Class of 2020, by David McKinney

Our young missionaries, in the AME program, have just completed their nine-month training in Joao Pessoa. This class started with nine students but only eight finished this first part of the program. They had to deal with the Covid-19 protocols and social contact restrictions. They responded well to the situation, although the pandemic limited certain training activities, such as, visitation and campaigns.

The church had an all-night prayer vigil for them. This meeting is done in a dynamic way, using singing, small groups, coffee and snacks to help keep the participants awake. In one of the activities, we divided up into three groups. The students would rotate among the groups as we prayed over them and expressed to them our appreciation.

I ended up in the same group with Ayane, AME secretary, and Raniere, AME director. The three of us spent a lot time with the students on a weekly basis. As we spoke to each student, the word that kept being repeated over and over was GROWTH. Each one had grown in so many ways. It is amazing to see what Christ can do in a person’s life in so little time. Although the growth was visible, significant and points to the glory of God, we also expressed that Jesus had much more to do in their lives and motivated them to continue to let Him transform them into His likeness.

The purpose of this vigil is to send them off asking God’s blessings on them in all their endeavors on the field. The meeting ended around 4:00am with a nice breakfast. To top things off, several of us went to the beach to behold the sunrise, catching a glimpse of God’s glory in nature. They are all going home for the holidays and in January, they will join their teams and travel to their mission spots. Keep them in your prayers!

Comments

The Second Generation, Part II

In 1993 when we came in contact with a young struggling couple in Caruaru, Paulo and Simone, we never imagined what plans God had in store for them. Now 18 years later (Wow, has it been that long?), after conversion, ups and downs, growing pains, working to further the Kingdom and living it, they have had the pleasure to witness the beginning of their daughter's life in Christ. Juliana (age ten) was baptized by her older brother, Jheymerson, who was also ten years old when he gave his life to Jesus. What a wonderful blessing to have one's whole family saved in Christ! Maria and Cícero were also converted when we lived in Caruaru, though single at the time. They dated and got married, the ceremony performed by yours truly. Maria has been faithful to Jesus all these years though going through several difficulties. Cícero, on the other hand, fell away, but came back and renewed his life and his marriage, and now, along with Juliana, his daughter Vitória (age ten) was baptize...

The Fall of a god

A lot has happened since the last time we talked. The World Cup has ended, and Brazil was not the champion, in fact the country was shamed by a 7 to 1 loss to Germany . There were not many riots as people were expecting to happen. People just went back to work and still a over a month later talk about how bad Brazil played. The expectations to win a World Cup have been pushed back many years. Germany seems to be the favorite to win the next World Cup. There are many Brazilians who, I guess you could say, worship soccer. Yes, soccer is their "god". They may not think so. I am sure they would all deny this fact because it sounds outrageous, but they eat, sleep, and drink soccer. They stay out late at night with strangers at soccer matches instead of being with their families at home. They take their meals in front of a soccer game on TV instead of eating at the table with their famili...

Everlasting Father

by David McKinney Beliza first met the church in 2009. Along with her came her little brother Kauã. He was two years old at the time. He has had the privilege of growing up in the church. This means that God has used many people to influence him in the process of his conversion. He has participated avidly in Sunday School, VBS, tagged along with big sister to all kinds of youth devos and retreats, studied the ...

McKinney Report

Search This Blog