Love and Encouragement

This week, Kelci and I met with a minister in Flower Mound, TX to discuss our move and mission to Niteroi, Brazil. We were discussing missions in general, the missions that the congregation he works for are a part of, and obviously Niteroi and how we hoped they could partner with us in it. Both in prayer and financially. I don't know if that congregation will choose to financially support us or not. But the time, encouragement and prayer we received from that minister is already enough. We were blessed that day.

This is the Christ Statue from Rio de Janeiro. 

Jesus is actually looking across the bay at 

Niteroi, Brazil where we will be living. 

A current team member said that they joke 

that Jesus has His back to Rio, but his arms open 

to Niteroi.

About a month ago I called an elder at a congregation in the Oklahoma City area where a friend of mine is a youth minister. We discussed the missions program at the congregation, how Kelci and I got involved with missions (and specifically in Brazil), and pretty much every topic that has to do with missions (from funding to mission models to local missions, etc.). I was on the phone for about 40 minutes and in that time, this elder decided to pray for me over the phone. Again, I don't know if that congregation will choose to support us financially or not, but we have already felt the love and encouragement from them through that elder. 

Last weekend, we traveled the 3 hours (I probably sped a bit to make it in that time) from Dallas to OKC for our alma mater's homecoming. We have always attended homecoming and it was so good to see people we had not in a while and to catch up with old friends. This one was particularly special for us, as we knew it might be the last one we attend for a few years. We saw so many people that we love and hold dear to our hearts and everyone of them (whether they knew about God's upcoming plans for us or not) encouraged us with their words and love. Often, we would discuss our plans to move in January and every time we were met with an encouraging statement or a request to send them something so they could support us. It was awesome and it reminded us that #OCisHome (that's their current tag line, a pretty good one too I believe).

Finally, a few weeks ago we received a check in the mail. This has been somewhat common lately as we have spoken with many churches and individuals about supporting us and the mission in Niteroi. However, this was different. It was from a name that we did not recognize right away. It was from a place that we hadn't remembered visited. Kelci's brother texted us about it and and we told him to open it up. Inside was a support check for us with a very encouraging note. Right away, we thought about how God is good and how the church he established is beautiful. 

With learning Portuguese, training in Dallas (and therefore dealing with traffic on a daily basis), raising funds, trying to obtain our temporary visas, and the common daily pressure of life...we have found ourselves a little stressed at times. However, through it all...through everything...through every step of the way dating back to January when we told our parents that we were considering mission work in Brazil...a day has not gone by that we were not loved and encouraged by someone.

It has been such a blessing to feel that love and encouragement from God's people throughout this entire process. I sit here thinking of all the times that someone has prayed for us in person or told us that we were in their prayers or gave us a check or simply listened to us or told us how good they think we will do or whatever it may have been...we have felt the love of God through His people. We want to thank you all. If you are reading this, you're encouraging us and we thank you. We would not be doing this, if it were not for people like you.

We still have a long way to go before set off for Brazil. There is a lot to be done and accomplished yet...however it is such a blessing to know that we have you all on our side and that you are praying for us, supporting us, and that you love us. Never under-estimate the power of encouragement and love. Encourage and love someone today.

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." - 1 Thess. 5:11

- Obrigado! Kelly and Kelci

Searching For Clarity

We all want clarity.

It is something that we all desire and that we all search for. We want clarity in our jobs, in our finances, in our schedules, with people and yes...in our spiritual lives. Kelci and I were having brunch after church this morning and we talked about how we wished that we had a little more clarity with everything right now. If you are reading this...you probably know that it is our plan to move to Niteroi, Brazil in January. As we plan for that, clarity is simply something that we have had to sacrifice. We are currently living with some people that we know near Dallas, Texas. However, we do not have clarity in our living situation. We are here and there and all over the place. And when we arrive in Brazil, we will not know where we are living for about a month. We are still raising funds for the work and for our livelihood while we are in Niteroi. Raising money is difficult and trying. The lack of clarity, however, is perhaps the most difficult part. We are also striving to learn as much Portuguese as we can before traveling to Brazil and though it is going well, it is frustrating at times. We eagerly await the moment that we have a clearer vision and understanding of this new language.

I know that in your life as well, you search for and desire clarity. What we all must realize is that we find our clarity in Jesus. It is through Him that peace in difficult situations is found. It is through Him that understanding surpasses complication and confusion. It is through Him that clarity is found and our desires our met.

We will be praying for clarity this week in our travels and in our upcoming plans. We invite you to join us in prayer as we all search for clarity in our lives.

Obrigado e que Deus abençoe! (Thank you and God bless!)
Kelly and Kelci