Tuesday, January 19, 2010, Brazil
Dear Prayer Warrior,
I want to start this letter out
sharing with you what the Lord showed me this week during my devotions. I
happened to open to Nehemiah and started reading. You would have thought I had
never read that book in my life. It was like things were popping up out of the
page. I was marking things left and right. I was rereading and amazed at how
God was speaking to me. Nehemiah motivated the people to rebuild the wall and
gates of Jerusalem. Everyone was working together. But the enemy rose up and
wanted to stop the work. In Nehemiah 4:16 - 17a, it seems to clearly talk about
the CLM Prayer Warriors, Missionary Committee, and the CLM
Missionaries:
"From that day on,
half of my men did the work, while the other half (CLM Prayer Warriors) were
equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The
officers (Missionary
Committee) posted themselves behind all the people of Judah (CLM) who were
building the wall. Those who carried materials
(CLM Missionaries)
did their work with one hand and held a
weapon in the other and each of the builders (CLM Missionaries) wore his
sword at his
side as he
worked."
Have you realized that you have been
carrying spears, shields, bows, and armor to protect and ward off the enemy as
the CLM missionaries carry on the work? Maybe that concept sheds some new light
on your important role in accomplishing God´s mission in the lives of the CLM
children and young adults. Please never take your calling and responsibility
lightly. You are making a difference for the Kingdom of God. I encourage you
to continue to be a faithful Prayer Warrior for CLM.
CLM
TURVO:
Luiz and Aninha along with Etienne,
Natalia, Allan, and Romualdo left for Minas Gerais in the middle of the night on
Friday. There is news that they arrived safely and are spending time with
Luiz´s new found family in Belo Horizonante. Before returning, they plan on
stopping in Nepomuceno to visit Aninha´s family also. We have no further
details, but assume they are having a wonderful time. Please continue to pray
for them.
Fábio and Edit along with Rosilda,
Kristen (arriving today), and Aline seem to be rising to the occasion. The
children, of course, had to test out the territory a little, but quickly
discovered that the rules continue the same. They are working, playing, and
doing some special things during their school vacation. All is going well. Keep the CLM Family in your prayers in the
absence of Luiz and Aninha and Natalia.
There is one birthday this week.
Suelen will be 13 years old on Sunday, January 24th. She came with her brother,
Paulo in September, 2006, during the first year of CLM Turvo. They were pretty
much abandoned and progressing more and more to life on the streets. They spent
much of their time at a local gas station among the truck drivers. Suelen is a
very intelligent and athletic young lady. She just completed the 4th grade and
once again had a very strong year. She enjoys sports, especially soccer and she
is good. She is good at making friends and enjoys conversation. She is not
timid. She needs to grow in honesty, obedience, and respect however, she is
correctable and will listen and shortly change her attitude. She really enjoys
messing with hair and will fix everyone´s hair in the evening after baths.
Prayer for Suelen that she will seek the Lord in truth and sincerity and grow
emotionally and spiritually.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) Luiz and Aninha and family - that
God would keep them safe in their travels, for deep intimacy with Luiz´s family,
that Luiz can deal with all of the emotions that he is experiencing, that this
encounter would lead to continual contact and growing relationships, that they
can be a witness and blessing to Aninha´s family, that they would cherish this
family time they are having.
2) Fabio and Edit - that the Lord
would guide them and bless them with wisdom, perseverance, and patience during
this time that Luiz, Aninha, and Natalia are gone, for deepening of their
relationships with the children, for deeper understanding of the workings of the
ministry, that God would cover them with His grace and spiritual protection and
arm them for the battles.
3) Rosilda - that God would renew
her strength each day and give her joy and deep love in all that she does, for
building of relationships with the staff and children, that God would give her a
peace and confirmation of His plan for her time in Brazil.
4) Kristen - God´s blessings over
her during her stay at Turvo, that He will give her insight and grant her
precious relationships with the staff and children, that the Lord would continue
to grow and stretch her into all He desires her to be.
5) Aline - that her time in Turvo
can be a growing time, that she would reflect on her relationship with God and
develop a greater dependency, that she would grow in maturity and
honesty.
6) Suelen - that the Lord would take
hold of her life using her intelligence and talents for His honor and glory,
that she would grow in obedience and respect and honesty, that her friendships
would be genuine and lasting, that the Lord would guide her future.
7) Luaninha - that the Lord would
comfort her in the absence of Luiz and Aninha and Natalia, that her routine can
be maintained as normal as possible, that she can feel secure and
loved.
CLM ENTRE
RIOS:
We are very thankful to report that
Jake, Amanda, and Kristen had a successful trip to Foz do Iquaçu. The first day
things looked quite hopeless, but praise God, He guided them to the right place
which was the Federal Police on the Brazilian side. They granted her a 2 month
visa which gives her an extra 10 days over her departing date. What a relief
and to think that she does not have to do anymore visa work. She was actually
getting pretty good at it! Please pray for the last months of Kristen´s short
term experience and for God´s richest blessings over her life and her servant´s
heart.
Tim Morris from the First Friends
Church in North Canton, Ohio arrived on Thursday after not knowing where he was
for many hours. Due to problems we are having with our phones, he was unable to
contact us to let us know that his plane from São Paulo was delayed 4 hours.
Claudemir and Zach went to the bus stations several times to see if he was on
one of the buses from Curitiba. Finally, the last bus arrived at 1:00 a.m. and
Tim Morris stepped off. It was a relief when he had arrived safely. He will be
staying for 3 months. We pray that the Lord would be able to do tremendous
miracles in and through his life during his stay at CLM.
On Friday, Mike and Mary took a large
group of kids and visitors to the São Francisco waterfalls. We have had so much
rain that the whole trip was a challenge. Everyone agreed that it was well
worth it, until the next day when their bodies were aching from head to toe from
the rugged climb. We are trying to plan a few more significant summer
activities that don´t cost much.
