After surviving the Terminal, Tom Hanks style, we were soon to discover that Brazilians don’t sleep! And we love it! The people have been so good to us, they invite us into their homes and want to show us around all the time! We’ve gone on surfing missions, we’ve been bicycle-lifted around town, have acai on an almost daily basis (all in the name of fellowship!) and gone to some good proper Brazilian Braais! The people here truly taught me how God created life to be all about relationships and all about love.
Our main focus is serving the Agape Church. We are here to strengthen relationships with them and serve them in whatever way is possible - whether its physical labour like draining the baptism pool with buckets, assisting childrens ministry with the native tribal children or decipling, encouraging and praying for them wherever we can.
We were able to see the power of testimony when we went to the Drug Rehab Centre and see God give hope again. By asking Him to speak through us and by just being willing to share what God has done in our lives, he really does break through. Restoration is happening!
God also showed me how important it is to be real with him. I was struggling to believe Mat. 7 :11 that says ‘If you then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father that is in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him’ so I asked God one morning to show me that this is true and He came and completely blew me away! I feel s like God is just spoiling me the whole time! And when times get tough here, and it does, I can look back at His faithfulness and rely on His strength because I know that when I try to rely on my own strength I get exhausted, but when I rely on His strength I am able to run and not grow weary! He renews my peace and my joy every day, but I need to be willing to give up my own mindsets first and ask Him to change my heart and my mind!
Yay God is faithful! And I love him and I love Brazil!!
The Terminal
Cleaning the Pool for the baptism
Its ready
The children
Our Brazilian Family
Comments
Bettina, thank you so much for giving us a window into your experieces!It is so valuable! Blessings
Bettina,
Ek het so lekker gelag vir jou briefie en sommer al die se goedjies, dit klink of jy regtig 'n goeie tyd het. Geniet dit! Baie blessings
Hello Bettina im Samara remember?
the talk that his group gave here in Brazil was awesome, I loved
Kisses
Benita,
Thanks for the fresh news. We are praying daily for all the groups needs and your work.
Miranda Bothma
Tian's mom
Hi Bettina, nice to meet you
I loved you coming to Brazil!
I hope you enjoy the surf and açai!
Julia Dias,kisses in Bazil
Lekker om sommer al julle dinge te lees! Dankie ook vir die foto's
Bettina,
Don here from Bogota. Thanks for sharing your pictures. My favorite is "Cleaning the Baptistry" What practical ministry! Extend greetings and thanks to all the Southbound team for me.
I enjoyed our time together at Larry and Sarah's home in Bogota. Please pray for their work among the Puinavi People. Hello to Heather, Chantelle, Gerhard, Jean, Erin, Elaine, Gehta, Linel, Hanalie and the whole team. God's continued blessings be upon you as you travel, serve and fellowship with Him.