The first year in the missionary field is full of adventures and difficulties in learning, exploring, and acclimating to the unfamiliar. It is a time of missing the familiar, and adapting to the reality of the unfamiliar often is much different than expectations. It is a time to focus on being faithful and celebrate the little successes of acclimation.
Derek and Amanda Blaylock and their four children have finished a year as missionaries in Macapá, Brazil.
Some reflections on their first year:
Biggest Difficulty: missing the family, deep friendships from our church plant, good friends, and neighbors that we were close to.
Biggest Success: getting to observe God’s faithfulness first-hand.
Encouragement: the warm, relational nature of Brazilian culture. Our new neighbors have been kind, helpful, and accommodating. We are making friends and forming familial relationships. Working with a team of committed and faithful missionaries has also been super encouraging. Christopher and Denise Meyer, and Bob Lesher are awesome teammates – it’s quite fun to work with people committed to the same vision and pulling in the same direction.
We have found that Jesus’ words from Matthew 19 – that those who leave the family for Kingdom work will also gain family! We have been well received, loved by the folks here, and cared for by the mission.
Our faith and discipleship have grown tremendously. Something about undertaking this assignment inspires the imagination – you realize that when relying on God, you can be more capable than you thought.
Needs: $350 monthly additional financial support is needed as the exchange rate has been dropping, and their monthly support is insufficient.
Please pray for the Blaylocks as they continue this adventure with a purpose.
Feel free to enter into contact and bless them and God bless you!
