Hey Friends and Family!

Happy fall to you all! Our favorite season in the United States was always fall. As the weather cools off, ball season starts up, and the rhythms of school, play, work, and church get into full swing. We miss the changing seasons. Here in Brazil, we have two seasons: hot and dry or hot and wet! We are in the dry season, which will last another 6-8 weeks. 

As our other pastors return from furlough or come back from paternity leave, Amanda and I are able to hand back over some of the extra responsibilities that we have been attending to during this last season. This is allowing us to both focus and double down on some core areas. This is also allowing for additional time in our prayer investment, relational outreach, and the new small group that we are fostering in our neighborhood. 

This last month, Derek and Adalee flew to Belem to visit with some of our leadership – Steve and Elba Dolan. After much prayer, fasting, discernment, study, and discussion, we think we have narrowed down the region where God is calling us to when our time in Macapa is complete. The trip allowed us to discuss this and begin the corporate discernment process.  It was a great visit and Adalee had a blast! She adores Elba, and we appreciate the time that Elba took to dote on her. Elba exemplifies the Kingdom value of welcoming and attending to children. 

We also celebrated Selah’s 11th Birthday! She had a great time celebrating together with our family and her best friend here.  

Outside of some regular, seasonal flu, our family is doing well, and we are integrating into the rhythms and culture of our new community. 

Below, we discuss a very special holiday: Dia das Crianças!

Below are our prayer requests. Please keep them in mind and pray for us in these various endeavors. Your prayers ARE greatly appreciated and greatly needed. 

Much Love, 

Derek, Amanda, Selah, Amaris, Josiah, and Adalee

On October 12, 1923, Rio de Janeiro hosted the South American Children’s Congress. The congress brought together scholars and politicians from several countries to foster dialogue and raise solutions around education, health, food, and safety of children. As a result of the success of this conference, Brazil mandated that October 12 would be recognized as Dia das Crianças in Brazil to honor its children, commemorate the value of childhood, and recognize the sacred trust of developing the nation’s children. 

This holiday coincides with a federal holiday called Our Lady of Aparecida, which commemorates Mary’s Immaculate Conception of Jesus. As such, everybody takes the day off work and throws a big party! 

Here, children are given gifts and special treats, and there are often parties or family gatherings held to honor the kids. Here it seems as if more presents are exchanged on this day than on Christmas. 

Our churches came together to host a special event to commemorate this day with the community. We see in the Gospels the special care and attention that Jesus has for children and seek to emulate that. We have learned that if we approach the children in an incredibly intentional way by practicing the critical Kingdom value and spiritual discipline of welcoming and attending to the presence of children in a corporate manner, that Jesus is especially present to us!

Mathew 18: 1- 5 states: 

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

The word ‘welcome’ in verse 5 is the word dechomai. It means to embrace, pay full attention to, and offer hospitality to someone. Jesus explicitly states here that when we offer welcome – offer dechomai – to a child – we also receive His presence and encounter the Kingdom of God!

This is something that our family has gotten to lean into ministerially in a very special way during this season. Amanda is in charge of the children’s ministry at Vineyard Viva, and we both frequently serve in the nursery or as teachers for children’s church. We can attest to the truthfulness of the above verses. We have encountered Jesus in a special way as we attended to these precious kiddos that God has entrusted to this community.

Prayer Support – The success of our church planting here is very much dependent upon the faithful and fervent prayer of God’s people. If you know someone that might be interested in receiving these updates and praying with us please send this link. They will get an introductory letter about us and the mission when they sign up. 

Financial Support – We are continually amazed at the generosity and provision we receive from you all. If you would like to contribute, please use the link below: