Hello

Thanks for all your prayers and support.  Pray you are blessed with the below email update.

As I have written in years past, Carnival is Brazil’s annual “Celebration of the Flesh” before the initiation of Lent.  It’s a week-long party where “anything goes,” and every city in the country shuts down, allowing full participation by the people.  The Vineyard churches began “Cristoval,” a retreat for youth away from the city, focusing on Jesus and having good, clean fun.  It has been a great success throughout the years, drawing kids toward Jesus and allowing an alternative during Carnival.  As usual, I will use photos to help tell the story. 

The Belem Vineyard held its first Cristoval event, and 39 people signed up.  We met in a house outside of the city, and the event started on Sunday and ended on Tuesday afternoon.  Unlike the other Cristoval, we opened the registration for anyone who wanted to participate.  It was not exclusive to the youth.  We had ages of all kinds.  The event included teachings, worship, bible games, sports, eating, and laughter.  So many people contributed to make this a special event, and everyone is looking forward to 2026!

You probably did not see Elba in the pictures.  Elba was asked to go to Sao Paulo to lead their Cristoval celebration, and she preached six times.  She worked very hard to prepare for the time spent with our sister churches.    They had a great turnout.  Like we did, the event was open to anyone who wanted to come.  Elba spoke on God’s justice.  Elba was quoted “Justice is not just an ideal, it is an attitude.  When we serve, donate time, and act with compassion, we reflect the character of Christ.  Don’t give up at the first obstacle—persevere!” and challenged the congregants “Heaven comes to earth when we live God’s righteousness.  Are you ready to be the answer?”

We continue to have small groups at our house.  We were blessed to be able to split our group to expand our home groups in the city.  A God miracle happened at the group last week.  We ended our time together in prayer, and Luigi asked for prayer because he had dislocated his pinky finger that morning.  All day long, he could not move it, and it was very painful.  We laid hands on him, and Elba sensed the Lord asking her to command the finger to be extended.  After a minute, it was completely healed.  Luigi was shocked.  He heard about healing and got to experience it firsthand.  Luigi was in awe, and for the rest of the night, he kept moving his finger, astonished by what God had done for him.  I felt God tell me to take these pictures during the prayers, and I am glad I obeyed. 

Last month, we had our annual missionary retreat.  Once a year, the Xingu Mission holds a retreat to be proactive in caring spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for the missionaries and families.  Joel Seymour came and led the retreat.  We were also blessed to have my twin sister Lynn and her husband Kent come and join us.  They helped with the child care.  As always, it was a great time of connection with God and each other.  It is a special time, considering we live so far apart. 

We thank you and appreciate your continued prayers:

Please pray that we will identify the new senior pastor of the Belém church plant.  (We believe that this has been answered with Niltinho and Mayara!  Thank you so much, and bless you!)

Please pray for our church, leadership, and congregation to help people draw close to God and reveal His plans for the church and us. 

Please pray for our family.  

Please pray for our spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and financial health.  

Please pray that we can find permanent land/buildings in Belem. 

Please pray for the rejection of this virus from your loved ones and its eradication.

Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa

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