Open for Business

This is Lauro Lima, one of our brothers in Christ. He is a close friend to many people in our house church. Lauro took a big step of faith this year - it goes like this:For several years, Lauro has made his livelihood making and selling honey. What always bothered him was that 70% of his sales were to vendors who turned around and sold his honey to people who used it in black magic & voodoo rituals. Lauro felt embarrassed about this, and for this reason he was always evavise when asked how his work was going. At the beginning of this year, he made a decision: by the end of March, he would stop selling honey to these specific vendors. This was a big deal; he would be losing 70% of his family's income. How would he make up for this?

God provided in the form of a Christian brother who made a generous donation to Lauro's family. It was decided that part of this donation would be used to help Lauro start his own fast-food business: Lima Lanches (Snacks). Lauro is an outstanding cook - if you know me, you know I don't call just anybody an outstanding cook! He makes incredible burgers, steak sandwiches, hot dogs, sausage rolls, all kinds of great greasy fixins. Last weekend, Lauro inaugurated his business, to coincide with his son Lucas' 17th birthday (with his mom Lorena in the photo below). Praise God for Lauro's step of faith, and pray that his business is a success in every sense of the word!

Iguaçu Falls - a natural wonder!

To celebrate our wedding anniversary (April 8) this year, we decided to spend a weekend at Iguaçu Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It straddles the border between Brazil & Argentina. Iguaçu is the world's largest series of waterfalls (250 cascades, 1 1/4 miles in total length, maximum drop 250 feet!). It is an experience that words and photos can hardly do justice; they really must be seen and heard in person.

We got as up-close and personal to the falls as possible! We took a jeep ride through the jungle, a powerboat ride up the rapids of the Iguaçu River, and then the grand finale...the driver steers the boat right into the falls for a huge splash of cold water! (don't try this at home)

We also visited a Bird Park, where you can interact with hunderds of species of exotic birds from around the world. Some are even friendly enough to perch on your arm and stay a while? And where else can you see Toucan Sam in the flesh?
Happy 2nd Anniversary to us, and thank you Lord for the privilege of seeming your awesome nature!

A Birthday Homage

April is a special month for birthdays - beginning on the 1st with Waleska, and now with this post we want honor of our mother (and mother-in-law) Phyllis, whose birthday is today, April 11! We just want to say how much we love you and miss you Mom! You are an amazing example of a Christian wife, mother, and worker in the kingdom. May God always give you good health, strength, vitality, and joy! You look really cool in the midst of the Brazilian pine trees! Enjoy your day!

Easter Retreat - quick version

A long-overdue update of how our Easter retreat went! We had more than 70 people gather from Friday through Sunday at "LifeSpace" Retreat Center, about 45 minutes outside Porto Alegre. We had a little bit of everything - homecooked meals, sports, conversations and laughter, powerful times of praise and teaching, and a sunrise worship service that is pictured above (the sun didn't show up, but everybody else did!)
Waleska & I are headed out of town this weekend - next week when I return, we will post more about this special Easter time!