Field Update from Andy
All is well in Brazil!
Why? Because Brazil has just beaten Australia in World Cup Soccer! It may not be a big deal to you but, let me tell you, it is huge here. Streets are painted with the colors of the team, everyone is dressed in soccer shirts, huge parties are everywhere, and the entire country is shut down...really! You cannot find a store, gas station, restaurant, or anything open right now. We just left a party where we ate some amazing food and watched the game with the Epp's neighbors. It is really fun.
Hope all is well with you! Happy Father's Day Dads! I received a wonderful surprise this morning when Bruce, our team leader, handed me a package from Lee, Drew, and Sydney filled with wonderful handmade cards from the kids, a beautiful card from Lee, and gifts ... CD's of two of my favorite country artists (Brooks and Dunn and Rascal Flats). Thank you so much family and I love you too! I haven't been able to listen to the CD's just yet because we began our day leading a children's Bible study in the neighborhood we worked with last year. It was great to see old friends and to make some new ones. The kids are bigger but most remembered us. About 50 gathered for Bible study and games. The work continues!!
One of the highlights of our work has been the street witnessing. We go up and down streets sharing the evangecube. I worked with Justin and Anderson (interpreter) and we lead 7 to faith in Jesus. I was sharing with 2 boys when a third walked up. One of the boys, who is about 14, wanted the third boy to hear what was being shared so he stopped me and said, "start over." Instead of starting over, I simply handed the evangecube to the boy, Mizea, and told him to begin at the first picture to tell his friend the whole truth. He did with just a little help from me and all three boys prayed together to accept Jesus! It was amazing ... but there is more! As I was sharing with a girl down the street about 20 minutes later Mizea walked up again and so I handed him the evangecube again and he lead her to Jesus! She prayed too! I was in complete amazement. There is no telling how many others he will tell. I think that is what the Great Commission is all about.
We are all in great health and are probably even a little heavier than when we arrived. The food is great! It is hot here now that the clouds have moved out. Travel to Tarauaca will begin around 5am tomorrow (Monday) and it will be very difficult but we are ready for the adventure. Please pray for us as we go across some very rough terrain. It will take us at least a day to make the journey and could be even longer. We will need to ferry across three rivers. And we will most likely need to dig out of the mud several times along the way. We are carrying a man with us who has made the journey many times in case we need to spend the night on the highway. He knows the safe places. We are in God's hands and no one seems nervous at all.
Rhonda will remain in Rio Branco with the student half of our team to witness in several schools (English Classes). The schools are wide open and they have been invited to visit more every day. The team is very excited about the work. Justin and Ben are also going to visit a soccer club and I'm sure God will use them in that evironment as well. Opportunities abound!
I love you all and thank God for the blessing you are to me. I will be thinking about you and praying for you. Prayer partners please know that all is well here and keep praying as we move into the second phase of our work... the interior.
All my love,
Andy
Why? Because Brazil has just beaten Australia in World Cup Soccer! It may not be a big deal to you but, let me tell you, it is huge here. Streets are painted with the colors of the team, everyone is dressed in soccer shirts, huge parties are everywhere, and the entire country is shut down...really! You cannot find a store, gas station, restaurant, or anything open right now. We just left a party where we ate some amazing food and watched the game with the Epp's neighbors. It is really fun.
Hope all is well with you! Happy Father's Day Dads! I received a wonderful surprise this morning when Bruce, our team leader, handed me a package from Lee, Drew, and Sydney filled with wonderful handmade cards from the kids, a beautiful card from Lee, and gifts ... CD's of two of my favorite country artists (Brooks and Dunn and Rascal Flats). Thank you so much family and I love you too! I haven't been able to listen to the CD's just yet because we began our day leading a children's Bible study in the neighborhood we worked with last year. It was great to see old friends and to make some new ones. The kids are bigger but most remembered us. About 50 gathered for Bible study and games. The work continues!!
One of the highlights of our work has been the street witnessing. We go up and down streets sharing the evangecube. I worked with Justin and Anderson (interpreter) and we lead 7 to faith in Jesus. I was sharing with 2 boys when a third walked up. One of the boys, who is about 14, wanted the third boy to hear what was being shared so he stopped me and said, "start over." Instead of starting over, I simply handed the evangecube to the boy, Mizea, and told him to begin at the first picture to tell his friend the whole truth. He did with just a little help from me and all three boys prayed together to accept Jesus! It was amazing ... but there is more! As I was sharing with a girl down the street about 20 minutes later Mizea walked up again and so I handed him the evangecube again and he lead her to Jesus! She prayed too! I was in complete amazement. There is no telling how many others he will tell. I think that is what the Great Commission is all about.
We are all in great health and are probably even a little heavier than when we arrived. The food is great! It is hot here now that the clouds have moved out. Travel to Tarauaca will begin around 5am tomorrow (Monday) and it will be very difficult but we are ready for the adventure. Please pray for us as we go across some very rough terrain. It will take us at least a day to make the journey and could be even longer. We will need to ferry across three rivers. And we will most likely need to dig out of the mud several times along the way. We are carrying a man with us who has made the journey many times in case we need to spend the night on the highway. He knows the safe places. We are in God's hands and no one seems nervous at all.
Rhonda will remain in Rio Branco with the student half of our team to witness in several schools (English Classes). The schools are wide open and they have been invited to visit more every day. The team is very excited about the work. Justin and Ben are also going to visit a soccer club and I'm sure God will use them in that evironment as well. Opportunities abound!
I love you all and thank God for the blessing you are to me. I will be thinking about you and praying for you. Prayer partners please know that all is well here and keep praying as we move into the second phase of our work... the interior.
All my love,
Andy
posted by "Deus esta conosco" at 12:54 PM
4 Comments:
Happy Fathers Day daddy. JonMichael was proud to see your picture, he has asked for you all day today. Miss you guys. So thankful to hear about what is going on. All is well here, we are enjoying Len. We love you.
Audra, Len, Michael, JonMichael, and Joelenn.
It's so awesome what ya'll are doin'. I would love one day to visit a different culture like that. The story about the little boy being excited about the christion faith is so adorable. Doesn't that just make ya'll love what you're doing? Good job and good luck making the journey tomorrow.
I think that the unseen is the MOST exciting part of what God is up to in Brazil. It is amazing to read about you guys sharing the 'cube.... it is astonishing to think of the way that God will multiply your efforts. I/ we/ your Emmanuel fellowship are praying like wild for you guys. Enjoy the journey.
Mark
Happy Birthday Justin!
Love you and miss you much!
Mom & Dad
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