Thank You For Amazingness!

Today in chapel our upper school science teacher talked about how we don't take the time, sometimes, to stop and realize and appreciate how amazing something is. The small details God has intertwined into the fabric of life just gets overlooked. One such event this morning could have been easily overlooked. I wanted to take a moment with you and appreciate its amazing details, after all, you were a large part of making it happen.

We always start chapel off with a time of praise and worship. We have a student led praise team. One of the girls who sings, pulled out her Bible and read a verse of Scripture from it at the conclusion of the worship service - proclaiming God's Word. Pretty normal situation for a chapel service..... easily the situation could be overlooked. Lets not do that this time.

In my mind, the situation was paused during her reading the Word. Momentarily, all that happened for her to hold that precious Book in her hand flashed before me. The first day of Bible class when we discovered these students did not have a Bible of their own. The fact that our appointment with the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta was scheduled for December 27th - giving us the blessing of spending Christmas with our family. However, ultimately giving us the opportunity to get the Bibles from a Christian bookstore in Columbia, South Carolina. All the people God led to donating the money for the purchase of the Bibles. Those people actually sacrificing their resources. The Bibles fitting in the suitcases with only a couple of pounds left over. The Bibles flying half-way around the world. God getting us through customs unhindered with a STACK of Bibles. The Bibles making it into the student's hands. The girl taking the time to share what God laid on her heart with her peers. God gives us those things everyday..... we ought to take the time to thank Him for it, praise Him for it, and keep an eye out for it always.

The students wanted to thank everyone who gave, here are their letters to you:

What to say Lord? Its you who gave me life!

I just wanted to take a moment and update everyone with all that is going on :)

Amazon Valley Academy
 
The first day of school was on Wednesday. I was able to pass out the Bibles that we raised the money for. The Students love them! They wanted me to make sure that I told everyone how much they appreciate them and how thankful they truly are for the Bibles. Personally, I want to thank you as well. Your giving has opened up a whole new opportunity for these kids - to grow closer to God, fill their hunger for His Word, and "sharpen their Swords" to better defend their faith. The students wanted to write y'all some letters thanking you for the Bibles.... I will have them posted on the site ASAP.

God has opened the door for Liz and I to take on some new challenges within our ministry here in Belem. Liz is serving now as the lead teacher for the upper school at AVA. In addition to the Campus Chaplain role, I am also serving as the Campus Administrator. We certainly have a new respect and appreciation for the school administrators that were over us back when we were in school. None the less, God is showing us new things everyday so that we may learn to be more effective in His work that he has called us to.

The English Service

Today was the first day back since Christmas break came in. It was incredible how hard it rained before the service started, and yet so many people managed to "wade" in - I don't believe that will ever cease to amaze me. The service was on Matthew 7:7-12 "Ask, Seek, Knock".

Go Ye Therefore.....

God opened the doors for Liz and I to take a day trip to a Riberino village called Caicaua on Saturday. A newly started Baptist church was hosting VBS this week with the help of a missions group from Sao Paulo. The purpose of this trip was to help serve at the VBS, but also build a relationship with the church planter, Wilson, for future opportunities to help plant churches in Riberino villages. On Saturday, we had over 80 kids show up for VBS! It was truly a blessing to see the church growing so strong in just over a year. Currently, the church serves mainly children and younger youth. The goal is to harness mission efforts out of AVA students and affiliates to host evangelical events targeted at growing this churches "older" populations. Below are a few photos of the trip (there are a couple extra too)....

 Our street when it rains!

 The new church building!

 This was the original church building

 The new parsonage!

My friend!

 This is Wilson, he planted the church!

Well we love all of you are miss you a bunch. May God bless everyone that we may serve Him well and bring glory to His name!