Saturday evening, Taiobeiras, MG, Brasil

God's work is not always easy, but it is what we are called to do. The 3 days in Taiobeiras were grueling as to schedule, but very effective for the people with whom we were able to share.  Frankly, having us Americans in town simply opened a door of opportunity that would not have been realized otherwise. To use a phrase, we were 'the candy.' So that our team was given oportunity to share the gospel with over 2000 children and teens in these 3 days. This was over and above our work with VBS, community visitation, and our medical-social team. And that was simply amazing.

Thinking of it all, we should give praise to God for what He has done through the parkwayhills relationship/partnership with the P70 church planting and strengthening initiative to Minas Gerais, Brasil. This relationship dates back to early 2006 when myself, Glen Sampson and Chris Davenport took a first tour of the area - joined by a host of Brasilian pastors and church leaders. The area 'surveyed' has now become home to our church's ministry and new church plants. And this week, in working with 2 churches from 'our' region of North Minas Gerais, we were able to record over 600 profeessions of faith and realize many more hearing the gospel and receiving Christ in our school presentations that were not counted, save by God.  So that eternity will tell that story - and what a great reunion it will be.  

So we do give thanks this year to those who were able to go from parkwayhills- Chris, Craig, Claire & Dave Davenport, Carla Cox, Debbie Irons, Glen Sampson, Belinda Dennis, Jim & Kathy Spalding, Joyce Gant - as well as to the many parkwayhills members who made and packed critical supplies, to those who gave over and above their tithes critical financial support - including this year's parkwayhills ph-kids VBS who gave, to the many who gave their prayer support and to parkwayhillls church as a whole for faithfully investing a percentage of each weeks general offering to fund this critical, life-changing, work.  

Pictured here is Miss Daniele Ferreria (Dany) 14 years of age. Dany accepted Christ in Indiabira MG, Brasil, when we were there 4 years ago.  She was only 10, then, but on Saturday evening, as we were leaving, Dany walked up and asked me for a picture - saying she had been saved one night as I was preaching in her town four years earlier.  I was thrilled to meet and see Dany, then learn she is now part of this very same work - taking the gospel to other young people of Minas Gerais. I smiled, said 'absolutely', and thought, 'How beautiful are the feet of they (those) who preach the gospel of peace.'  (Romans 10:15, cf. Isaiah 52:7)

Keep on Dany! And, ... Deus Abencoe, indeed - 

Pastor Sam