Happy Thanksgiving. One thing for sure is that we are so thankful for you and to God for bringing you into our lives. You are a blessing, and we are very grateful that you are on our team as we continue to do the good work that the Lord has lead you and us to accomplish in Brazil. Be blessed with the below email.
Bill and Dotty Christensen came to lead our missionary care retreat. They were missionaries in Morocco, North Africa for 11 years and now Bill serves as the International ministries Pastor at Columbus Vineyard. It was so nice to have them come and speak with us and lead us in reflective and spiritual care for our team. It was helpful to have a former missionary leading us because he understands the daily challenges that exist for our international missionary team. In addition, it was just great to be with one another again. We all live scattered throughout Brazil and we have developed great relationships among our group. We pray that we can continue to keep doing this once per year and that our missionaries will always be cared for in a deep and meaningful way. Below is a picture of our XM family. Unfortunately, Art and Cyndi Rae were back in Canada and unable to attend.
Before the missionary care retreat, Phil Snell (in the middle with blue shirt) challenged all the men missionaries to grow a goatee. I have never grown facial hair in my life and I did not want to participate. However, I went ahead and did it anyway. The process was horrible. The girls and I were planning on ways that I could win the competition. I needed a competitive edge….this is what we came up with. In the end, we all won the various aspects of the competition. It was such a relief to shave this off.
Bill and Dotty Christensen, and Craig and Linda Heselton came to Altamira and then to Pacajá before going to our missionary care retreat. In Altamira, we had a leadership meeting for the church and Bill shared some words to churches leadership group. Then we had a powerful time of prayers and the Holy Spirit made His presence known. The next day they drove 250km to Pacajá to be with the church and Keith and Marsha Wilson. Craig was asked to lead a Holy Spirit night for the church. As a part of training and trying to discern the voice of God, Craig asked a man to come up and stand before the congregation. He then prayed, and asked the congregation if the Lord was speaking to them about this man. God showed up and spoke with many in the congregation about the man's situation and state. It was so reassuring because even if we are walking through hard times and not feeling God’s presence, it does not mean that He is not with us.
Praise the Lord!!! The girls continue to do well. At Camilly and Alyssa's school they put together some re-enactments of Jesus' life. Camilly's class was responsible for the bible story where Jesus turns the water to wine. In the play, Camilly played the bride. She did a great job, but I soon found out when I watched the play that I am not even close to being prepared for my daughter to get married. Alyssa is starting to play American flag football. As a part of an outreach to reach the youth to Christ, our missionaries Ronã and Allison Moura started playing flag football and it has been very fun to watch and participate. It is really taking off as an evangelical project.
Please also continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us.
Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa
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This big guy was right outside our window during our missionary care meetings.