On Sunday, the church had baptism for
10 souls here at CLM. The testimonies were a praise and honor to God. They
revealed lives and marriages transformed, liberation from demon procession,
overcoming of addictions, families restored - so very powerful! Following the
testimonies, the baptism took place in the CLM swimming pool. Many visitors and
relatives were present and the Holy Spirit was truly moving. Josiele from CLM
was also included in the 10. She shared about how many times and how cunningly
she was tempted by the enemy to give up and to not get baptized. She knows her
weaknesses, but has come to see that the power of Jesus in her life is bigger
and is victorious. Her conviction to get baptized was strong and very
powerful. She stood her ground and defeated the enemy. After the baptism,
there was a community lunch with the church, relatives, and friends. It is
always nice to see the farm filled Keep all of the new converts in your
prayers that the multiplication will continue.
Following lunch, I left with Bob,
Zach, and Lizena to go to Curitiba. Lizena is on vacation and Bob and Zach left
on Monday night. I returned home in the middle of the afternoon. Thankfully, I
arrived home safely. I will be going to Curitiba again on Thursday for Vera´s
college graduation with Viktória, Rosilda, Vera´s father, brother and
sister-in-law. We will return on Friday, hopefully with the new Kombi. Then on
Monday, I leave once more to go to Foz do Iquaçu with Aline and Francielle for
their 8th grade graduation trip. We will return on Tuesday. My traveling will
be done at that point. Viktória however will be leaving on Wednesday to pick up
her sister, Zsuzsa (Susan). She will be visiting for 6 weeks. They will return
on Thursday. Then Mike and Mary will be going on furlough for 2 months starting
February 1st. They moved their trip up in order to get it in before their
temporary visa expires in case their permanent one doesn´t come through in
time. Please keep all of these travels in your prayers.
Today, Mariane had one more visit to
the doctor about her finger. He released her to full activity, no more
appointments, and no more bandage. The tip will remove itself when the new skin
underneath is ready, so now it is just work it and use it. Amanda will be
working with her on specific fine motion movements and function. Please
continue to pray for full recovery.
Mateus is doing very well, except at
bedtime. It has been a challenge to get him to bed the smoothest way possible.
He is protective of his bed, but doesn´t want to lay down in it. Tonight, I was
able to have him fall asleep in my arms first and then put him in bed. With
that, he sleeps through the night. All the kids mother him up, but Aline (his
sister) gets the prize. Mateus can captivate anyone´s heart. Please continue
to pray for his adjustment.
Mike is working with Maria Joanna on
a short three week trial of "real world". She had moved into the apartment
behind Bethany´s house to live on her own and buy according to her needs. She
is working in the laundry room in Lizena´s place. Mary C. took her to the store
today and she had a tremendous lesson on what is expensive and what is not, what
is within her budget and what is not. She has the illusion of going out on her
own when she turns 18 this year. The purpose of this test is to show her that
she needs to prepare herself for such a move. Pray that Maria Joana would have
a powerful experience with the Lord and realize the realities of life and the
preparations that she needs.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) Tim Morris - praise God for His
protection of him and safe arrival, that the Lord can show him all He desires
for him and of him during his stay, for learning of Portuguese and the culture,
for good health and God´s protection.
2) Josiele - that the Lord would
bless her with continual growth in leaps and bounds, that she would be wise to
the enemy and his attempts to discourage and accuse her, that the Holy Spirit
will transform her timidness into boldness for Jesus and that she would touch
many other lives with His truth and her love for Jesus, pray for all the other
converts that they too would grow powerfully in His Spirit.
3) Bob and Zach - they should have
arrived home several hours ago. May the Lord help them with the adjustment back
to their normal routine while reflecting on their experiences in Brazil and at
CLM, especially pray for Haisha and Hason as they too reflect on this time and
give value to the wonderful father they have.
4) Mariane - for complete recovery
of the movement and function of her little finger, that God would continue to
heal.
5) Mateus - that he would continue
to adjust especially at bedtime when he appears to be afraid, for wisdom for us
in gently helping him with his adjustment, pray for his and his siblings´
future.
6) Rita and Gisieli - that the
spirit of a calm, obedient, peaceful spirit can come over them, that they would
learn how to control their anger and make wise choices, for discernment in
approaching them when they are out of control.
7) Vera´s graduation - she is
working temporarily and it appears to be a good stepping stone for her. Pray
for her graduation and that we can really celebrate the tremendous
accomplishment she made, that God would grant her deep growth emotionally and
spiritually and provide for her every need.
8) Trip to Foz do Iquaçu with
Francielle and Aline - for God´s protection in our travels and a wonderful time
together of fellowship.
9) Arrival of Viktória´s sister,
Zsuzsa - that she would have safe travels, that this time together would be
tremendously uplifting to Viktória, that she can get a feel of Viktória´s
ministry, for overcoming the language barrier, that she will feel and experience
first hand the love and purpose of the Lord at CLM.
10) Mike and Mary - for the granting
of their permanent visa, for preparation for their furlough, for all of the
contacts they will be having, for renewal and encouragement.
11) Maria Joana - that her living on
her own experience can open her eyes to some of the difficulties she will
encounter and how she can prepare herself better, for an openness to
learn.
12) Lizena and Marilda - are on
vacation. That the Lord would renew them, direct them, and help them to have
clear vision of what the Lord desires for them, that He would be their joy and
their strength.
Pick up your armor, shield, spear,
and bows. We are in great need of powerful Prayer Warriors who are fighting the
enemy for us, that we might be able to continue the work. Thank you so
much.
a builder in His
Kingdom,
Mary
