Farr's from Colorado

2006-03-12T02:25:00.000-03:00

Our Church--New Covenant Fellowship

We love my new job! Really, it doesn't seem like "work" because we enjoy it som much. We probablly work harder than we would at a "normal" job. We have lots of late nights and early mornings. We love working for the kingdom of heaven.

There are about 250 member in the church. It is a part of a rural community. Actually, NCF's attendance is great than the population of the town it is in, Larkspur. We draw people from not only Larkspur, but Perry Park, Castle Rock, Elizabeth, Franktown, Sedella and Momument (towns within a 20 mile radius).

In our deparment, student ministries, however; we mostly draw from Castle Rock and Larkspur. Jr High and Sr High combined we have arround 60 students participating in 77 Ministries. 77 Ministries is just my fancy name for our youth group. It is composed of Firehouse 77 (High School) and Fuel(Jr High). Soon it will include PADS (small groups) of which we already have three: rock climbing, drama, Doulos (student leaders).

Some of our recent activities have been a lock in and a girls and guys night. Coming soon, we will be snowboarding together, going to a large youth conference, going laser taggimg, and serving in a nursing home.

We do many fun and exciting events, but that is not our main focus. Our main focus is having the power of God in our youth ministry. Only He can transform lives and truely give us a great ability to make life better for young people.

2006-03-12T01:46:00.000-03:00

More on Tomás

I just wanted to post some more pics of Tomás. He's growing so fast. He is now five weeks old. He is holding his head up well and smiling often. He likes to be awake at three in the morning. People say that often when babies pass the eight week mark they begin to sleep through the night--for us this is but a dream in the distant horizon:) We love being parents and believe it to be one of the greatest callings God has placed on our lives. It is hard at times but we would never undo it if we could. We just pray for god to give us the wisdom, knowledge, insite, and understanding to raise Tomás well. Enjoy the photos!

2006-02-10T17:42:00.000-02:00

Hey Everybody!

A lot has happened since I last updated this blog. Curently Claudia and I are living in Castle Rock, Colorado. We have a new baby boy! His name is Tomas Brandon Pinto de Lemos Farr. He was born on Feb 3, 2006 at 1:20 pm. Tomas weighs 8lbs and 14oz and is 20 in long. He is the handsomest thing ever (see for yourselves). I have a new job as a youth pastor at New Covenant Fellowship of Larkspur. It is a wonderful church and we are having a blessed time being apart of this community of believers.

2005-07-25T16:27:00.000-03:00

Three days after God healed Cláudia’s “descolamento” we had to go to the emergency room. Cláudia had started to loose blood. This was quite frightening to us, as we didn’t know what that meant or what the outcome would be. As the doctor explained the options for the causes of the bleeding, we were not at all encouraged. However, one of the options was that we were having a threat of a miscarriage, which was the best option. The other options involved already being in the process of a miscarriage. We shed some tears and prayed through it, leaving God at the driver’s wheel. After doing some tests, to our relief, we discovered that it was just a treat of a miscarriage. At that point we weren’t able to get an ultrasound because it was late on Saturday night so we anxiously waited for Monday morning to arrive. During the ultrasound the baby was alive and well and moving a lot. We think s/he is going to like soccer. We are so thankful to God that the baby is healthy and growing rapidly. You can already see the difference just comparing the ultrasounds that are only weeks apart. We thank God for being a part of this wonderful thing called Life!

2005-07-06T20:37:00.000-03:00

It's a Miracle

Claudia and I went to a specialist today for another unltrasound. The doctor had said that the detachment problem would slowly get better before disappearing. However, we were praying that by our ultrasound it would be completely healed. As the doctor was reviewing today's ultrasound images he didn't find any "descolamento". Praise God!

2005-07-01T16:41:00.001-03:00

Pregnant!!!

