This month at our Training Leadership Camp in Altamira, we had our bi-annual regional “InterVinha”, a gathering from all the Vineyard churches in the region. We had close to 300 people in attendance. We were blessed to be able to have Phil Strout, the National Director of Vineyard USA, Danny Meyer, Pastor and regional overseer of part of the Midwest in the USA, and Celso Tavares, National Leader of Vineyard Brazil come and speak. Phil was the main speaker and he talked to us about 10 pillars of leadership, Rick Bergen summarized the points on his blog http://rickbergen.blogspot.com.br/ and below is what he wrote:
1. Get people in front of Jesus, whatever the cost. "Whatever it takes!"
2. This is the most important thing we've ever done...
3. It is amazing what can get done when you don't care who gets the credit.
4. Take care of your soul.
5. The ministry is not overwork, it is overflow.
6. Fruitful longevity.
7. Do to others what you want them to do to you. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Matthew 7:12
8. If it is worth anything, it is worth everything. Matthew 13:44-46
9. Everyday everything that happens is for the greater glory of God and the well-being of people.
10. Drink the cups of The Lord. (Galatians 4:19, John 18:7-11, Mark 10:35-40, Matthew 26:36-39)
More InterVinha pictures below
We also had the opportunity to go out on the river to visit two community churches. It always amazes me the dedication that our pastors and missionaries have to spreading the Gospel of Jesus to these hard to reach villages. There are so many challenges to get the Gospel to these people but praise the Lord the Word is moving forward. Both of the church services were full and people throughout the community came in their canoes to worship God with us. It is truly amazing. Alyssa and Camilly rode in the speed boat to go invite people to the church service. Alyssa is the one with oversized life jacket.
On July 18th, Elba and her twin sister Nira, celebrated their birthday. The church had a surprise birthday party for them and brought a lot of food and we had a BIG party. They loved it. During our trip along the river to visit two community churches the girls got a chance to be with their friends and go swimming. Camilly jumped off the top of the boat. She is very courageous.
I have a special prayer request. Could you please pray for my Dad? He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in the back of his mouth. During the discovery phase of how to treat the cancer, the doctors discovered that he had 2 abdominal aortic aneurisms. They are scheduled to do surgery on the aneurisms on Monday August 19th and then at a later date do surgery to remove the cancer from his jaw. The Doctors seem optimistic but acknowledge that the process of recovery would be rough. Please pray for a miracle healing, and if that should not happen, then a successful surgery and fast recovery. Thanks!
Please continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us. Love and blessings, Steve, Elba, Camilly and Alyssa
Tax deductible donations can be written and sent to:
The Xingu Mission
P.O Box 340785
Columbus, Ohio 43234
Or On-line donations at:
Rick Bergen and Alyssa took this picture of this monkey in a tree fairly close to our house. He was a pretty big monkey.
Additional pictures of the InterVinha
