AIM: A Sharing of Young People

They have just got here: Daniel, Micah, Katie, Ally, and Amanda, a new AIM team in João Pessoa. They have been trained, they have apartments, they are experiencing Brazil for the first time in World Cup mode, and are excited. Since they don't know Portuguese yet, they have plugged into our English Bible study groups, even starting a new one at the Federal University. For eighteen months they will be an asset to the work, giving invaluable insight in the AME training program, providing manpower for church plants, teaching evangelistic Bible Studies, strengthening the youth group, etc.

A mission field is an exercise in sharing, and through programs like AIM and AME we share the resource of young people, training them, sending them, and receiving them. And through these opportunities, we pray God is using us to prepare future generations for the growth of His kingdom. As Hannibal on the A-Team would say: "I love it when a plan comes together."

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The Planting, the Watering, and the Increase

Emesson started coming to Bible Club over a year ago, when Neil Schultz and Cait Beckloff, our AIM team, were teaching it. For several months, they planted the seed in his and his sister's hearts. Unfortunately Neil and Cait's time in João Pessoa ended. In 2014 Bible Club received a boon when Erick and Jenny Paddy, former AIMers, returned to the field and picked up teaching the Bible Study for English speakers. They watered the sprouting seed in Emesson's life until God's Word became more important for him than just practicing his English. Last Wednesday night, God gave the increase, adding Emesson to the Family of Christ. Sometimes things don't happen when we think they should, but God is in control; His time is best, and we must thank Him for playing a small part in His plan.

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In the USA, there are two special days during the year that children love: birthday and Christmas. Brazil adds one more: Children's Day. On this day, children receive a present and since it coincides with Our Lady of Appeared Conception, Brazil's patron saint, it is also a national holiday. Each week we get kids from the Castelo Branco neighborhood together at the square in front of Dona Terezinha's house to talk about Jesus. For Children's Day, we invited the parents to watch the kids perform a play of the "Prodigal Son," then each kid receives his or her fill of cotton candy, cake, and a sack full of goodies. The parents who came received a Today's Portuguese New Testament and an invitation to the weekly Bible study at Terezinha's. Lori Hagewood has organized this activity for three year with the help from Terezinha, Joseph, and Michel (from the China Taiwan restaurant). Michael, Ashton, and Tif...

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