As I am writing we have almost every fan going and all windows open. Megan playing with her toys, Logan squirming on the play mat, Bere playing with Logan, Adam at school, and my mom reading. Life here in Lagoa Santa at this exact moment is very hot. Spring is here, but it already feels like summer. We cherish the moments we get to go out with the car to take advantage of the air conditioning.
This morning I woke up very concerned with our finances and got out of bed at 5:30 and came downstairs and stopped at the window to listen to the sounds of the morning - roosters crowing, dogs barking and the sun rising. A sense that life continues no matter what your finances look like. I know, I know, I'm a pastor and not supposed to worry about those things, but lately I have.
On the less side - This year we (Fernando and I) had a reduction of our salaries as pastors. We have been doing well with the adjustment until recently where a lot of things seemed to pile up. That is what woke me up this morning, but I was reminded that our lives have a lot more as well right now - more smiles, more words, more profound conversations, more family, more ministry, more of almost everything. More of what matters, and I have to trust God with the less.
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| Family at the zoo. |
On the less side - I had mentioned earlier that the church had purchased a piece of land to build on. We went through the whole legal process of the purchase taking it to our lawyers and the city offices and in May we found out that the person who sold it to us was not the owner. The city offices had two deeds to the land that they hadn't caught. We are now in a legal battle trying to get our money back. On the "more" side, the church has been growing again and more people are growing in their walk with Christ. We are meeting in the convention area of a hotel here in town. We see more and more the need for gospel-centered churches that reach people that are fed up with "religion". We started a small group in a town 2 hours away and another group in Belo Horizonte, with the idea of planting two more churches in the coming years. More Christ-followers, but less knowing what will happen with the physical aspect of the church.
On the more side - Logan is developing and growing quickly. He is our smiler. Every morning we get the biggest smiles when he opens his eyes. Megan is our little talker right now - wanting to know about everything she can. Adam is HUGE!!! He is doing well at school and has taken up playing guitar - a very talented young man. He will be traveling on his own to the US for Christmas and you can pray for us as parents...
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| Megan loves Logan. |
We made contact with an organization in the US called Communitas International. We have had conversations with them about being bi-vocational missionaries with them here in Brazil. This would help us in a couple ways: have an organization that is willing to help support us with training and accountability and create a way for our family and friends to support us financially.
Right now we have a budget of US$2500.00/month. We are short by US$750.00 per month. If we could count on 10 individuals or families that could commit to $75.00 a month, that would help us out tremendously. Would you consider joining us in this ministry here in Brazil through prayer or financial support? If you would like more information on how you can help, please let me know.
Pray for:
- Finances
- Church property
- Health
- Bere's father - going through cancer treatments
Praise for:
- Health
- Church people growing in their faith
- Provision
- Family
Thanks for reading and for being a part of our lives!
Jeremy, Bere, Adam, Megan, and Logan
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