The gospel for all people, cultures and languages
“Mommy, mommy, come and see, come and see!” Curious I walk towards Saulo’s enthusiastic shouting. He jumps up and down enthusiastically with a big smile on his face. “It’s finished mom, my room is finished!” He dances happily in his new bedroom. Tears welled up in my eyes and I was flooded with gratitude.
Dear all,
What wonderful events we experience, which we would like to share with you.
The students of the Discipleship Training School (DTS) have completed their theoretical part of the school and have started their practical period. We are working hard on preparations, training and planning for the translation project. And we´ved already arrived in the last trimester of pregnancy..
Dear friends,
How wonderful it is to be back home in the Amazon region after two years. Almost immediately upon our arrival here in Porto Velho, we were already busy preparing for the DTS (Discipleship Training School) which started February 17th. The special thing about this DTS is, that we also have students from different indigenous tribes. Some of them only master the basics of the Portuguese language and do not yet have a Bible, Bible passage or a single Bible verse in their own language!
We find it particularly beautiful that, now that the doors have been closed for us missionaries to enter many native tribes, God is addressing the Indians to come here for training in order to be a blessing to their population.
Dear friends,
How thankful and joyful we are to God for how He leads us. The moment we made the challenging choice to obey God, to take a step back, we experienced more strongly His guidance in our lives. After our visit to the Netherlands, we have been working on a YWAM base in Rio de Janeiro for the past few months. It has been a blessed time in which we were allowed to grow closer towards each other and closer towards God.
Dear All,
As you probably read and hear in the media, the Covid-19 pandemic has an extreme impact on daily life in Brazil. In addition to the large number of illnesses and deaths, it affects everyone economically and mentally. Unfortunately, fear is also rising enormously, due to the increasing police violence. As we mentioned in an earlier blog, we temporarily went to Rio de Janeiro from the Amazon for an operation on Lucas’s torn shoulder tendon. Recently we received an urgent advice for Lucas from his doctor to stay in Rio de Janeiro for his rehabilitation this year. So that he can be sure that Lucas’ rehabilitation has gone more than well. So that when we are back in the Amazon, far away from doctors and specialists, we do not have any unexpected problems.
Hello everyone!
We are so grateful for this time that God is giving us here in Rio de Janeiro! We feel carried by God, we experience how God is taking care of us down to the details in such a loving way. A time in which we are being strengthened physically, mentally and spiritually. We enjoy Saulo’s rapid developments; he speaks new words every day. We are proud and grateful how he speaks and understands both: Portuguese and Dutch! The rehabilitation program, following on the surgery on Lucas his shoulder tendon, is progressing as expected. At the moment he can already lift up his arm independently, just not carry any weight with his arm. From now on, the focus will be on strength training, with the hopeful expectation that after six months his muscles and tendons will be in order.
Dear Family and Friends,
First of all, we would like to let you know that we are doing well. We see many shocking news reports coming from Brazil about the Corona virus. The consequences of the rapidly spreading virus are big, also in the native tribes and the favelas. Many families had a hard time before the virus. They are dependent on daily jobs and payments, and so currently have no income. Unfortunately, most people live more with fear of poverty and hunger than the virus itself.
The plan was to be back in the indigenous village in early February. But, after some medical examinations that Lucas had done, we had to face the fact that Lucas needs to have surgery on his shoulder again. Two years ago Lucas also had an surgery on his shoulder, which lots of times dislocated. Now, two years later, Lucas still has severe shoulder pain daily. It turns out that his shoulder tendon is ruptured, which also is chronically inflamed (supraspinatus tendinopathy). Unfortunately, it appears that after his previous surgery, Lucas received incorrect guidance during his rehabilitation program in Porto Velho. Because of this we decided to, this time, do the surgery and the rehabilitation program in Rio de Janeiro. This so because we have access to reliable specialists here. Also to prevent Lucas from taking more unnecessary damage in his body. We thank God that the Cacique, the chief of the tribe, is full of understanding about this difficult decision.
