July 2015 Update

Logan off to collage

In May, we had a big going away BBQ for Logan, as he returned to the States to study at the Ohio State University.

The church group here already misses him, especially his enthusiasm at our weekly soccer game.

He’ll be starting his second year of undergraduate studies working towards a degree in civil engineering. Logan is staying with his aunt and uncle in Columbus, Ohio, and he’s starting to get plugged in there.

We are extremely excited that both Logan and Justin have a vision for getting degrees and returning to live and work in Northern Brazil.

We’ve heard too many stories of missionary kids rejecting the country where they lived while their parents served. We’re blessed to have our kids serving the Kingdom with us and see them embrace the people and culture of Northern Brazil.

We have a long-term vision for Brazil, and the expectation of our sons living here makes maintaining that vision that much easier.

Please, pray for Logan as he tries to adapt to the States while not giving up all the positive things Brazil has formed in him.

The Church family

The last several months have been good as we continue to see newer Christians grow in Christ. It is our belief that God tends to use a process as He works to teach us about Himself and transforms our lives.

In our experience, this process is typically slower than what we would like to see for ourselves and for others. We also realize that some folks have more ground to cover in this process than others, and therefore the road to maturity is a bit longer and tougher. None the less, God is at work and over time we can see that clearly.

With all that in mind, we are very excited about the increasing maturity amongst the group here in Pacajá. We see relatively new Christians starting to share their faith in meaningful ways with family and co-workers, and some starting to help yet newer Christians on their journey with Christ. Still others are sharing and even starting to lead the discussion at small group.

Though the process is slow and the growth apparently subtle, these transformations are nothing less than an amazing work of the Spirit of God. We can only praise God that we see what we perceive to be people who are building a real and active relationship with Christ.

Our basic strategy for spiritual growth is creating meaningful opportunities to enhance relationship through genuine community life, and a teaching and discipleship focus on the importance of an active personal relationship with Christ based on biblical truth.

We ask for your prayers as we work along with our Brazilian co-pastors to guide this group, help them grow, and as we seek God’s direction for the future of this church and this region.

Missions

The church is now at the point where we feel we can start reaching out to the remote interior communities in our region. This interior work is the heart of our vision for Pacajá. Our strategy is to develop a strong vibrant city church that has a vision for reaching out to the surrounding villages and homesteading communities.

We now feel that the church group has real disciples who will benefit from missionary trips to the interior and have the basic tools necessary to participate in active ministry. We see these trips as discipleship and growth opportunities for the city church, as well as opportunities to reach remote peoples with a life changing message of joy, hope and peace that comes through a relationship with Christ.

In July we will be taking a small group from the church to visit a homesteading community where one of our church members has a plot of land. Their whole family is there for the month and this visit will be an easy introduction to interior missions for the group. Later in August/September we will visit another community with the hopes of finding an open door for starting a regular small group.

These steps are an exciting development as we try to form a church that has a strong vision for taking the Kingdom to Pacajá and the two neighboring municipalities (Anapu and Novo Repartimento) in an intentional, relevant, and relational manner. Please pray with us as we enter this next phase of the church’s development.

Pastoral Team

We’ve been co-pastoring with a wonderful and very gifted Brazilian couple, Ferreira and Fernanda. They have committed to remain in Pacajá through the end of 2015, but they are still working through what God is calling them to. It is not clear whether they will continue on here in Pacajá or return to Altamira.

We sense their time is not done here, but we know personally some of the difficulties they face as they try to understand more clearly God’s calling on their lives. Please pray for our team as we try to understand and adapt to whatever it is God is doing in our leadership team.

Building Projects

Thanks to generous donors, in May 2014 we were able to complete Phase 1 of our long-term building plan for Pacajá. This building has been a blessing to the community serving as both our Community Development Center (CDR in Portuguese) and the temporary church building.

However, we have essentially outgrown that temporary church space and need to start working towards construction of the main church building. Over the next several months we hope to share more regarding this building project and the related financial needs.

Until then, please pray with us as we consider the design and layout details and work towards raising local support to help with the project.

Thank you for all your support! Please keep us and this work in your prayers.

