One of the big highlights this last month was having a short term mission team come from Columbus Vineyard. It is such a treat to have our friends come to work alongside us to reach the people of Brazil. A majority of the members had been here the year previously. This is a blessing because like last year they went to Pacajá to walk alongside missionaries Keith and Marsha Wilson. This is important because the team is continuing to establish more relationships and are laser focused on a certain area. We refer to this as going narrow and deep. Narrowly focused to work a majority of their time in Pacajá and each year deepening their relationship with the Brazilians and the team. We are looking forward to the many more years to come with this team.
How about you? Are you interested in coming? We have many places like Pacajá that would love to have a team come and visit.
On the way back home the team stopped in Altamira for 2 days. During those 2 days we had the opportunity for them to come and preach at 2 of our churches. Pastor Kent Irwin preached at our church, and Patrick Adams preached at the Independente Church. It was a pleasure to have them share the Word. In addition, a lot of the English students at our school wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving with the American team. This was a treat and we had well over 100 people in attendance. Patrick shared about the meaning of Thanksgiving, and how we should always be thankful to God and one another. Then we had one of our students read Psalm 136 and then some English students sang “Set a fire”. Afterwards we sat down with the students and ate a lot of chicken and potatoes while speaking English. It was really special for the students, and for our team.
TRAVELERS BEWARE: If you come to our house and it is your birthday. This is what happens….A Brazilian tradition. Smash eggs over head, and then throw flour into the face. Betsy was a great sport. Elba and the girls are ruthless and it is just a matter of time before they get you. Elba got caught in the crossfire. Please do not let this discourage you from coming and visiting.
As the song goes “It is starting to look a lot like Christmas….WAIT…ok, let’s start over. It is starting to FEEL a little bit like Christmas. It is never the same here as it is in the States. This may be a good thing in the sense of all the hurry around and such. We try our best to get into the season and we just put up our tree with a few lights. We are definitely far from the norm here in Altamira because the majority does nothing. Here are some pictures when we were in the big city of Belém (which means Bethlehem). We even saw santa.
Again, Merry CHRISTmas and may our Lord Jesus richly bless you.
Please also continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us.
Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa
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