March Amazon Update – Steve and Elba
The church is continuing to do well and by the grace of God we are still seeing people come to know Christ. However, the last few weeks we have seen attendance down. Pray that we continue to be relevant to the unreached around us. Elba preached at one of our churches in Brasil Novo. The Brasil Novo church is still in its infancy but Pastor Ademir has been doing a great job pastoring this church, gathering people and teaching the Word of God. Sorry that the picture is real fuzzy. Please continue to keep the church and its members in your prayers, as well as all the other churches.
CDR, our community center has been reaching out to the community to help the underprivileged with affordable education in English and computers. This semester alone, we have around 400 students participating in our programs which is considerable more students than we had last year. We are also providing the community with free internet access and free computer classes to the local schools. Below are some pictures of an English class playing a game to figure out what word was on their forehead. It is nice when you can make learning fun. Continue to pray for more favor upon CDR, and that it will be a greater influence in the surrounding community to help people come to know Jesus as their Savior.
Here is a picture of Camilly and Alyssa playing a dance game at our new mall in Altamira and the girls got dressed up for the occasion. Yes, you read this correctly, we have a mall in Altamira. Granted, it probably only takes 5 minutes to walk through its entirety, but hey, we had a good time. J I took the next picture on international women’s day. It is a picture of Elba’s Mom and sisters, as well as her niece Apolana, and our girls. Elba was quite sick but struggled through (read below). We prepared a nice breakfast on the lawn with all kinds of goodies and Apolana sang them a song. It was really special for them.
Please pray for Elba. She had dengue fever, which is a mosquito born disease that has no treatment, only symptom relievers. They call dengue “breakbone fever” because of the severe joint and muscle pain that is causes. She is still not feeling well and now has a severe ear ache. Please pray the Lord will heal her.
Please continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us. We need it.
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:
Maturing
Greetings from Brazil!
It’s wonderful to be serving the Kingdom of God with such an amazing team both in the States and here in Brazil!
As we continue to contemplate the completion of 2014 and consider 2015, we are amazed at God’s goodness and His amazing ability to use fragile vessels.
After some 20 years in the working, the national church leadership team continues to mature and increase its vision, while as a mission we are trying to figure out how to hand established works over to the Brazilians and move on to start new ones as peers.
In all of this we realize how inadequate we are as we struggle to fulfill God’s call on our lives. In this process we are constantly reminded of God’s marvelous provision and grace.
The small church here in the city of Pacajá just completed two years of operation and we see real disciples being formed.
Over the last several months it has become clear that God is really transforming hearts as we see folks starting to participate in various ministries and share testimonies of how God has changed their lives. There is a clear and genuine sense of community among the group.
Please pray with us that the Lord will continue to preserve and grow this unity, as we know the enemy will be fighting against it.
(The included photos are a snapshot of the church’s life over the last several months.)
We sense that 2015 will be a year of maturing for these new believers and a time to start forming leaders. All of our emphasis this year will be to that end, and we ask that you pray with us as we seek more of the Holy Spirit’s activity in this group.
There will be two Holy Spirit weekend retreats in March; Couples Discipleship in April-June; a Community Wedding for unwed couples, in June/July; and Leadership Training School in August-December. As the Lord leads, we also hope to start one interior church plant this year.
We are also wrestling with what should be the next step in our building project. Our 700 sq. ft. meeting space is no longer visitor friendly as there is just not enough room. For our Christmas celebration we had to limit how many people each family could invite so the experience would be positive instead of negative! We are considering various options, but it seems most likely we will seek to construct a large meeting hall rather than opt for another interim phase. Please, pray with us as we work through this big step.
Another big step for 2015 is college! Logan has already started his second semester of college courses via internet and plans on moving to Ohio this summer to start his second year. He will be studying Civil Engineering with the hopes of returning to work in Brazil. This will be the beginning of a new phase for us as a family. In 2016 Justin plans to move to the States in order to start college, with the plan to return and work in Brazil as well.
You are very special and we are praying for you regularly. We greatly value your prayer, moral, and financial support!
