Hello from Nova Viçosa,
Bahia!
Life is busy, tourists
are here, and we have a street party this weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
on the main street of the city! Apparently, there is to be a famous
singer here for Sunday night. I don’t know anything about this person,
not even a name. I am sure we will hear the music here at the apartment!
Let me get you caught up
on what has been happening.....
Allow me to start with
some news.
God has blessed me so
much through Nayara.
· She
was my first English student, and she is flourishing with her English (yes, I
am a proud momma!)
· She
has been an incredible partner in ministry and in leading the English
Projects. I could write a book about her!
· She
has been such a great roommate as we have worked in the Amazon, in Minas Gerais
and now in Bahia.
· She
has been a volunteer interpreter for a wonderful ministry called JMA who works
ministering to families along the Amazon River for almost 4 years. JMA
also hosts different conferences during the year for Pastors, Women and Special
Bible Teachers. Many people come from the U.S. and participate as well as
Pastors from the riverside and interior churches along the Amazon.
I
could list so many things about this wonderful woman. One thing I admire,
and respect greatly is her heart for the Lord. She is a completely sold
out believer in Jesus! In June, we spent some time together talking out
on the beach, LOL, I know life is tough! During our time together, she
shared that the Lord had been speaking to her about the ministry with
JMA. She felt like the Lord was opening a door for her to officially join
their team. I was not surprised. I experienced God’s peace
immediately and I told her, you have to obey the Lord. (I had the same
kind of peace that I did when I left to come to Brazil!) I told her that
my work here in Nova Viçosa was not yet completed and she agreed.
So,
what does this mean for the work here in Bahia? Well, it continues for
sure. Patricia and I are stepping up and the work continues. Yes,
it will be hard not to enjoy Nayara on a daily basis, but we are strongly
connected together as friends and as workers in the Kingdom. I have never
navigated life in Brazil without her, but God is faithful, and He will take
care of me. She will start officially with JMA in October. I know
many who work with JMA and I have deep respect for their ministry, I totally
support them! I have joked with some of them that yes, I still love them,
BUT at this moment, I don’t like them! LOL. Lord willing, she will be
able to visit the U.S. in September with me!
The
news about Nayara was a little surprise for the congregation, but they were
very pleased that Patricia and I are staying. Nayara had several trips
already planned for June, July and August, and that actually worked out to our
advantage. The transition has been very smooth, and we are very grateful.
The
work continues...
· Bible
School on Sunday mornings is going very well. Patricia has moved over to
help give leadership with the Children’s class where Nayara had been
working. I am continuing with the Adult/Youth class. I am so amazed
with Isabel who is a retired missionary with Wycliff Bible Translators and is
originally from Canada (83 years old and going strong). She is an awesome teacher
– I wish you could hear her!!!
· We are
continuing in our Sunday Evening Service learning about the life of Jesus
through the Gospels. I am amazed at the insight the Lord is giving both
Patricia and I as we study and share. God is working!
· On
Wednesday night, we already studied about Who we are in Christ (Jan/Feb),
Daniel (5 wks), Jonah (4 wks), Ruth (6 wks), Nehemiah (4 wks) and we are
currently 2 wks into our study of Elijah! I love it! The people are
enjoying it and so are we!
· Our
work with English continues online as well as on Thursday night with our in
person class. For those students who do the work, they are going.
For those students who fail to study.......God gives us strength and grace!
· Patricia’s
work with the youth girls is going strong. It is amazing to watch them
grow. They are stepping up and are helping Paty with Bible Study on
Sunday morning with the Children’s Class!
· We
have worked at our new property, clearing the grass a couple of times. As
the grass grows we have to keep it all in control!
One of the things I need
to do while I am home for a visit is to renew my Drivers License. Of
course I want to maintain it for driving in the U.S. but I also need a current
valid license so I can obtain a Brazilian license to drive. So, I must
come home! LOL!
Please pray that all the
needed finances will come in for me to come home and take care of the needed
expenses. We found a good ticket which is $800 + tax, and some other
expenses that will be necessary will equal about $1500. Thanks for praying!
If you would like to contribute, just send them to LC Ministries, P.O. Box
2464, Stillwater, OK 74076.
I pray you and your
family are well. You are always in my prayers! Bless you!
Lisa
