Yesterday was the first truly hard day we have had. I honestly felt like quitting. Maybe that’s a good thing, now maybe God can start using me. We have all been off a bit since returning from Campo Mourao and yesterday seemed to be the culmination of some feelings mixed with some bad experiences. One thing, we almost lost Juliah, Melissa and Daniel would have been seriously hurt. A motorcyclist who wasn’t looking when he pulled out was heading straight for them. My brain froze and I only managed to scream in English, if you know me well you know I never get excited enough to scream.
I think we are nearing the end of our first season and honestly if you look at life finishing well is one thing very few people do. We as people rarely end things on a high note. Most missions boards have you go out for a 3 year term, 1 year language learning (normally a school, but we have learned the term for my style is “barefoot” and it is used) and 2 years of service somewhere. We are about to start the 2 year portion.
We know God is putting it on our heart to engage on a more daily basis the poor and simple people.
Yesterday our heart especially Melissa’s was highlighted once again. A family of Guarani came by asking for food and stuff. It was a lady with 3 kids, one a baby. They were as dirty as could be and without shoes. Melissa couldn’t sleep last night thinking about them. It was a reminder at the end of a hard day, that is why we came, where we are going, why we are learning a new language, why we are going through more paper work, why we ask people for support and how incredibly blessed we are.
My parents are going to be here in just over a week. They have offered to match money for a car up to $2,500. We are content and thankful where we are at but believe it is time to ask for help. In July we will be transitioning from language and culture learners to more full time missionaries. Not having a car has helped us get to know neighbors, been good for health and increased our practice of Portuguese but we are going to need one for more consistent ministry. Walking eats up a lot of time and energy, so does riding the bus.
If you can help with a car please let us know. If you are going to donate through shepherd’s staff tell us how much please. In this case getting cash here with my parents would go a lot further. If we know what donations are going through the shepherd’s staff process we can borrow it or something so my parents can bring it. If you are in the Albany Corvallis area and can give a cash donation in the next week let us know and we will put you in touch with them.
I don’t like asking for money, I much prefer to simply let God do what he will do but He led us to ask before we came and I believe He is asking me to ask now. Please consider this in prayer.
Love you all, we are very blessed and in lack of nothing. This would simply be a freeing step into entering more fruitful ministry and keep our children a bit safer.
Pray as I go to the prison today and tomorrow we have our free lunch at the church again. Pray as in the next couple of months we are looking at a couple opportunities. We think we know where God is leading us but need to wait and see if it comes together over the next month or two. Pray as we think in the 5-10 year range God will lead us to the very far, Tribal South America, Africa who knows.
Ben and Family
I think we are nearing the end of our first season and honestly if you look at life finishing well is one thing very few people do. We as people rarely end things on a high note. Most missions boards have you go out for a 3 year term, 1 year language learning (normally a school, but we have learned the term for my style is “barefoot” and it is used) and 2 years of service somewhere. We are about to start the 2 year portion.
We know God is putting it on our heart to engage on a more daily basis the poor and simple people.
Yesterday our heart especially Melissa’s was highlighted once again. A family of Guarani came by asking for food and stuff. It was a lady with 3 kids, one a baby. They were as dirty as could be and without shoes. Melissa couldn’t sleep last night thinking about them. It was a reminder at the end of a hard day, that is why we came, where we are going, why we are learning a new language, why we are going through more paper work, why we ask people for support and how incredibly blessed we are.
My parents are going to be here in just over a week. They have offered to match money for a car up to $2,500. We are content and thankful where we are at but believe it is time to ask for help. In July we will be transitioning from language and culture learners to more full time missionaries. Not having a car has helped us get to know neighbors, been good for health and increased our practice of Portuguese but we are going to need one for more consistent ministry. Walking eats up a lot of time and energy, so does riding the bus.
If you can help with a car please let us know. If you are going to donate through shepherd’s staff tell us how much please. In this case getting cash here with my parents would go a lot further. If we know what donations are going through the shepherd’s staff process we can borrow it or something so my parents can bring it. If you are in the Albany Corvallis area and can give a cash donation in the next week let us know and we will put you in touch with them.
I don’t like asking for money, I much prefer to simply let God do what he will do but He led us to ask before we came and I believe He is asking me to ask now. Please consider this in prayer.
Love you all, we are very blessed and in lack of nothing. This would simply be a freeing step into entering more fruitful ministry and keep our children a bit safer.
Pray as I go to the prison today and tomorrow we have our free lunch at the church again. Pray as in the next couple of months we are looking at a couple opportunities. We think we know where God is leading us but need to wait and see if it comes together over the next month or two. Pray as we think in the 5-10 year range God will lead us to the very far, Tribal South America, Africa who knows.
Ben and Family
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