Mission (13)

Good old friends.

It has been more than 30 years since Elci and her family lived at the top of a mountain, at a great distance from civilization. The house consisted of walls and a roof and inside there was almoust nothing. We gathered at 6 a.m. every morning to pray together and to learn Portuguese. Thus began a friendship that is still there today. A lot has passed in both our lives. But the difficult things Elci went through. It brought her closer to God and today she leads a small congregation in a mountain village in Minas Gerais. We hadn't seen each other for years, but it was like stepping back in time. It's great if you have such friends in Brazil or the Netherlands.

People in danger.

Due to the large amount of rain in recent weeks, rivers have overflowed their banks and a second dam is in danger of breaking through. Families have been evacuated and Brazilian Christians are praying.

Just going to the bank...

In the Netherlands, branches are closing more and more, because we do almost everything digitally. But in Brazil it is still the case that many people go to the bank to pay a bill, or to collect money. A lot is paid in installments and then you have to come by every month. It means a long line, not only in the bank, but also out on the street. It'll just take you a few hours... don't worry... you talk to everyone around you.

Only as a Dutchman it took some getting used to... Do you see that sign ITAÚ?

Good example!

We were visiting a pastor's family. At the end of the evening, in which we had a lot of fun, collected many old stories and played games together at the table, there was a special moment. "We have agreed as a family that we will close the day in prayer for 21 days," the pastor said. A guitar emerged, the son played and we were close together and close to God. "We want to pray especially for our families and families." It hit us! We often lose a lot of time with telephone and TV and so many other things... Not wrong, but taking time to pray together as a family is just as important... and a lot of fun! So let's join!

Pigs.

A lot of funny things happen too.... From the mountain two pigs came running towards the gate where I was walking towards. I'm just too late to open the gate, they take the exit towards the center....no camera with me, Jennie comes running with the phone, but pigs can run fast if they want to catch the bus...

Later that day I meet them again... They have been dumped it seems....but I don't think they objected to that...at least I was able to take the picture.....

Finally.

Feel free to share this blog with whoever you want. We like to involve more people in the challenge to be a link in the Kingdom of God from the missionary point of view. We have a desire in our hearts to help Esperança's work in the state of Rio this year, so that the families and children in this neighborhood will experience that Jesus truly loves them and that change is possible.

Blessings!

Jaap and Jennie.