Blessings in Christ,

The Wilsons

Jul, 14

Home, Sweet Home

Hello Everybody!

I can’t tell you what a great pleasure it is to be home again. As predicted, I have spent a lot of time eating since I arrived! It’s been wonderful to spend time with my family and to see so many familiar faces at church.
The first few days were a bit of a shock. I literally felt like I had just been transported from another universe. It is hard to describe how different the two worlds of Portel and Columbus are. It took me some time to adjust, but now I am feeling at home again.
One of the unique things about being here this time is that I had the privilege of spending some time with a few of my Brazilian friends. A few of the families from the Vineyard churches in Brazil were able to travel here for the Vineyard Global Conference. I was surprised at what ease I felt having them in my American context. It has been great to still be able to speak in Portuguese even though I am here! I also enjoyed being able to show them a little of my world.

The Conference was amazing. The opportunity to worship together with brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the world was the chance of a lifetime. It was so beautiful to hear so many different languages and so many different stories of what God is doing all over the world. We were able to pray for one another and encourage one another in the Lord. I was an experience that really refreshed me and increased my faith. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to go.

Next week on Sunday, July 19th, I am going to be teaching at Vineyard Tuttle Crossing in Dublin, and would love it if you could make it! After the service, we will be meeting in the High School room to have a time of Q & A about my time in Brazil. There will be snacks provided. It would be a great time for you to come if you have any questions or would simply like to learn more about what exactly I do in Brazil.
Also while I am here, I would love to get together with you for lunch or dinner. I still have some time available this week and next week. I currently have a phone number, 614-580-3021, or you can send me an email.

In other news, a few weeks ago, a team from the Newark Vineyard went to Altamira and spent a week visiting the river communities. Ronã (Ronan) was able to go with them. He had an amazing time translating and helping the team pray for the people on the river.

I want to thank all of you for your constant prayers and support. I look forward to being able to tell you this face to face. You all have been the backbone to everything I am doing. I love you and I bless you. I know that God is looking at you and seeing your hearts and your sacrifices. He sees your desire to serve and be apart of his Kingdom. Psalm 41:1 states, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.”
I want to ask for your continued prayers. The many challenges in Portel can seem overwhelming at times, and your prayers make all the difference. Please, continue to pray for Ronã and I as we move forward in our relationship, and that God would bless my time here at home.
Below is a link for some pictures of my time here so far.

Love, Allison

Home 2015 Pictures

Jul, 5

The black water of the river is like a mirror, reflecting the intense green of the foliage that surrounds us. The canoe lies low in the water with less than an inch between the eight of us and the river. We all joke about what might be watching us from the banks. Michael Hansen of the Delaware Vineyard (VCDC) comments that he is in awe of the colours, ‘so intense they seem fake’.

It’s my first time traveling with a short term team on a river trip and it’s our last day on the river. We’ve taken the canoe down one of the smaller rivers to visit an elderly lady and her husband of over sixty years. Their small wooden home lies at the end of a ‘dock’ comprised of small tree trunks. I try to imagine them navigating this pathway after paddling away from the service the night before into the impossible darkness.

Michael Hansen has been to Brazil with Xingu Mission at least four times, and beyond that their senior pastor Danny Meyer has been involved for eighteen. The vision for partnership with missions at VCDC is to go ‘Narrow and Deep’ building deep relationships with a few missions as opposed to spreading support thin and wide with several.

For five days the team of twenty travels along the rivers near Portel delivering water filters and the gospel together, sleeping in hammocks on the boat and getting to know the habits of people who, for me, were strangers just days ago which always leads to good memories and funny stories.

At each stop we meet with the families from the surrounding houses to worship and share the good news of the gospel. Team members share their own stories of how God has changed their lives. The services are simple, and the fragrance of God’s love is heady and sweet and many are touched by His presence, including those on the team.

It is often said that a better use of resources would be to send money instead of teams. I whole heartedly disagree. Not only is the team a blessing to all the lives they encounter (including mine) while they are here, but the lives and hearts of the team are transformed and become bonded to the people here in way that money could never accomplish.

