December 2024 Update

 

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!

·       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!

·       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.

·       We are having another one on January 11th with  4 people. God is blessing!

·       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.

·       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!!

·       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!

·       We are also ending up our year-long series for our service on Sunday night – Looking at the life of Jesus through the Gospels.

·       Wednesday night we are ending our year with a 4-part study on Worship.
During this year we have covered:

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!

·       We have also recently had a special service with a Baby Dedication. That was my first one, our second one as a church.

·       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.

·       AND, I am having a Portuguese/English class with Nayara on Friday night at 6:30pm.

·       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.

·       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.

·       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.

·       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.

·       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!

·       I am making some leather things to sell and some paracord bracelets, keyrings, and such.

Speaking of 2025...

·       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.

·       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.

·       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.

·       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

 

·       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!

·       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.

·       I am also focusing on visiting people – both church folks and visitors.

·       I am also hoping that one of our men will start a visiting our new neighbors around our new lot to start building relationships.

·       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.

Þ    Please pray that all needed finances will come in for our personal needs.

Þ    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

 

July Update

 

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

December Update

 

Hello friends,

I pray you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Every year I am not in the US at Thanksgiving I get so hungry for the traditional feast with turkey, mash potatoes and gravy along with green bean casserole with crescent rolls and who can forget the incredible desserts!  Okay, I will stop!  I do hope you had a great time with family and friends!

Boy, the heat has started up early here and the rain has been a little absent.  Put on the sun screen!

We are busy getting ready for some church events, a quick trip to Belo Horizonte, and a party to close out the year.

 ·       Our English Project is putting on our first Coffee House here in Nova Viçosa.  This will be this Thursday night (14^th).  The students will order their food and drinks (in English of course) along with paying with our fake US money.  Some English speaking friends will help with the food prep, and one will provide music for our Coffee House.  It will be a fun way to end the year with this class.

 ·       Our church will come together on Saturday (16^th) for a time of barbecue (churrasco), fellowship and swimming.  This will be at a local Pousada (like a hotel).  This is the first time we have done this.  Hopefully all will go well.

 ·       On Wednesday, December 20^th, we will have our Christmas Service.  Our children will sing, we will have a special dance presentation and our English Project Class will sing “Mary Did You Know”.  We will have a Christmas message from Nayara.

 ·       We will be going to Belo Horizonte to celebrate Christmas with Nayara’s family.  We will leave on Thursday 21^st and return on the 26^th.

 ·       We will have service together on Wednesday the 27^th and on Sunday night 31^st with a party to follow to bring in the new year of 2024!

 ·       Our online classes with AME will continue until the end of December and will resume in February.

One unique thing we experience here in Nova Viçosa is that tourist season gets in full swing by the end of the year and goes through February.  This has some impact on our church.  Some people end up having 2+ jobs during that season to make as much money as possible and unfortunately that means we don’t see them at the services.  So, we try to go where they are working (usually at a restaurant or a cabana at the beach) and have something to eat to see them and support them.  At the same time, we also get to meet some tourists who seek out a church.  We have met some very interesting people!  

During this time in December, I pray that you have a blessed holiday time with your family and friends.  Thank you for your prayer and financial support for this ministry in southern Bahia.  God is working and you are a vital part of the team!!!  God Bless you my friends!

 

Lisa

October Update

 

Hello from sunny and hot Nova Viçosa!

The temperature is rising here as it is going down there in the US!  Enjoy the fall season for me.

Life has been 100 mph since we returned from our trip to the US.  Here are some bullet points so this won’t be a novel.

·       My home church, New Covenant Fellowship in Stillwater, blessed us with a walker for a precious lady who is the mother of one of our members.  She has terrible knees and literally was bending over, using a low plastic stool to get around.  My heart was breaking for her.  At the Mission’s Conference I was telling Johnny Underwood about it and instantly he said, “The church can take care of that with a walker!”  This walker comes with a seat, brakes and was able to be adjusted to a lower height setting.  We bought it and brought it back here.  What a joy it was to see her reaction to this gift.  Tears flowed!  Tears of joy and gratitude.  Now she can get around easier, her back and hands feels better, and she can even go to her neighbor’s house!

