Quick Update

The past two months have flown by with incredible opportunities opening up for the Casa Nutri program in the Amazon. Casa Nutri (CN), which fights malnutrition in pregnant women and children, is thriving under Grace’s leadership.

Key Highlights

Casa Nutri Expansion

Partnership with Asas do Socorro (Wings of Help): Through a divine partnership, Casa Nutri (CN) has been able to utilize a WorldVision grant providing nutritional support for 240+ children for four months.
Unexpected Connections: Grace’s introduction to local health agents, many of whom are also pastors, has accelerated the CN program’s implementation.
Rapid Progress: Grace has trained a significant number of local health agents from different areas and has identified 99 malnourished children in 19 distant indigenous communities during the months of April and May.
Sustainable Growth: There is already more demand for CN than we can currently meet. So, we need to deny requests to open up new projects until we are ready.
Upcoming: Grace is going on an intense week-long trip to twelve indigenous communities at the end of June to train health agents and oversee CN expansion.

Local Church Work

Major Update: God has directed us to work more closely with the Baptist Resurrection Church, while partnering with MCM (World Christian Mission). The church is very missions-focused and has greatly enhanced our ministry impact in Manaus and surrounding regions.
Pastoring in a slum community: Daniel has been serving as the Interim Pastor of a nearby church plant in a slum of indigenous peoples and his Portuguese has significantly improved.

Devotional

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?—Luke 14:27-28

In our faith journey, Jesus calls on us to seriously count the cost of discipleship. In Jesus’s day, taking up the cross was only done by enemies of the Roman state on their way to die on the very cross they were carrying.

To carry the cross demands our whole-hearted commitment, our willingness to prioritize God's kingdom above our own desires. This commitment will lead us through paths of discomfort, challenges, and even loss. However, the reward of knowing Christ and fulfilling His purposes makes every sacrifice pale in comparison.

Counting the cost involves a sober assessment of what it means to surrender our will to God's will. It means letting go of the comforts of this world for the sake of eternal significance.

But to neglect counting the cost is to risk suffering the loss. Jesus cautioned against superficial commitments that falter under pressure or fail to endure through trials. He invites us to consider the price of discipleship with open eyes and steadfast hearts.

Today, let us prayerfully reflect on our commitment to Christ. Are we willing to carry the cross—to carry the shame and endure the pain? Have we considered the sacrifices and joys that come with following Him? May we be strengthened in our resolve to follow Christ no matter the cost.

Prayer Needs

Monthly Support: We need faithful monthly supporters to sustain our ministry. If you feel led, please contribute here and click on Brazil Missionaries (Daniel and Grace). To give monthly, choose ♥monthly rather then one time.
Health: Pray for our health. All of our children are currently sick.
Missions Trip: Pray for Grace’s journey to impact distant tribes for the kingdom.
Project Support: Pray for continued funding to sustain the CN program from WorldVision, as well as American investors to whom Grace will show the project in July.
Daniel’s Ministry: Guidance for Daniel’s commitment as Interim Pastor.
Wisdom: Pray for our ability to prioritize, manage our time, and delegate effectively.
More workers: Pray to the Lord to send more workers. (Mt. 9:37-38)
Year-End Trip: We need at least $6,000 to travel to the US. This trip will help us with essential fundraising, allow us to present our mission to churches, and offer some much-needed rest for our family.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. God’s kingdom work is advancing rapidly, and we are excited to see what He has in store next!

Brazil April-May Newsletter 2024