Living Stones helped

Living Stones from Jeffrey Turner on Vimeo. Click on the link for an HD version.

For more information about Living Stones check out WriBrazil.com
You can help support this ministry by writing a check to World Renewal earmarked Living Stones Brazil and mail to:

World Renewal Intl.
P.O. Box 399
Greenfield, IN 46140

Summer Trips

Summer is coming and it is time for short term trips to Brazil. Come with us on a trip that will change your life.

The medical trip is July 3 - July 11 2009, join Dr Taylor in giving God's grace to the people of Brazil. You do not need to be a medical professional to help with this trip. Just have a willing heart to love the people and be a servant to others.

Construction and English camp trip is July 11- 21. You only need to speak English to help in Brazil. Painting is the biggest job that needs done on the trip. You also will be teaching English to eager people wanting to learn how to speak English.

For more information about the summer trip email wribrazil@gmail.com or call Steven Turner 317-840-1270

God can use you this summer in Brazil.

CCT Tracunhaem construction

As promised I (Jeff) finally got over to Tracunhaem to take pictures of the construction. For those of you that don't know the story, this land was given to the community church free of charge. The only catch was they had to start building on the land by December 2008. September rolled around and they still didn't have the money to start building. But because of the wonderful generosity of the members of the community churches in Indiana they were able to start building just in time.

From January Shot term Trip

The empty bags of concrete from the flooring.

From January Shot term Trip

The new flooring that was just put in.

From January Shot term Trip

They plan on holding their first church service in this building next month.

Community Church of Tracunhaem

I (Jeff) am going to try to get over to the Church sometime this week or next to check on the progress of the church construction. Until then, here is a video I took last January when the Pastors were here.

*edit The trip has been delayed because of Lindsay getting sick. She is almost fully recovered but still needs a few days. She had the stomach flu.

First ever "Tele Talk"

Tele Talk 2/25/09 from Jeffrey Turner on Vimeo.

This is the first of hopefully many "Tele Talks" where you get the updates of the ministry and school straight from the mouth of the Director of World Renewal Brazil Pastor Telemaco Moraes.

This video covers what the churches do during Carnaval, news about the international school, and how Tele's family is doing. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to leave feedback and let us know what aspects of the ministry you would like to hear about.

Dan Downer sick

Pastor Dan Downer who has been in Brazil for a month now, is sick and leaves tomorrow to the US.
He ate some bad cheese and has been in bed all day. He started feeling bad today around 10am. Please pray that this passes and he will be good to travel. He has gotten some medicine and is being well taken care of.

*UPDATE Dan got home safely but was still feeling sick the last time I talked with him. Continue to pray for his recovery and for God's plan for his ministry.

*UPDATE 2 According to Edna Chestnut: "I was just talking with Dan and he has been bedfast since his return from Brazil. He has terrible back pain and numbness in his legs."

Community Church of Timbauba interview

Timbauba Community Church interview from Jeffrey Turner

If you attend Brookville Road Community Church then you got to see this video yesterday at church. For the rest of you, I have posted here. Click on the title of the video to watch an HD copy.

Dr. Lake History of Community Church

15 years ago the first community church was started in Carpina Brazil. Last Sunday all the Brazil community churches got together to celebrate. The main speaker was Dr. Charles Lake the founder of Greenwood Community Church (the very first community church). You can watch his sermon that explains the history of the community churches. It is in 4 parts. The second part has the history story in it.

Continue to pray for the Pastors as they visit the community churches in Brazil.

Pastors arrive safely

The January group has arrived safely with all of their luggage. They didn't get to much rest today as they will be going to the very first service in Cha de Alegria this evening. Tomorrow is the 15 year anniversary celebration. Then in the evening Pastor Charles lake will be preaching at Grace Presbyterian Church in Recife. During the week it will be a little more relaxed. The group will be visiting most if not all the community churches. Jeff will be taking video fotage of the new construction in Lagoa de Itaenga, Tracenheum, and Timbauba. Until then pray for this trip.

Pastor Ricardo's Mother Passes away

Pastor Ricardo Silva's mother passed away yesterday. She had diabetes and went into a coma after having to much sugar. She died shortly after going into the coma.
We are unsure if she was a believer. She didn't raise Ricardo and only was with him in his early years. She was living in Lagoa de Itaenga, the same town Ricardo's current church plant is in. Please pray for the family and for Ricardo's step brother who will be living with Ricardo and Kattia now. The step brother is 14 years old. This is a big step for Ricardo's family and is very similar to when Tele brought in Ricardo to his family.