We find it very difficult at the moment; Not to be able to return to the indigenous community. I, Christa, find this very difficult because I am aware of the fact that we live from sponsor money. Justifying that we cannot do the works that we have planned and shared. This brings considerable struggle to my thinking.
We received a surprising invitation if we are willing to help in the favela Borel. This is the place where both, Lucas and I, started in the mission field. Here we discovered ourselves and each other; In and with God. The exact date of Lucas his surgery, depends on the situation regarding the Corona virus. There is a date planned, but it is uncertain whether it can continue.
We experience this as a wonderful gift God is giving to us:
That despite the situation, we may continue together with Him.
“To get to know Him better, to make Him known!”
Corona in Brazil
Currently, the virus is also spreading in Brazil. Providing actions were taken in time: everyone stays at home. Unfortunately, the president thinks defferently and we wait prayerfully what damage the virus will bring in Brazil. The majority of the Brazilian population is without income, which means no possibility to pay the monthly living costs. Many favelas and poorly neighbourhoods are without water for weeks, which means not being able to prevent the spreading of the infecting virus by hygienic measures.
We ask you to pray with us for the following points, among others:
– The (temporary) relocation and conversion of the Amazon to the favela.
– The surgery with the aim for a quick and good recovery of Lucas’s shoulder.
– Our time as a family in the busy favela, that Saulo may continue to develop well,
despite the new environment.
– The Carona virus, worldwide, the loss, the fears, the mourning. But let us especially
pray that many give (back) their lives to God our Lord!
Love & Blessings!
Lucas, Christa & Saulo
What a hectic but beautiful year it has been. After the car accident we were confused for a moment, it seemed impossible to go back to the village. Every planned appointment went wrong for various reasons. We were encouraged by you! In a short time many hands were put together in prayer, projects and donations so that we could purchase a new car. After purchasing the car, there was an question whether Lucas would like to come and visit a tribe. It was nice that there was a distracting option and so Lucas brought a team (that works with oral Bible translation) to the tribe. How beautiful the discovery that this tribe has the same tribal language as the tribe where we previously went. How beautiful when something seems impossible, God shows another way !!
The tribe had shared the question with Lucas if there would be structural missionaries again. In the past, missionaries lived among them who learned the tribal language and translated the New Testament into writing for them. The Old Testament is not yet in the tribal language. Although they can speak the Portuguese language, the Portuguese Bible is too difficult to understand. Nor is it their native language and so the Bible stays far away. The question is whether we can help them explain the Bible. Since it is possible, even asked, to live (periodically) among them, it is also possible to learn the tribal language. They are very excited that we have a desire to learn their language and would like to help us with it! We are grateful that God let us walk step by step in His plan. Thankfully we are allowed to serve this indigenous population.
Once every two years there is a conference of the mission movement that we work with: JOCUM em família (YWAM in family). They were four days full of encouraging testimonies and sermons (or lessons). It has done us very well to be addressed in our hearts. To meet fellow missionaries from all over Brazil and to exchange experiences.
After this we continued on our journey by car to Rio de Janeiro, to spend the holidays in Lucas’ parental home. Vovô (grandfather), vovó (grandmother) and tio (uncle) are very happy to see Saulo (and us of course) again. We are very happy to be able to recharge after this hectic year. We enjoy a moment of peace and family love that we need. At the end of January we can even enjoy a meeting with opa (grandfather), oma (grandmother) and oome (uncle) Reinder from the Netherlands!
It is planned to be back in Porto Velho at the beginning of February. After a short preparation we would like to continue to the village, but this depends on the amount of rain when this is exactly possible.
We want to thank you all for all your support in encouragement, prayers and finances! Thank you for not being on our own, but having a wonderful team around us who wants to share the gospel with all nations!
We wish you a happy New Year and all the blessings for a prosperous 2020!
Lots of love from the three of us,
Lucas, Christa and Saulo
After two years of absence, it was good to be able to visit the rivercommunities on the Purus River, to encourage one another and to praise God together. We have also had a great and instructive time in the tribe, made nice encounters and memories!
Do you think we’ved made it, to buy our new car???
