I remember Elijah defeating the Prophets of Baal. Talking God into raining down fire that consumed his sacrifice, despite it being covered in water. A lot of water at that. God used him. In ways that most men will never experience. Shortly after, "the world", came after Elijah and he ran. He ran into the desert and decided he was done. He told God he was ready to die, to give up. God wasn't done with him - despite the fact Elijah stood facing the most barren place on earth. God provided everything he needed. Elijah survived the impossible and met God at the other end.
Liz and I had to leave Brazil because of Visa issues. We have a small apartment down there with everything we own still in it. Our calling is there, our jobs are there, our purpose is there. Since 2009 and a combined 6 months spent in Brazil 67 people have committed their lives to Christ. I guess if my goal was to stop that I would cause problems too. There is no doubt - the Prince of this World has been chasing us. When we left we were assured that we would be back in a couple of weeks. We packed for a couple of weeks.
We showed up at the consulate in Atlanta to get our visas. I remember being slightly aggravated, to say the least. I told God that if we didn't get our visas, I was through with ministry. Pretty thick. We pulled out of the consulate with no visas. I was done - with it all. We were on our way back to my parents house where we were staying at the time. Liz felt strange, and in a strange way so did I. We stopped at CVS and asked the manager if we could get the key to the bathroom, but purchase the pregnancy test first. He laughed and gave us the key. Two minutes later, we were soon to be parents. Finding that kind of stuff out will change your thoughts on a lot of things. I started looking for a job the next morning.
A few weeks later I found a job in Charleston as an Account Executive for Worldwide Express. Honestly, it was one of those jobs you dream of getting in college. It had everything you could ask for in a job. About 2 weeks into my new job Liz was scheduled to get her second check up and to hear the baby's heart beat. I got off work and waited to hear how things were going. I picked up the phone to sobbing - all I remember were the words, "no heart beat".
The job was going great. I took a day off to be with Liz in the hospital while she had the procedure done. I just sat in the chair in the waiting room and played "Angry Birds" on my cell phone. We left and I returned to work the next morning down in Charleston. I began to think it strange that- despite me giving up - God was providing for us in amazing ways. I mean it just didn't make any sense that me telling God "I quit" led to a good job.
I was driving down the road on the way back from Awendaw, SC. I went out there to see if I could strum up any business out that way. On the way back I told God that I knew this isn't what He wanted me to do. I asked Him to send me an email and let me know what to do. Kinda like a fleece thing I guess. Two minutes later I got an email on my phone. The Brazilian Consulate sent us an email telling us that our visas were at the consulate and come get them. Seemed pretty clear to me. I quit my job the next morning. The cool part about it was my boss told me if I ever needed a job- I had one with them. That made me feel a little better about things anyway.
We arrived at the Consulate in Atlanta to find out that they did not mean to send out that email to us. Apparently, there was a singing group called "The Bennetts" who were waiting on their visas as well. Theirs came in, ours didn't- the email went to the wrong "Bennetts". Needless to say we fired our lawyer in Brazil and got a new one. This one has his ducks in a row, and a couple of friends in high places. We get a play by play about every other day now. Our Visas have been approved at the Ministry of Labor in Brasilia and we are just waiting on them to be in Atlanta at the Consulate for real. The lawyer said it shouldn't take more than 45 days.
Liz and I are currently staying in Norway, SC where she is filling in at a local Christian School and I am selling classic cars- or trying to at least. A family we used to go to church with at St. George opened their house to us while they are living in Lexington. To be honest this is a dream home, but a blessing while we wait to return to our little apartment in Belem to finish out the work God has called us to in Brazil.
Elijah traveled across the dessert for 40 days on the strength God's provision provided him (that's impossible in human terms by the way). Liz and I are living on the strength God's provision has given us- we can't wait to see God working in mighty ways when we get back to Belem - soon ;)
Liz and I had to leave Brazil because of Visa issues. We have a small apartment down there with everything we own still in it. Our calling is there, our jobs are there, our purpose is there. Since 2009 and a combined 6 months spent in Brazil 67 people have committed their lives to Christ. I guess if my goal was to stop that I would cause problems too. There is no doubt - the Prince of this World has been chasing us. When we left we were assured that we would be back in a couple of weeks. We packed for a couple of weeks.
We showed up at the consulate in Atlanta to get our visas. I remember being slightly aggravated, to say the least. I told God that if we didn't get our visas, I was through with ministry. Pretty thick. We pulled out of the consulate with no visas. I was done - with it all. We were on our way back to my parents house where we were staying at the time. Liz felt strange, and in a strange way so did I. We stopped at CVS and asked the manager if we could get the key to the bathroom, but purchase the pregnancy test first. He laughed and gave us the key. Two minutes later, we were soon to be parents. Finding that kind of stuff out will change your thoughts on a lot of things. I started looking for a job the next morning.
A few weeks later I found a job in Charleston as an Account Executive for Worldwide Express. Honestly, it was one of those jobs you dream of getting in college. It had everything you could ask for in a job. About 2 weeks into my new job Liz was scheduled to get her second check up and to hear the baby's heart beat. I got off work and waited to hear how things were going. I picked up the phone to sobbing - all I remember were the words, "no heart beat".
The job was going great. I took a day off to be with Liz in the hospital while she had the procedure done. I just sat in the chair in the waiting room and played "Angry Birds" on my cell phone. We left and I returned to work the next morning down in Charleston. I began to think it strange that- despite me giving up - God was providing for us in amazing ways. I mean it just didn't make any sense that me telling God "I quit" led to a good job.
I was driving down the road on the way back from Awendaw, SC. I went out there to see if I could strum up any business out that way. On the way back I told God that I knew this isn't what He wanted me to do. I asked Him to send me an email and let me know what to do. Kinda like a fleece thing I guess. Two minutes later I got an email on my phone. The Brazilian Consulate sent us an email telling us that our visas were at the consulate and come get them. Seemed pretty clear to me. I quit my job the next morning. The cool part about it was my boss told me if I ever needed a job- I had one with them. That made me feel a little better about things anyway.
We arrived at the Consulate in Atlanta to find out that they did not mean to send out that email to us. Apparently, there was a singing group called "The Bennetts" who were waiting on their visas as well. Theirs came in, ours didn't- the email went to the wrong "Bennetts". Needless to say we fired our lawyer in Brazil and got a new one. This one has his ducks in a row, and a couple of friends in high places. We get a play by play about every other day now. Our Visas have been approved at the Ministry of Labor in Brasilia and we are just waiting on them to be in Atlanta at the Consulate for real. The lawyer said it shouldn't take more than 45 days.
Liz and I are currently staying in Norway, SC where she is filling in at a local Christian School and I am selling classic cars- or trying to at least. A family we used to go to church with at St. George opened their house to us while they are living in Lexington. To be honest this is a dream home, but a blessing while we wait to return to our little apartment in Belem to finish out the work God has called us to in Brazil.
Elijah traveled across the dessert for 40 days on the strength God's provision provided him (that's impossible in human terms by the way). Liz and I are living on the strength God's provision has given us- we can't wait to see God working in mighty ways when we get back to Belem - soon ;)
Hello, Logan! I very happy to read this, pal. I really wish everything works out OK and that you'll be soon in Belem. I am right now in Germany, and will spend at least one year around here. I like to ask you a favor, if it's possible. Send an e-mail to project horizon guys, asking how things are going, and that you'll be back in Belem anytime soon to help out. You've been quite inspirational to us, and that would mean a lot. Thank you! All the best!!!! :)
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