It was Saturday night and as Cláudia had been feeling a bit sick and not always holding her food we decided to buy one of those pregnancy tests from the local pharmacy. After that little line appeared we weren’t so sure if we should believe it, so I bought another test just in case we did something wrong. Cláudia decided to wait till the next day to do the test again and she did, kind of. After tossing and turning without sleep until about 3am she got up and took the test. That little line appeared again. We were on a high—in a state of nostalgia. We didn’t want to spread the word at that point because we still had our doubts, but we did give the pregnancy test to Cláudia’s parents as a surprise present as we ate breakfast together on that May 29th morning. They were overjoyed as were my parents when I told them.
First thing Monday morning, Cláudia had a blood test done, just to be sure. It, of course, came back POSITIVE. We’re pregnant! It is a wonderful sensation. It has probably sunk in more for Cláudia than for me. I don’t know if I will actually realize that I am a father now until I have the cute little thing in my arms, but they say that this is common with us guys. We are extremely happy and look forward to each moment of the rest of our days.

2005-07-01T16:41:00.000-03:00

The past few months have been eventful. We got pregnant. We didn’t get the visa but then we did. We had to move and we’ve sold most of our things. I had to quit my job. We discovered that Cláudia has some pregnancy complications. However, through it all we know that God is guiding us, protecting us and teaching us. Each of the events that have happened has a story so I will briefly tell the stories in parts located in the blog. Each event will have a title similar to the way I wrote it above. If you ever have any questions or comments please feel free to make them on this blog or e-mail them to us at brandon.farr@gmail.com. Our SKYPE name is brandonfarr

2005-07-01T16:39:00.000-03:00

Didn’t but Did?

Three days after discovering our lives would never be the same, we boarded a Boeing destined for Rio de Janeiro for yet another interview in the long, drawn-out, bureaucratic process of Cláudia’s visa. We arrived in Rio safely on a beautiful Wednesday morning. We spent the day relaxing, since our interview was schedule for the following morning.
Six in the morning was the time we got in line and there was already one couple in front of us. Our interview was marked for eight, however they tell everybody that it is at eight. To continue on this rabbit trail, there is a reason for that, not to say that the reason is good. I have come to understand quite a bit about the immigration process and it is far too complicated and boring to receive attention on this blog.
To get back and to the point, we had our interview and the interviewer said (contrary to what the last one had said) that we needed yet another document for the process to be approved. Apparently, the law is afraid that I am going to travel with Cláudia to the United States, leave her there and return to Brazil. The red flags that the interviewer saw were that I had been living in Brazil for three years and that I had a job in Brazil; a job, by the way, which another document that we had to put together asked to prove.
Outwardly I was calm as I left the interview room, but underneath my blood was boiling with all kinds of emotion, mostly anger and disappointment. I felt we had been wronged. We did not know what to do. We felt lost. In my heart I knew I shouldn’t leave Rio without some kind of restitution from the Consulate.
We cried and prayed and ask God for His help and guidance. I called John Schmidt, a good friend of mine in Recife. As I talked the situation over with him I was able to clear my head and get confirmation of what was in my heart. John gave me some tips on what to say when I would go to complain at the consulate.
I returned to the consulate office around 10:30am and waited for the rest of the day to re-speak to my interviewer. Finally around 4:30 as the offices were closing and the secretaries were leaving I took the liberty of entering the interview room as my name hadn’t been called yet. I was afraid that there had been a lack of communication between the secretary and the interviewer. It turns out that there had been and that I would not have been called if I hadn’t taken the liberty to enter the interview room myself. I waited in the small, sound-proof, boxed room and stared at the bullet proof window that separated the interviewer’s desk from the interview room for about fifteen minutes when finally the interviewer, Mr. Nava, returned. Not knowing what to think of this unscheduled stranger in his interview room, he asked, “Mmmay I help you?”
As I describe the reason for not stating my frustrations earlier was due to not wanting to disrespect him or his office and that I had been waiting since six, I had his full attention and, I think, sympathy. I was able to describe our situation more clearly to him. In the end we stuck a deal. Instead of having to get the papers and then return for another interview I could get the papers, fax them to him and after he reviewed the papers he would approved the visa and send it to the Recife consulate, where we could pick up the visa once they call us.
So at first we didn’t get the visa, but on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 after I had sent proof that I was going to live in the United States and that I had quit my job in Brazil, Mr. Nava approved the visa. Finally.

