Xingu Mission Field Report April 2022
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Xingu Mission Field Report -February 2022
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Amazon Update – November 2021
This month’s update is our annual fundraiser, and we are seeking your support to team up with us financially to continue with the work here in Brazil. As missionaries with the Xingu Mission we are required to raise 100% of the support needed for both personal living and the ministry where they are involved. Financial support received is a two sided coin. On one side the missionary receives what is needed to live with the freedom to champion the Gospel and make and impact on the lives of the least, the lost and the marginalized. On the other the side God is using the giver as an agent of provision and a way to make a difference in lives around the world from right where you are. Please consider giving and bless you!!!
Elba has been teaching our leaders how to become better preachers. The course is weekly, and each person in the class preaches in front of the other. Then the everyone in the class evaluates the preaching with positive and sometimes not-so-positive feedback. It takes courage to expose yourself to your peers, and we are proud of their participation. We are also glad that we can give a safe environment so that when our weaknesses are revealed. They can be talked about in a healthy and constructive manner. The group has been surprised with each other, and the power of their preaching. Lucas was the first one out of the gate to preach after the classes. He was nervous but did a great job. Praise the Lord! Training leaders and planting churches.
Thanks for your consideration to donate; please remember that you are storing up treasures in heaven as the Lord says in Matthew 6: 19-21“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So please give and become a partner with us as we train leaders and plant churches here in the Amazon Basin. We need your help. Please find out how to donate below.
Would you mind praying for spiritual, physical, emotional and financial health for us?
Thanks and much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa
We appreciate your continued prayers:
· Please pray for our church, leadership, and congregation that we help people draw close to God as we navigate this time.
· The rejection of this virus from you, your family, friends, and to be thrown out of this universe forever.
· Please pray for Elba and I that we may hear clearly where to put our focus and energy in this next phase of our lives.
· Please pray for spiritual, physical, emotional and financial health for us.
Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa
Tax-deductible donations can be written and sent to:
Please click the donate button to make a secured online donation:
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Amazon Update – October 2021
We had 7 people get baptized. First, I like the public testimony that it gives to people in the community. Second, I love that during the baptism, the church is singing and worshiping God. Lastly, the symbolism of letting the person be wholly immersed in water, being baptized into Jesus’ death on the cross, and no longer being slaves to self or sin. When they are raised out of the water, they are raised into a new life in Christ and are with Him forever. Praise the Lord, and may His transforming power be upon each of them and us daily.
Leia baptism was very emotional. Her mother, who has been sick, has been evangelizing and praying that Leia would commit her life to Jesus. Leia finally came to accept Jesus, and one of our pastors told her that we were doing a baptism the next day. Leia said she wanted to get baptized. She came and with sincerity in her heart, got baptized. The next day her mother died, and her prayers were answered. Leia has peace, and we know that her mother is in the loving arms of Jesus and has peace as well.
This month at the church, we had our annual celebration of Children’s day. Children’s day is a holiday, and there is no school, and some businesses close for the day. The church had many games and activities for the children, followed by small teachings of the love ofChrist. The kids played lots of games, danced, and sang. Camilly and Alyssa participated in the Children’s day celebration as the ref for the tug of war matches. It was a big hit, and they loved it! Alyssa took one for the team. LOL
The girls are doing well and are participating more in the church worship band and helping in the children’s ministry. Camilly is playing the keyboard for the teen worship band. She practices hard and does not want to make any mistakes. Alyssa has had some incredible experiences with the Lord in prayer. For example, we had a small group at our house, and a lady came with her husband. They have been half-hearted followers, and she wanted that to change. At the end of our time, she asked for prayer. Elba was praying for another woman, and Alyssa thought she would go over and put her hand on her and pray silently. Instantly the lady’s back got healed entirely. She started praising God and gave Alyssa a big hug. Alyssa, nor anyone else, knew she had problems with her back, but God did, and He healed her. Alyssa just shrugged and said that she did not do anything. This is somewhat true because God does it all; however, we need to show up. The other night as well, Alyssa got to be a part of helping another teenager accept Jesus. We are super proud of our girls and continue to pray that they will always be faithful followers of Christ.
We appreciate your continued prayers:
· Please pray for our church, leadership, and congregation that we help people draw close to God as we navigate this time.
· The rejection of this virus from you, your family, friends, and to be thrown out of this universe forever.
· Please pray for Elba and I that we may hear clearly where to put our focus and energy in this next phase of our lives.
· Please pray for spiritual, physical, emotional and financial health for us.
Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa
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Amazon Update – September 2021
We had our dear friends, Midge and Renee, come back to Brazil again. Midge Shaw has been with the mission from almost the start. She has brought teams to Brazil for more than 20 years, and has been faithful to the Lord by preaching the Word of God with love and effectiveness. Even during these difficult times, she continued to travel to Brazil and the Lord has blessed her courage and preaching of God’s Word. During their trip they were able to have a 3-night conference at the Colina church. Then they traveled with Elba and Alyssa by boat to the Souzel church and another river community. I stayed back with Camilly as she was still not feeling well. Then they ended their time by having a conference on “Prayer” at our church. They were received well, and the Holy Spirit came in greater power. Lives were changed, and there were lots of healings spiritual, emotionally, and physically. Praise be to God!!!
