Forty days and nights. That’s the official count for how long I’ve been on the field! In some senses, it feels like every bit of that, but in most, cases I feel as though I just got here last week! It has been a time of ups and downs, but a time of growth in my relationship with the Lord as He continues to be the consistency in my life. But, your prayers also deserve some credit! A couple days I found myself wondering how I made it through and then I thought of a person or received a note of encouragement from someone. I’m constantly reminded of my sending support back home, a team of dedicated individuals who are interceding on my behalf. I’m not worthy, but God is, and so my prayer is that all of those intercessions on my behalf, are transferred on for His Glory…and I know they are.
Once I arrived in Brazil, I was immediately thrust into my new environment. My “job” right now is to learn the language, cultural, and social aspects of relationships, and how the local PAZ church functions in the city. So the first day I moved in with my host family – a midlife couple with a seven year old boy who run a veterinary clinic from their home and are a model couple in the church – and by the fourth day I was in language lessons with my tutor! My family lives far from the rest of the gringo missionaries, so my exposure to American culture and English speaking is pretty much limited. Don’t worry, this isn’t some cruel treatment that I get for moving here, but rather a method that has proven to be the most effective in learning another language and culture, known as immersion.
My language learning is going fairly well, and I keep getting told that for only having been here six weeks, I’m most likely above the curve. Well, let me tell you, it sure doesn’t feel that way! My listening comprehension is getting better by the day, as does my ability to read. However, it seems like the speaking aspect is going more slowly. Please pray for my ability to converse in Portuguese and understand people as they talk to me! Also, that I wouldn’t be afraid to speak up and talk, even if I say something wrong! 
I was blessed to have two friends, Logan & Ashley here to visit me as part of a work team for two weeks at the end of September. So I took a couple weeks off from my “job” and joined them on the Tapajos and Amazon rivers to do some real work. We visited two villages, Piquiatuba and Aritapera. In Piquiatuba, we did new church construction on a church that will be used as a regional center. The vision for this location is huge and we’re praying for a bountiful harvest there! The work provided it’s own set of unique challenges due to the location of the church, but the work was edifying and was a boost for the village. In Aritapera, we worked to fix a church that had been damaged by recent floods in the Amazon Basin. We also hosted a medical and dental clinic for the people. In both villages, we hosted services and worshipped with the locals. This is my favorite part of the trips, joining the nations in praising our Lord!
After those two weeks it was back to normal for me, but now this week we are hosting the annual MDA conference in Santarem. MDA is the basis of the PAZ cell church model (ADM or Apostolic Discipleship Model in English). Hundreds of people come here from all over Brazil and from many different churches for a six day conference to hear our leaders talk about the MDA vision. Today is the second day and I’m loving it, even though I can’t understand too much.
And, thank you supporters! I’m now officially 100% supported! Praise God! Now that this milestone has been reached, I would like to present another challenge to you all. I”m currently saving funds to be able to furnish an apartment next year when I move out from my host family’s home. In Santarem, there is no such thing as a furnished apartment, so I will have to buy my appliances and furniture, which is expensive to say the least, if not more expensive than in the States. Also, around Holiday time, the rains will begin (remember that I live in the rain forest) and it will become extremely inconvenient for me to travel around town by mototaxi, bus, or walking. I’m currently praying through what the Lord would like me to do for transportation, and what kind of vehicle I should buy that will be an asset to my ministry in the coming years. If you would like to partner with me in either of these financial challenges – home furnishings or vehicle purchase – please let me know!
If you know of anybody who is looking for some thing to do next summer, tell them to check out the PAZ summer internship in June/July 2010! This is for sure an awesome opportunity to spend some time serving in the Amazon Basin!
Praises
- I’m 100% supported! Please consider helping me with the upcoming expenses I will have with furnishing my apartment and with a vehicle purchase.
- Good progress in learning Portuguese!
- Growth in my relationship with the Lord in light of all that I’ve been dealing with through my transition to life on the field!
- A safe and blessed time with Logan & Ashley out on the rivers during their visit.
Prayer Requests
- For the smooth passing of my visa through the application process!
- For continued wisdom in establishing myself here and in language learning!
- For continued understanding and growth in my reliance on God for my strength!
- Wisdom in making decisions about methods of transportation around the city and it’s impact on my ministry.
Giving all the honor, glory, and praise to God, the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I love and appreciate you all more than ever!
Wrapped in Grace,
JAE
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