EDIT: It is still unclear if Ricardo's step brother will be living with them. It will be their responsibility to make sure he gets a good education but where he lives will be up to him. There are several relatives that he is going to stay with for a while before he decides.

Fire on the Hillside

This was the view from the Alcance (Ministry HQ) a few nights ago.

Every season they burn the sugar cane fields to drive out the snakes and clear it out. The actual stalk doesn't burn. So after they burn it they can go in and harvest it a lot easier. But, burning it also hurts the ground and environment a lot.


Dan Downer is traveling to Brazil today to spend a month here. He will be helping with electricity and other things at the 3 Church construction sites. Pray for safe travels and God to use and take care of him while he is here.

Lagoa de Itaenga Construction

The Church in Lagoa De Itaenga has been blessed and was able to purchase 2 plots of land. They were soon blessed again from a large donation and they have been hard at work constructing the Church building. They have been working for about 6 weeks now and 3 of those weeks were spent on digging the foundation. The soil in the area is extremely tough to dig in.

From Lagoa De Itaenga Church Construction

They pour water into the foundation ditch to soften the soil.

From Lagoa De Itaenga Church Construction

They plan on having a big auditorium for the service and then a classroom on the side. Right now they have most of the walls up for the classroom and bathrooms area.

From Lagoa De Itaenga Church Construction

Missions Overview 2008

Bad economy?

Even though there is a lot of bad news about the US economy the value of the dollar has gone up or the value of the Real has gone down. What this means is it is a good time to give to the Brazil ministry. 1 month ago the exchange rate was $1 us dollar to R$1.5 Brazilian Real. Now it is hovering around $1 to R$2.5. This is huge and means the money you donate goes twice as far as last month. Praise God in this time of economic trouble.

Accredited

The seminary is now accredited by the Associacao Evangelica de Educacao Teologica na America Latina (AETAL) 2008.

Praise God! This will bring a lot more students to the seminary and is a big step for the ministry. Pray that God will continue to bless the students and the people they impact. We are currently working on gathering a list of students and information about their college track and goals. We are trying to make it easier to sponsor a Church planting pastor from the very beginning.

BRCC Mission Team Returns Home Safely!

We made it! With all people in tow and a few items of lost luggage, the BRCC mission team returned home safely to the warm embrace of family and friends. Thank you so much for your prayers and support during our time in Brasil. The Lord was exceedingly faithful in all He commissioned and appointed us to do while in Brasil. We look forward to sharing the joy of our trip this Sunday, August 3rd! If you are not able to join us, you can download the .mp3 recording at www.brcconline.net on Monday.

Blessings!

Day 16 BRCC Mission Trip

Day 16 Activities

This morning we are finishing up packing, room cleaning, replacing desks in the international school classrooms, moving mattresses to be returned and separating sheets and pillows that we will leave here for future use. We’ll enjoy a brunch at 10 am followed by final room inspection and closing comments from the staff. At 11:30 we will begin loading our stuff on the bus and saying our good-byes to the Alcance staff. Our flight is scheduled to leave at 4:05 from Recife. We’ll see you in Indy on day 17!

Day 15 BRCC Mission Trip

Missionaries of the Day

Sarah Wells
This is Sarah’s first trip to Brasil, and she is finding the transition into another culture a little challenging. “It’s a very different culture. Things that are acceptable in America are not always acceptable in Brasil, and it’s hard to remember all of them.” Despite the challenges, Sarah is realizing how much she is needed here. “When we were sweeping the parking lot and cleaning the walls, it seemed pointless at first. But, when you get done, you can see the difference and you realize ho much you have done.” Besides serving around the Alcance, Sarah is helping out with the English camp and performing in SHOUT. She would like to add that, “I miss my mom, especially when I talk to her or here about her, but I’m having fun.”


Paul Lappe
This is Paul’s first trip to Brasil. He enjoyed getting to know some of the folks at the Alcance. “The one thing I enjoyed about Brasil is the people. Like Lucas and Jonas- they are so nice and fun to be around.” Also Paul is really moved by watching the people’s faces during Shout! "I could see that they were getting the message even though they were reading a translation.” The Lord did a mighty work in Paul’s life on the trip, “The Lord was leading me to give my testimony and to get baptized while in Brasil. It was an awesome moment.”

