward to this!

So the preparation month has begun: spiritually, physically and emotionally!  This time is a gift for us and we want and need to make the most of it.

Thank you again for your support and prayers.  To say I am excited is an understatement.  Yes a little nervous but God's peace is great!  I know there will be adjustment opportunities, but knowing I am in the will of God makes all the difference!  

Our departure date from Belo Horizonte to go to Manacapuru in January 12th.

Bless you my friends.