January Happenings

The first exciting thing that happened this month was the Sirmon’s visit! Rick’s first trip here and Cindy’s second. And although they were initiated to Brazil life in a negative way before they left– (our beach bag was stolen with Mr. Sirmon’s money and credit cards and our cell phones and apartment keys), on the whole their time in Salvador was a pretty wonderful occasion celebrating Christmas and New Years together. They brought many gifts for us and for the team and Mr. Sirmon even took time to plant things in our big planter on the balcony! It was truly a gift from God to have them with us for a short while. And while we miss them already, we know that they’ll be back soon – being as it’s now Rick’s business to travel and Cindy’s hobby of preference. It was also encouraging to hear Mr. Sirmon’s report to Riverchase on our life and work on the mission field.
While the Sirmons were here, WE GOT THE KEYS to the building!!! We closed on our rent contract the first week of January. There is much work to do in this area to get it ready for our inauguration but the plans are in progress and it’ll get done by inauguration with God’s help!
The South American missions conference was the second week in January and it was followed by a Brazilian youth seminar. Our entire team was able to go, thanks to God, and get to know other American missionaries working in Brazil and Paraguay.
Our first big evangelistic group Bible study was a success. The first lesson is on what the purpose of life is anyway and why study the Bible. The study concludes that the answers to the questions of life are found in the Bible, God’s Word, and that God says that the purpose for this life is found in glorifying Him, Our Creator and Father. The study began as a result of our language teacher, Jaci, wanting us to share what she helped us translate with her whole family (who brought their friends). There were 10 Brazilians at the study and we hope to have more next week as we tell of God’s overall relationship throughout the Old Testament with His people the Israelites. Please pray for Jaci’s family as they grow in the knowledge of their purpose in this world. Pray that they will seek to become the children of God that He longs for them to be – children who seek after their heavenly Father. Thank YOU for being examples to us in your giving and support and encouragement, on this every day journey to become more like Him.