"Jesus, come and be my mighty warrior and fight for me."

My Brazilian Family & I

Man... It has been too long!

Brazilian Staycation
This Christmas, I chose to stay in Brazil for the holidays.  We got about 3 and a half weeks vacation for Christmas, and although it was very difficult not spending it in Dallas, it was quite the experience having one of my best friends come down south to visit!
All seven of us piled in the Axworthy's Chinese made car that just so happens to fit seven people.  Jimmy-rigged.  That's the best way to describe the hood, on which one cheap tarp enclosed all of our luggage, a guitar, and two boxes of food.  Thanks to some good knot-tying ropes training I had a few years back at SCR, that sucker was pretty secure (well... after we realized to turn it around so that the wind didn't pull it open every five minutes).
The 18 hour drive (definitely give and not take a few hours) was well worth it.  Needless to say, Guaibim, the Bahian beach town, definitely gave Sarah and I a genuine Brazilian experience, true quality time together, and some great memories for a lifetime.

For memories sake:
Tapioca com Leite Condensado, Banana, Queijo (at least 1 per day, sometimes twice)
"Eu quero um churrasco de queijo"- Sarah
"Eu falo portugues exclusivamente." - Sarah
"This drink tastes like rotten cheese." - Mia
"You know what I miss... library." - Me
Mia's swimsuit constantly giving her wedgies, and her not noticing or caring.
Day #1 on the beach: Sarah was sunburned already

Sarah & Mia - a "special" duo

Waiting 2 hours for pedicures in a house salon with a foot buffer going from foot to foot
Sungas everywhere!
Allergic reactions everyday!
Detergent chapstick
Walking back to cat calls, rats, and creepy corners in Salvador
"Longest Line Ever" - News Reporter at the Salvador Ferry Boat Station
Ferry Boat Party
Agua de coco com limão - BEST DRINK EVER!
Acarajé (supposedly the best food in Bahía, but none of us liked it) "Nogento e Eco"
15 people in a Combi for 2 hours on our way back from Ilha da Itaparica
Slacklining in the wind
Saying "Half-hearted" in an Irish accent
Cocada

Ledge-ing it in Salvador

Trying Brazilian Juices: Umbu, (the fruit that tastes like a tree), Graviola com leite (My new fave), and Maracujá (passion fruit)
Mia Special - A kiss followed by a lick
Crab hunting in the marsh
Icky sludge
Plastic Tables and chairs everywhere
Playing in the beach
Loud Music (so loud that the family that went with us wanted to leave early)
Miss DuuuUUUuuuuke...
Why'd we get out of the swimming pool early?
Night time conversations
"I love life."

This trip was a blast!  I loved it so much and cherish every minute I got to spend with my friends and adopted family.  What a blessing to have Sarah get to know my Brazilian world.

Christmas Program - "You cannot take Jesus out of Christmas."

My Growing Class! 
We started back to school 2 weeks ago and I have 4 new students.  My class currently has 19 kids from Zambia, US, Russia, Pakistan, Brazil, Japan, China, Oman, and Namibia.  God is teaching me to be patient, kind, and loving to my students.  I hope that they see Jesus in me.

What's God doing in Brasilia? 
God is teaching me to be a disciple of Jesus by making disciples of Jesus.
Last semester, I met with 2 girls after school every Tuesday after school.  This semester, I am meeting with 5 girls.  We began going through Multiply Movement by Francis Chan and David Platt.  The book and all of the resources are available online for FREE!  The book is about Discipleship: Being a disciple means making disciples.

My 3rd & 4th Graders at BIS

The goal of meeting with the girls has been developing a safe environment for transparency, where we all can be challenged, grow, and do life together.  This semester, there will be 5 of us meeting after school on Tuesdays.  As I said, the goal is for them to disciple other girls.  I have paired them up with a few young girls in my class and they meet with them on Mondays after school.
God is doing great things.
God has continued to press on my heart to reach out and share boldly and confidently to the parents of my students.  This Good News saves!  I cannot hesitate to only teach their kids.  I must share with the parents as well.

Raquel & I 

I am thinking about offering a class for the parents called, "What's my kid learning in Bible Class?" or "I know BIS is a Christian school, what are they teaching my kid?"
Please join me in disciple making this semester.  Meet with someone once a week.  Train them.  Teach them.  Send them out.

Praises & Prayer Requests:
1.  My grandmother - She took a pretty mean fall over the holidays and fractured her tailbone.  She is in lots of pain, but is slowly recovering.  Pray for her to recover quickly.  Pray for people to come along side her and help her with her various needs.  This has been very difficult for me being so far away.  I have felt pretty helpless while wanting to assist her during the recovery.

Two of the girls I meet with on Tuesdays and Miss Lancaster

2.  My health - I continue to have various health issues.  The latest being allergic reactions anywhere from once a week to every other day.  The reactions seem to intensify each time.  I went to a highly recommended Brazilian doctor this week and hopefully we are going to get down to the bottom of this!
3.  Summer 2013 - Dreds & Torpedo Schedule Update - We will be leading at 5 preteen camps, at 3 different locations: Mt. Lebanon (Cedar Hill), Sabine Creek Ranch (Royse City), and Timberline (Lindale). Download a free song here! Pray for God to use D&T to reach and teach many kids God's Word this summer.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
I pray that God will breathe life in our homes, schools, and workplaces.  That He would be glorified by the nations as He draws people to Himself wherever you are reading this.

Here are a couple of songs that I have loved singing lately!

Elevation Worship - Open Up Our Eyes

Kari Jobe & Matt Maher - We Exalt Your Name