Back to Work

August 3rd we returned to Brazil from a three month family furlough in the states. What a blessing to find everyone in good health, following the Lord, and employed. Though we are no longer in the field of Christian education because of the closure of Fortaleza Academy, it was especially gratifying to see our son-in-law awarded a doctorate and to see he has taken a position in the Psychology department at Clearwater Christian College where he begins teaching this month.


Stepping back from the work and environment here for a while often brings a renewed desire to draw closer to the Lord and not let the busyness of “ministry” take over. It also makes us grateful for the small pleasures of life. Upon our arrival in the U.S., we were once again, struck by the organization, helpfulness, and availability of anything we needed. Ah, smooth roads, wide parking lanes, sidewalks! But it is amazing how quickly all those blessings go unnoticed.



Upon our return to Brazil, I am usually impressed by the vast number of people on the streets, the sheer density of population in a city of almost 3 million inhabitants. Such friendly, giving people they are, but so many of them without Christ. We stopped to visit a few of our Brazilian neighbors and I delivered some small gifts purchased at the wonderful dollar stores you all have in the U.S. I caught one neighbor by surprise. She lives in a poor, simple home, 10 ft. x 45 ft., with two adult children and three teen grandsons she is raising. She was fixing herself an afternoon snack and as we chatted, she did not give it a second thought to divide her snack in half with me. Though she is 60, she works hard each day, caring for an elderly Alzheimer’s patient. Oh, the contrast of the ease of life in the U.S. compared with the harshness so many encounter here! And yet, this is all temporal. My friend told me how when she gets the patient in bed, she can sometimes spend a few minutes in the yard alone, talking with the Lord, asking Him to save her grandsons who give her much trouble. I could not help but feel ashamed for the little inconveniences that annoy me. And I thought that one day in heaven, this dear sister in the Lord will live in a mansion and appreciate every blessing from God to a much deeper degree than I will ever know.



So, we are back in Fortaleza for a few months to finish some outreach projects for Light of the World Baptist Church and prepare for our move to Casa Nova, Bahia. We have made several acquaintances with neighbors of the church. Pray as we engage in conversation, invite them over for pizza, and try to share the gospel or invite them to the church.



It was a blessing to see many of you this summer. Thank you for sharing in our lives and ministry.