It’s not surprising to me that February was full. It was Teen Camp Season after all! It’s still bizarre having summer in February, but it’s the end of summer, so schools start back up in the middle of February. On February 13th and 14th we had 10 teens at our ranch, and we had a very successful teen camp. We challenged them about facing the challenges and difficulties in life, and pray that they were impacted by God’s word and will have renewed focus on the Lord. So far, we have been very encouraged by what we have seen! Our teens have become more united, more interactive, and are showing more hunger and interest in God’s word. Be praying with us for the next generation of our church.
After teen camp, we decided to start trying to do something new in our church. While Pr. John and Robson continue the regular Sunday school hour on Sunday Morning, I am taking the teens every week for our Sunday Morning Teen Church! We have been doing Teen church on Saturdays twice a month, but noticed a pattern of losing our teenagers when they get a job and can no longer make it on Saturdays. So far, our teens have LOVED having their own church service on Sunday, their own room to decorate, their own lessons to study. It’s been a wonderful opportunity for Joneia and I to invest more in our teens, and help them establish habits and goals that will help them have a blessed and successful life. It is stretching my Portuguese beyond its limits! God has really been helping me and blessing me as I take on new challenges.
Something else kinda fun we decided to do with our church was introduce them to American Football. We had a Superbowl party at our house after church! Nine of our members attended, and one of the Yelle’s good friends came too. His name is Ronei. He loves American culture, and speaks very good English. The Yelle’s have been working on him for many years, and we are praying that one day Ronei will get saved. We are hoping that time with our church family help him want to know more, and give us opportunities to give him the gospel. Be praying for Ronei. We would love to bring him into the fold.
After these many weeks of chaos, we took off for the beach for a much-needed week of rest. I felt like I had begun to get very unfocused and had difficulty even in studying. Our small get away to the beach was very restful, and I feel well recovered and ready for more service to the Lord this coming year.
Be praying for our church to continue growing. Keep praying for my Portuguese. Since beginning preaching here I have manuscripted and read every lesson word for word. Now I am trying a new approach to my notes and my study with teen church. Be praying that we would see good fruit from this new ministry. Be praying for our upcoming Easter presentation. We are already preparing, and our people are getting excited. Our church is growing, and we are doing well. Keep praying!