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October 20, 2024, marked eight years since we became career missionaries with the NAB. In some ways it is hard to believe how much time has passed, while in other ways time has flown by. In these past eight years, our family has been put through many tests of faith. We have fought different battles individually while facing some together as a family. But we have also learned to lean on the Lord in ways we never would have needed to had we never embarked on this journey.
Solange welcoming us to a home tour after the build was complete.
Marci recently attended the bi-annual Women’s Conference. There were over 450 women from Baptist churches all over the state. It was a joy to praise the Lord with so many women’s voices and celebrate how God has worked across the state through so many churches during the floods. There were nine women in attendance from our church. Marci and our partner, Lyndell, were able to promote the Kairos Brasil program, which was well-received. One attendee from the conference already enrolled as a new student.
Marci and the women from Central Baptist Church of Porto Alegre at the retreat.
At the end of November, we welcomed back visiting professor, Pastor Dana Goodnough, and his wife, Monica. It was a blessing to be able to spend two weeks with them, and the students loved Dana’s class. This time around, Brandon took on some of the work of interpreting Dana for class. This was his first time interpreting for a visiting professor! We are thankful for God’s grace and for strengthening our language abilities. This was a big “Wow, God” moment for us, as we reflected on all the work it has taken to get to this point.
About a year ago, God opened an opportunity for us to expand our seminary partnerships. The Independent Baptist Theological Seminary of the South has welcomed us to help them in their programs. Brandon and Lyndell have made several trips to the seminary and were even able to attend this year’s graduation. We are excited to be expanding our partnerships and are in prayer of how we may be of best help in this new partnership. This semester, Brandon will be teaching a New Testament class. The seminary is located in a city about 40 minutes away, so he will be traveling farther to teach there.
Mid-December always marks the beginning of summer break for Brazil. The girls get out of school and have the entire month of January off. In early December, we celebrated our youngest, Olivia’s, 15th birthday. On Christmas day, we welcomed Marci’s mom and our son, Daniel, back for a three-week visit. We took a trip as a family to the Iguaçu Waterfalls. It was a wonderful trip, and a dream come true for Marci’s mom.
We are so thankful to you, our partners, who send us cards at Christmas, notes reminding us we are prayed for, monthly support that sustains the ministry, and most importantly the prayers you lift up on our behalf. God bless you all.