Day 19

Day 19 (Tuesday)

Hello Everyone,

Christen and I leave Bom Retiro Do Sul in a few hours. It has been a wonderful 18 days of ministry!

The temperature has been consistently been in the range of 50F to 80F. I have not once brought out Ken Wallen´s awesome Sorrel boots or my long underwear. I sleep with a sheet and light comforter only.

Ysterday, our last ministry day, by the time I got up around 1:30pm, Christen had already met with three youth girls, and would go on to see six more before the evening ended. What a blessing for her to be on her own timetable and have independence in her ministry since she speaks Portuguese. She stirred a lot of youth unto the Lord on this visit and will be breaking some hearts when she leaves tomorrow.

Attached are photos of some youth that the former Hope Chapel Mission teams have had influence upon. (Note the purple fabric in the background.) Everywhere I went, (wedding reception, birthday party & Sunday Services) there were remnants of this material which Carlos Fejerang creatively used as decorations while here in 2007. I think he is due to come back to Brazil so that he can give them another spiritual creative shot in the arm.

The town which Sammy and Marcia pastor is full of ministry opportunities. Spiritually ripe fruit is here to be picked, but there is much darkness to contend with, particularly evident in widespread dysfunctional relationships.

As Paul expressed regarding Corinth "a wide door of effective service is open for me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Corinthians 16:9) so likewise is this true here.

This trip has been very rewarding. Hope Chapel’s investment into our Brazilian missionaries has been a joy to observe these last 18 days.

As I get back on the plane, I’m encouraged to know that this couple is not squandering their life here on earth, but are making a difference in people for eternity!

What an example to all of us!

See you soon,

Jason (with editorial input from Christen)