2005-07-01T16:38:00.000-03:00

The move.

As if finding out we were pregnant, and the stress of the interview wasn’t enough, a day before we left for Rio we discovered that the apartment building in which we were living was at risk of falling. While we were on a plane going to Rio, Claudia’s mom along with Renato, her brother, and Augusto, her uncle, moved all of our belongings into her apartment. It was difficult finding our clothes, books etc, when we got back from our trip.
Now, we have got most of the things organized and in boxes and we have sold most of the large belongings such as the refrigerator, stove, and microwave. We are living with Cláudia’s parents and will continue to do so until we return to the US. It actually worked out nicely because we were going to have to move anyway. I think it is all a part of God’s timing and plans.

2005-07-01T16:36:00.000-03:00

Jobs

Although I quit teaching for Oxford, the language institution I worked for in Recife, I continue to give private lessons and am working on being a representative for an export company here in Brazil. My main focus as a rep would be selling tropical fish to the US. Perhaps later I will get involved with beachwear and other Brazilian products. We are at an instable financial moment and don’t know how we are going to get the money to travel to the States. God has always proved Himself faithful to us and we know He will continue to do so. Amen!

2005-07-01T16:35:00.000-03:00

“Descolamento”—Pregnancy Problems

We went for our first ultrasound on June 21. It was a lot of fun except for discovering that Cláudia has some “descolamento”. Descolamento means detachment. The placenta at one point is detached from the uterus wall. This can lead to a miscarriage if the detachment gets any larger. The doctor prescribed bed rest. Since that Tuesday morning Cláuda has been in bed only getting up to change positions or go to the restroom. She is quite bored of this now, but it is necessary and will continue until the placenta reattaches itself. We were a bit worried at first and it is especially tough for Cláudia but we have given our baby back to God. No matter what happens we know that this situation is in God’s hands.
This problem will probably delay our tip back to the States. We had planned to leave on July 15 but now it depends on Cláudia’s condition. Please pray for our family.

2005-05-27T08:44:00.000-03:00

In July this year around the same time Cl�udia and I return to the United States a team of about 15 people will be headed to Mozambique. These 15 people are from our church here in Recife. This is an exciting thing to send a team of Brazilians across the Atlantic to minister the love of Christ. It is exciting because, although Brazilians are involved with missions they usually are involved with missions here in their own country. Cl�udia and I are thrilled that there is a bunch of people who are catching a vision for this kind of missions. We wanted to be apart of the mission in some way. We wanted to go, but, being that it is around the same time we return to the US, this is not possible. We decided to facilitate a weekend training for the group. This training went very well. We recruited some of the young people from the church to help us. Basically, the focus of the training was to simulate a missions experience in a place not your home. The training took place in the countryside on a farm a few hours away from Recife. In addition to being away from their normal environment the team participated in the added elements of surprise, of bad tasting food, and of little sleep. Among other wonderful delicacies, the menu included bull testacies, liver and spicy bean paste. To add to the element of surprise we took away watches and cell phones. When we woke them up at one in the morning to repack and reduce their bags they hadn�t a clue that they had only sleep for forty minutes. Throughout the night we had several activities like church services the team had to facilitate with no prior warning and prayer walks in the jungle.
During the following afternoon my team facilitated team-building activities for the missions team. This helped the team to discover each other�s strengths and weaknesses and taught them how to encourage one another. After the team activities (and, of course, great food) we sent the team to surrounding farms to visit and pray with the locals. In the end, after they sleep, woke up and had to move camp due to �thieves wanting to rob them� and spent several ours in the rain trying to set up camp, we shot off many fireworks that sounded like guns to create a stressful situation. We finished the training with a hidden church service, which we did whispering. The whispering turned to weeping and shouting when the team really started to pray for Africa and their mission.
It was a great experience for the Africa missions team and a wonderful challenge for Cl�udia and I. We felt honor to be able to be apart of the team that is going to Mozambique.

