Traveling Light

Dear friends and family,

We hope you are all well and that you enjoyed your summer. Rebecca and I are excited to share with you about the opportunity we had to go to Brazil in August. But first we’d just like to express our heartfelt thanks for those of you who were able to pray and to give of your resources to help make our trip possible. Our team had over 100% of the financial support we needed to go to Brazil so we were even able to give some of the team money to the Brazilian church which allowed them to care for two destitute families in their membership. May the Lord bless you for your generosity and faithfulness to support the body of Christ overseas.
 
The Ministry in Brazil
Our team went to help Tyler and Gigi Hopkins, missionaries who were sent by our church in southern California (Grace Community) to work alongside Igreja Batista Central (Central Baptist Church) of Fortaleza. Tyler focuses most of his time on training pastors at an institute that he started at the church. There is a great need in Brazil for Biblical teaching. Although there are many churches, very few pastors have ever had any formal Bible training. As a result they are easy prey to false teaching such as the “health and wealth” gospel. The Catholic church is also strong there as Brazil is the largest Catholic country in the world.

The Hopkins
One of the greatest blessings of our trip was getting to know Tyler and Gigi. We were able to spend much more time with them than Rebecca and I expected. We were thankful for their straight-forward and gracious manner as well as their wisdom. Their love for the Lord and desire to serve him is very evident and we were greatly encouraged by our time with them. Lord willing we will be able to serve with them if we go to Brazil long-term.

Our Trip
During our trip, we were able to dedicate time to doing manual labor at two mercy ministries that Igreja Batista Central (IBC) operates in the slums of Fortaleza. It was a joy to serve alongside the Brazilian believers in a tangible way. Among other things we:
·         whitewashed and painted
·         cleared land & laid a stone path
·         encouraged the believers at IBC
·         taught a small group (Justin)
·         spread the Gospel to the children in the slums

Future
As you probably know, Justin entered seminary in order to prepare for long-term overseas missions. Specifically during this time, a passion to help equip national pastors & church leaders has grown in us.  As such, this was a strategic short-term trip. Having had the opportunity to pray, think & seek council, we have decided to continue to pursue Brazil. We pray that the many questions we still have will be answered through the Lord’s timing and leading in our lives. Thank you again for your prayers for us. Please continue to pray as our training and travels continue.  To the Lord be the glory.
 
By grace,
Justin and Rebecca — Rev. 21:1-7
 
P.S. See photos at
http://www.travelinglite.org/brazil2009

We’re both back-to-school.  Me as the secretary for two-hundered and fifty some elementary & junior high students– and Justin as a third year seminary student.  Returning to a structured schedule and looking forward to the smell of pumpkin pie is starting to settle in.  I do so enjoy changing seasons of both time & life.

Even though this has now become a reality, we’re still enjoying the outdoors & date night is a great excuse to get out and see our local surroundings.  This evening, Justin & I visited the nearby Farmer’s Market and found a quaint store with all sorts of antique cookbooks.  Our favorite part of the night was buying fresh tamales & enjoying them on a park bench while the sun began to set.  I cherish each opportunity to embrace a new moment with my love– no matter how seemingly simple :)

Yesterday we rejoiced in the past three wonderful years the Lord has blessed us with.  So hard to believe how quickly the days go by. Justin surprised me by delivering red roses to my desk at work.  They were waiting for me along with a sweet note when I returned from a meeting- red roses remind me of the day we got engaged :)  We enjoyed dinner out, a stop by the mall to take fun pics in a photo booth, & a movie at home complete with ice cream. 

Thank you Lord for my husband. 

Sometimes when I see him come through the front door as he returns home from work, or wake up next to him on a sunny day, or watch the excitement on his face when I cook him something as simple as spaghetti, I’m reminded of the completley undeserved gift Justin is.  It’s in those moments that I’m daily in awe of how my Heavenly Father has given me more than all I could have asked or imagined.

for a day at the beach last week– just the two of us, for summer fruits, for many opportunities the Lord is bringing into our lives right now, for this time of being stretched & molded more into the image of our Savior- by His grace, for dear friends, for “june gloom” and overcast mornings, for family staying the weekend with us, for the cheery sunflowers on our table, for my loving husband, for chats on the phone with sisters, for early mornings, for the days Justin and I drive in to work together, for new recipes, for gracious and encouraging co-workers, for so many more things that are undeserved.                                     

thank you Father.

Thank you so much to all who entered my first giveaway.  It was great fun to read all of your sweet & encouraging comments, visit your blogs, and learn from you.  
 
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Timestamp: 2009-05-24 04:13:32 UTC

Congratulations Emily!!