Health

Many of you have been asking and wondering about baby Mabery and Mom. First I want to thank you for your concerns and prayers. Our little girl is doing very well and moving all the time. I had injections last week to speed up the development of her lungs in case she comes early. The doctor says that my amniotic fluid is back up and she thinks that I am out of the woods for now. However, I am still on bed rest at least until my next appointment on June 14th and having occasional pains. Again, thank you for praying for our family. God bless yours as well!

English Conversation Campaign

The two week LST campaign from Auburn (5 Alabama girls and 1 North Carolina girl) was a success. Because of their hard work and advertising, we now have 60 Brazilians reading the Bible with the 6 week team. The 6 week team, a group of 8 guy and girl Auburn students, arrived middle of this week and have already begun their Bible studies today. We miss the two week team but are having fun getting to know the 6 week team as well. Pray that more Brazilians will hear about the program, come and bring their friends this first week as there is still space for at least 40 more Brazilians to read the Bible one-on-one with these hard-working Auburn students. May God open the hearts of those who are coming to our church to open up His word and learn about Him.

Mother’s Day

We had 72 on Mother’s Day for the breakfast and special service. Some of the English students even came and brought their mothers. The members came early to help with the breakfast and many of the visitors came even earlier! I heard my husband did a great job preaching on the love of God. His introduction included a slide show behind him of all different kinds of mothers and their young (a collection of funny mother/ child animal pictures). All the men of the congregation stood up and prayed over all of the women at one point in the service and during children’s time the kids took flowers to the special women in their lives. It was a blessed day! Thank you Lord.

Vacations: Voluntary and Mandatory

Matt and I were able to take three days of vacation time last week – our last trip together as a couple without kids. We went to the Chapada Diamontina (Diamond Table Mountain) about 5 ½ hours drive away. We stayed in a town called Lencois that was built in the 1800’s as a diamond mining town. The nature is absolutely beautiful there. The town is all about eco-tourism now full of tour companies and hostels. Matt and I stayed in a place located right beside a large waterfall. You could hear the calming noise of the waterfall all over the hotel even with the doors and windows closed. We went hiking, spelunking, snorkling, canoing, swimming and then hiking again. We saw 7 famous waterfalls, snorkled in a blue grotto cave, and canoed through anaconda waters. We even met an old man walking through the wild with a machete and potatoe sack who had mined the area when he was a boy. He hid his possessions under some rocks and took us around telling us intriguing stories about the old days (this was the day I over did it) guiding us to his favorite tunnels and waterfalls.
Even though the trip was great for my nature loving soul and for our marriage, it wasn’t so great for my body. I started having strange pains the day we drove home (last Friday). By yesterday, the pains had gotten considerably worse even though I’ve been taking it easy all week (the doctor had put me on bedrest since Monday) and I was also loosing more fluid than normal. So we had to go to the hospital yesterday for an emergency ultrasound. They determined that I have an infection on top of the over-extended muscle pain and probably some initial contractions. My fluid is lower than ideal but not dangerously so. It’s been a bit of a scary week but the baby has been moving the entire time which was reassuring and my bedrest should only be temporary – another week or so. Pray for the health and safety of our little girl even when Mommy doesn’t know her limits yet. Pray for Matt as he waits on his wife who can’t leave the bed. Pray also that the Bible studies I am missing will still be able to start back up again in a week or two where we left off and that the Spirit will continue to work on their hearts during the break.

A Month of Blessings

Thank you Pre-teens for our Nursury Items!
We had several children and two babies this past Sunday who got to enjoy the new toys, gifts, chairs and crib items that our Riverchase Children’s Ministry sent to our church (by way of Dewayne Spivey, Ron Jackson and Carol Echols). Thank you to Tony and to all who contributed to our nursury / children’s room. Your gifts have really helped to make it a more inviting place for our little ones. We appreciate all that God has provided for our children at church so that they feel His love and so that all of our visiting families feel welcome too.

Meditating on Our Church History Together
Many of you know that April 1st was our 1 year anniversary. Throughout the month of April we have had a special presentation each Sunday of the firsts God has blessed us with over this past year. April 8th we presented our 6 new baptisms from this first year, April 15th, were our two new married couples, April 22nd, we gave thanks to God for the two baby births, and April 29th, we had a special blessing over all of our new members from this first year. Each week we committed as a church to care for the people in these categories of transition. God has blessed us in many ways and we are glad that we could take this whole month of rememberance to thank Him and encourage our church to reflect on His goodness to us.