2005-05-06T16:53:00.000-03:00

Our time in Brazil in closing and we are praying and seeking guidance about the next season of our life. We are not sure what we are going to do once we get to Colorado. We know we want to be involved with ministry and me (Brandon ) going to school is a big focus. As far as bringing in the dough, were not sure what to do yet. And in the aspect of ministry we do not know where to get involved. We are seriously considering a few business ideas. I have been offered a go at being a rep for a Brazilian export company as well. We are praying about all this while at the same time being a bit nervous and excited about the next phase of our life.
We are preparing for our interview on June 2 for receiving Claudias green card. Please pray, the interview is marked for 8:00am Brazilian time. Upon receiving the visa, we will be headed up to Ohio in mid July to visit Claudias brother, who is having a baby. After spending about one week there we will continue our journey west to Colorado to spend about a month with my parents. This time is going to be used to make some final decisions about what we will be doing.
We are excited and pray God has His way in our lives.

2005-03-24T14:46:00.000-03:00

Good News!

God has been speaking to us and preparing us for the next season of our life. We felt God calling us to pray and fast about our visa for returning to the US. So we immediately entered into a time of compete focus on God and what He might say to us at the beginning of March.
God gave direction to our prayers through the Psalms. We declared what David said in 143rd Psalm. We made his cry our cry and his request our request:

“O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief…”

David goes on to explain his desperation for God Almighty, “I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” Then he says, “Answer me quickly, O Lord…Let morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” So, we fervently prayed for God to hear us and respond. Soon thereafter we got word about the visa!
Before hearing from God we had a bit of troubled waters. We went to Rio back in July to file for an immigration visa. Our expectation was set to make it to Colorado in time for Christmas, which led to disappointment when around the middle of November we had received no word about the visa. We decided to get our congressman involved. He went chasing after our papers to see how the process was going. To our dismay we discovered that no one knew where the papers were. Rio said they had sent them. Los Angeles had no documentation of the process. Apparently the papers were lost between Rio and LA. We were worried we were going to have to start he process all over again meaning another year delay in our return. Christmas passed and we were having a hard time not complaining against God.
Although we did not understand what He was doing, we resolved to trust and wait on Him. His word has much encouragement about waiting on Him so we began to thank God for His perfect will and meditated on scriptures like Isaiah 30:15-18: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…Blessed are all those who wait for Him!” Our thoughts were filled with the all famous Isaiah 40:31, “Those who wait on the Lord…” We also meditated on Psalms 130:1-8. We cried out to God asking forgiveness from our pride and selfishness. We asked Him to have mercy. We asked Him to understand us as humans and He responded.
Shortly after out time with God our congressman informed us that our papers had been found. They were backed up with Homeland Security. Now, all immigrant visas must receive DHS and Immigration approval. Mr. Joel Hefley was going to try to rush the process along. We praised God for answering us so quickly. God spoke to us again shortly after…

Please read the entry “the Five Years “ to hear more exciting things that God is doing in our life.

2005-03-23T20:01:00.000-03:00

The Five Years

After our time of prayer and fasting at the beginning of March I felt God impressing on my heart to have a look at Claudias deportation papers. As I investigated the clauses and stipulations of the papers I realized that her ban from the US was only a five-year ban. Taking a closer a look at the dates I discovered that the ban will end in May. Still feeling a bit unsure due to past experience and the complexity of immigration law, I shot an e-mail to the consulate in Rio. They confirmed that after May we would not need the papers which are waiting to be processed in Los Angeles (which could take up to 18 months). We made an appointment on June 2nd to finish the interview we started last July. At this appointment there is no reason for them not to deny Claudia an immigration visa. Our plan is to return to the States in late July or August. Praise God for His faithfulness!
Upon getting this good news we ventured into another time of focusing on God. We were seeking Gods will for what to do and where to live once we get to the States. We know that a principal focus will be me going to college, but from which city, and so new questions flood our hearts. What will we do for our livelihood? To what extend will we be involved in ministry? We dont know and we ask that you pray for Gods direction in our lives. We do know that Gods word contains the best direction we could possibly hope for, God comfirmed that to us recently through Psalms 119. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my pathI have put my hope in your wordThe unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simpleDirect my footsteps according to your word;

2005-03-05T02:06:00.000-03:00

2005-03-05T00:24:00.000-03:00

Our Moments Together.

