April 2020

Hello from Manacapuru!

Well, I have been praying for you and your families during this crazy season we are experiencing. If you have anything specific for me to join you in prayer about, please drop me a message! In the middle of all that is going on, this we know, we are not alone, God is with us. I pray that His Peace and Comfort will cover you and your families.

Nayara and I are held up here in the Mission House. What a blessing this house is for us! We are contacting students online, posting some games for them to participate in, and generally just keeping in touch. I have been also having one on one time via the internet. (that has helped my Portuguese and their English!) Nayara and Patricia’s new online business is taking off, it is called AME Idiomas. Ame means love.   A – Amazonas (our state),  M – Minas (Nayara’s home state),  E – Estado Unidos (USA).  This business is for Translating (writing), Interpreting (speaking), and Instruction for English. They are active on Instagram doing a LIVE thing every Monday, they are gaining students as well. They basically use the same curriculum method we are using for our classes at Jose Mota and here at night.  It is all exciting, and we are grateful.  This unexpected time away from the classes has given them time to make sure everything is in order for the business and with all the legal stuff. This will also help with some revenue as well coming Nayara’s way!

I do not know if you have heard through the news, but the state of Amazonas has been hit hard with the coronavirus.  We now rank #2 worse state in Brazil. Manaus, the capital of the state, is about a 2-hour bus ride from Manacapuru. It has the only ICU Hospital in the state. The hospital there is overcapacity and as a result many many deaths. Here in Manacapuru, the cases of the virus are still on the rise. We are well. Nayara goes to the grocery store when absolutely necessary. We are using our laptop to stay connected with the church, our friends, family, and classes. I would appreciate you keeping us in your prayers, as we pray for you. We are just waiting to see about our trip back to the US, which was supposed to be mid-July. We are in peace.  

This month, the focus has been God my provider. I thought that was timely! I have found myself really having to make some choices every day.

• My joy is not in circumstances, but my joy is in my relationship with Him.
• God has promised that He will take care of all of my needs: physically, emotionally, spiritually.
• Don’t wait to “feel” better, you choose to focus on God-given plans and projects.
• We are not alone; God is with us!

Please join us in prayer concerning…

        physical health and protection

        wisdom with connecting and staying connected with the students

       for protection and provision for our financial donors during this time

       wisdom about our trip to the US

May God cover you and keep you and your family in peace. Bless you, friends.

Lisa

March 2020 Crazy Crazy Times!

Hello, my friends,

Well, yesterday the state of Amazonas closed the schools and that includes Manacapuru and the English Project.  After talking with Camilo, the leader here with Agata Church, it was decided that we too need to suspend our night classes along with the Public School classes.  We do not have a confirmed case here in Manacapuru, but there was one case in Manaus.  The officials are moving swiftly to do everything possible to protect everyone. 

For me, I am staying here in the Mission House.  We have enough food until the end of the month and we have people who will get whatever we need if a need arises.  They all understand that I need to be extra careful with my blood issues and my age.  Our friends here are great.

We are in contact with our students and coming up with creative ways to help the learning process continue, through videos, audios or whatever.  Our WhatsApp has been going off continually and we welcome the questions.  So, our work continues, just with some adjustments.  We are also using the time to prepare material for when the classes do resume.

I am praying for you each day for the Lord's protection over your family!  Please continue to pray for us as well.  Thank you for standing strong with us prayerfully and financially.  If you need to make changes in your financial giving please just inform me.  I am praying for His provision for all of us during these days.  Please let me know of specific things to pray for you!

One thing that has happened this week, Patricia who works with us had an appointment with the US Consulate in Brasilia to obtain a proper visa so she could travel with us in July.  Well, the US Consulate canceled all appointments and the airlines are canceling flights as well.  Of course, there is a measure of disappointment, but we know that if it is His plan for her to go with us, He will make a way.  As for Nayara and I, we are praying about when to get tickets.  We had planned July 14 - August 11 for our return to the US.  Please pray that we will know what to do and when.  We know that right now is not the time to make a final decision. (that is hard for my pre-planner self)  But as always God has taken care of us in every way.  We are wanting to be ready to do whatever He directs, if that is to go to the US this year or if we need to wait until next year.

For those of you who expressed interest in helping my friends, Gerusa and Lucianna, thank you so much, they have been blown away!  If you would like to make a donation you can do that through the Blog with PayPal or send a check to LCM, PO Box 2464, Stillwater, OK  74076 and enclose a letter saying it is for Gerusa or Lucianna.  It has been a joy to share your love with them.

We will talk again soon my friends.  I just wanted to touch base with you!

Lisa