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Nightingale Newsletter March 2008 |
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Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil!
We have been busy since January 14.. We had a wonderful time with Wes and Elaine Kroeker from Mt. Lake, MN and Dave and Emmy Martens from Boissevain, MB, who came down as a short term missions team. We would like to share with you some of our thoughts as we reflect on the ministries that they were a part of.
As we look back over the ministry and impact that Wes and Elaine, and Dave and Emmy had here we are so grateful for their gifts and abilities. There
were some disappointing times, but God
changed that disappointment into blessings.
They were able to do things and see things
that they would not have seen had they been
working on the camp property.
We had hoped with all of our hearts that the
paperwork would be done for the purchase of
the camp property, and we could begin building
the kitchen and bathrooms and clearing
the foundations for other building projects.
But God had a different plan for these two
couples. Instead of building a physical building,
God had them building His principles and
love into the lives of young people for
eternity. He had them building encouragement
into the lives of a tired and discouraged
pastoral couple.
The first week that they were here they went
out to the camp property and got a feel of
the camp, and envisioned with us the ministry
that God has planned there. They were also
introduced to some good friends of ours John
and Yvonne Macy, who work with the Servants
to the Poor. The Macys work in Buraco
Quente a Favela (slum), close to one of our
MB churches, here in São Paulo. They spent
a day in the Favela, and then the second
week that they were here they worked with
the Macys at a Favela leadership camp.
Elaine helped Samara Macy with English,
Wes and Dave were jacks of all trades, helping
out where ever there was a need, and
Emmy worked in the kitchen making wonderful
breads that the kids are still talking about,
Emmy also used her gifts as a photographer
at the camp. They were an amazing encouragement
to the Macys and to the leadership.
The young men saw Jesus in the Kroekers
and Martens lives, and for many of them they
have no male figure to look up to. Wes and
Dave were examples of a godly men for them
to look up to. Wes and Dave also helped Jim
get some shelves made to store our camp
supplies and boxes. The men also worked at
the house of Pastor Elias and Evelyn. They
were such an encouragement to this Pastoral
couple. Elaine and Emmy helped me make a
quilt for our son Josh. He was very pleased
and will always remember these women for
helping me get going on his quilt. What an
encouragement! They returned to the favela
and spent a day reconnecting with the kids
and leaders that they had gotten to know during
the leadership camp. They put up
shelves and sorted clothes that had been donated
for the work there in Buraco Quente.
They went on visitations with us, visited and
encouraged Pastors, and attended two of our
churches twice each. Elaine and Emmy also
spoke at a Women’s Tea in one of our
churches.
Thank you so very much for sending these
wonderful couple to minister and encourage
us, pastors, leaders, and the churches.
Hopes and Dreams
Our hopes and
dreams are still
intact, just a bit
worn around the
edges. We wish
that we had some
amazing news to
tell you regarding
the camp
property. We have been counseled to take it slow
to make sure that all of the documents are in order
before we give the owners any down payment. We
have been amazed how God has been so good,
and as we prayed for the down payment, and sent
out a notice to our supporting churches and prayer
partners, the money came in for the down payment.
Then the waiting process began. As the
documents for the property were being found it
was discovered that there was a problem with
some of the owners documents. The sale can not
go through until his documents are cleared. We
have been waiting since the middle of November.
We have gone and looked at different property,
yet we always come back to this piece of property.
Truly believing that this is where God wants to
build the camp. We were given notice that by the
end of this week we will have some news. We are
praying for some good news. We are learning
patience, the need to wait on God during this
process, and to continually seek His face. As
soon as we get the okay, we will be moving out to
the camp to begin building, so that by this fall we
can have our first camp.
Praise and Prayer
We were able to get away the last few days
of February for a holiday with Dave and
Emmy Martens. We were given the use of a
house on the Mongaguá Beach. What an
awesome time for our boys to experience the
beach for the first time here in Brazil.
Praise for each one of you who has supported
us this year. We couldn’t be serving here
with out you.
Praise and prayer regarding our permanent
residence documents. They are now in the
hands of the Federal Police and we are again
waiting...
We had a wonderful time with the Kroeker/
Marten team and we are looking forward to
Darcy and Wendy Ens and their family coming
the end of March to spend five weeks
ministering with us. Pray for safety in their
travels, adaptation, and as they minister in
the area of children’s work, here in São Paulo.
We are excited to see what God has planned.
Pray with us as we wait for the documents
on the property to clear so that we can begin
building, and finances for the camp.
May God richly bless each one of you for
your prayers, giving and love for our family.
Jim, Marilou, Josh and Zech Nightingale
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