February Amazon Update!

We came back running from our 21 day travel sprint visiting churches and pastors to be a part of the preparation for the Cristoval celebration this week.  Carnival is Brazil’s annual “celebration of the flesh” before the initiation of Lent on the Catholic calendar.  It’s a week- long party where “anything goes” and every city in the country shuts down allowing full participation by the people.  HOWEVER, this year the city government here in Altamira did not have its annual carnival celebration.  WOW!!!  This is the first year in 14 years that I have been here that they did not have a carnival celebration.  AMEN! and thank you so much for your prayers. 

The Vineyard churches began “Cristoval”, a retreat for youth, away from the city, with a focus on Jesus and having a lot of good clean fun.  It has been a great success throughout the years, drawing kids toward Jesus and allowing an alternative during Carnival.  Here in Altamira, we had Jim Anderson and his team come back and speak about his book “Unmasked: exposing the cultural sexual assault”.  This is such a great topic in this culture which is sexually charged and there does not appear to be many boundaries.  It is also very timely because of its complete contradiction of Carnival and the sexual temptations that lures so many to having a sexual relationship outside of God’s will and purpose.  Jim shared from his book the revelations about:

·         God’s gift of sexuality

·         The heart of a woman

·         God’s true design for men and women

·         How to be “men of honor” and “princesses of God” and to walk in the beauty of His creation. 

It was really powerful in the lives of the hundreds of youth and adults that participated in the conference. 

After Cristoval, we held a conference for the adults to talk about our roles as parents, wives, and husbands in the family.  To encourage each of us to pray and bless our spouses and children on a daily basis.  As well as reconfirm our roles and commitment to our spouses and family.  This is really important because life has a way to suck us in and it is very easy to forget about these fundamental principles. 

Camilly participated in her first Cristoval this year.  The minimal age to go to sleep at the camp is 12 years old.  She had a great time with her friends but was exhausted due to lack of sleep.  We also have two new members in our family.  Alyssa has been doing a good job as the caretaker to the Mommy and babies.  We also got to go to a butterfly enclosure and the girls each caught a butterfly on their finger.  

My older sister Shelly passed away on February 17^th.  She was a very sweet and loving person, and I will remember her as someone full of life.  Below is a picture of how I will remember her.  Unfortunately, these last several years had been very difficult for her health and dependency issues.  Things went downhill very quickly.  Please pray for our family during this difficult time. 

Please also continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us.  

Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa

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January Amazon Update!

Thank you so much for your support and prayers.  We usually like to send our updates in the middle of the month but we have been traveling for the last 21 days and just got back.  It was a great time and adventure.  Bless you and pray that you enjoy the below update!

As I mentioned above we just got back from traveling for 3 weeks and it was an adventure as we slept in many different places and traveled via boat, planes, and automobile.  I did not do so well with the driving part.  OPPS.  Thankfully no damage….except to my ego. 

We spent about 2 week in Santarem and Jacarim.  During our stay there we spent time with their leadership and talked about current things that are happening within the church, and the future.  We also participated in ordaining 2 couples to be senior pastors.  The first picture is of Inilson and Enilda to be the senior pastors of Santarem.  The second pictures is of Ricardo and Cleury to be the senior pastors of Jacarim church.  Both of these couples are passionate for the Lord, and the lost.  Please keep them in your prayers. 

We also had the pleasure of being with Richie Bouthillier and his family in Portel.  We went to officially inaugurate their church building, and participate in ordaining Geise to be the pastor in Portel.  The Bouthilliers are doing a great job in Portel and it was a great thing to celebrate.  The mission is all about planting churches, and training leaders.  This moment was what we are called here to do.  Help plant Vineyard churches, and train local leaders to lead into the future.  Praise the Lord!

The girls are doing well.  They just started school on the 1^st of February.  Actually school started a few days ago but since the girls were with us during our travels they were unable to attend.  During our trip, we had a chance to go to Elba’s hometown.  Camilly and Alyssa were trying to learn how to fly a kite.  It somewhat worked.  Elba also showed us the place that she used to get water every morning by bucket and then carry on their heads back to their house.  I was fortunate enough to be able to turn on a Fawcett and water came out. 

Please also continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us.  

Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa

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Please click the donate button to make a secured on-line donation:

I found this English school in Santarem with this name.  A lot of my friends in Ohio would argue that this could not be a good English school with the name of Michigan.  J