Update & Exciting News...

Well, the last time I updated I was on my way to São Paulo for a week.  The trip was nice and São Paulo is like nothing I have ever experienced before.  The city is huge.  I believe it is one of the fastest growing cities in the world just to give you an idea.  You can see in the picture the view as the plane was making its descent into the city.  

  

I was blessed to meet many wonderful people on my trip.  The family I stayed with were especially a blessing.  Their daughter will be studying in the US in January so I was able to help her with her English in filling out essay questions, etc. 

Since returning from São Paulo in the beginning of September, I have been working diligently to finish an online TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course.  My deadline is next week and I am just about finished.  I hope to use this certification to open doors to share the Gospel with individuals wanting to learn English and also as a part of PAZ's English school which we plan to open in the near future.  I have been learning a lot and have found the course to be quite enjoyable.  I always liked school :).  

Another project I am responsible for is the ICM MegaVoice Bible School.  What is this you might ask?  The project is a 4 year Bible school on a device like an MP3 player called a MegaVoice.  The program is used in many countries around the world and is now being used here in the Amazon.  The audio and materials have been translated into Portuguese and the device is solar-powered.  In our larger cities, we already have different Bible school programs and leadership training.  In the river communities; however, we were in need of an efficient tool to train up the people.  The MegaVoice Project is an excellent tool.  The lessons start with the Sermon on the Mount and then go from Genesis - Revelation.  My involvement is to do the administrative tasks (thank you degree from Belmont) of getting reports, testimonies, etc. and reporting back to ICM on the progress of the groups.  The idea is to have groups of no more than 10 people that meet on a weekly basis.  Currently our groups are working on the Sermon on the Mount and Genesis/Exodus.  One of the difficulties is getting feedback.  This has to do with the fact that the groups are out on the rivers which makes feedback more difficult among other reasons.  Please pray for patience and more feedback ;).

Anyone, 18 & up who is interested in setting aside 2 months to serve the Lord on the mission field please check out www.projectamazon.org to see the really awesome flyer put together by Nate Reutter and myself (more credit goes to Nate and his awesome computer skills).  

 

Tomorrow - Sunday will be the MDA Conference.  This is an annual conference here in Santarém which draws pastors and leaders from all over Brazil to learn about the PAZ church's discipleship model.  The week will be packed with sessions about discipleship, cell groups and looking after your sheep.  I participated in the actual conference last year but this year will only be participating at night which is open to those not registered for the conference.  I am very excited as we will be having a guest speaker from the US (yay English)!!!  On Saturday night, we will have a huge event in one of the local stadiums celebrating the multiplication of many cell groups.  The night will be filled with presentations, fireworks and all-around excitement at what the Lord is doing in Santarém through cell groups.  

And now for the EXCITING NEWS...

On November 22nd, I will be boarding a plane and heading "home" to the US for a visit.  I am very excited to see my family, friends and supporters.  I look forward to reconnecting with as many of you as possible.  I would love to speak at any of your churches, groups or events if the opportunity presents itself.  I will be in the greater Richmond area for most of my trip which will be Nov. 22 - Jan. 9th.  There will be about a week Dec. 3-8th that I will be staying in Nashville, TN.  My trip will be here before I know it and I am working on getting my projects, etc. organized here before I leave.  Please contact me to plan to get together and also for any opportunities to share about the ministry here in the Amazon.  I want to make the most of every day of my trip.  

Blessings and see you soon!!!