Time in the States

My time in the states was a time of refreshment and reconnecting with so many people.  It was nice to spend an unexpected trip back in such a nice way. I got to do so much in a short period of time and even saw friends that I have not seen in many months.  I made it to Minnesota and in that weekend managed to go to the State fair, a church picnic, church, and visited with my former nanny kids! At my parents house I was able to attend my younger sister's baby shower,  saw most of my extended family, vacationed at my family's lake house, and got in some much needed rest.

It was a profitable trip as well, because I did receive my missionary visa in my passport.  It came none too soon as I got it into my hands about 2 hours before I was to leave my house for the airport.  Praise God it came in though and I was able to make my flights!

I am now at the airport in Boston waiting for the first leg of my journey to Brazil.  If all goes well and I am not delayed on any of my flights I will make it to my final destination in less than 24 hours. Which will be a new record for me for sure.  I am praying that God blesses me with such a journey but am prepared for complications along the way.  When I first began the journey of going to Brazil as a missionary over 3 years ago I had many friends encourage me that God uses the journey not always the destination.  I can say that God has used many journeys in my life to change me and convict me of sin.  I am still on the bigger journey even if I have begun the term of my life that will be marked by being a missionary in Brazil.  And I can certainly say that God continues to convict of sin and to change me.

Just in the past few days I re-questioned everything about my call to go to Brazil when it did not look hopeful that my passport would make it back to me in time. I questioned why God has to make things so hard.  I still don't have the answers but I continue to cling to the promise He gives that He loves His children, and works out all things for His glory and our good.  So I am happy to say that I have not given up and I will continue this life, in God's service, and will do my best, with His help, to go where He sends me, and do what He calls me to do.

Please pray for me to do this as I pray for the same for you.  Feel free to share with me any journeys you are on that you would appreciate prayer for and we can lift each other up as we bear one another's burdens in our co-journey towards Christlikeness and Heaven!

In the States

I began my trip back to the USA on Aug 18 and made it into Boston on the 19. I had to come back to the States to get my missionary visa into my passport so my first stop on the way home from the airport was the post office. I mailed off my passport and am now waiting to receive it back or hear from the Brazilian Embassy.

I don't know exactly why things worked out the way they did but I am enjoying my bonus time to spend with family and friends. I was able to be apart of my baby sisters baby shower, and have spent time with family. I am now about to get on a plane for MN where I will get to spend time with many brothers and sisters in Christ. God is good to me in blessing me with this trip even though I tried hard to avoid it.

I am missing Brazil and the many great people I have met there and am anxious to get back. I know that when I return (Lord willing on september 8) I will hot the ground running. Roque and I will start a choir at church and I will have portugeuse lessons and class, plus many other things.

I will post pictures from my trip later.
God bless you!

Visas Visas Visas

Many months ago I began the process of applying for a Missionary Visa so that I could go to Brasil to serve God and stay there for 18 months.  When I left over a month ago from the States I had not heard a final word on my visa, so I came on my tourist visa.  I came in the hopes that with God's help I would receive my missionary visa and residency status while in Brasil and find a way to stay there.  I did receive word that my missionary visa had been APPROVED and then I began to search for a way to change to my missionary visa.  I did not find that way.  So instead I am traveling back to the US for a short trip to finalize my visa and enter Brasil on my missionary visa.  That being said I will be in the USA from August 19 to Sept 7th.  I am flying in and out of Boston and going to Minneapolis for a few days in the middle (25-30).

I was reminded by a friend that when things come into our lives that we do not understand and have not planned for, both good or bad, that we need to not ask "Why" but ask "Who."  I don't know the why, but I do know the Who.  God in his sovereignty has allowed this to happen in my life, and I will praise Him through it.

I have had many emotions and thoughts that go through my mind when I think about the fact that after only a month and a half I will be going back to the USA.  From feelings of defeat and failure for only making it for such a short time, to happiness that I will once again see friends and family that I dearly  miss, to wonder at what God could be doing through this, and to finally understanding that for so many different reasons some I am beginning to see and some I may never know, God has ordained for me to travel back to the states and to praise Him through it.  So that is what I am trying to do!  In all things to give Him Preeminence, for He is worthy of all our praise, our Creator, Redeemer, and Savior.

So that being said if you are near Methuen or Minneapolis and want to see me, please let me know, I would love to see you!

Hope to see you soon!
Joy

Started classes

In my need to learn Portuguese I began attending a module class here at the Seminary.  It is an advanced Portuguese class on Composition of Texts.  Needless to say, but I don't understand very much.  I am however being exposed by immersion to the Language and I can say I am exhausted by the end of the day from all the thinking and trying to comprehend that I have done during the day.  I am learning new words and phrases daily and I get opportunities galore to use my new knowledge.  Thank you to all of you who are praying for me to learn the language, I am slowly learning, but have a long way to go.
 I went to a camp for the Association of Regular Baptists with Roque and Adriana last week.  I met many brothers and sisters in Christ many of which are pastors of local churches throughout the state of Ceara.

