I know I usually post on Mondays. These past two weeks have been especially busy. Haven't taken many pictures or had time for much of anything lately. We finally have all of the boxes unpacked (except for maybe one or two in the office)! Still don't have everything where I want it or much on the walls yet but everything's out there. Last week our team had a team retreat - we stayed here but we took time out for working through some things. It was good to have the Heidrichs with us to help us do that. Please be in prayer for our team and the changes we need to make to become stronger in our walks and ministry together here on the mission field. Also, pray I can get this place feeling a little more like home before we leave for our vacation next week! Yeah for time off (of work and house projects)!!!

We're in our new house!

There's a tree in the middle of our house!

Here is Matt with the owner signing the rent contract.

Team Worship Day After Anniversary

We have a tradition now with our team of doing our own worship together in English after each anniversary of the church. It's another chance to thank God together for what He has done and is doing in our work here. We also got to take some good pics of the team kids together! Ceara is trying to hug Aubry in one of the above pictures.

Lunch at the Beach with Visitors

The Friday before our Anniversary Service, We spent some time with Randy's family. His parents and brother Eddie are here visiting Randy, Jennifer, Kelton, and of course, baby Samuel. Aubry had a great time at the beach this time and kept giving us the "what's this?" face at the water, waves, and especially the sand.

New Christian Sharing Jesus With Another Seeker

Mesias (left) was just baptized two Sundays ago and is seen here talking with Alberto (right), a young University graduate who has just started studying the Bible with Travis. Mesias is a great addition to our church and an encouragement to others - including Alberto here who came alone and didn't know hardly anyone. It was neat to see people such as these interacting and sharing Jesus with each other during our 2nd year Anniversary Service. Please, pray for both of these men on their journey with God.

Finally The Whole Team Together at Anniversary Service!

Your Best For God

Our church is not usually a formal church (being on the beach and all). But for anniversary service we had many visitors who dressed their family in the best that they had (even though most of them don't have much). It brought tears to Valerie's eyes as she showed me these families. Here is one little boy who was excited to be there. During kids' time it was many of the dressed up visiting kids who said, "Shhhhh! We're trying to hear the story" to our own church kids. We were blown away by the receptiveness of everyone this Sunday.

Anniversary Sunday!!!

All I can say is Wow! God really brought people to us for our Anniversary Sunday. We had over 150 in attendance and the energy in the worship service was incredible. We actually ran out of food afterwards because we had only planned on 120 at the most. (Although I think everyone who wanted cake got some - beautiful cake! 2nd and 4rth pictures) God was thinking bigger than we were. He always is I'm sure. We have about 30 members plus there were about 20 Christians from other churches of Christ in the area; which means we had over 100 visitors! All of our members and frequenters brought their families and friends. It was so encouraging to be introduced to so many people by our members. Three of our own neighbors came! And we had many English students who came to our church service for the first time! Randy's family is here visiting and his father (who got to lead a translated prayer during the service) said, "I couldn't understand a word of what was going on but I could see all the Brazilian participation and Brazilians even taking ownership and leadership in many things. It was a true congregation." Please be praying for open hearts for all those visitors who attended. We have much follow-up work to do and can use your help in prayer. There is an evangelism day after church the next two Sundays where all of the members are going to take an active role in the follow-up work from this event. Thank you for all of the prayer that went into this day - it was our biggest so far! Please be in prayer for our upcoming move as well. Our church must change locations in June but we think we have found the right place and there is quite a story behind it so stay tuned.