guitar lesson

Two days ago I sat down with Braden and gave him his first guitar lesson. I was playing the mandolin I got for my birthday. It was the first instrument my grandfather (Toby Dowdy) learned to play and my dad was kind enough to have it put back into playing order. The "guitar" Braden is playing is actually a Brazilian instrument called a "cavaquinho" and isn't tuned exactly like the mandolin. We are working on that.

cement bobsled

Just a quick email to say that I arrived safely back in Brazil. The flight was uneventful yet full. I made it through to my connecting flights without any problems and all my bags were just as were packed. So... plenty to be thankful for.

The apartment is slowly taking shape. Amy had already done most everything before I arrived (a short-term team of 10 lived in our apartment while we were gone and thus, things were boxed, etc...). The boys seem close to getting their routine back.

Yesterday we went to a park here in town for the boys to run some energy off and to see some of the students involved in the ministry here. At the playground in the park there was what looked to be a cement slide. Braden and Simon saw some Brazilian kids sliding down it sitting on plastic two-liter bottles so they had to try it. They had a big time zooming down the bobsled as Amy and I called it. They were filthy by the time we left. I wished I had taken our camera.

God tremendously blessed our efforts to raise additional funds while back. We went hoping/trusting that $1000 monthly support would be pledged and $1085 was pledged! Thank you all who joined our support team and for those who increased their support and especially those who prayed for us during this time!

Thank you for your prayers!

Good Shepherd

I just got back from my visit to Good Shepherd down in Ocala, Florida, the church where my cousin Jason Shiver is the associate pastor.

I really enjoyed meeting everyone there and the service was great. I was disappointed that it didn't work out for Jason to be there on the same weekend. He was up in north Georgia rafting with some of the young people from the church. Maybe next time.

Part of my hopes with this blog is that the people like the ones I met today can meet me here and pray for us and the ministry in Brazil. I hope that there can be a real exchange, a real deepening of friendships, and a partnership in being ministers of the gospel here in the States and in Brazil.

I head back tomorrow and I still haven't done my final packing. It looks like we are going to partake of the grease tonight at the Huddle House before I come back and stuff everything I can in my suitcase. I also hope to see the final episode of Spielburg's Into the West, which I've enjoyed watching since back. I guess my next post will be in Brazil!

Rafael Maia talks about the CCP

It's incredible how God has worked in my life during this first semester (ended July 1). I'm so happy and encouraged by what has happened. Since the last beach project (3 week training program at the beginning of the year), I see how God has opened my eyes and has shown me that "I am more sinful than I can imagine" and how "God is greater than I can imagine", which oftentimes can sound cliché but is the greatest truth.

It's clear that understanding this has affected my life in every way. I can see how my view of the Christian community has grown and how this has led me to build deeper and real relationships. That's been so important for my walk with Christ. Also I can see how my view of discipleship and evangelism have grown and how my prayer life is changing.

Also I'm really encouraged with the growth that is happening in our community of believers. I've seen how people are experiencing more of God... how they've built deeper relationships and how they're willing to serve. For me that was so evident during the time the CCP was here (Cross Cultural Project - students involved with Campus Outreach spend 2 months ministering with us on the campus during their summer break). From what I could see, everyone was desirous to have a deep relationship with them, seeing in them an opportunity to know God more and to partner with them on the campus, meeting new students and sharing their faith.

back to where it started

This morning I was talking with my cousin, Jason Shiver, on the phone and a lot of timelines seemed to cross. Since last year I've been talking with Jason about speaking at the church where he is currently an associate pastor. Interestingly enough the pastor is the uncle (I think, relative for sure) of Vince Strawbridge who attended Samford University with me and was my big brother in the Sigma Chi fraternity. That's the first timeline overlap, I guess you could say.

Well, Jason calls me today and says that maybe this weekend would work out. Then he kind of laughs and proceeds to tell me that Paul Boyd was also asked to come in and speak this weekend. Paul (next timeline) went to West Georgia with Jason and I and was involved in Campus Outreach with us. Paul and I were on a beach project together for two summers and lived in the same dormitory for a couple of weeks.

So, this weekend I think (not confirmed yet) I'll be driving down to Ocala, Florida and I'll see Paul for the first time in years and years. Vince even said that he might show up. I haven't seen Vince since he visited Amy and me in Bainbridge during our first year of marriage. Small world? Coincidence? Something bigger? We'll see.

leaving home (again)

As many of you know, Amy and I made a special trip back to the States this year to raise some additional financial support. Our goal was to raise as much of it as we could in Bainbridge and my parents were hospitable enough to host us for the 2 months.

They got more than they bargained for though... after everything was said and done, my brother and his family stayed as well for several weeks. So we ended up with all three families under one roof! Good thing my folks have added on an extra room and a new larger kitchen. I don't think we'll attempt it again soon though.

We had a great trip back. We enjoyed seeing so many of you. Not only did God provide for our financial needs, He amazed us by doing it quickly and through many encouraging contacts (new and old). The way people responded to the need and the speed at which the money came in confirmed once again that God is doing something big in Brazil! Thanks to all of you who are a part of this.

coming and going

Tomorrow morning we get on a plane for the States, the day before our short term team arrives. Ten students are coming down from Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri to minister alongside our team on the campus for the next 2 months. They will actually be living in our house while we are in the States!