It's been five and a half years since we first met. Two years later I fould myself falling in love on the Amazon river as she translated and helped guide our missions team throughout their two-and-a-half week stay in Brazil. Of course, I had to change my tickets to stay a bit longer. Thanks to a very generous friend and mentor of mine (Christopher Beard), I was able to spend two more weeks in Cláudia's home town, Recife. Now, three and a half years later, I look foward to each moment I get to wholely devote my attention to my wife. We've had our hard moments but they ony make the sweet moments sweeter. We´ve traveled together. We've been ministering together. Together, we've helped other Brazilian's through hard times. We've prayed, fasted, cried laughed, argued and made up together. Cláudia, we are going on two years of marriage and I cherished each moment I have with you. For the next 70-80 years or until death do us part I'll be waiting in eager expectation for all the moment we will have together. Cláudia, my moments with you are some of the best things I have to live for.

2005-03-05T00:20:00.000-03:00

EITA! Cell group.

This is our cell group. EITA is its name, which is like saying "shoot" or "ah,man!". However each letter represents a goal of our group. E=evangilização (Evangelism). I=intimidade (intimacy/fellowship). T=treinamento (training). And A=adoração (worship). We want to reach out to others as we encourage one another. As leaders of the sell, Cláudia and I are ultimately focused on training up new leaders to begin their onw cell/ministry n the future. Worshipping God, of course, is our destiny, not only with music and song, but aso with our words, our actions, and our testimony.

Most recently in cel group we watched Luther and are challenging one another to stand up for what is right. We are also in the middle of studying the book of James. We have two young neighbors participating, who are not yet saved. Please pray for Victoria and Sophia to understand and accept the love Jesus has for them.

2005-03-05T00:16:00.000-03:00

Brazilian Family Vacation

Painho, Mainha, Marco's mother, Flavia, renato and us went by car down the coatsline of Brazil in a near by state. We had a lot of fun. we are so blessed to have such wonderful family. It will be an experience we never forget.

2004-11-20T18:49:00.000-02:00

Who Are You?

"It is your decision. I am not going to take it for you, your friend isn't going to take it for you. There is no music, everyone has their eyes open. But you choose. Do you want Christ's freedom? As a symbol of that desire burining in your heart I want you to take a deciding step by standing to your feet and screaming 'I want you FREEDOM, Lord!'" And it was with this challenge that, one by one, teenagers and voluteers alike rose to their feet and declared their love and their desire for Christ. It was like at the end of Braveheart(Mel Gibson) when he screams freedom and you see the crazy Irisman's eyes light up, only more beautiful. This happened on the closing morning of our weekend retreat for 15 to 17 year-old teens. At the end of the challenges response 95% of the youth were on their feet crying, worshiping, and experiencing the living God. Six commited their hearts to Jesus for the first time and dozens of others we recommiting themselves to the King of kings.

It was a beautiful camp. We had fun and God was gloyified. Two weeks later we had a retreat for 18 to 30 year olds and three weeks later we had another retreat for the 12 to 14 year olds. God also worked in similasr ways at thesses retreats. Enjoy the pictures below.

2004-11-20T18:29:00.000-02:00

André

2004-11-20T18:28:00.000-02:00

me pretending I'm still a kid with Edwin and Isaac

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funnnn!!

2004-11-20T18:26:00.001-02:00

aftermath of one relay station

2004-11-20T18:26:00.000-02:00

Pastor Jr in orange, Everton (the glue of the camp) in white with various teens from the church showing one of the disgusting relay stations.

2004-11-20T18:24:00.000-02:00

Michael Jordan (really that is his name), Lucas, and teir friend.