Blessings in Christ,
The Wilsons
Meet the Cristoval Team
The Team +1
Art ( Mateus – professional ‘selfie ‘ picture taker) Leandro, Emerson, Cyndi
Emerson
This young man has grown a lot this last year as he has gotten involved in Living Waters. He took the course Jan- June 2014. He then became my assistant in September 2014 to Jan 2015. He is now my assistant again on Sunday mornings and has his own group on Tuesday nights.
He was married at 14… then divorced. Got remarried around 20 … went off to Bible College in another state. Some time into his first few years there, his wife had an affair, they separated and he moved back to Altamira.
For the next 6-7 he struggled with many things along with his relationship with Jesus. Six years ago he had a daughter, Hadassa, with a former girlfriend. Since that time he continued to struggle and decided that he would not date again until he was ready to get married.
Living Waters has been a turning point in his life. Everyone who knows Emerson has commented about the change they have seen in his life. In fact, he is walking advertisement for the Living Waters course attracting many of his peers that have noticed these changes. They want what he has.
He is such a gifted young man. When he shared his testimony during Cristoval, the youth instantly connected with his story. Emerson had a touch of the Robin Hood complex, stealing food from stores to feed hungry people. He was also known as a ‘playboy’ who took advantage of many girls with his winsome personality and ‘rock star’ persona. He was the lead singer in a youth band.
Please pray for him. That he will continue to walk honestly before God and those who are walking with him. Honesty is really his only safety net.
Leandro
Leandro is a teacher by profession. He has been married for 4 years now to Sheyla.
Leandro took Living Waters last January as well but he was not that connected to the material or the course. It appeared that he was doing it only because his wife was doing it.
This September, we decided that we would put all the LW material on audio. We would record each chapter so that those who are not accustomed to reading would be able to listen to the material on their cell phones.
I had a person in mind but Emerson said that Leandro would be the best choice. So I asked him if he would do it. He said yes.
Well…wouldn’t you know…his life started to change. As he made the recordings each week, God started to impact his life. Apparently he never really read the LW material when he was going thru last January.
Their lives are changing and they decided to take the course again this term. We are really excited for what God is doing in their lives.
Continue to pray for them. Sheyla is now pregnant and has asked Cyndi to be the grandmother, and help her with the baby…which is due in Sept 2015.
Tuesday morning session
February Amazon Update – Steve and Elba
We were pretty much gone the whole month of January traveling to Brasilia which is about 1,200 miles because Elba needed to get some dental work done for future implants, and our truck needed to get its engine overhauled. We had to stop approximately every 90 – 120 miles to put more oil in the engine, and fill the radiator with water. The mechanics said it was a miracle that we even made it there. The engine work cost a lot of money but we had no alternative but to fix. OUCH! The truck is now running better. On a brighter note, the dental surgery went really well and now Elba just needs to wait six months for the implants to set in.
During our trip to and from Brasilia we got the opportunity to spend time with our sister churches in Marabá, Pacajá, and Palmas. All of these guy are doing a great job and are at different areas of growth. It was really nice to step away and get to see the broader picture of our Christian brothers and sister plowing the Kingdom of God into the lives of their community. Lives are being changed because of the work that God has called them to do. Praise God for them and all of our church plants because in the absences of their presence we would be looking at a totally different landscape.
While in Brasilia Elba had the opportunity to preach at the church. It is small church that has a great vision of planting more churches. It already has around 5 churches that it oversees, 2 of which came from the work happening here. One of the big challenges that they have in their church is the availability of people wanting to go to another area and start a church. Most of the members have stable jobs and receive a good income and it is a challenge to just uproot and go to someplace that is uncertain. Trust me, we missionaries know this first hand, and without doubt most missionaries will say that it has been one of the hardest challenges in their lives, but also one of the most fulfilling. Please keep them in your prayers. Have you ever considered becoming a long term missionary? Do you have any questions? If so, write me back and let’s talk.
During our time in Brasilia we got to visit and look around at the Nation’s Capital. We went and saw a lot of the government buildings, and the Alvorado Palace where President Dilma lives. We also went and visited the local zoo, and at another place Camilly got to ride a pony, and Alyssa rode a bull. Camilly was a bit nervous riding the bull so she chose the pony. To tell you the truth, I was not so comfortable being on that massive thing either.
Please continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us.