·       One of our dear sisters had a massive stroke shortly after we returned from the US.  She held on for several weeks but then went on to be with the Lord.  This was an emotional time with the family, her kids, grandkids and many other family and friends.  She was 54 years old.  Nayara did a wonderful job coordinating all the funeral arrangements.  This was our first funeral here at the church.  God’s presence was so strong.  I will miss her smile and hugs!

 ·       In the month of October, Brazil celebrates “Children’s Day”.  It is actually a weeklong holiday, no school and lots of activities.  We had special activities on Wednesday night, Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon.  It was a fun time focusing on the children.

 ·       In October we have started a discipleship time with the leaders on Sunday morning at 9 am.  This has been a rich time with them.  Paty is leading that time and is doing very well.  We will conclude this time in November.  Paty is also discipling 2 girls youth age and 2 young adult ladies during the week.

 ·       When the discipleship time ends with the leaders, then we will hold some training meetings on Sunday morning. We hope to start having Bible School in February.  We are using some really cool material from New Tribes Ministry using the Chronological approach.  We will start with Genesis and end at the Resurrection.  We are looking at having 3 classes; children (Nayara), youth (Paty), adults (Lisa and Isabell, missionary from Canada).  Pray for us, this is a huge step for our church, a much needed step!

 ·       We are having about 40-45 people in service now, which is great!  Developing relationships with people is time consuming but necessary.  Paty is leading worship and is now trying to develop the Praise Team.  She is doing a great job.  Nayara and I are praying and planning the direction for the messages for the remainder of the year and next year. 

 ·       Our English Project is continuing with our in person class on Thursday.  This has been a great challenge with many people in the class.  Many of them are not disciplined and really make it hard for us to push forward.  We have had a few who have really been working.  We have asked 2 of them already to pray about helping us next year.  This will help them continue to learn and will help us facilitate learning activities.

 ·       Last but not least, our online English continues.  We had our first ever English Workshop talking about visiting the US.  This workshop was on video, and Paty edited it to be sold online with AME.  We will be doing more workshops in the future.  We are also working towards putting our course online for purchase as well.  AME has been a blessing to help us financially.  God is good!

 

This is just a glimpse of our activities so far.  We are blessed to be here working.  Yes, it does get challenging, but God is faithful and guiding us each day.  Please continue to pray for us for financial resources, strength, and wisdom as we serve Him every day.  You are a blessing!  Thank you so much!

 

Lisa

August 2022

 

Hello friends,

I’m not sure why my last two updates did not post properly online. (arg!)  I want you to know that all is well with us here serving in southern Bahia in Brazil!

 

Our first three months – April – July went very well.  We did a lot of relationship building and getting into the routine of leading the church.  We started a series of messages on Joshua for both Sunday and Wednesday night.  We have enjoyed ladies coffee, birthday parties, started a ministry with young girls, have sweet worship, prayer meetings and even a “garage sale” without a garage!  Nayara and I have fallen in love with Nova Viçosa and its peaceful atmosphere.  Yes, we know that when tourist season hits Dec – Feb it gets a little crazy.

 

During July and here in the first two weeks of August we have been in Belo Horizonte and in João Monlevade.  Nayara has been taking care of some medical things and is healing nicely.  It is so hard for her to rest! lol  Pastor Romeu our covering Pastor has an apartment in BH, and we have stayed here and in JM we stay with Nayara’s best friend’s apartment (and upstairs of Pastor Romeu her father).  We are  going to take our drive back to Nova Viçosa in two days (it’s a 10-hr. drive).  I don’t want Nayara to push it and my knees scream and need a break.

 

Pastor Romeu has been awesome in covering for us personally and through his network of pastor friends and men from the church in JM.  He loves the people there and they love him.  They have stayed in our apartment which has been a blessing to them.  We are so grateful for a Pastor who pastors us and takes care of us.  It was at his urging that we take this time to deal with medical issues at this time (even though we have been in NV for only 3 months).  God has blessed us.