Money can build churches and Sunday schools but it can’t pray for a wizened face old lady living in a wooden shack somewhere in the Amazon basin.

Teams build relationships and partnerships that span years and continents, something no amount of money will ever do.

Jul, 5

The “One Another” Verses

The Bible has a lot to say about how we are to treat those around us.

When you are in doubt about how God wants you to respond to a certain relationship situation, here is God’s council. (I copied this list from Contagious Disciple, by Watson J., & Watson P.).

COMMANDS FOR LIVING IN COMMUNITY (“ ONE ANOTHER” PASSAGES)

Accept one another. (Rom 15: 7)
Agree with one another. (1 Cor. 1: 10; Phil. 4: 2)
Bear with one another. (Col. 3: 13)
Remember that we belong to one another. (Rom. 12: 5)
Consider one another as better. (Phil. 2: 3)
Do not break faith with one another. (Mal. 2: 10)
Build up one another. (Eph. 4: 29; 1 Thess. 5: 11)
Do not be a burden to one another. (Gal. 6: 4– 5)
Carry one another’s burdens. (Gal. 6: 2)
Do not compare yourselves to one another. (Gal. 6: 4– 5)
Have equal concern for one another. (1 Cor. 12: 25– 27)
Confess your sins to one another. (James 5: 16)
Do not covet one another’s spouses. (Ex. 20: 17; Deut. 5: 21)
Do not desire one another’s property. (Ex. 20: 17; Deut. 5: 21)
Let no debt remain outstanding to one another. (Rom. 13: 8)
Do not allow stealing, lying, and deception to be a part of your relationships with one another. (Lev. 19: 11)
Do not devour or destroy one another. (Gal. 5: 15)
Be devoted to one another. (Rom. 12: 10)
Discipline one another. (Matt. 18: 15– 17)
Do good and share with one another. (Heb. 13: 16)
Build up one another with your faith. (Rom. 1: 11– 12)
Encourage one another. (1 Thess. 4: 18; 5: 11; Titus 1: 9; Heb. 3: 13; 10: 25)
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Heb. 10: 24)
Do not envy one another. (Gal. 5: 26)
Judge one another fairly. (Lev. 19: 15)
Do not do anything to cause one another to fall. (Rom. 14: 21)
Fellowship with one another. (1 John 1: 7)
Forgive one another. (Matt. 18: 21– 35; Eph. 4: 32; Col. 3: 13)
Serve one another with your gifts. (1 Cor. 12: 7; 1 Peter 4: 10)
Give to one another. (Prov. 3: 28; Luke 6: 30; 17: 3– 4)
Greet one another. (Rom. 16: 16; 1 Peter 5: 14)
Do not hold a grudge against one another. (Lev. 19: 18)
Do not grumble against one another. (James 5: 9)
Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward one another. (Deut. 15: 7)
Do not plot harm against one another. (Prov. 3: 29)
Live in harmony with one another. (Rom. 12: 16; 1 Peter 3: 8)
Do not hate one another in your hearts. (Lev. 19: 17)
Honor one another above yourselves. (Rom. 12: 10) 39.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4: 9)
Have humility toward one another. (1 Peter 5: 5)
Do not do things that will hurt one another. (Rom. 14: 15)
Be full of goodness, complete in knowledge, and competent to instruct one another. (Rom. 15: 14)
Do not charge one another interest on personal loans of money or goods. (Deut. 23: 19)
Do not judge one another. (Rom. 14: 10, 13; 14: 13; James 4: 12)
Be kind to one another and everyone else. (1 Thess. 5: 15; 2 Tim. 2: 24; Eph. 4: 32)
Do not lie to or about one another. (Ex. 20: 16; Deut. 5: 20; Col. 3: 9– 10)
Look after one another’s interests. (Phil. 2: 4)
Do not gloat over the destruction of one another, or boast about your good fortune when others are in trouble. (Obad. 1: 12)
Do not look down on one another. (Rom. 14: 10)
Love one another. (Lev. 19: 18; Matt. 22: 36– 39; Mark 12: 28– 31; Luke 10: 25– 27; John 13: 34– 35; 15: 12; 17; Rom. 13: 9; Gal. 5: 14; 1 Thess. 3: 12; 4: 9; 2 Thess. 1: 3; Heb. 13: 1; James 2: 8; 1 Peter 1: 22; 4: 8; 1 John 3: 11, 23; 4: 7, 11– 12; 2 John 1: 5– 6; see also 1 Corinthians 13: 4– 13)
Have mercy and compassion for one another. (Zech. 7: 9)
Be openhanded with one another. (Deut. 15: 11)
Be patient with one another. (Eph. 4: 2)
Be at peace with one another. (Mark 9: 50; 1 Thess. 5: 12– 13)
Pray for one another. (James 5: 16)
Do not provoke one another. (Gal. 5: 26)
Rebuke one another so you don’t share another’s guilt. (Lev. 19: 17)
Be reconciled to one another. (Matt. 5: 23– 24)
Show respect to one another. (1 Peter 2: 17)
Gently restore one another when caught in sin. (Gal. 6: 1)
Do not seek revenge against one another. (Lev. 19: 18)
Seek the good of one another. (1 Cor. 10: 24)
Serve one another. (Gal. 5: 13)
Do not slander one another. (James 4: 11)
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. (Eph. 5: 19– 20)
Do not steal from one another by stealth, force, trickery or deceit. (Lev. 19: 13)
Do not put stumbling blocks or obstacles in one another’s way. (Rom. 14: 13)
Submit to one another. (1 Cor. 16: 15– 16; Eph. 5: 21)
Do not take advantage of one another. (Lev. 25: 14, 17)
Teach and admonish one another. (Col. 3: 16)
Make sure there is a good reason to testify against one another. (Prov. 24: 28)
Do not think evil of one another. (Zech. 7: 10)
Speak truth to one another. (Zech. 8: 16– 17)
Do not plot evil against one another. (Zech. 8: 16– 17)
Wait for one another. (1 Cor. 11: 33)

