Our first few weeks were spent on the farm in the Chattanooga area with Sarah’s family. We have tried to treat this time like a sabattical where we can get some mental rest. I feel like we have been pretty successful with that and will hopefully bring that mentality back to Brasil. The sabbath is an important principle that I am not sure we have fully learned or understand yet. Resting in God and understanding that our rest comes from Him, that we are dependent on Him, means that we can live in peace in this chaotic world.
Another reason for our trip has been scouting out the US for next year when we are on our furlough. One of the main reasons we have had a longer term besides our normal less than two year terms is so that we can put the girls in a US school for a year. So our plan will be to have them in school for the 2022-2023 school year. We will also travel to some churches and have thought about what else to do to occupy our time. Sarah will be working on her dissertation for her master’s degree and probably counseling some. Pray for wisdom in that regards that we would know how to best use our time.
During this month the services continued in both church plants with sermons from four different members. It is neat to see their growth. We also learned that one of them who probably preaches the most out of all of them, will be moving to south Brasil (where her family is from). This is tough for us cause of their proximity to us and the growth we have seen in their lives. However, we look at it as training Brazilians to go out and reach Brasil. They are moving to an area where a friend of mine is trying to reach because there are not a lot of solid churches. I am not sure where they will attend, but I know that they will be great members/servants in whatever church they are in. Pray for Raphael and Viviane as we send them out!
Thank you all so much for your love, prayers and support. We truly live a blessed life.
All for HIS glory,
David, Sarah, and my two fish who have been in pools for this month.