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:
A few reflections on control. Cyndi Rae
My husband Art is more pioneer than settler. I like to read stories of pioneers and all the hardships they faced and overcame. The stories of my Mennonite ancestors sojourns in the Ukraine and their flight to Canada after the Russian Revolution never gets old because it is full of suspense, firing squads, bandits, prison, secret hiding places, and escape. I’m really glad I didn’t have to live this story because I’m a settler at heart. My kids would say I’m a control freak at heart. I like structure and routine. I like most things to remain fairly predictable. Change up my breakfast cereal from time to time, sure, but leave most everything else alone. But that isn’t how life goes.
“I am now convinced that Jesus ability to find a higher order inside constant disorder is the very heart of his message.” (pg.59 Falling Upwards, Richard Rohr)
When I returned to Brazil last fall, this quote began to settle my heart and help me find a place to land in the midst of the constant comings and goings between Brazil and Canada and the ongoing changes in my family. I would say that I had been unsettled for a long time, longing to stop all of the changes and restore order. I’ve even dreamed of returning to a simpler time in my life. Dreamed of finding my way back to something ‘contained’. A life where I feel in charge. But this quote, which resonates with “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together,” (Colossians 1:17) is bringing peace to my heart.
I have sensed God nudging me to let go of trying to restore order to my life. To renounce control to Him on a regular basis, allows new seeds of trust to take root in me. I am trying to hang onto God through all the constant disorder and reconfiguration, and let Him accomplish all the beautiful things that I can never bring about. Every once and awhile I catch a glimpse of this higher order that He is engineering through the disorder and I know that even while my life may feel like it’s skidding sideways out of control, that He’s at work. I look at the ‘higher order’ He is bringing about and I know that if I continue to lose my life for His sake, I will find it. And that means renouncing control to Him on pretty much a daily basis. Yesterday I made a batch of home made granola cereal. Turned out amazing. At least I have control over one area of my life.
2 New Living Waters Classes Jan- April, 2015
Dear family and friends,
It’s been awhile since we connected with you. We are well inside 2015. I don’t know how your new year is starting out but we are now going into week 8 of our Living Waters program. We are running a group on Sunday mornings and a second group on Tuesday nights. ( The picture of the group above is the Sunday morning group.)
It’s rainy season here in Brazil. The upside of that is the temperature has dropped and we are much more comfortable. The downside of that is that sometimes laundry takes a few days to dry. As I write this update, I have been attempting to dry some shorts for 4 days. Another downside of rainy season is that Brazilians regard rain like Canadians regard hail. They avoid going out in the rain. Why ? Well, it’s simple. Rain makes them cold, and sometimes they get sick as a result of the change in temperature. Health care and health remedies here are unlike those we enjoy in first world countries, so getting sick is more complicated here and holds more risk. Hence their aversion to the rain. For some of our participants, their mode of transportation is bicycle. Could you pray that it doesn’t rain here on Sunday mornings and Tuesday nights for the next 12 weeks. Rain is a significant deterrent to our classes.
Living Waters Canada, incidentally, has just passed through a lengthy process of changing its name to Journey Canada. So if you’re enquiring about this ministry, you will now find them under this name.
Back to School!
Hello Everybody!
I hope you are all doing well, even though it is the middle of February, and I know how miserable it can be in Ohio this time of year. But I give you this reminder from the Song of Solomon.
See! The winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth,
the season of singing has come.
2:11-12
I know it feels like it will last forever–but it won’t. Hang in there! Of course, you probably have little pity for me being that I live in a year-round summer….Sorry. One of the perks of Brazilian missionary life.
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| Two of my favorite little girls, Sophia and Samille |
Anyways, on to business. I have some great news! I will be visiting the States for the month of July! I am so excited to go back and see all of you again. For the first week, I will be attending the Vineyard International Conference. After that, I will be free to meet with all of you and caught up. When my time gets closer, I will try to start scheduling lunches and dinners so that I can hopefully get a chance to see everybody. Unfortunately, my trip back will be a short one because the English classes will be starting again in August. Also, I would like to know if anyone has a car they would be willing to let me borrow while I am there. If so, please send me an email. Thanks
Well, I am now 2 weeks into our first semester for CDR Marajó, and things are going great. The students are doing well and really seem to be enjoying the classes. It has been wonderful to be teaching again and to feel more connected with the community. Already, I have made some new friends.