Watson, David; Watson, Paul (2014). Contagious Disciple Making: Leading Others on a Journey of Discovery (p. 166-168). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Jul, 5

Surprising Thoughts About Unity

Moving towards conflicting ideas may be more helpful than moving away from them. Here is why.

Robust Unity

I used to think that one way to have a more unified team was to somehow avoid conflict. Then I heard this statement:

“A pastor who avoids conflict has a bigger chance of experiencing a church split.”

I was surprised and a little incredulous by what I learned this at the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, in Fresno California.

If you can’t see this video in your RSS reader or email, then click here.

Jul, 4

July 2015 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your prayers and support. They are greatly appreciated.

We have been in the midst a whirlwind month, but wanted to give everyone a small update. This has definitely been one of the most memorable and enjoyable months I’ve had since my arrival to Brazil two years ago. It started out with a trip to the city of Portel to meet up with a short-term mission team out of my home church, Vineyard Church of Delaware County. From the moment we met up with the team, it felt like a breath of fresh air. It was so nice seeing some familiar faces and to meet some others for the first time. This team was led by my good friend, Michael Hansen. For those of you who know Michael, you know that it is an understatement to say that any team led by him will be fun. The whole trip was filled with laughter. Denise and I could both sense a weight lifting from our shoulders during this trip. It is true what they say: “laughter is sometimes the best medicine” (unless you have diarrhea)….

Goofing off with the VCDC team

Some of the VCDC team with Brazilians

The ministry during this trip was also monumental. I saw two themes on this trip: proclaiming the Kingdom of God and the simplicity of the Gospel. Most of the trip was spent on a boat and the lead missionary in Portel, Richie, focused primarily on bringing us into new areas where he had just recently made contact. Many of the people we encountered didn’t have much (or any) biblical knowledge. There was a conscious effort to simplify our message for them. What many of us were reminded of was how powerful the simple Gospel message is, that we don’t need to be master theologians to impact people’s lives. We just need the Holy Spirit. We saw many conversions and people lives changed. After two weeks on the river with the VCDC team, it was sad to see them go, but we built some strong relationships that we know will continue for many years.