Youth Movie Night
We had a great turn out for youth movie night at the building. We watched the movie Signs and all the teens wore foil on their heads during the movie (if you haven’t seen the movie, this is so the aliens would not read their minds). We also had glasses of water set up all around the room and a baby monitor in the front by the screen making strange noises every so often. After the movie we had small group discussions about the importance of faith in God and faith stations set up around the room to demonstrate how we put our faith and trust in God. We had about 20 youth total with even some of our English students participating! Praise God for a great night!

Women’s Spiritual Disciplines Class
The women of the church are having a spiritual disciplines class once a month after service and lunch together. April 29th was Mary Virginia’s turn to teach. There were over 20 Brazilian women who participated and all were given a journal with activites to do during the next month. These ladies left greatly encouraged to spend quiet time with God meditating and reflecting on His Word, His Creation and their personal relationships with Him. All the women are looking forward to the next meeting at the end of May when Jennifer leads the class on Prayer.

Evangelism Day
This day came about as a suggestion by one of our Brazilian Christians, Veronica. She wanted to get a group together from our church to go door knocking and advertise our Mother’s Day service. (Here Mother’s Day is the biggest church day of the year like Christmas is in the States.) So, that’s exactly what we did. Our group of 12 (10 Brazilians and 2 missionaries) split up and went door to door in the two neighborhoods near our church asking people if they wanted us to pray with them. Many people were receptive to the idea of prayer. The second thing we did was bless the person or family with a scripture about God’s love for them explaining that this is why we came by today. We then gave the invitation to our Mother’s Day breakfast and special service this coming Sunday. Please, pray that God will open the hearts of those who were invited and thank God for the encouragement that He gave to our Brazilian members through this experience of sharing their faith. There is much happening in our little church right now and we thank you for remembering us in your prayers. We pray for all the Mother’s at Riverchase, Flat River, Cullman and Cox Boulevard and ask that you continue to take care of Cindy Sirmon and Glenda Mabery for us!

You live, you learn

What do you do when you think you've helped someone leave a life on the streets for a life that seemed better, and then that someone (or in this case group of someones) left the life that seemed better for the life that was more familiar?

What I am doing now is learning from the mistakes that were made. Let's say a family, with a small child of around 2 years old is living on the streets, and is at time being assaulted from time to time and being robbed of the few worldly possessions they do have. One day, when your church is showing a movie for the purpose of having a deep discussion afterward, this family walks in the doors. Really only the husband/father walks all the way in because the wife/mother is so embarrassed about her appearance, she will not come in to be around all the people who sleep under roofs and take showers at least once a day (for Brazilians this shower thing could reach in the double digits).

So, say you help this family have the means to make money enough to rent a small house, and you find them a place, with the help of some other members of your church. And for a while they are happy and content and are moving in and enjoying being able to provide for themselves and their baby. They work on getting the child into a nursery school. It takes a long time, but the child is eventually able to stay at the school a whole day without pitching a fit (remember, the child has not been away from her parents on the street at all her whole life). So, things seem to be going well.

Then, you hear they want to switch jobs. They can make more money doing something else. They switch. It isn't successful. They don't want to go back to the old job. They find another job and are doing pretty well. Then all of a sudden they move out. You hear lots of stories, two or three from the couple themselves. The house was leaky; rain got in. There were ticks crawling all over the place and were biting our daughter. They kicked us out. We had medical expenses and could not afford rent. You never really hear the same story twice in a row, and you hear from the owner that they just packed up and left. Nevertheless, they are back living on the street. They find another place to rent, but it is more expensive. They ask for help again. They quit working for a couple of weeks. They ask for help again. Knowing that it will probably end up the same way do you give them a months rent for the new place? Do you tell them no and encourage them to work to get into the new place on their own, knowing that they can't manage money well enough to do that?

This is really just a tip of the iceburg kind of story telling. It is really happening, though. This man is very open to studying scripture with anyone who will open a Bible and sit down for some time with him. Pretty interesting. What I hope is that enough time can be given to this family to teach them to take care of a rented house and maybe help train them to be able to manage their lives well enough to get off the street for good. Living on the street can be just as much an adiction as drugs and alcohol, or so it seems.

Visitor

Mary's mom arrived safe and sound on Sunday. She brought a ton of baby things, and that's about it. I don't see how she could have had anything else in her suitcases.

She and Mary are getting the baby's nursery ready. That is the purpose of this, her fourth trip to Brazil. She is now tied with the number of trips Mary has made to Brazil, and they are both ahead of me by one.

They got a lot done yesterday. I am a little aprehensive about this, because there are so many changes going on to the room I used to be able to relax in. Oh, well. The life of a father, right?