 Here is a beautiful view of the pond on sight, full of beautiful lily pads and flowers.

 We had beautiful weather to enjoy God's handiwork, as all the buildings are open air with only roofs to shade from the sun.  With mosquito repellant for the night we faired quite well.

 This is where we slept.  I slept in the red hammock, with Adriana next to me and Roque on the floor.  There was another family in 3 hammocks next to ours in the same room.

Thanks for keeping up with me, if you want to know more please comment or contact me!
God Bless,
Joy

My first newsletter!

I just created and sent out my first newsletter, if you did not get it check it out here - July Newsletter. If you want to receive it in an email let me know.

A world of I'm sorry's and I don't understand

I wish I could say God gave me the gift of tongues, but He has not.  I still understand some and speak a little but I often find myself asking people to repeat what they are saying or to just say I am sorry I don't understand.  I have been here over a week and I have learned many new words and learned key phrases but I have not begun my intentional study of Portuguese with a native speaker.  I will start that soon and then I soon hope to be understanding and speaking more.  But I really can't complain, those who speak to me are quite patient and I really have not be suffering.  I also have Native English speakers with which to talk which gives me a nice mental break.

It has been lovely weather here, hot in the sun but nice in the shade.  I am continually reminded that the sun is much stronger here and that I need to stay out of it, so I spend most of my time in the shade or indoors.  My only complaint so far has been the mosquitos and fire ants. They seem to really enjoy feasting on me.  I am sure I will soon learn the art of avoiding them.

I have had many firsts here, I played the piano at Zion, I introduced my self in Portuguese and English (Roque translated) to the church,  I bought my first oven and refrigerator, and I drove in Brazil for the first time.  I am sure there are many other things I cannot think of yet.

Classes at the Seminary do not begin until the first of August and so my time is spent much more relaxed and accomplishing errands of establishing myself here.  I will start keeping a schedule and being involved in many things come August so I am trying to enjoy my extra time now.

I am in the process of trying to locate and buy a car.  My friend João works at a Fiat dealership and he is looking for me.  Due to the decline of the American dollar the exchange rate is not so much in my favor. And so the car will cost me more than I had planned.  Please pray that God provides me the money or a cheaper car.  I have seen God providing for my needs so I know He can and will.

I however am not looking forward to owning and driving a car here in Brazil.  They drive differently here and it will require nerves of steel to deal with what I have seen so far.  Road rules are simply guidelines that you may chose or not chose to follow and so I am sure I will have many stories to share once I do begin to drive the streets of Brazil.

Please keep me in your prayers, and I shall do the same for you.  I would love to hear from you, please email or leave me a comment!

Thanks!  Joy

Living in Brazil

I made it!!!!  It was a long and tiring trip but I am here now!  It cost a little more for a few things but I have begun my adventure for Christ in Brazil.  I have been blessed to be able to stay with friends for these first few days.  I will eventually live at the Seminary but they were having a conference for music and were over filled. So I had no place to go.  João and Mary and their children took me in have been more than hospitable, feeding and driving me around as well!  I am so glad to have them as friends, they visited me in the States and I am so glad to be with them again.

I am also glad to be together with Roque and Adriana, and their sons.  I missed them while I was visiting my family.  I have been working on my portuguese speaking with Brazilians who don't know English, and enjoying the few conversations I have with the English speaking people that I find!

Today I was able to get into my new apartment and began to clean.  I also bought a stove/oven and a refrigerator.  I hope to one day unpack my suitcases (I have 5 and have been living out of 1) soon but for now I am still sleeping at João and Mary's house for at least one more night.

God has been good in teaching me to rely on Him.  Leaving my family, friends, and country that I love hit me really hard on Wednesday when I left.  I still find it hard to think about those I left behind without crying, but with God's help and strength I will attempt to fulfill what He has called me to.  Please pray for me  and I will pray for you that we all may trust in the strength of our Lord.   I know for sure I am not strong enough on my own and I want to be honest with you all to encourage you to do things that may seem impossible for you but is more than possible for God!

I am currently here on my tourist visa as my Missionary residency visa did not go through yet,  with Pastor Roque's help I hope to figure out what I need to do next to secure my visa.  I am so glad to have a Brazilian fluent in Portuguese that can help me because I have not been doing well on my own!

Well, that is all for now.  I will begin a more extensive and purposeful study of Portuguese with a lady here, I will set up my apartment, and I will try to share my Lord and Saviour with all I meet!