Construction of our Church Building in CAmpo Verde

The construction of our main church building has begun. The pre-molded frames were put up and the roof. We are praying for funds to finish the building and some work teams to come and help to put in the floor, lay brick for the walls, put in the doors and windows, electricity, and plumbing. We are excited about having a bigger building since we were at capacity in our little building. The building looks bigger because it is two storys. The upstairs was finished two years ago and is used for class rooms and meetings. the only sad part is that we lost our play area and volleyball court.

Visit to Canton Evangelical Free Church - March 10-14

I hava been have a great home ministry visiting my supporting churches. In March I tarvel down to Canton, Illinois. I was welcomed by the marque sign out front. I spoke two times in the morning service. At the end of the service the pastor and the mission chairman prayed for me.

After the church service, we had a great pot luck dinner. I loved getting together with the various people who had me over for lunch or supper which helped me to really get to know a number of people personally. How I thank everyone who houed and fed me during my time in Canton.

On Wednesday I was at the church's AWANA program where I met with the k-2 grade class telling them about Brazil by showing them many Brazilian artifacts. I then did a lesson about our Brazilian flag to the 3-6th grade class, followed by talkung to the highschool group.

On Wednesday afternoon Josh, Ruth, and I made Brigadeiros (chocolate fudge balls) and coconut macaroon cupcakes to serve to the AWANA kids.

Calvary Ladies Brunch - March 19, 2011

In March, a group of ladies from my home church, Calvary Bible E Free Church, and several ladies who taught school with me in the Reddick School district many years ago, gathered at Karen Shafland's lovely home for a brunch. I displayed some artifacts and crafts from Brazil. I also made and served some typical Brazilian food for the ladies to taste. I then explained many of the customs and artifacts from Brazil and the ministry in Campo Verde. We all had an enjoyable time. All the ladies who attended received a cookbook of typical Brazilian cusine.

Calvary Ladies Brunch - March 19, 2011

Farewell to Wayne and Dianna Penner- March 2011

At the same celebration as the anniversary of Aparecida's church was a farewell to Dianna and Wayne Penner. Dianna went to Brazil in 1980 and after language school helped begin our first church in Aparecida teaching the children and women's Bible studies. She worked with Phil and Ruth Mosher and Bill and Kathy Miller. Wayne arrived in 1986 and met Dianna and they were married in December 1987. They have served in all 6 of our churches and Wayne became the director of our Bible seminary. Because of the nationals taking more responsibility for the work, they felt the need to serve their remaining years of service on another field where they are needed. Wayne and Dianna felt the call to go to South Africa to teach in the Bible seminary there.

Aparecida Church 30th Anniversary March 2011

Thirty years ago Berean Mission began their first church in the neighborhood called Aparecida. It started in a house with a Christian couple. Then services were held in a small wooden house. In 1985 a permanent stone brick building was in built and inaugarated. Through the years there were several missionary pastors, then Pr.Lindomar and his wife Jací began ministering in this church. Pr. Lindomar was also the president of our national mission. Then he began his battle with cancer for serveral years and went home to be with the Lord in 2009. Jací continues to work in the church. Since then there have been several men taking the leadership. Anderson finished seminary in 2010 and leads the ministry now although not the pastor along with another family. Because of being in the states during this celebration I wasn't able to be there, but here are some of the pictures I received. Anderson and his family are pictured below. It is interesting that Joelma atended the church as a very little girl ever since the church first began.These were the first members of Aparecida.

The church was filled to capacity.

A group of women from the church sand a special number.

As a very little boy, Humberto began attending the church with his family since the beginning. He returned for the celebration and play the keyboard. Pr. Lindomar's son, Thiago, plays the guitar.

Teacher Training - January 2011

Besides VBS every afternoon, Cristiane and I did a teacher training course every evening and Saturday morning. Two of the girls that came up from Cuiabá were able to take adavantage of the time and participate in the course also. The rest of the group were 4 of my adolescent girls (Luana, Carol, Josiane, Adriana) and Wellita who was taking it for the second time and taught for a time before she had to work on Sundays. My purpose in coming to Campo Verde was to train teachers to do children's and adolescent ministry. However we just haven't had many adults willing to teach or have have legal marriages to be qualified to teach. Therefore most of our future teachers will be my adolescents who are very willing and excited to do so. They had the assignment to evangelize 3 kids other than VBS. They loved it. I will continue the training these next two weeks in preparation for my absence. Since I will be gone for almost 4 months we really need others to take the responsibility of teaching the children.