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Nightingale Newsletter October 2007 |
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Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil!
It is with excitement and joy that we share with you all that God has been doing these last few months here in the Great City of São Paulo.
We would like to back up a bit to this summer and share with you regarding the team from Herbert, SK. On July 5, 2007 we received our first Short Term Ministry Team. This team consisted of nine young people, the youth pastoral couple Clint and Nikki Hartog and a youth sponsor. God used this team in amazing ways to reach the children of the Jabaquara area of São Paulo. They worked in the Jabaquara MB Church with Pastor Leonel and some of the other young people of the region. The Herbert Team spent two weeks here. They shared in four of our churches, with music, drama and testimonies. During the first week they were working with the Jabaquara church with their VBS. It was a great experience and we saw God working in lives and opening doors that have never been opened in the past. The group went out to the possible camp property and did a prayer walk. They were able to experience downtown São Paul, and they also enjoyed a corn fest at the Jardim Campinas Church. It was a wonderful time of building relationships with other young people here in São Paulo.
On September 5, 2007 we welcomed our second team. This team came from Sioux Falls S.D. They were a tremendous blessing to one of our pastor couples, Elias and Evelyn, as they helped in the building of their house. It was a real encouragement for Elias and his family. The Sioux Falls team also did a prayer walk with us out at the proposed camp property. They shared about AWANAS at the Jd. Campinas church, where they also did a Sunday afternoon children's program. On Wednesday afternoon Mashele, Lauren and Karla shared at a Women’s Tea. They were such a blessing to the women. They also met John Macy who has a ministry in a Favela (slums) with children. It was a whirlwind week, which we filled to overflowing! We look forward to seeing them again next year!
We have been busy with getting proposals ready for the purchase of the camp property here in São Paulo. We believe that God has led us to the property where the camp ministry will be. It has been a long search, we have looked at lots of different property, yet we kept coming back to this Serving with Mennonite
Brethren Missions/Services piece of property. The leadership of the region have all agreed that they believe this is the piece of property that will be Acampamento Aventura (Camp Adventure). We have permission from MBMSI to raise money for the purchase of this property, and to begin building as funds come in. We are excited because we know that God has some great things planned for the region of São Paulo with the camp ministry.
We need to raise $150,000, to pay for the property in the next two years. The churches are doing a fund raiser here to help make the $20,000 down payment. If you would like to partner with us in buying the property or with building the buildings we would really appreciate it. We know that this is a big project.
We also know that we have a Big God, and we are trusting in Him to supply the needs of this ministry through people that have a passion for seeing others come to know Jesus in a real way.
Family News - On June 22, 2007 we welcomed our newest granddaughter Lily Aunna Raquel Libby. She is the youngest child of our daughter Rachel and her husband
David. She was welcomed by older brother Elijah and sister Hope.
Our oldest son Timothy is back at Fresno Pacific University, he is busy being a R.A., playing soccer and taking 18 credit hours.
We are thankful that a doctor here has found out what was wrong with Josh. He had lost 20 lbs in a 3 month period, he had a type of Hepatitis and his liver had been effected, it is now on the mend and we have changed some eating habits and he is getting the rest that he needs. Josh is enjoy grade 10 and is
the spiritual life leader for his class. \
Zech is enjoying grade 3, he has a great teacher. He has started taking piano and loves worship at school. He is still an avid reader and his favorite subject is Social Studies.
Thank you for your prayers and support for us. We appreciate each one of you.
Jim and Marilou Nightingale & Family
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