Hello my friends –
Wow, time has flown by, it seems like yesterday we were in the States! Many things have been going on – let me give you a shortened bullet view of life here in Bahia!
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Our time in the States went by quickly but we loved every minute. As always, visits were too short, but it was great seeing many of you!
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When we returned, we had an awesome baptism service – our first. We ended up having it in a swimming pool instead of the ocean. That was okay, the water was warmer for sure. We baptized 3 people; it was a special time.
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We are having another one on January 11th with 4 people. God is blessing!
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We saw Nayara off as she left for her new ministry chapter in Manaus in the Amazon. She is working for the JMA ministry. I know that she will do very well! Of course, Paty and I miss her and who could replace her? No one. But God has everything in control.
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One challenging aspect is that Nayara was the driver of our car. Now, I am in the process of finding out how to get a Brazilian Driver's License. It is a complicated process! I may have to take a class, and it is all in Portuguese. I know the Lord will help me! It costs a little over 3,000 Reis which is about $520-$495 depending on the exchange rate. Leoni Abreu is helping me check out some information on the process with a lawyer which might be better, we will see. But for now, I picked up the book that they use in the school, so I can increase my Portuguese vocabulary!!
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The church is doing well. We have been diligently going through the Chronological Bible Study during our Sunday morning Bible Study. The plan is to do it again next year! Whoo! I love it!
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We are also ending up our year-long series for our service on Sunday night – Looking at the life of Jesus through the Gospels.
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Wednesday night we are ending our year with a 4-part study on Worship.
During this year we have covered:
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16 of the “I am statements” |
5-part Daniel study |
|
4-part Jonah study |
6-part Ruth study |
|
4-part Nehemiah study |
4-part Elijah study |
|
4-part Samson study |
3-part Habakkuk study |
|
4-part study Elisha |
4-part Worship study |
The people seemed to have really enjoyed this format. We have had some good
discussions and questions!
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We have also recently had a special service with a Baby Dedication. That was my first one, our second one as a church.
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Our English Instruction with our in-person class on Thursday night as well as our online instruction has gone well. We teach English on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Although, I do have a class on Wednesday morning.
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AND, I am having a Portuguese/English class with Nayara on Friday night at 6:30pm.
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Paty has been training the people that help
with our Praise/Worship team. This includes our singers as well as our piano
guy and who knows who else will join us! Paty has been doing an excellent job
and she practices with them after our Bible Study on Sunday mornings.
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Paty has also continued to work with the
younger girls on Saturday late afternoon. I wish all of you could watch them,
it is so much fun. She is currently and will finish a study on Revelation! The
girls are loving it.
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I have been going out on visits with the
members of the church. They all just smile (and laugh at me) as I try to
communicate in Portuguese! It is amazing how a smile and a hug communicates in
a big way.
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We as a church have continued to help with the
new lot (where our new church will be built) to keep it clear and clean. We
hope to see the design options soon as well as begin the foundation work at the
beginning of next year.
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During this time in December, January, and
February when the tourists are in town, we will be selling some things to help
raise money for the church project. My emphasis: Everyone can do something! Let us do it
together!
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I am making some leather things to sell and
some paracord bracelets, keyrings, and such.
Speaking of 2025...
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I have been doing a lot of preparation work
with the calendar as well as some specific things that we know need to be
planned.
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Bible Study on Sunday morning as I said before
we will be doing the Chronological Bible Study again. I am hoping to train some
new people to lead the class and discussion.
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We are also going to start a new focus study
for the Sunday night services. We are going to do a Bible Survey approach of
each book of the Bible. Now, a survey will give a general overview of what is
happening in the book and then we will take 1 or 2 things to personally apply
in our life. Pastor Ken Wilson, from Fellow Bible Church, in Conway, Arkansas
has given me his permission to use his material. (He has fabulous material). Of
course, I will be simplifying the material a lot. I am extremely excited about
this plan. It will be a challenge for us, and we will be growing a lot as well.
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On Wednesday night we have a new group of
studies:
|
8 new I am statements |
5-part
Abraham study |
|
Isaac
study |
Jacob
study |
|
4-part
David study |
2-part
Hannah study |
|
2-part
Hezekiah study |
Joab
study |
|
2-part
Jonathan study |
2-part
Rebekah study |
|
2-part
Samuel study |
2-part
Solomon study |
|
Mary
(sister of Martha) |
Martha
(sister of Mary) |
|
4-part
Peter study |
3-part
Paul study |
|
2-part
Barnabas study |
2-part
Timothy study |
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Our study on Sunday night will be on the Books
of the Bible, so there is no need to list all of them. This study will start
the second week of January 2025 and will end June 14, 2026!
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I am also doing some preparation work on some
special days in 2025: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Children’s Day, VBS outreach
(June/July), Men’s/Women’s Event’s, and Christmas. We will send how the
calendar works out.
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I am also focusing on visiting people – both
church folks and visitors.
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I am also hoping that one of our men will start
a visiting our new neighbors around our new lot to start building
relationships.
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At this moment, I am looking to go to the
States in September.
Well, that is enough
information. I am looking forward to what the Lord has for this new year.
Þ
Please pray that I, along with Paty, will be
good managers of our time and that we will have a wonderful time of growth as
we minister.
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Please pray that all needed finances will come
in for our personal needs.
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Please pray for money to come in that will
enable us to begin and continue the construction of the new church. (If you
need specifics, send me an email)
Þ
Please pray for health and strong bodies as we
work!
Thank you so much for your
partnership in the ministry. God is doing some really cool things here in Nova
Viçosa, and you are an important partner!
Drop me an email and let me
know how I can be praying for you and your family!
Love you all!
Lisa
