Update – July 2009

So this last month hasn’t slowed down one bit, as summer continues to roll on!  I have by the grace of God passed another milestone in my journey to the field.  Earlier this week, I received word that I successfully completed Perspectives on the World Christian Movement!  This was one of the driving factors in my timeline as I need the completion certificate to meet one of the requirements for my visa.  It really seems like only a few weeks ago that I ordered the books for this course, but now it’s all over (75 hours of reading, 15 quizzes, 20 essays, and a research paper).  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this course and feel like I’ve learned many important bits of information that will help me on the field.  I hope to receive the course documents by the end of next week and then must send them off to the Brazilian consulate in Houston to be Authenticated.  In the meantime, I have most all of the other documents ready to be able to apply for my Type VII Religious Visa!  I’ll be working with the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago for that so your prayers are appreciated.

So other than the excitement of completing Perspectives, I also had the chance to participate in my church’s high school boys summer camp as a counselor.  That was a great time, bonding with other counselors and of course working with the boys.  I was extremely encouraged by their hearts for worship and know that the Spirit lives in many of them and is working in powerful ways.  I had the opportunity to share with the guys about my journey to missions.

Otherwise I stayed busy by attending a college roommate’s wedding (I knew both the bride and groom from my time at the U of I), the Hannibal Cannibal 10K run with a couple good friends, an Independence Day Cookout at my place with the Peoria fireworks to follow, another Peoria Chief’s baseball game (free hotdogs and peanuts!), and finally my church picnic.

I’m still blogging about my testimony and plan to have an info night for people who want to hear about my story in person along with what I’ll be working on for PAZ.  I’m continually blessed financially by friends and family and have recently passed the 85% mark!

Recently at the PAZ church in Santarem, they held an evangelistic crusade called the Congresso da PAZ.  Over 800 people came to saving faith in Christ over the 3 day weekend!  Praise be to God!  You can check it out in detail on the PAZ website.

Praises
- I’m now 85% supported!  God has been so very faithful in this area, raising up willing supporters for His work!  If you'd like to join, go here.
- Perspectives is completed!

Prayer Requests
- Continued guidance through the visa applications process.  Pray that God would give me wisdom in determining the appropriate timeline for departure and for a smooth and expedient approval of the application.

- Wisdom in the final preparations and time management in my last couple months.

Grace to you,

JAE