2004-11-20T18:22:00.000-02:00

Claudia cheesing with Duda and Marilha

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Amanda posing for a pool side shot

2004-11-20T18:20:00.001-02:00

worship team

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small group discussion

2004-11-20T18:19:00.000-02:00

recreation and kitchen team mixing up some fun

The Rising Hope

2004-10-05T13:15:00.000-03:00

The sun sets on problems and rises with new hope. Claudia and I had a time of heart sharing this week. We shared our frustratoins with life, with God, with the visa situation, with ministry, with dreams, etc. We cried with each other and we prayed with each other. We realize that God has got us in a time of testing and trial. He is preparing us for His great plan for our life. Last week, we went from grumbling and having torked hearts to now having peace and a joyous spirit. God has been putting us through a fire. We can see the benefit of it and in that we find rejoicing. Joesph went through this process. In fact, I am sure that every leader goes through this process. Joesph had a dream. At first he was, as most of us young people are for some period in our lives, cocky. The "solve the world's problems before you turn 25--while you still know everything" attitude. As this line of thought does with everyone, it got Joseph into trouble. In the end this trouble was redeeming. As Joesph himself said, "...you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive" (Gen. 50:19-20 NKJV). That statement is what makes this history so amazing. He found a reason for rejoicing in his hard times. Joesph found the strength to forgive his brothers and move on through the process that God was bringing him through. Joesph had a dream but for him to accomplish that dream it took: 1. Time to mature, 2. Trials to strengthen, 3. and God to bless. Joesph need to get prepared, to become equiped and to be humbled. He needed to be pressured and purified And he had to learn dependancy on God. As John Maxwell states, "It's not the dream of a lifetime; it's the dream that takes a lifetime.”

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater that our hearts, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3:18-20 NIV emphasis mine)

God is growing us and getting us ready for the dreams He has placed in our hearts. These dreams were confusing our hearts, but now there is more clarity and peace within us.

English Maddness

2004-09-16T22:59:00.000-03:00

Well, this month I took on several more english classes. I am now teaching 13 classes a week(most of which happen twice a week)! It's got me on the go-go. It's good. I'm young. I like it. I get tired sometimes but that is normal. My mom's got me taking vitamins and my energy always is enough. Wow, can't waint til we have kids. I teach business manager's, high school kids from rich and poor communities, in addition to a few friends. The business managers range from the HR director at Coca-Cola to a cement company's sales team. I enjoy finding out about the businesses and learning the business language as I teach it. It should be helpful for when I go to University. The class I give to the poor kids is fun because we are starting from no english speaking abilities. It is fun to watch them get better at english.

The bad thing about teaching english so much, besides not having as much time for ministry, is that I am speaking in english all the time so my portuguese learning process has been slowed down. I am getting better and better at speaking and understaning portuguese, however. I am having fun with my progress. It is on my life goals list to learn at least three languages. Next, I will study Spanish and then I would like to learn a non-Romantic lauguage like Manderin.

There are days when I tell myself that I hate teachng english, but on the most part I really enjoy it. I have made a lot of friends with my students and it gives me many opportunities to be a light for Christ. Pray for my students and pray that the Holy Spirit draws them to God.

For those of you who haven't seen: Wedding Pictures

2004-09-16T22:57:00.000-03:00

wedding party

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leaving for the reception (which was in the same room bc of rain)

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moment after the kiss

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Claudia's entrance

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Claudia's mom

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walking in

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padrinhos

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our padrinhos (the wedding party)

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the altar

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decorations

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Brandon's parents

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Oh no, my brother's getting married! (July 12, 2003)

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Claudia's sister, Flavia with her husband Marco at our wedding

A little blue

2004-09-12T19:32:00.000-03:00

Sometimes we feel a little lost. With 24sete Brazil not getting on its feet, visa stuff, different things at church, having to teach English-- it all seems a big distraction. Sometimes is hard to see God's perfect will in all that. Do you ever wish you could be a kid again? Not having to worry about anything... or a first year intern -- being told everything you need to do :)
Yeah, I guess we all have these fantasies but we know that in the big scheme of things life gets better as we go through the learning process.
That is what our life has been most recently-- a big and painful learning process.
It is as if our life is in a wait mode, like a computer when is not being used to its full potential.
But we hope for the best and we know God has the best for us and that is what keeps us going.
It puts a smile in our face: hope of dreams come true.

