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| Graduation Day! |
These past couple weeks have been a bit abnormal for us as well! We finished a hectic January with the graduation from our leadership course at church. But then shortly thereafter, Silvia contracted Dengue Fever! There is an epidemic in Santarém right now, with little relief in sight as this rainy season is upon us. Dengue Fever is a virus spread by mosquitoes, which we have a lot of around here. Fortunately, the local health organization is saying that the strain going around is less harmful than others. Still, she spent over a week in bed with fever, headaches, body aches, and itching. Praise the Lord that she has all but returned to normal!
Our discipleships are going well and our cell group is growing! This being the down season for short-term teams and health trips at Project Amazon, we have really been able to focus on our personal ministries and cell group. We've been visiting people, kayaking on the river, eating our, going to the beach, hiking, and participating in church worship services with our kids and teens. In fact, the recent growth of our cell group has put us in a place to multiply next week on February 23! Praise the Lord with us for this awesome milestone! We petition your prayers for a smooth transition to our two new groups, blessings over our new leader Micah, and for continued growth!With tax time upon us, I am currently working through all those pesky details. Please pray for knowledge and wisdom in this area as the deadline approaches.
As special occasions come and go back in the US, I am made more aware of some of the sacrifices I've been called to as part of this missionary endeavor. Three of my groomsmen are set to be married this year. I guess I started a trend! I have committed to attending one wedding in March, that of my Best Man. I've succumbed to waiting for pictures on Facebook as opposed to seeing all the rest "live." I wish I could more directly participate in all of those life events, but neither time nor resources allow.
I'm planning to be in IL from March 11 through March 22, just 12 days! It will be a short trip, focused on family and the celebration of my best friend's wedding. Unfortunately, Silvia won't be traveling with me so that she can stay home and manage our ministry responsibilities. Everybody will just have to wait a couple more years to see her again! If anybody would be willing to loan me a vehicle for those 12 days to help manage my travels around Central Illinois, I would be most appreciative. Please contact me via email.
I would also like to encourage anybody who has a desire for ministry to check out the PAZ Summer Internship Program set for June and July of this year. It's great for college kids with summers off or anybody else interested in getting a better look at missions in the Amazon Basin! It's sure to be an edifying two months. Please share this link with anybody who may be interested!
Praises
- Our cell group is multiplying! We've seen exponential growth in the past two months!
- Silvia's recovery from Dengue Fever
- Refreshing cool rains
- A God who has chosen to demonstrate His purposes through the gift of grace, given freely to us at His cost!
Prayer Requests
- Wisdom in how to manage many young disciples as well as two healthy cell groups
- Continued Growth in our cell groups - members who are excited to share their knowledge and grow in their personal relationship with the Lord
- For our disciples to maintain strong relationships with the Lord and to desire growth and embrace leadership possibilities
- Our marriage relationship, for strength and protection against the enemy, that we could model and lead as examples
- For the Lord's hand on our plans to start another cell group in our home, focusing on young adults and couples
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