Update – January 10

Feliz Ano Novo!  Ok, so that’s a bit late, but appropriate for my first update in the year 2010.  So here’s to a fresh start in 2010.  The Word is filled with stories and object lessons pointing towards the idea of regeneration, the old dying and the new taking root.  So this is the attitude that I want to take into the new year, realizing that my sin debt was absolved on the Cross of Calvary by my Lord, Christ Jesus, and that by the grace of God through faith in Him, I am a new creature.  And that is my prayer for all of you that you would come to know this truth with more knowledge and depth of insight.  (Philippians 1:9-11)

Over the past month I had to opportunity to do a little bit of traveling in the southern part of Brazil, mostly in the state of Paraná.  Many of you may have heard that I was on a bus traveling across the state when it was hijacked by men with pistols!  Praise God for the safety of all the passengers and for the protections of my belongings.  Through that experience I have begun to realize just how quickly life could change.  The only comfort that I could take in a situation like that is to realize the God is sovereign and will work all things for my good, because I love Him.  (Romans 8:28)  If you would like to know the whole story, please read my blog post here.

I’m currently back at home in Santarém and trying to get settled.  I’ve  been able to half way unpack my life (a.k.a. my seven suitcases of belongings) and continue where I left off with my language learning.  That will continue to be my focus for the coming months.  It is encouraging now as I listen in on conversations because I am usually able to grasp the intent of the speaker, albeit I come nowhere close to catching all the intricacies of the language.  I’m sure this will come too.  As my vocabulary grows, I look forward to being able to speak more and contribute to conversations.  I know that God desires for me to speak Portuguese well so that I may be used effectively for His work here in the Amazon Basin.  Amen!

I am continually amazed by the magnitude of the Lord’s work here in Santarem.  Last year I was able to participate in the MDA conference and am starting to understand more and more about how a cell based church looks at the multiple levels.  In 2009, the Santarem church grew by almost 4,000 disciples!  The water filter project surpassed a major milestone, placing the 10,000th filter since it’s inception 10 years ago.  Please pray with me for continued growth as well carry this vision out to the villages of the Amazon Basin!

Being back with my host family, it’s life as usual.  I’ll be keeping my eyes open for alternate accommodations, but am not in a real hurry to move out.  Please pray with me that when I come across the right place, I will know it.  Also, I am still praying about the purchase of a vehicle.

Special thanks again to all of you who pray with me, follow me, and/or financially support me here in Brazil.  God is moving.  He’s working.  He’s making himself known to the Brazilians in the Amazon Basin.  And He’s using YOU to make it possible.  May God bless you for your contributions to His kingdom.

 

Praises
- Safe travels through southern Brazil, even through a bus hijacking

- A blessed Christmas season
- Continued acquisition of the Portuguese language
- Amazing growth in the Santarém church

Prayer Requests
- For direction and vision in making plans for 2010, both personally and for Project AmaZon
- For the sanctification of the 4,000 new believers in Santarém as well as every other believer in the city
- For myself to understand more fully the position that I have in the Kingdom through Christ Jesus
- For continued drive and motivation in learning Portuguese

Grace and Peace to You,
JAE