Below are pictures of each of the places that the team ministered.
The final days were spent at the Mirante church teaching about prayer. We had a really great turnout for the service. Actually, everywhere Midge and Reness went, there was a wonderful turnout of people to hear the Word of the Lord.
On a quick personal note, the girls have been given the choice if they want to go back to school. Alyssa jumped on board and will now be going back each day. She is super excited. Camilly will only go certain days.
We appreciate your continued prayers:
· Please pray for our church, leadership, and congregation that we help people draw close to God as we navigate this time.
· The rejection of this virus from you, your family, friends, and to be thrown out of this universe forever.
· Please pray for Elba and I that we may hear clearly where to put our focus and energy in this next phase of our lives.
· Please pray for spiritual, physical, emotional and financial health for us.
Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa
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Amazon Update – August 2021
Praise the Lord the church is still going strong and is recovering slowly each day. We have been doing 2 services on Sunday. One in the morning, and then in the evening. The morning services have been relatively full, and people seemed to be comfortable with the idea of early morning service. We have been able to maintain children ministry as well, praise the Lord!
Elba and I held a mini conference about investments. About 50 people came. Here in Brazil, and in most 3rd world environments, it has been our experience that when someone has money, they almost immediately spend it. There are lots of reasons for that behavior and we want our congregation to start thinking differently about the future. As Proverbs 21:20 states “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” Everyone seemed excited about the concept of investing for their future, but they do not know where to start. So, we talked about the basics, such as, how to open up bank accounts, and a broker account, how to transfer money, and etc. During the conference, I also showed them some basic financial instruments so they can start investing in Brazil. For a month or so afterwards, I have been working with people individually to get them setup to start investing. It is getting some traction, so let’s see what happens.
Dentist and helpers came throughout Brazil to serve the dental needs for children and adults here in the North of Brazil. It was another amazing time of serving the community and helping people with dental needs that otherwise would not be able to get easy access to this care. Unfortunately, it did not end on a high note as we made the decision to stop serving the community. The reason was because almost the whole team tested positive, including us, and we felt that it was best to stop. There were lots of safety measures in place but it did not prove to be enough. We are now home resting. Thanks for your prayers!
Before the project came to a rude stop, the team worked tireless hours serving the community needs. In these short two weeks the volunteer dentist team performed cleanings, fluoride treatments, repairing cavities, and pulling teeth. It was an incredible work and we pray the Lord’s hand upon them all. It has been a pleasure working to serve the people, and share Jesus Christ through words and deeds. Please keep us and the team in your prayers for excellent health! The team is still there recovering since they are restricted to travel via airlines. It is not fun to be far from family and home.
We appreciate your continued prayers:
· Please pray for our church, leadership, and congregation that we help people draw close to God as we navigate this time.
· The rejection of this virus from you, your family, friends, and to be thrown out of this universe forever.
· Please pray for Elba and I that we may hear clearly where to put our focus and energy in this next phase of our lives.
· Please pray for spiritual, physical, emotional and financial health for us.
Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa
Tax deductible donations can be written and sent to:
Please click the donate button to make a secured on-line donation:
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Amazon Update – March 2021
The church just moved to 2 services starting last weekend because we were approaching over capacity due to the restrictions. This is really good news. The bad news is that the city is again on red alert and there are lots of lockdowns again. Unfortunately, people are suffering to a great degree, and we have many people in our church that are going through their 2ndround of the virus. It is distressing because they are young and in good health, but their lungs are compromised and they have been admitted to the hospital. As I understand, the hospitals are at capacity, and they are stacking the rooms with patients. Please pray for the sick, the church, and us. UPDATE: Due to high cases, church is closed again, and we are back to on-line services. 🙁
The church continues to be the hands and feet of the Lord. We have continued to go out to the neighborhood and give food. However, given the uptick, we will probably stop for a short stint of time. We have delivered meals and groceries to the sick to help as we can. We are desperate for more of the Lord’s intervention, and to give us wisdom on how to continue to touch the lives of others.
Elba made her famous chicken with tucupi sauce. If you are unsure, Tucupi is the yellow juice extracted from the root of a manioc (cassava) when grated and squeezed. She puts lot of garlic, jambu, greens and chicken in the dish. It is really delicious and it put some smiles on people’s faces.
The girls are doing well. They are still doing on-line school, and this is keeping them busy. We are very proud of them and their diligence to achieve in school. Here is a picture of the girls with their Mom. Wow, they definitely got their beauty from their Mom.
Continued prayer requests:
Please pray for our church, leadership, and congregation that we help people draw close to God as we navigate this time.
- The rejection of this virus from you, your family, friends, and to be thrown out of this universe forever.
- Please pray for Elba and I that we may hear clearly where to put our focus and energy in this next phase of our lives.
Please pray for spiritual, physical, emotional and financial health for us.
Much love, Steve, Elba, Camilly, and Alyssa
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