Day 15 Activities

Today was filled with lots of packing, preparation, last minute flip flop factory and Guaraná runs plus a stop over for Mike to see the French Fry lady and the Churro man…. Pastor Paul wrapped up the trip talking about spiritual things that had taken place on the trip as well as some tips on getting acclimated back into the routine at home. While the Alcance was a buzz with preparation for leaving, Steve Turner headed for the airport after a 34 day stay in Brazil. That evening, the staff at the Alcance prepared a feast for us including steaks, kabobs, and cinnamon pineapple on the grill plus brownies and Ice cream plus a wonderful pineapple dessert. We enjoyed ourselves at Tele and Heather’s place including swing dancing and a few rousing games of duck-duck-goose. (yes.. that's right..) That evening, the Taylors (Emily and Paul) went to the airport for their trip home and the rest of the group finalized their packing for the next big day.

Day 14 BRCC Mission Trip

Missionaries of the Day:

Alex Romoser
When asked about his first trip to Brasil, Alex said, “Well I have never seen wild ducks roaming a town before.” Alex has been working on various construction projects around the Alcance and he is enjoying working with all the people who work at the Alcance. “It’s cool to see how much the people work and how they are so pumped about the Alcance and the work they are doing down here.” In addition to his work down here, Alex has been growing. “When I’m here, I am able to take the focus off myself and see the bigger picture. God is teaching me that I need to stop just having head knowledge and I need to make it heart knowledge.”

Eli Parker
On Eli’s first trip to Brasil, he has been enjoying the differences in the culture as well as the beautiful countryside and the people. “I love to help these people and that motivates me to work.” While on the trip, Eli says that God has really been speaking to him. “God’s been helping me sort my life out and giving my directions. I came here with a lot of questions and God has been giving me answers. One time during worship, God really just told me that he loved me and that answered so many questions. It felt really great.”

Sarah Taylor
Sarah is enjoying many things about her first trip to Brasil, including the hills, the frogs, and the food. “I love how creative Sylvia is with leftovers.” Sarah has been having fun working with everyone during the English camp and SHOUT performances. “I love working with everyone and knowing that we are working together for a good cause.” While here, Sarah has also been enjoying the devotionals. “I am learning different ways of study so I can find my favorite way for when I do my devotions at home. I have gotten a lot closer to God through the devotions and just being with all the people.”



Day 14 Activities
Today was free day began with a quick breakfast followed by loading the bus for a beach a few miles North of Recife. It was a welcome break for us as we had presented Shout! for the last time on this trip and are winding down the projects at the Alcance. We first went to a beach for snorkeling but because the tide was too high, we spent some time shopping and browsing the beach shops. After that, we loaded the bus and headed to another beach to ride the waves and body surf. The waves were fantastic and everyone had a great time. We boarded the bus and came back to the Alcance around dinner time.

Day 13 BRCC Mission Trip

Missionaries of the Day:
Sarah Brown
This is Sarah’s first time in Brasil and she finds it really different from America but “it’s easy to catch on.” Her favorite part of the trip has been performing SHOUT at the Alcance. “It was cool to see people that I recognized and to see the people getting into the performance.” While in Brasil, Sarah has been learning about working for the Lord. “It doesn’t really matter what work you’re doing. You just have to remember that it’s all for Him, and if I’m working for God, I need to do my best.”



Logan Lane
This is Logan’s first trip to Brasil, and he is loving every aspect of the trip. He has been doing a lot of painting as well as helping out with the English camp and SHOUT. Logan has really been struck by how much God has changed him during this trip. “Before I cam on the trip, I was on the edge about following God 100%. I was worried about raising the money and I was worried that I wouldn’t get to go. But, God showed that He would provide and now I’m on fire. It’s awesome. I have changed a lot and I can’t wait to get home and share how this trip has changed my life.”

Jenna Brewer
This is Jenna’s first trip to Brasil and she found it surprising that there is so much English writing all over the place. Jenna has been performing in the musical SHOUT and she has really enjoyed this experience. “It’s cool that even though they can’t understand what we’re saying, they get the point of the musical. Their faces show that they understand what’s going on.” While here, Jenna has also enjoyed the devotional studies and the times of worship. “The worship is very cool. They aren’t just worship services because people actually think about what they are saying.”




Day 13 Activities

After breakfast, we worshiped with the church that is held here at the Alcance. Logan, Eli, and Paul each gave their testimony. As an act of dedicating their life to Christ, all three of them got baptized during the service!! The afternoon had soccer, volleyball, swimming, naps, and other relaxing activities. That evening, we went to the Community Church in Carpina and performed Shout! for last time. The group was sad it was the last time to perform it but was very excited that many people were touched. After packing up, we returned to the Alconce snd played cards and ate at the snack bar.