Please continue to intercede for Belo Horizonte and our people. Last night's rain (Tuesday) was even worse than the one from Thursday/Friday last week. At least 53 died and thousands lost their houses, cars and many more. Again we are safe and we live in a higher area of the city, outside of the risk area.
Here are a few English articles to help you understand our current situation:
It's hard to know how to pray when things seem so desolate. But let's pray the words of Paul to Timothy, "for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able..." (1 Tim. 1:12). God is trustworthy and more than able to fulfill his purposes. Let's pray that God works mightily through the church through this storm.
Let's pray for Pedro and Priscila as well. They've been laboring with Campus Outreach for several years and recently transitioned into leadership for the ministry in Belo Horizonte. Pray that the Alberquerque's would find their strong foundation in the Lord as they lead and care for the CO staff and disciples in Belo Horizonte. We so enjoyed our time with them during our last visit and look forward to joining them, hopefully, in July!
We are at 43% and climbing! Also, thank you to those who reached out after our last update!
This morning we woke up to friends in Belo Horizonte marking themselves safe on Facebook due to flooding in the city. Please pray with us for not only their safety but for the church as it seeks to serve others. Here's a message from the Campus Outreach director, Pedro Alberquerque:
Would you pray for and with us for our city and state?
Exactly one year after the dam rupture in Brumadinho (40 min away from Belo Horizonte), when more than 200 people lost their lives, we have been facing another catastrophe. Over the past 48 hours it has rained more then 190mm (7,5in) in Belo Horizonte. It is the heaviest rain recorded in our city. Several rivers and creeks flooded, lots of areas with landslides and flash floods.
That situation affects mainly people who live in poor and risky areas. Over 2000 people lost their houses and assets and as of right now, 8 people lost their lives and at least 10 people are missing. Everyone on our team and church is safe but we do know some people who were affected.
Our church and community are collecting donations to help those in need.
Please pray: - For the missing to be found alive; - For the rain to cease and for steady weather over the next few days; - For God's grace, comfort, and mercy to be with those who lost relatives and possessions;
And... 24degreeweather is probably too cold for camping! Oh well, hindsight is 2020.
We (me, Amy, and Everett) took advantage of the long weekend to head up to Spartanburg, SC to visit Braden at college. He got us tickets to a home basketball game on Friday - Wofford vs. Furman, and on Saturday we set out for Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Sunset, SC for some camping. The temperature dropped down to 25 degrees on Sunday night, but we survived and had a great time with him and his girlfriend, Aniah. Everett, however, continues to remind me that I fell on the trail and had a short slide down a hill.
Support raising continues to build our faith. Earlier this week I was reading in Genesis 50 about Joseph's brothers' fear that he would do harm to them after their father died. Joseph replied, "Do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." And I thought, if Joseph makes a promise like this, surely God's promise is much greater. Then today I read, "how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" God is teaching us to trust him and not our own means! It's true in our parenting, in support raising, in our personal transformation. God, teach us to trust you!
In the past month our support has increased by 10%! And we've met with many others who plan to partner with us. And, as if that weren't enough, God has blessed us recently with two supporters joining our monthly support team unprompted by us! As we work toward a July departure, all giving received is counting towards our one-time moving expenses. So, thank you for your generous gifts!
Prayer requests:
that we'd walk by faith as we invite the remaining partners God has for us to join our team.
that we'd quickly break the 50% threshold!
that the kids (and Amy) could stay strong in school in this transition,
for Simon to thrive in his last semester before graduation,
for me to finish well at work, and
for us as we move toward selling the house and packing up our things!
