A vida!

Prayer Update

Thanks to all who prayed for Johan and Jeannette! Johan's knee surgery went well, and he was released from the hospital after only a few days and him and Jeannette flew to Haiti a week later. They are currently still in Haiti, as Johan is teaching on the Children at Risk school being held there now. Their goal is train the people of Haiti and equip them to reach out to the children and families in need. As this nation is being rebuilt physicially, it is so key that it is also rebuilt it with a people who know and love Jesus and are able to help those around them. If you are interested in following the work in Haiti, have a look at Johan and Jeannette's blog!

http://jlukasse-english.blogspot.com/

Adapting..

The transition of taking on the administration office by myself has not been easy to be honest, and some days I still feel quite overwhelmed with all the emails I must answer helping foreigners with the visa process, communicating back and forth with the lawyer, getting paperwork processed for volunteers and any other emails that come in - alot of them being in Portuguese.

But I am starting to get the hang of things, and realize that what I do IS important, even if it is behind the scenes. I am also getting such an evident picture of the "body of Christ" firsthand. It's hard to have the perspective sometimes that my work is no less spiritual than anyone elses; that I am using the gifts God has given to me, so that others may use theirs as well. We are all a unique piece to the mosaic that makes up God's family, and each of us have a different role to play. In saying, I especially want to thank those who constantly pray for me, have supported me financially, and been a blessing - YOU also are a part of what happens here, so thank you!

Portuguese

My Portuguese has improved heaps since I first arrived. I was even able to lead a prayer meeting at our house last week speaking only Portuguese. I have to constantly remind myself of these small victories on days it feels like I haven't learned anything (and they come often..) But writing back and forth with people in the office, answering the phone, and simply living in a Portuguese-speaking nation has been extremely helpful for me to learn this language.

Food for Thought

We had a service here last week and the speaker brought a really good word about Love. That if we do all things, but do not love, we do them in vain. This is something God has been reminding me of as well - sometimes it can be quite difficult for me first of all to really SIT and spend time with God. But I am constantly being brought back to the perspective that relationships, tasks, hobbies, even ministry should never take God's place in our hearts; because they never take our place in His. WE are his first priority - if the God of the universe has chosen to Love, then I also must make that choice; Him of course, but also those around me. [Easier said than done sometimes..]

Prayer Points

• Patience and grace as I continue to learn and live with a new language
• The ability to communicate and and complete the tasks I need to in my new position in the office
• That before my work, my hobbies or my relationships I would seek to know Jesus, and not just know OF Him.

Thanks for stopping by! (I'll try and post some pictures soon!)

~Heidi