Update 10/21/06

Hello everyone! Well, it has been a little while since I sent out an update but I have some great things to share this week. As many of you know, a team from Calvary Chapel San Luis Obispo came down to Curitiba this week and we had a great time doing ministry with them! They came with great attitudes and a good work ethic, and totally blessed our church here.

On Tuesday we did a work day at the church to fix up some of the physical problems at our building. The team cleaned, painted, constructed and trimmed all sorts of things, making our building look so much better (no joke, our building was looking a little sorry!)! Then Wednesday day we did evangelism down town and saw about 12-14 people come forward on the streets to make decisions to follow Jesus. As always, the lasting fruit is yet to be seen, but it was exciting to see the Americans out there with our young Brazilians trying to share the Love of Jesus with Curitibanos!

That night we had special services for men and women led by James and Wendy Rey! I think the the greatest contribution of the team was not the evangelism or the work they did, but their attitudes and love for our body here. They really made an effort to connect with the church, to talk with them, to try to speak and learn Portuguese; our church saw the difference. Some of our church had gotten a little tired of Americans coming down because their attitudes were often one of superiority, or they were distant from the Brazilians. The Brazilians start to wonder why they even come if they don't want to try to get to know them. But this team really surprised them and won them over showing that not all Americans are too cool. I was stoked and proud to be from Calvary SLO!

We finished the week by sending the team off to another city down south, Florianopolis, and then going home exhausted, but satisfied by all our work! It was awesome! Now we are heading into the weekend with our normal services. Please pray for our youth, which I am leading, to grow in their intimacy in Christ and to develop a heart to seek His will at all times. The first official service last week with me in charge went really well; I couldn't have asked for a better time. I just want the Holy Spirit to teach the students and lead them to know Jesus more!

Please pray for us!

In Christ, Tom & Luciana