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Dear Family and Friends,
Our family with two pastors in Eldoret.
Being back in Missouri for the fall to see the vast contrasts of colors through the forests has been a real treat. As we drive around and see the fall colors blend together like a beautiful canvas across the hills, we are constantly reminded that God’s promises are as sure as the changing of the seasons.
The past three months have flown by for our family. The second week of August we had the privilege of taking the family to Marci’s hometown of Eldoret, Kenya. Her parents have been missionaries there for nearly 40 years. They still live in the same house that she grew up in. We spent a month there, and Brandon’s mom was able to join us on the trip. This was a real gift to our children as this is their first time to ever spend
extended time with all of their grandparents together.
It was also fun to see Marci back in her element. Although many things had changed in eighteen years,
Two more pastors from Eldoret.
it didn’t take her long to remember the basics of navigating Kenya. Her swahili quickly returned to her, and the kids were shocked at how “cool” mom was as she walked around having conversations with people. It was a highlight to reconnect with pastors from Marci’s childhood.
Brandon was even able to preach to the church that baptized Marci. He also served on an ordination council and dedicated a new building.
Kenya is a beautiful country with vast landscapes. We saw the Kerio and Great Rift Valleys. We visited the game park in Nairobi and rode the train to Mombasa, where we got to take a dip in the Indian Ocean.
While on the coast of the Indian Ocean, Brandon and Marci were able to renew their wedding vows for
Grandparents with us at our vow renewal on the coast in Kenya.
their 15th wedding anniversary. These memories will last a lifetime, and we are so thankful for the time
Brandon dedicating the Kiminini Baptist Church building.
we got to spend with family.
Upon returning to the United States we have hit the ground running. We very quickly started making plans to leave for Brazil. We are packing what we can take on the plane and putting the rest into a storage container for home assignments.
Many hours this past month have been spent navigating our way through the visa process and getting the necessary paperwork for our application, which included gathering official documents from Washington, DC, and four other states. On October 29th we applied for our visa in-person at the Chicago consulate. We now wait for its approval, hoping we can leave for the field on November 15th. Brandon has an Old Testament Theology class starting on November 19th.
At our missionary training we talked about saying good goodbyes. Making sure that we take the time to say goodbye well. We have started this goodbye process. First with Marci’s parents and Brandon’s mom
Presenting a bible to the new Rev. Mboya at his ordination service.
in Kenya, then Marci’s brother and sister-in-law in central Missouri. Later this week we’ll see Marci’s
The Kerio Valley
grandma who is in her mid-nineties. This will be tough as this visit will probably be the last time Marci sees her grandma on this side of eternity. On November 4th we will say goodbye to our church family here in Aurora, Missouri. Then we will transition to Florida, where Brandon’s family will be helping us with the final details of closing things down in the States before we fly out of Orlando to Porto Alegre.
Thank you so much to all of you who faithfully pray for us, and those who have also joined our financial support team. Although we are making plans to leave for Brazil, we are still not 100% funded. We are praying and trusting that God will bring in the 
remainder of our funding so that we can remain on the field long-term. We are so thankful for the amazing partnerships that God has given us. We ask that as you look into your 2019 budget that you prayerfully consider adding our family, or if you are already a supporter increasing your finaincial support in 2019. We still need 15% of our support goal to be sustained on the mission field.
Thank you to all of you who have prayed, sent us encouraging messages, and who have sacrificially given. God has used you to bring encouragement and blessing as we wak this journey. God has truly blessed us with an amazing team of partners!
Joyfully,
Brandon and Marci Jones
Our new address on the field:
Avenida Cristovao Colombo, 3452/201
90560-002 Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil