Chácara Dormitory Update

Here is a recent picture to show the wonderful progress that has been made since my last update on the project.

Over the past couple of months the men of the Chácara (drug and alcohol rehabilitation center) have been working on completing a new dormitory in which they will live. We hosted a campaign of Aggies here the first week of June to help us with some of the construction. Since the Aggies have left the men of the Chácara have really been working hard - with little assistance. Our church family has been providing most of the financial support to come up with the materials. This new dormitory has been a great blessing of hope and encouragement for many people associated with the Chácara.

Men's Retreat - "Seeking Adventure"

This past weekend the men of our church family had their first ever Men's Retreat! It was such a great time!

The theme of the weekend was "Seeking Adventure". We are gearing up for a new Men's study using the book "Wild at Heart" and this retreat was just what we needed to get us going. We had great fellowship, some talks on how men need to seek adventure, some awesome food and a fun tournament of "tug-of-war"!

The times that we shared together in our "break-out" sessions after each talk were probably the best part of the retreat. I heard one guy (whom I have known to have marital problems) talk about how he had always viewed his marriage and his relationship with his wife as "a mission". He said that he recognizes now that "a mission has a beginning, a middle and an end. An adventure, however, keeps on going." He continued by saying that he wants to start viewing his relationships and his marriage as adventures. Sure there will be ups and downs - but you fight and keep going.

Hearing guys talk like this really blessed and encouraged us. Not to mention that out of the 16 guys that went on the retreat, 5 haven't yet made a decision to follow Jesus. I think it shows what kind of things the Lord is doing when one-third of the guys on the retreat were not-yet Christians. Praise the Lord!

Please pray that the Lord continue to bless and strengthen our men's ministry. Please pray that the lives, marriages and souls of these men be changed and strengthened through the Holy Spirit.

Sascha telling one of his adventurous stories...

The guys listening to one of Sascha's talks.

Being macho in our "tug-of-war" tournament.

Matt & Sascha got drug through the mud, literally! At least they came in 2nd place!

"Tug-of-War" heroes: Tiago, Renato & Silvio.

Our much anticipated lamb feast. It was incredible!

Chowing down together... baaaaaaah!

Front (knealing): Regis, "Sausage" the dog, Lauro, Spencer, Alexandre, Paul.
Back (standing): Renato, Garigran, Paulo Renato, Matt, Roberto, Ricardo, Sascha, Silvio, Tiago, Jorge.

Life of humility

Most of my "posts" on this website are fairly formal about our work in Porto Alegre. I am feeling the need to just ramble a little about life and what I am feeling and learning being a missionary in South Brazil.

I am just now coming out of a stint of anger. It is hard to be real and confess that for all to read. I don't want people to think differently or poorly of me because I can get angry. But, that is what I have been feeling.

I had an incident about 6 weeks ago that I haven't really told anyone in the states about just because I didn't want anyone to freak out. This "incident" really got to me. For some reason I allowed it to fester like a bad blister. Any little thing would set me off. I became rude and obnoxious to a lot of people.

Finally, my lovely wife pulled me aside one night and asked me what was going on. After some good conversation I felt like my attitude problem was coming from the "incident". I was seeing that Satan was using what had happened to effect me, my relationship with God, my family and my ministry. Jennifer encouraged me to spend some time specifically praying for humility. What a gift she is to me! I don't like other people telling me what I should pray for to better myself as a Christian. I think that feeling alone is a good reason why I should pray for humility. I need it.

As I began to pray I started feeling more peace in my heart. I was feeling a calm that had been missing. I know that God is not pleased with me when I am angry. He longs for me to honor him through peace and humility. Colossians chapter 3 has really been helpful to me getting back on track with a good attitude and a tender nature.

I ask that you pray for me to continue strong in my relationships and ministries. I don't want to allow Satan to have a stronghold in any area of my life. I want to be armed and ready for any "incident" that may come along. I want to be a man of humility and peace.