The Return to Brazil

The McKinneys and Newlins are back after report visits in the USA.
Actually we have been back a month and a half. Getting settled in with
new schools and new work routines, a process that should have taken a
max of a couple of weeks has dragged on for what seems like forever. We
have had some mishaps.
But first we want to thank everybody who made our trip to the States a
blessing from God. We are sad that we didn't get to spend time with
everybody, but I hope to on our next report visit.
Our first accident: Edda fell off a ladder and broke her toe. The
ladder was old and rusted and came apart under her. Poor Edda had a list
of 101 things that had to be done, but she couldn't walk well or drive.
She hobbled around too much for it to heal properly so even after a
month it is still swelling up.
Our second accident: Edda spilled boiling water on her hand, a second
degree burn that hurt so much that she couldn't stand to keep it out of
cool water. Fourteen hours later at 4 am either it felt better or she
was too tired to let it keep her awake, and she got some sleep. Her hand
looked awful for a couple of weeks.
Our third accident: well, I'll share that one in a future email.
The Newlins have struggled with their kids' school. Nicholas and Dylan
are in limbo while the Education Department decides whether to send them
to the next grade or hold them back because of all the bureaucracy that
they require just because the boys went to a US school for a half year.
Life doesn't always work out as we plan. Thank you all who have prayed
for us.

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Consecration

We know that God can do anything. The question is what will He do? What will the Lord do in the lives of His people when they consecrate themselves to Him? We hope to find out. Friday, May 22 nd , the Luna congregation had an all night vigil of consecration. We went from 9 pm to 5:30 am, and over 50 people participated, from the ages of 10 to 75 years. In the prayer corner, brothers and sisters signed up for time slots so that we would have prayer without ceasing. The vigil focused on Consecrating our Lives, in Gratitude, in Unity, in Service, and in Sharing . Each part consisted of prayer, singing, Bible Reading and Reflection, and practical activities, like in Service, we washed everyone’s feet, and then everybody joined in making breakfast for the group: homemade bread, fruit, tapioca and eggs, juice, and coffee. In Sharing, we ended with a wonderful meal together in family, talking about people with whom we want to share the gospel. Spend

Luna Men

The men of the Luna church of Christ have a weekly meeting for the purpose of edification and planning God's work in the congregation. Some are going strong, others have family problems, and we all want to grew in God's purpose for our lives. Last night's meeting included a discussion of what really happened on the cross, on resting in Lord in the Psalms. We made plans about the upcoming Carnaval (Mardi Gras) retreat, and talked about the need to do some manual labor on our building. Though the group was smaller this week, there is a hunger to serve. Five out of the six committed spending Wednesday ripping up a big wall that needs to be redone. Whether leading, studying, admonishing, evangelizing, or tearing up a wall, let God use us to His glory!

Pentecost in Paraíba

"This is Pentecost in Cajazeiras," Rivaldo Café said, "Almost three thousand were baptized in Jerusalem, almost ten in Cajazeiras." A wild comparison, of course, but the excitement that produced it was legitimate. Six young men gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized on Saturday. I was blessed to be there: the sixteen hours on a bus, going and coming, was worth it. I went to teach a weekend couples' seminar on the theme "God Gave Me You". The couples (around 12) were mostly parents of kids in the Right Step Program. The changes in these boys' lives have made an impression on the families, many of which have started Bible studies too. Saturday morning, after the soccer practice, three of the boys asked to be baptized. We headed to the building. Café began filling the portable swimming pool while I talked to the boys about what it means to come into the Family of God. Franze (15 yrs), Luam (14 yrs), Jorcelam (17 yrs)

McKinney Report

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