Brazil – One Month In —

It’s a little hard to believe that one month ago I was sitting in the airport in Rio on my 12 hour layover before making the final leg of my journey here to Joao Pessoa, Brazil.

There’s a song by Matt Redman called “Never Once” that says;”Never once, did we ever walk alone. Never once did you leave us on our own. You are Faithful, God You are Faithful”  That is certainly true in this past month of my journey.  To listen, click here….

I arrived in Joao Pessoa, Brazil on October 27th at about 3:00 am to a tear-jerking reception by member of First Baptist Church of Valentina. Here is a short video of that reception – Click here...

The first weekend I stayed with my dear friends Marcio and Claudia Chaves. Then moved in with the pastor of the church, Bishop Eneas Araujo, and his family while we prepared my house.They were so very gracious to take me in.

I spent time at the house painting and getting things ready… but…

With the pending arrival of guest speakers, the work on the house became more focused, and on November 14th, we spent 12 hours of intensive labor finishing painting, assembling kitchen cabinets, and a crew from the church came an cleaned up.

 

 

 

It was a great blessing to be on the receiving end of such loving labors to help get the house ready. People in the church donated beds, sofas, refrigerator, microwave, sheets, towels and kitchen necessities. It’s been pretty amazing!!

Well, as the crew finished, I showered and prepared to speak at a youth conference that night to about 1500 young people at a different church. It was an electric time and I was truly energized… even after working 12 hours at the house. It was the first confirmation of the verses from Psalm 71: 17-18 that the Lord has given me for this season of my life;

Psalm 71:17-18 (NKJV)  O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I am moved into the house, and the things that I brought in my four overweight suitcases are making it feel like home. I’m very comfortable and at peace. I feel like I belong. 

 

 

 

 

 

And so, “Brazil – The Adventure” continues, now with language study, learning everything new, from how to shop, to how to prepare the new and different foods that I buy, to how to clean the house and take out the trash. Everything…EVERYTHING, is new. But this is part of the Adventure that the Father has invited me on, and as that Matt Redmond song says, “You are faithful, God you are faithful.”

Thanks for following along on this journey with me. I pray that as you see the faithfulness of God it might encourage you to trust Him for those unknown, or impossible things in your life.

The Journey Continues…