Coming home to family, speaking the same language, complete understanding of the general law around us, calling before showing up, finding fellowship with our missed brothers and sisters in Christ, driving in normal conditions and arrive in precision time, weather is brisk and dry and don’t feel exhausted at the simple tasks, supermarkets have nearly everything and then some, lines are sometimes long, but once at the checkout, it’s a cinch to pay and get a real receipt. There are so many comforts here and yet we see our culture has changed. People are hungry for genuineness and truth and yet they don’t even know it.
There is a mission field EVERYWHERE! Our family, our friends, our church family, the guy who served our country on the side of the road with a sign that says “Anything helps”. It’s everywhere folks. Don’t think that leaving to another country is any more glamorous than meeting the needs in your own community and on the street corners. It’s really about being Jesus everyday to everyone and being willing to surrender your plans to His. I am preaching to myself too!
Our time here has been amazing and I won’t lie to you. It’s going to be hard to go. But, we have a commitment to the people of the Iriri river.
In the last few months I have enjoyed immensely many things.
Watching the kids go off to school and coming home with stories and hearing about all they have learned.
Going to my Grandma’s house to chat and take her to Costco and enjoying her company.
Being asked to play on worship teams and mainly my old worship leader’s team and allowing the Lord to use me and my hands to play music and sing high praises in English and a few times in Portuguese!
Being a chaperone to all our kids’ field trips and watching their interactions with friends and teachers.
Cleaning the house and not sweating!
Doing laundry and getting nearly everything done and back in the cubbies and still having energy to do other things!
Fellowship with friends and spending late nights talking about anything that we want in English!
I will enjoy all the memories of this furlough.
I am looking forward to getting back to Brazil for the people who await us.
I am looking forward to catching up with each one.
Gift giving.
Returning to our schedule of going with the flow and being flexible at all times.
Getting back to homeschooling and seeing how much they have grown and learned.
I am looking forward to taking back all that we have been refreshed with and passing it on.
Praying and ministering to our leaders and watching them take off with the calling God has on their lives.
Stepping aside more and supporting the Brazilians in ministry so they can ignite and take off.
Salvations of those who are being prepared even now as I pray for them.
Fruit to be picked and sowing further up river.
Oh and eating organic again!!!
Thank you to all of you who support us in finances and prayers. We can’t do this with out you! Your so essential to our being there in so many ways.
We are blessed and privileged. Keep us in your prayers as we transition back.
Ways to pray:
1. Our transportation to California, we’re looking at getting our old van insured and registered and praying the engine is strong to take us to LA.
2. Packing and prioritizing, managing all the last minute events and meetings and 4 children
3. Transition back to the climate, culture and language.
4. Focus and vision for the next few years that the Lord is calling us to.
5. Hearing His voice and having His wisdom in all that we sow and invest in here on the Iriri river!
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| Mothers Day Weekend on the Oregon Coast |
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| Mom and her troops |
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| Cousin Yael and Maddy who are the closest in age of all the 20 cousins…1 week! |
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| Twin cousins, Phoebe and Lydia with Hannah…they became best buds! |
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| The youngest cousin, Salome 2 yrs and Clyde’s youngest sister, Rebecca…my sweet sister too! |
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| Cousin Nehemiah and Nate! 5 months age difference |
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| Watson and Bergquistclans on a hike together |
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| Playing again….feels soooo good |
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| Our worship leader of 20 some years, Lewis Crownover and I playing again in a reunion….oh did it refresh my heart of worship |
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| “Mom, can you come help in my science class? We’re gonna dissect pig hearts?” Makenna 5th grade science class |
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| First friend from school, Haley and sister dancing with Makenna and Hannah in “back then” music and attire |
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| Clyde and his beloved Gramma Margot on Memorial Weekend…our favorite weekend in Grants Pass |
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| The older cousins sitting and chatting during the Memorial Day Hydroplane race on the Rogue River |
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| 2 of the 15 boats that raced…they sound like wood bees whining down the river |
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| Some of the littles having their own conversations during the race |
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| Stone throwing lessons after the races |
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| Family |
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| Burying Josiah, 9 yrs old, in river rocks. His dad was there making sure it all went smoothly!
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