Yes, those are 7 boys in one room. Barely an inch in screen size for each boy. 7 boys ranging from 2 to 8! 
Thanksgiving was an adventure in "family" for us. We invited over all our team that is in Belo right now (a few are in the States). Totalling up everyone in attendance, we had about 20 adults and 14 kids (I lost count). Add in 5 or so caseroles and it was a happy and intimate time. 
Thank you for loving us and for your time and willingness to engage at a heart level. Thank you so much for your commitment to a life driven by faith and by the truth of the Gospel which allows us to indeed be a part of God’s kingdom, what a privilege! Thank you for fostering Kingdom dreams in our hearts.
Some of you cannot imagine the impact that you have had in our walk with Christ — just allowing us to see Christ in your hearts, as we prayed, cried, got on our knees, held hands, trusted God, saw the impossible become a reality, and listened: I am with you … doesn’t that sound like: “and behold, I am with you to the end of the ages”. This great challenge has given us a great opportunity to see in a clear way God’s commitment to the work he has called us! PRAISE HIM!!!
In Him, for Him and through Him, Fernando and Larissa Rodrigues
And Chico, whom as you know I've worked with for the past 3 years or so, recently celebrated his 27th birthday. Chico shared his thoughts on turning 27 and some pictures from his party. ...which was amazing. I sat there and which man after man enter the room that has been impacted by Chico's life. Imagine celebrating your birthday with a room full of about 20 men who've grown because of the light they see in you. Read about it and see the pictures here.
Around 5:30 last night we were beat with some heavy rain and wind... right about the time the students would be leaving their homes and getting the bus to the meeting. We still had a great turnout; just ended up starting a little later. I thank God for what he did through the meeting to give us a deeper desire to understand the Kingdom and to live as citizens in it.
Two weeks ago about 80 of us got together on the indoor soccer court where we normally meet for church to talk a little about the upcoming beach project and to emphasize living out our theme - Immigration - during the 49 other weeks of the year. We'll be meeting again this Saturday to further discuss our theme and to encourage one another to continue seeking first God's kingdom and his righteousness. Pray that those interested in going to the project this year could get a clear picture of what it's all about.
(Here's Jim pictured with a ministry team in Asia... he's the one in the denim shirt).Are you looking for your calling, wondering what God wants you to do? You're surrounded! Some of your relationships are good, some are bad, but they all have potential for new meaning now that you're a citizen of the kingdom of God. Live out that citizenship...
I asked Karen to share some of her thoughts on her time here in Brazil. Here's what she had to say after her long trip home. She got delayed again on the way. Go figure.
Last week I went for what I thought would be 5 long days in Brasil, but it turned out to be one quick adventure with the Dowdys. I've been living in Asia for some time and it's obvious I'm not a local, so wherever I go, people always begin by speaking English with me. So, I was quite surprised when I landed in Brasil and everyone started with Portuguese and then switched to English only after noticing the blank stare on my face. Another surpriser was having to greet everyone with a kiss. During the in-town retreat, I had plenty of opportunities to practice my new greeting skill. After the first night, I turned to Amy and confessed, "I've never kissed so many guys in one night."
All uncomfortableness aside, Belo is a wonderful city and I enjoyed not only spending time with the 5 Dowdys but spending time with the students they work with. Trip is highly recommended, I give it 5 stars.
karen
This past weekend we had 30- something of our friends over to kick-off an in-town retreat. I like to think of it more as an advance rather than a retreat, an advance into a deeper understanding of what it means to not only "receive Christ" but also to "continue to walk in him" (Col. 2:6-7). Pray that this would be a reality among us on the campus, within our church and at home with our families.
This past Wednesday Amy's roommate, Karen, from West Georgia arrived here in Belo for a visit and to celebrate Amy's 30th with us. She was supposed to arrive on Tuesday but she missed her flight and then missed it again the next day but she eventually arrived at our apartment by taxi since we missed her at the airport. Traveling overseas is always tricky. She tried calling us to say she would be late but since it takes at least an hour for us to drive to the airport we didn't get her call. And she missed her flight in the first place because they changed gates but only notified the passengers in Portuguese. For any of you thinking of coming to visit please disregard these last few statements. And thanks for coming Karen. She left Sunday and is catching who-knows-how-many flights to make her way back to the Philippines where she and her husband work.
