lockdown highlights

Last update I asked that you all pray that the pandemic would result in greater trust in the Lord and a deeper longing to be with the body. Over the last three weeks, to try to spur on the body and to sow towards a greater desire to live in community, we've recorded a series of interviews. Pray that the videos would not only create a closeness for the body and leadership, but that it would also instigate great conversations and care for one another.

Last Friday Campus Outreach held a day of prayer for all the CO ministries across the globe. Each international ministry was paired up with a U.S. ministry to update and pray for one another. Praying together with the folks from St. Louis was a great blessing. We even had a staff member from Birmingham, England that was on our team in Birmingham, AL show up and pray with us! Thanks, Mitchell! 

We would love to hear from you all. Please reach out to us on WhatsApp (Amy - (31) 9956-60669; Jeff - (31) 9988-53481); that's the easiest way to text and chat. Also, check out our apartment building on Google Maps! 

Love, 

Jeff, Amy, Braden, Simon, Lucy, and Everett 

p.s. Here's an interesting cultural phenomenon, chocolate Easter eggs! All of those colorful things above Lucy, Simon, and Amy's heads are chocolate eggs, full of chocolate. OK! We love chocolate eggs, but we've really loved re-watching season 1 of The Chosen. What a great representation of Jesus! We can wait for season 2 Sunday night! 

summer leadership project

 

More lockdown hightlights (Jeff's update).

my life wouldn't change too drastically

I normally cringe when I hear the comment, "you said..." because I often speak before thinking. This was the case before moving to Brazil, when I remember telling some of you how "my life wouldn't change too drastically" because I would still be cooking and cleaning, teaching the kids, and trying to minister to those around me. Those daily things seemed almost like second nature, but I failed to realize the changes, and many times difficulty, I would face trying to accomplish the smallest of tasks in another country. During this "lockdown" period, I wanted to share a few reflections from the "home front". 

Amy making tapioca crepes.

We have adjusted how we eat to fall more in line with the culture, meaning we eat 4 times a day, with lunch being the one time I cook. Everything else is snack food, but for those who know us, we can easily make a snack into a meal. A friend recently shared some recipes with me (which was super helpful in that I have needed some inspiration). They were quick and simple recipes in the US, but a bit more involved here. A few examples:

• sour cream (don't forget to strain the water out overnight in the fridge before use)
• cream of chicken soup (chicken broth and table cream will work)
• canned beans (they are dried here--so thankful for the Instant Pot!)
• shredded cheese (ask a family member to grate while I cook)
• Jimmy Dean sausage (well, just ask the butcher to grind some pork, twice please, and add the seasoning when you get home)

All fruits and vegetables need to be washed and sanitized too. I have learned so much from the failures and actually enjoyed the many successes!

Thanks to a local friend, I learned which cleaners to use here. We mostly use dish soap for everything except the bathroom, so that is nice. Washing windows with bars on them is no small feat. Finally, I think I've saved up my whole life for the ironing I've done here. So glad my momma taught me how to do it! Without a dryer, and only cold water to wash in, ironing is a good way to sanitize and soften our laundry. 

School has been a good stable part of our days. With everything here being online, I am very thankful that we have the option of homeschooling, and I am so proud of the hard work Lucy and Everett are putting into their studies, especially with most of it being in Portuguese!

I've recently been reading Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie and I was so convicted and encouraged right from the beginning. The following words spoke to me, and I would like to share them with you.

"We are, however, meant to recognize every facet of our day as coming from the hand of God. It all passes through His fingers first, and He uses it to make sure we lean hard on Him." (p 3)

May this Easter season find all of us leaning hard on Him. Love and hugs from afar!

Love, 

Amy

Read Braden's update.

gospel homework

During this lockdown, basically the only contact we've had with the outside world has been in our language-learning classes. Though even still God has provided evident opportunities to share the gospel. For my homework, I was asked by my teacher to explain a chapter or story in the Bible to her in Portuguese! 

"Obrigado por todas as orações e apoio." 

Simon 

Puzzles go fast during lockdowns. Simon knocked it out in two sittings.

Read Amy's update. 

I sound like a 3-year old

So the lockdown has made it more difficult to meet people but thankfully I had already joined a bible study. We have been able to continue doing that online! It has been so great! It is partially in english and partially in portuguese which helps with my language learning and understanding. I also do both my portuguese class and my CC class online. They are both in portuguese as well but I’m glad, because they have really helped me become more comfortable speaking portuguese even though i have a limited vocabulary and probably sound like a three year old when I talk! Praying that lockdown will be over soon! 

Lucy 

We decided to paint our 'sala' to make use of the lockdown. Lucy even scraped and 'mudded.'

 

Read Simon's update. 

 

online basketball is not easy

 Dear Friends

Dad has asked if I could do a little update so here it is. We have been in quarantine for about two weeks. It makes it a little tough for dad to share the gospel to people when we have to stay inside all day. I do online basketball which is not easy. One advantage of online basketball is that when you do situps and pushups they can't see you. I have also started online Classical Conversations class which is hard in general but now it is portugeuse. Yesterday was April Fools day. I did the best tricks. Dad got all of us, he asked us to put on our 247 365 day a year shirts (pictured below) and he said that a picture guy was coming to take our picture and he tricked us!!!!(ask dad for more info) Apparently April Fools Day is not a thing in Brazil it is actually called Lying Day where you just lie. Portuguese class has been great. If we went back to a resort called the Hotel Fazenda when I did not know any portuguess it would be much better. (We went to the Hotel Fazenda for christmas.) Tchau tchau!! Eu gosto muito do Brasil. Bye bye!!! I like brazil very much.

From Everett

PS. I saw two monkeys a few days ago. The popsicles are the best here!!!! Surprisingly kiwi is a great flavor for popsicles. BYE!!!!   

 Read Lucy's update.