Where Have I Been?!

Catching up...

I haven't shared a new post to my blog for over 3 months! The reason is because my internet has been spotty or nonexistent all this time - very frustrating in the 21st century to have no ability to communicate with the world!

3rd world problem: an internet provider comes to an isolated town like Portel, sets up towers, equipment, etc. and begins to sell internet service. Within a very short time, the vendor has sold so many subscriptions that the internet traffic begins to bog down. When I arrived in Portel in February, the sole internet provider had been mandated not to sell any more subscriptions! So I have been visiting friends with WiFi whenever I needed the internet for my mission work, and only doing essential things.

Today I have internet at home through a USB D-Link modem, which sometimes works for several hours at a time...and sometimes doesn't work at all for a month or so :)

So...what have I been doing? Traveling - a lot!

I began working with our Water Filter Project in April, editing and publishing the stories of families who receive a new water filter. In May, we delivered 90 filters to families along 3 local rivers. In the picture above, Louro is explaining to a family how the filter works. This project is dear to my heart, because of the immediate health benefits of clean drinking water.

Also in May, I was privileged to attend the national Intervinha conference in Brasilia. This year, Vineyard Brasil was released as an independent Association of Vineyard Churches. Most of our Vineyard pastors, as well as international visitors, attended the conference. Phil and Jan Strout from the US, John and Evelyn Mumford from Great Britain, David Ruis from Canada, all came to bless our churches in Brazil.

 And finally, in June, I traveled to Macapa by boat to spend a couple weeks with a mission team from Vineyard Church of Delaware County, my home church. We had lots of fun together, and the team blessed the missionaries and the Brazilian church groups in Macapa and Serra do Navio.

Now, at last I'm "home" in Portel, recuperating from all the ministry and fun! Today is a typical day for me: 

• Woke up, showered, made coffee, spent some time with the Lord.
• Laudiane, and her niece Rosie, came at 9 and cleaned a little while I worked.
• We read and discussed Romans 12:1-2, then prayed together.
• I did some more bookkeeping for the mission base.
• Later I will have lunch with Richie & Christie, Allison & Rona.
• Afternoon nap; shower.
• Visit a few of my neighbors.
• Eat a light supper, check FaceBook and email.
• Read for a while, shower, go to bed.

Depending on the day of the week, I am generally available in the mission office each morning, lunch with friends, visit people in the afternoon and evening. 

Soon I hope to be helping facilitate an Alpha Course here in Portel, which I pray will bring some new people to Christ.

Please pray for me when God brings me to your mind...

• Physical and emotional health
• Financial support
• Opportunities to tell others about Jesus
• No more accidents...I've had 4 falls since I arrived in Brazil!