Brandon and Cláudia

2004-09-12T19:29:00.000-03:00

Overlook of Recife

2004-09-12T19:25:00.000-03:00

Brandon's Family in Recife

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Port of Recife

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Downtown Recife

April/May/June

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April/May/June
We spent April running around making preparations for two short term mission teams arriving in May. We had 20 24seveners from Alabama arrive in Brazil on the 6th of May. They performed dramas, did manual labor, and preached God’s word in scools, prisions, hospitals, churches, and on the streets. It was sad to see this team leave on May 24 as they were making an enormous impact in Brazil. A team from Oral Robers University arrived on May 11 and ministerd God’s love in sililar ways until June 9. Again, it was sad to see this team leave as they were doing incredible things for God’s kindom in Recife. We are planning for two more team in August. If you would like to make a short term trip to Recife, just let us know we can help you out.

March

2004-09-12T11:49:00.000-03:00

March
Doulos - Claudia and a friend of hers, Flavia, began a ministry called Doulos several years ago. It is a high school dicipleship program modeled after 24seven. Its name means “servants”. Last year Claudia stepped back from orchestrating the ministry due to our wedding. This semester we have jumped back into it. We are leading the second year program. The objective of the program is train students in servant based leadership as well as help them deepen their relationship with God. Doulos began on March 21 will continue until December at which time there will be a break to prepare for the following semester of students. Doulos will also go on a mission trip to another city in the country of Brazil in July.

February

2004-09-12T11:40:00.000-03:00

February Carnival
In February we hit the streets with evangellism teams during Carnival. Carnival literally measn “flesh party” in portuguese. It is similar to New Orlean’s Marti Gras (FAT Tuesday). A Group of nominal believers decided that they would eat as much meat and drink as much drink as they could before the traditional forty days of fastinf leading up to Easter. After some time problem began to rise because of drunkeness and other immoral acts spurred on by the Flesh Party. Police began to apprehend peole and so masks and costumes were introduced to enable an easier escape from the authorities. At present Carnival has evolved into, according to the public eye, a cultural event. Sounds like one of Satan’s old tricks. During the event crime is abundant—violence, drugs, rape...well let’s just say all those things tha Paul admonishes us not to be and do. We had the opportunity to testify the love of Christ to many tourist, many of which were Israelis. Youth From several churches worked together to do drama on the streets, prayer walking, one-on-one evangleism, and sind songs that exalted God. The result was more than seventy souls being rescued from the trickery. Praise God! It was a difficult spiritual battle as we were in the middle of the enemies works, however, as always, God’s power showed through. This was the seventh year that the project was administered. This faithful work is paying off. This year there was less violence and even less people partying than ever before. Although, the work is not near over. We must continue to battle for souls. The name of the project is Praça da Paz (Peace Square). Pastor Simea and her husband Reverend Ian began the project. They are incredible people of God pastoring and working with the poor of Recife and the near by city of Olinda. They have been doing the Lord’s work in this area for many years and ned our prayers. They need encouragement and strength to continuing runnign the race.

2004-09-12T11:26:00.000-03:00

I bet you’ve been asking yourself, “Self, how are Brandon and Claudia doing down there in Recife?” So the answer to your question has finallt arrived. Enjoy!

January Youth Camp
Claudia and I have taken on a more involeved role witht the youth group of the church. We are now responsible for the weekly meetings as well as the youth camps and retreats. We began the year with a youth camp called “escolha” (the choice). The camp focused on teaching the paticipants how to make good decisions based on the absolutes of the Bible and the direection of the Holy Spirit. We even role played a persecuted church to illustrate the best choice of all: choosing Christ even unto death. It was a fun, exhilarating, and difficult camp. We had more than 130 campers, 10 to 15 % of whom were not believers. Five young people began their relationship with the living God through Christ and many others were spurred on in the Faith, moving one step further in their relationship with the Father.

2004-09-12T09:11:00.000-03:00

Rio de Janeiro - July 2004

We are here!!!!!

2004-09-11T10:04:00.000-03:00

We are now posting updates on the internet through this blog. It will be updated frequently with photos. So, enjoy.