6 Months

6 Months
Originally uploaded by Brazilian Tempo.

This is Mary at 6 months. She says she doesn't look any different. What do you think? Let us know.

ICoS First Anniversary

God is good. The Igreja de Cristo o Salvador celebrated its one year anniversary April 1, 2007. There were 102 in attendance, including Riverchase’s very own Brothers Dewayne Spivey and Ron Jackson and our sister in Christ, Carol Echols from Cullman. Matt preached on practical ways that we can, “Fear the Lord and keep his commandments” as Solomon writes at the end of all wisdom in Ecclesiastes. We were honored that Dewayne led us in communion and Ron worded the closing prayer, both translated by our teammate Travis Sass. We made some new contacts that some of our members brought with them, as well as saw faces we had not seen for a while. Our first anniversary was already a time of celebrating what God has done in the city of Salvador through this church he has called us to help plant here and a time to call some back to communion with this growing body of Christ.
After the worship service, we had an American potluck done the Brazilian way. During the lunch, some of our members were given the opportunity to share with everyone what being a part of ICoS has meant to them. People shared everything from their blessing of being married surrounded by this family of Christ to finding new friends who have encouraged them in their walk with Christ. It does not seem that the day could have been any better.
What a blessing it was to have Ron, Dewayne, and Carol with us for a few days but that time was too short. We were encouraged by their love for us, their affirmation of the work we are doing, and their willingness to struggle with us through some of the questions that we face on a weekly basis just as a result of working in the service of our King. We thank God that he brought them to us and got them back home safely to you. To God be the glory.

5 Months

5 Months
Originally uploaded by Brazilian Tempo.

Here's Mary at 5 months surrounded by our team kids. We had a great 2 years on the field banquet.

Celebrating Two Years on the Field

I’m going to
Tell you a story
One where God
Recieves all the glory

It’s about a mission team
Who went to Brazil
Desperately seeking
To do God’s will

From Keith to Alicia
To Jennifer to Mateus to Valerie
From Chavez to Randy
To Rocky to Stacey to Virginia

This team is full of Spirit
The Holy Kind and not of fear
To spread God’s Good News
To all who will hear

Two years have gone by
Since this team went to the field
In the blink of an eye
We’ve been given a harvest to yield

And what do you ask has happened?
In these two years you say?
A church is planted, souls saved
And what’s more by the way…

The Maberys lost their hair
The Sasses gained a baby
The Porters changed to different maid
The Parkers moved lightening crazy

The Quireys got a dog Samson
Who has fun with all his friends
Cha Cha and Nalah think he’s handsome
But the Sassy cats he has yet to win

After a great inauguration
The church got off to a hot beginning
And with much anticipation
For April 1st we await a brand new inning

Because this first one has been great
From weddings to memorials to chas to a Christmas BBQ
To youth lock ins to youth retreats and parties
To world cup mania too

All this in a building that’s had it share
Of problems and water leaks
The real question is still up in the air:
“Will we get the glass by Anniversary week?”

But what about the shoe drive?
The kids day, you know what I mean?
And the Canadian LST man alive!
While our first intern Paul was on the scene.

Not to mention all of the things happening
Among our new church cast
Things like baptisms and small groups
And new membership class

In between there were always guest stars
From Canada and the States
Family and Friends to Heather Alkire and church reps
How did we manage to keep straight all the dates?

It’s been fun planning team retreats
The fun and the planning ones
We’ll never forget the Thanksgiving feast
When all is said and done

It’s these special times together
That’ve helped us deal with language and culture shock
Though we know we’ll never be as weathered
As Ceara, Kelton, Lauren, Brandon, and Brock

So it’s been real and sometimes surreal
These past two years we’ve shared
If we’d known when we moved to Brazil
What we know now, you think we would’ve dared?

Yes, I think knowing then what we know now
Even with the ups and downs, we’d do it again
If only to see all of the blessings and mercies
That only God could send!

Thank you team for a wonderful two years!
- Mary Virginia

4 Months

4 Months
Originally uploaded by Brazilian Tempo.

New Life

Our time of “rest” is over and we are now back in Brazil. Our furlough was a success. We were blessed to be with so many of the people who support us in so many ways. Thank you all so much for feeding us, asking questions, and being excited about what we are doing for God’s kingdom in Salvador.
We were so glad to be around family and friends when we found out, “surprise,” our lives are about to change in less than nine months. That’s right, for those who have not talked with one of our family members, who are so excited, we are expecting in early August. What a change in thinking this has brought over us. We went for our first obstetrical appointment yesterday. Tomorrow are blood tests and others such things, and Friday is our first ultrasound. It is all becoming very real, very exciting, and scary at the same time.
While we were stateside, we were excited to hear of some blessed events occurring here in Salvador. On Sunday, December 17, our church had a picnic celebrating the birth of our Salvador (Savior). There we had 87 present for worship, and over 100 showed up to the Parkers’ home for the fun and devotional. The following Sunday, two of our young men were baptized. This brought many of their family to worship that morning, and after services, almost everyone present walked across the street to the beach for the baptisms in the ocean.
We are now trying to get back into the swing of things, though much has changed. Our building now has partitions for a children’s area, and offices, as well as air conditioners. Please pray that the things that need to be completed on our building will be taken care of soon.Thank you again for such a great reception back home. The love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

