Catch-up Blog

A lot has happened over the last few months since we’ve lost contact with the rest of the world. So sorry we’ve neglected our blog. This is why…

House Guests:
After the LSTers left, we had Heather’s (our intern’s) family staying with us for 2 weeks. The Alkire’s were here during our inaugural Sunday for the new building. They did a lot of preparation work to help us out. During their stay we had another visitor arrive – one of Matt’s friends from college, Diana. Diana is an art therapist who came for vacation but also to help out our new church here. She painted murals, signs, helped with our benevolence lunches, and learned a lot of portuguese in her month stay with us. Two days after the Alkires left (but while Diana was still here) the Mabery’s arrived. The Mabery’s were here for two weeks also. They got to be here for and help with Aubry’s Luau birthday party, a benevolence lunch and plant a mini garden in the back of the church building. It’s a much more inviting place on both sides now. Next, my Mom, Cindy came the week after the Mabery’s and Diana left. It was great! Christmas everyday for Aubry and we actually got two good weeks of sleep. Cindy concluded our 4 month stint of visitors but life did not get boring. Here is what else we’ve been up to during and after all the visits…

Inaugural Service:
Our inaugural service was great! We served coconut and pineapple ice cream afterwards with our inaugural cake. It was a wonderful way to show the community the transformation our presence has already made.

Aubry’s Luau:
It was an exciting, colorful, fun luau at our old apartment building. Aubry had over 63 guests. The menu was popcorn, pizza, crepes, churros, and cotton candy (and birthday cake at the end of course). The decorations were incredible – even had lighted palm trees and hanging globe lights and blow-up monkeys. We played limbo, bobb for apples, pineapple / coconut bowling, hoola-hoop contests, and the congo line! There was never a dull moment and Aubry was the life of the party in her swishy grass skirt. Thanks to both sets of grandparents for making it such a memorable first year birthday party!

Calen (Newest Team Member)
Calen is now two months old. Calen Xavier Sass was born Wednesday, August 27th 2008 9:24pm weighing at 3.210 kilos (7pounds 1 ounce) and a length of 48.5cm (19 inches). The Mabery’s were here during this blessed event and we all took Aubry and Ceara (Calen’s older sister) to the zoo. It was Aubry’s first zoo trip and the girls had the best time together.

Recent Bible Studies and Baptisms:
After our youth retreat, one of the older kids, Leandro age 20, came back wanting to study more about baptism. He and Travis did an eight week study together and during that time, Leandro became very close with the LSTers. So in August Leandro took the plunge!

Leandro is one of the few good male influences in his very large family. Which is why his cousin Gisele age 15 asked Leandro to baptize her after she finished her 2 month study with Mary Virginia. What a great September!

Gisele brought her cousin Viviane to study with Mary Virginia and Heather and Viviane was also baptized into Christ. Which has lead us on a one a month role lately!

Leandro - August
Gisele - September
Viviane - October

Benevolence Lunches
The Benevolence Lunches are still every other Saturday and are going well. We usually have between 50 and 100 come for the free meal. Our church is becoming famous in the community as a church who gives and serves.

Children’s Day
Children’s Day was a hit! Brazilian children’s day is bigger than our Christmas. Lots of games, sugar, and kids running wild! We had a trampoleen, an air castle and a ball pit at the church as part of the festivities after a big lunch together. We had many neighborhood kids come and participate. Aubry had a blast in the ball pit!!! We even had to of our senior citizens ladies, Jaci and Dona Dulce, jump in the air castle!

Theology Course
We began our first theology course at the church building with five students and five church members. Please be in prayer that this course which teaches our evangelistic bible lessons will reach the hearts of the students and will grow when we offer it again.

Youth Lock-In
We had about 20 at our annual youth lock-in. It was a fun time of devotionals, games, and activities. The kids themselves planned their own service project for Christmas. They will be collecting and taking baskets of food to less fortunate families.

New Members Class / Ministry Class
We had 10 students at our new members class and 4 students participate in our ministry class. We are excited about the new members and also about our “old” members becoming more involved in church life through these classes.