 

We are so looking forward to returning back “home.”  We have been in contact with people in the church.  We even got to see a family from there last night when Pastor Romeu returned from spending a week in NV.  They bought a car in JM and came to get it.  They are special friends of ours and it was a joy to hug their necks and enjoy a meal together.

 

Our health is good and getting better by the day.  We know we are approaching a busy season and it will require a lot from us.  But we are determined to keep our priorities in line!

·                           keeping our time with and relationship with God our number 1 priority

·                           guarding our prayer time together for the church

·                           listening to Him intently as to the direction He wants to go with the church

·                           building deeper relationships

·                           building a leadership team

I am so grateful for those of you who give so generously.  Without you, I could not be here.  I know that is has been a challenging time economically for all of us.  Unbelievably the cost of living is higher than it was in the Amazon.  I have noted a drop in our monthly giving, and it has been a squeeze, but God is faithful.  Please join me in prayer that our financial giving will increase, and that God would pour out His blessing and provision to all!

I am also grateful for those of you who faithfully pray for me and Nayara.  Where we live is a stronghold for the devil, but we are moving forward in advancing God’s Kingdom.  We are praying for deliverance for those who have been under the bondage of darkness.  This warfare in the spirit is real.  Both Nayara and I have sensed the strongholds and the devil is not happy that we are here, BUT God has led us here and He is greater than the devil!  Thank you, thank you for praying for us!  We are praying for you!

 

Please tell your friends about the work that God is doing here in Nova Viçosa and let them know how they can join our team.  I would love to talk with them!  I pray God’s richest blessing upon all of you faithful servants! 

 

Love you!
Lisa (and Nayara)

June 2021

 

Hello my friends,

 

Wow, I can’t believe it is June 6, 2021, already.  I can't believe I missed sending a post last month.  I am sorry!  Last week got away from me as I meant to write this earlier.  Last week, Nayara went to Belo Horizonte to spend some much-needed time with her nephew and nieces.  So, I held down the fort with her classes with AME along with the project classes.  All went very well, and the students are progressing well.

 

First of all, I need you to please pray about some very serious needs some of our students and friends are facing.

·       *  We are staying with Ingrid and Jonathon here in João Monlevade, they live above her father who is the Pastor.  They are wonderful.  Right now, her mother Covid-19 positive, her mother’s brother is Covid-19 positive, in the hospital and on a ventilator and her grandmother is at the hospital and is being checked for Covid-19.

·       *  Nayara and I are well, taking all the precautions.  We received our 1^st of 2 vaccination shots last week with the 2^nd one schedule in August.

·     *    One of our students just lost her mother to Covid-19, this student is very precious to us, her name is Luciana and both of her daughter’s are very involved with AME and the project.

·       *  One of our students, Cleu, has a nephew that is missing and feared to have been swept away in the recent flooding.  They are still searching.

·       *  The flooding in the Amazon is at historic highs and many communities are dealing with major problems.  In Manacapuru, we have heard the city has experienced flooding but the church and our house and the houses of our students seem to be safe at this point.

·       *  One of our students, Graciete, is recovering from Covid-19 and has missed 3 weeks of class.

·       *  Our pastor in Manacapuru, Camilo, has been dealing with some kidney issues, not sure on all the details.

We are praying for these situations and speaking God’s Word and peace into every life.  Please join us in prayer.

 

A week ago, we had the opportunity to be the speakers at a Women’s Conference at Nayara’s church.  It went very well.  The theme centered around Esther.  I learned a tremendous amount in preparing for this and the Holy Spirit was Present!  We were grateful for this chance to serve this church!

 

We are continuing to work hard with both AME and the project classes.  We are grateful for the internet keeping us in contact with these wonderful people.  My plans are still a little uncertain as to when I will be able to return to the US for a brief visit.  There are things that I need there for sure, but I am waiting and praying right now.  The borders are still closed to Brazilian tourist visas so Nayara cannot come at this moment.

 

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  God is working during this crazy time.  Please know that I am praying for you!

 

Blessings,

Lisa