3 Months

3 Months
Originally uploaded by Brazilian Tempo.

Our Homeless Family

Our homeless family at church is not homeless anymore. We know many of you have been praying for Alaelson, his wife Lucilandia and his two year old daughter Luci. They are now renting a place for $35 a month (we paid for their first month's rent) and they also have a better means of working to pay for it (we bought them a recycling cart and a cooler to sell food on the beach). One of our small groups has taken them in and even went to their new home to pray a prayer of blessing on their new space and their family. Matt is studying the Bible with Alaelson and they continue to attend our church activities (worship service, small group, and movie night). Please, continue to pray for this family as they have many obstacles still to overcome and need Christ's help in their lives.

Our First Gincana

“What’s a gincana?” you might ask. “Exactly.” We had no idea what it was until this past weekend. The other Churches of Christ in the city told us that they were planning a joint youth event for the 24th. “Okay great!” we said. So, we told our kids but we had no idea what all was involved (a lot of preparation and it was an event that lasted a whole weekend). A gincana it turns out is a cross between a field day, a scavenger hunt, a fear factor show, a treasure hunt, and a Bible/ Trivia bowl (complete with pies in the face and scubba diving blindfolded in the baptistry). In short it was a big competition and our team, “Star em Cristo,” won!!! They even gave us a trophy. Our kids were so proud. The Bonoco youth who hosted the event wrote us a really nice letter thanking us for our involvement and our spirited example. So, needless to say after jumping around and cheering for two days, we were pretty tired. At least next time we’ll know what we’re getting into and we’ll know how to promote it better because it was a very well done, extremely animated event. Plus, we’ve got a a title to keep!!!

Cassi and Valmira

We have two new Christians with us. Cassi age 27 and her Mom, Valmira were recently baptized! They are blessings to our church. Cassi has brought 6 new people to our church since she started coming three weeks ago.

Introducing Our New Puppy Nala

After talking about it for a long time, my parents finally bought me -Momma Lou's orders before she left. I am a beautiful carmel colored Cocker Spaniel with specks of white on my nose and chest. I smile when I run (even though I look funny doing it) and I enjoy being with people (I guess that's good since my parents have people coming over all the time). I am 3 months old and spoiled rotten already because I love being held and everyone likes holding me. Two days after I came home, I went on our team retreat where I was overwhelmed with new smells, sights and sounds. The Parker's brought their new 2 month old poodle, Cha Cha as well and we played ferociously together. I, Nala, also had my first visit to the beach where I ran from the water, let the kids burry me in the sand (it was cooler that way), and I brought everyone something I found called seaweed (strange stuff). I had been in a cage for almost two months at the pet store before Mom and Dad got me, so my legs were weak and I was not used to so much activity. So even though I had to take many knaps, I held up pretty well on the retreat and made my parents proud. I am a very happy dog and my new family loves me!!! Love to all, Nala

Surrounded by Women

We are having "saudades" from family (which means we are missing them greatly). My Mom, MommaLou, Aunt Angie, and Aunt Darlene arrived in Salvador a few weeks ago. MommaLou and Aunt Angie got to stay a week and Mom and Aunt Darlene stayed two! We had a wonderful time together. Matt and Mary both did a great deal of translating while the women shopped, shopped, and shopped! They also got to see us in action while they were here. Aunt Angie was and encouragement to the team as she shared at staff meeting what God has been doing in their Delaware Campus Ministry lately. Mom helped out on youth night by being part of a mini drama skit for the lesson. MommaLou went with Mary to one of her evangelistic studies. And Aunt Darlene led everyone to Hiper (owned by Wal-Mart) to buy clothes and shoes for benevolence at our church. All in all it was a wonderful time of family and ministry and we'll be missing them until November when we come home.

Shingles and more

My husband has been suffering from the shingles these past two weeks. It is a mild case on his face. The swelling has gone down, the sores are healing nicely but there is still pain along that same nerve. Please pray for Matt's health as well has the health of our team as Springtime approaches.