Denise translating for our good friend, Dan, for a service on the boat

Denise leading worship with Michael and Ramon in a small community outside Portel

Denise and I with our good friend and fellow missionary, Phil, sitting on a porch in a small community

We didn’t have much time to recover from this trip. Within 17 hours of returning to our home in Altamira, we were headed back out on the river with the Alive Vineyard team from Newark Ohio, led by their Senior Pastor, Steve Osborne. Prior to this second trip, Denise and I were a bit unsure whether it would be wise to go out with a second short-term team so soon. Going out on the river on one trip can wear you out and starting the process over with a brand new cast of characters felt a bit intimidating, especially since Denise and I had never met one single member from this team prior to this trip. But within one day of our first encounter with the Newark team, we were both VERY happy that we agreed to participate. We felt a connection to the team right off the bat – like we’d know them for years! Their passion for Christ and desire to share the Gospel and God’s love was such an encouragement to us.

A few shots from the trip

While in Brazil, the Newark team had a two-fold focus. The first was a series of teachings they prepared titled “Come Follow Me”. They held two-day conferences in Altamira and in the city of Gurupa based on this material. We also made multiple stops in other communities and cities to teach this material. “Come Follow Me” is a very teachable, down-to-earth approach to the basics of following Jesus. The teachings were based on writings by the author David Platt. We saw the Holy Spirit do some amazing things. After each teaching, there would be an opportunity for prayer. The people really responded to the message and we saw many decisions to follow Christ

Newark team ministry time

A Vineyard Church that was planted in a small community years ago

The other focus the Newark team had was for children. They offered a number of activities for the children in each community we visited. What we have found here in northern Brazil is that many church plants and much church growth starts with the children. With both of these river trips, it is always the children who are first to greet us when stepping into new territory. After making a connection with the children, the rest of the family will follow suit and slowly warm up to us.

Me with a little boy in the community

Newark team doing activities with children

Newark team with the children

We are now back in Altamira. We will be here for about three weeks until we leave for a short trip to our future home of Macapa to do some house-hunting and continue to prepare for our move there. Joining us on this trip will be our good friends, Cleide and Allison, who will be looking into some schools for Allison’s continued education. We are very excited to catch up with pastor Felipe and Uana and the rest of our Macapa family.

We are also excited for Intervinha (our Northern Brazil Vineyard Conference) next month here in Altamira. Vineyard folk from all over the northern region will be attending. Denise and I are in charge of the music for the conference. We have a lot of preparation ahead of us. Also, my dad is one of the guest speakers for the conference AND my nephew, Emerson, will be joining my dad for the trip! Denise and I are so excited to spend some time with them!

Prayer Requests:

Please pray with us as we get ready for our move to Macapa. There are many details that have to be taken care of. All of our possessions, including our vehicle, will have to be taken by a barge on the Amazon for this 200-300 mile trip.

Finding a house that we can afford in an area that is reasonably safe would be something else we’d love you to pray for.

There will be many financial expenses, both in the move and in becoming base leaders in Macapa. We have been strongly encouraged to increase our monthly support. Won’t you please pray about that as well?

We couldn’t be doing any of this without your support, financial, relational and through your prayers. Thank you!

In His Service,

Christopher and Denise

https://xingu.org/opportunities/giving/meyer-ministries/

Jun, 23

June Amazon Update! – Steve and Elba

The church had a “Pink tea party” for the women in the community. The women members of the church were asked to invite one of their friends to come to the church to participate in the event. They served food, played games, did a raffle giveaway, had a small fashion show, and then shared the Love of God. It was a fun and a great way to introduce Jesus into these women’s lives who did not know Him as their Savior. It was also a very special time for some of these woman to get a little pampered and to step away from their lives that at times can be very complicated.