Fabrício, a Brazilian English teacher who lives and works in Portel, has been my right hand and a huge part of the success of the school so far. It is clear how much favor God has given to this project. I feel a great sense that God will use our church and the projects we are doing to have a profound impact on the people of Portel. I feel humbled and grateful that God is using me to do his work here on the Earth. I find it amazing how my gifts and abilities can be used to do so much good for the people around me, even despite myself!
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| Fabrício helping a student |
I have also had the privilege of making a new American friend here. It is quite the coincidence actually because she is a doctorate student doing research here from OSU! She has been working here on and off since 2009. It has been great spending time with her and having another Westerner to talk to. This weekend was her birthday, so we went to the river to celebrate.
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| Donna Julia and Jennifer |
Starting this school has been a mile marker for me. When I started as a missionary, I really had no idea what I was going to be doing. I only knew that God had called me here. As I have walked, God has revealed more and more about how I can serve him and the people here. I thank each and everyone of you for walking along side of me into the unknown. In a way, we have all been called here together. We all have a part to play, no matter how small. I bless you all as God walks you into the unknown of your journey with him. Though our paths look very different, we are all going to the same place. We are all walking towards the light of our friend, Jesus.
Please, pray for my students, that they will persevere in their studies. Pray that God will give them a special anointing to learn and comprehend. Pray that God gives me fruitfulness among them. Thank you and love you!
Below is a link of my photos. I included some photos of my neighborhood so you can get an idea of what it looks like where I live.
Love, Allison
Welcome 2015!
Hello to my Gracious Friends and Family!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and were able to rest up a bit before heading back to work (and driving in the snow). Here is Brazil, the rainy season just started, which is the closest thing we will ever see to winter. The temperature goes down about 5 or 10 degrees, which I know, doesn’t seem like much, but believe me, it makes a huge difference! The only down side to the rain is that the humidity goes up about 200%, so your clothes take days to dry.
Since I got back from my time in Altamira, I have been working again on preparing for the semester to start in February. I have been holding a time for sign-ups, which has been going very well. There are many people in the city ready to start learning English! It’s going to be great to start teaching again on a regular basis, as well starting to build some relationships with my students.
While I was in Altamira, I got the opportunity to spend some time with Art and Cyndi Rae leading the group called, the Journey. The Journey is a introductory class for the Living Waters program. It helps the participants develop a better understanding of the process of healing and what the program has to offer. My hope is that one day in the future, we can bring the program to Portel.
I want to explain a little to you about the family relationships that are common in northern Brazil. It has been my experience that to meet a family that has a mother and a father who are married to each other and all their kids are from the same family is rare. I know that maybe you are thinking that this is becoming the trend in the States, too, but here, the depth of it is even more profound. In general, I meet a lot of women who have children from more than one man. Sometimes, one of those men are in the picture, but often not. Those women tend to be very young, having had their first child when they were still in their teens. Often when I ask those women where their parents are, they describe a similar story, except many of them were raised by their grandparents. Their parents basically gave them up to the care of their grandparents or an aunt or uncle. They have several half-brothers and sisters, some of which they have never met.
When I hear these stories, I feel heartbroken for these people. They have been abandoned and rejected and neglected. They have been handed off from one family member to another as if they were used clothing. They have not been celebrated by the people they needed the most. They have not been protected or valued. Few have received the loving kindness of someone guiding them and looking out for their future. They have been lost and orphaned. The women, in particular, I see as vulnerable. They did not have a father present to protect and honor their beauty and fragility. They run after any attention they receive, and in the end, are left alone with more responsibility than they can handle. And for their children, the cycle continues.
The problem can feel overwhelming, but I know that God wants to use us to bring healing to these broken people. Please, pray for them and pray for us as we tackle these great challenges. Pray that we will have a deep compassion and understanding for them. Pray that the Holy Spirit brings great waves of restoration and spiritual breakthrough in their lives. Pray that God keeps our hearts and yours heavy from them.
And please pray for me as well. Coming here to Portel by myself has been very difficult. I miss my friends in Altamira, and it takes a long time to make new friends in a new place in a new culture. Please, pray that God gives me strength and speaks to me clearly. Thank you all for your love and encouragement and support. I am truly grateful to have you on my side.
Love, Allison
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| “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 |