At the end of the month of July, our leadership team at the church decided to re-open the church and have our first church service on August 2^nd.  They were all excited to be able to gather again and do it in a very healthy and safe way.  The following Wednesday about ½ of the leaders came down with the virus.  We took that as a sign to continue to do on-line services and postpone opening the church.  Praise the Lord all of the leaders have recovered or are on their way to recovery.  So, we continue to press on with the on-line services.  We surveyed the congregation and about 85% of the congregants would like us to continue to do on-line even when we open the church.  So, we can see this being a reality for some time.  Also, below is Elba and the girls preparing food for the ones that are sick. 

Rick Bergen and I laugh together about the fact that we do not know any bad language in Portuguese.  Personally, we do not care to know it.  However, we have both been told that someone is yelling words of profanity at us because of our driving, or something.  We both said that we just smile, and wave at the person.  Since we do not know that part of the Portuguese language.  It has no meaning.  Since it has no meaning, we are not hurt, ego is not damaged, no feelings of shame, or even being embarrassed.  We just continue to have good-will towards that person, as though they were saying “good morning”.  As I contemplate this unique situation in our lives, I wonder if this is what it would feel like to be in perfect relationship with Christ. 

On the other side of the coin, the other day, someone did something to me that I neither provoked or incited.  I understood its meaning, and it came right out of the blue.  They made some assumptions and I really felt slimed.  I thought, why am I letting this bother me, and why is this effecting my day.  Why could I not just hang on and continue to receive the embrace of a loving God, instead of being ripped from His arms by my own insecurities and continue to entertain / mull over this offense.  It is a struggle. 

The girls just started back to school again.  They do not have long summer breaks like they do in the States.  They are not physically going to school but learning on-line with video.  Camilly loves it, and Alyssa wants to go back school.  Camilly is very rigid when it comes to the rules of social distancing.  If someone comes to the house, she is like “Why is this person here?” “Make sure they keep on their mask, and stay at a safe distance”.  All the while looking at you like you are an alien.  If you are looking for a warm welcome…..you are not going to get it here with Camilly.  We are thankful for her keeping us in line. 

They had a school project to paint their thoughts of the virus.  Here is what they produced.  Camilly is with the hand with the mask on it.  Alyssa has the one with the virus covering the world.  

Continued prayers request: 

·         Please pray for our church, leadership, and congregation that we help people draw close to God as we navigate this time. 

·         Please pray for wisdom as we navigate opening the church for service. 

·         Thanks for your prayers.  We heard back from buyers and it appears all is still moving forward.  However, no date.  Please pray for the Lord’s will, and for our buyers financial situation and that we could move forward soon with the sale. 

 Please pray for spiritual, physical, emotional and financial health for us.  

 Thanks and much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa

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