The Vineyard Institute (VI) also had its kick off here in Brazil. Vineyard Institute is an educational provider for the Vineyard movement, formed to develop leaders at all levels of church life through high quality theological training. Training our existing and future leaders is one of the keys to planting more churches and making more disciples. These courses will hopefully help the leaders realize the giftings that the Lord has given to them so that they will use them to promote the Kingdom of God. It will also assist us to instill the DNA of the church as we pass the baton onto the future generation. We have more than 80 participants signed up in the program just here in Altamira. http://vineyardinstitute.org/

We will be coming back to Ohio for the International Vineyard Conference being held at the Vineyard Church of Columbus. Elba was honored with an invitation to speak and she will be sharing on July 9^th between 2-4pm. Please keep her in your prayer as she prepares her message and that the message she speaks will be according to the Lord’s will.

The big highlight for this month was Camilly’s public decision to get baptized. It was a really special moment for us as parents. It was even more special because I got the opportunity to actually participate in her baptism. We were all very excited. Here is a picture of Alyssa. She makes these bracelets and necklaces out of little rubber bands and has been selling them to the students at CDR. She is saving up money for her trip to the States.

Please continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us. Also, please pray for our trip back to the States and that our time may be filled with family, friends, joy, peace, safety, and more importantly full of the Holy Spirit. Thanks!

Love and blessings, Steve, Elba, Camilly and Alyssa

Tax deductible donations can be written and sent to:

The Xingu Mission

P.O Box 340785

Columbus, Ohio 43234

Or On-line donations at:

https://xingu.org/opportunities/giving/dolan-ministries/

One of our members during Mother’s Day being touched by the Holy Spirit.

Jun, 20

Coming Home

Hello Everybody!

In just a few short weeks, I will be back on US soil! I am so excited to come home again and visit with all of you and see my family. It has been a year and a half since my last visit, and it was in the middle of winter. I think this visit will be just a little more enjoyable since I will be able to go outside!
When I think about going home, other than friends and family, there are a few things I look forward to: Hound Dog’s Pizza, Grater’s Ice Cream, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Thai food, Indian Food, fast internet, bathtubs with hot water……mostly, it just revolves around food! All these earthly comforts will be a warm welcome to me.
I will also be attending the International Vineyard Conference at Vineyard Columbus in the beginning of July. I am really excited about this conference as many missionaries will be attending, as well as other members of the Vineyard from all over the world. It will be such a privilege to meet them and learn about the work that God is doing through the Vineyard Movement around the world.
Also while I am home, I have a few needs that I am hoping you can help with. One, I will need a car while I am there. If you know anyone who would be willing to let me borrow a car for the month of July, I would greatly appreciate it. Please, send me a message if you can help. Having a car will allow me to meet and connect with all of you, so I can tell you more about my experiences here in Brazil. The second goal of my trip will be to raise my support. I need to raise my support by about $600 every month. I ask that you please prayerfully consider supporting me monthly for any amount that you feel comfortable. Consistent, monthly giving is the best to help me prepare for the future. I will put information below of how you can give.

*You can allocate the funds at church for me by check or cash for: Xingu Mission-Allison Rupert.

*You can mail your supportdirectly to the mission:
Xingu Mission-Allison Rupert
PO Box 340785
Columbus, Ohio 43234
USA

*You can also donate online at:
https://xingu.org/opportunities/giving/rupert-ministries/

Over the past few weeks, I have been wrapping up things with the English school. We just had our final class for the semester and had the opportunity to invite some American visitors to our party. A team from Vineyard Church of Delaware County came down on a short-term trip. The students loved the chance to practice their English with some native speakers! I think the team had a good time, too!


Our students with a few members of the team

I also traveled back to Altamira to take Manoela home and also complete my permanent visa process. It was sad to see Manoela go as she has been so much help to me here in Portel. However, I am looking forward to introducing her to many of you when we go the States. While I was visiting Altamira, I also got to spend a lot of time with Ronã. We had a lot of fun together as you can imagine!


Ronã and I at the March For Jesus

If you want to see more pictures from my trip and from our English classes, check out the link below.

June 2015 Pictures

See you soon! Love you!

Allison

Jun, 16

Emma and Bella Leave Brazil

Off to study abroad…

Do they look like world travelers? Emma moved to Canada on Thursday, and Bella flew with her for the summer. Deanna will fly home later this summer for a month or so, and return with Bella, who will finish her Grade 12 in Brazil and then decide what she wants to do next.