Having the team move into our house has been an adventure in preparation. Wednesday night we normally met with the students and staff involved in our ministry for Bible study or prayer, but this Wednesday we did something a little different. We had them take apart beds and put up dishes. It was amazing how much we got done in such a short amount of time. I think it was good for the students as well. It helped make them feel more a part of what is going on.

The family and I are headed back to recruit more monthly financial donors. With the baby on the way in September, the exchange rate going down, and considering our plans to prepare for the next phase here in Brazil, we hope to strengthen our financial and prayer backing. God has blessed us tremendously through many of you keeping us solid on the field. But looking ahead at new family responsibilities (there are 5 of us instead of 2 now), and new ministry responsibilities, we knew it was time to come back.

Last year was a true success for our national staff. Chico is doing well with his monthly support and will be leading the short term team in their ministry on the campus, as well as directing our community here.

I hope to talk to many of you while I am back. Please be in prayer for us. The boys have been sick this weekend (maybe some kind of virus) and we hope that mom and dad do not get it on the plane. Pray that they can feel better tomorrow.

Simon has seemed fine today after a day of not being able to keep much down. He has still been weak but no throwing up at least. Braden came back from church this morning saying he did not feel good. At first I thought he was just jealous because Simon stayed home and got to watch a movie. I thought maybe he hoped I would stay home with him tonight. But then after lunch (he did not have much of an appetite), he started throwing up as well. He has been all day now.

We leave tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. and then have a long layover in São Paulo. It will be miserable if we are still sick on the plane. I hope we can all be right in the stomach, if you know what I mean.

thailand trip

Around the World In Not So Many Days
On Wednesday just before lunch we pulled into our garage, both kids asleep, finalizing who-knows-how-many hours of travel back from Thailand. We spent close to a week in Khon Kaen, Thailand with our international Campus Outreach staff team. Outside of the United States, our teams are located in Kazahkstan, Thailand, Australia, South Africa and Brazil.

Although crazed at times by the travel and foreigness of everything, the conference proved refreshing for Amy and I and for the kids. They got to spend a week in "vacation Bible school" with the other overseas children. Probably the main highlight was meeting the staff from the other teams we didn't know, like the national staff in Australia, Thailand and Kazahkstan. And the other was the time we spent in worship and talking about what God has called us to. That was so renewing.

Thank you for praying for us during our time there. Now if we can just get our feet back up under us... both nights so far the kids have been waking up in the night thinking it's morning already.

A few points of interest
If you have the time, I've placed a video update on my site with some current footage and testimony from the staff.

Chico was our team photographer (at least our digital one) during the trip. Here are some pictures from our layover in Zurich. Hopefully, there will be more to come.

Thanks for all your messages about the new baby on the way. As soon as we have any news (boy or girl) we'll send it along.

Your friends,

Jeff, Amy, Braden and Simon

signing out

Talking Thai
In a little under 9 hours we've got to be out the door. With bags packed and kids in tow we start our 40 hour adventure to Thailand, with a short stopover in Zurich. How they figure Switzerland to be on the way to Thailand, I don't know.

We'll be travelling with our entire staff team, nationals included, for a week-long international staff conference. Teams from Kazahkstan, Thailand (of course), South Africa, and Australia will be attending as well as a few select staff from the States.

Please pray for our time there. Our hope is that God would use this time to renew us spiritually and to call us back to the vision of building laborers for the lost world. I pray for mutual encouragement with the other staff and for a deeper fellowship with the other teams across the globe.

VBS
During the trip the boys will be treated to a "vacation Bible school" of sorts. A church from the States was nice enough to be making the trip to entertain and instruct the kids. Pray that Braden and Simon would make a lot of friends and learn more about why we do what we do.

Pray also for me as I co-lead a seminar on evangelism on Monday (I think). I'm so looking forward to hearing from the other teams and learning from one another.

Barbie at the Dowdys?
Amy and I are expecting our third child in September! The reality still hasn't sunk in yet. The talk among our friends here has been about whether it will be a boy or girl. Some of the guys from campus have been saying they hope it's a girl, that I need a little girl. They are going to buy her Barbie toys and everything. I told them though that Barbie would never make it with Simon around.

Your friends,

The Brazilian Dowdys

"Carnaval"

Monday and Tuesday were two of the most important days of the year here in Brazil - the famous celebration of "Carnaval", where Brazilian flock to the streets for incredible displays of dance and pageantry for hours on end. But at the heart of the music and parades is a tradition that started long ago with a belief that it could be a time to feast on all that our hearts desire. Until Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, when candles are lit and a fast begins. But for most now, it's only the biggest party of the year and a major preoccupation about where to spend it.

Here in Belo we are far from the ruckus of Carnaval. Most prefer to travel to Rio or Salvador and if not then the smaller country towns are preferred to Belo Horizonte. What's most sad to me about the festivity is not the drinking and partying but the heart it reflects towards "religion". Carnaval reveals the feeling most have - my relationship with God is lived out through religion where I fulfill my duties and repentance is a must to appease God. It shows a lack of faith that only God satisfies and that his satisfaction is more than just in word but real.

On Monday we gathered with around 20 friends for a cookout. We had a great time and I was thrilled to see the students who were there. Jimmy and Maggie's parents, here visiting their new grandchild Grant, also spent the day with us. I can say of the 20 or so who were here with us, they are a group living by faith to encounter a richer satisfaction. And amazingly all by God's grace. It's not a group of monks but people touched through others to see God's favor towards us in Christ. I hope you can read through the clichés to see I'm talking about a faith-driven real relationship with God as we seek to understand our place as adopted children and his unconditional love towards us.