Back from Rio!

Dear Friends and Family,
We arrived safely back in Anápolis after an exciting
week in Rio. Thank you for all your prayers regarding
our trip. During our time in Rio (actually Seropédica,
a small college town 45 minutes out of the city) Ben
and I were able to visit the Federal University of
Rural Rio de Janeiro which focuses on agriculture and
environmental science. We also participated in
Seropédica’s environmental emphasis week which
included tours of neighboring national forests and
mini-courses in caring for the environment. All these
were for the community. Ben also had the opportunity
to teach an Ecology class at the university about the
environment and geography of the United States. We
were privileged to stay with Dr. Carlos Domingos
(director of the Environmental Science department at
the university) and his wife Mara. They were very
hospitable towards us and did all they could to make
our stay comfortable (they even gave us their
room—very Brazilian). They spoke Portuguese with a
different accent however, which was hard for me and
made for some frustrating moments not being able to
understand what was going on. I think God was trying
to teach me flexibility this past week as well as
patience with myself and my learning level (note from
Ben: She did VERY WELL!). Learning a new language is a
daily struggle, some days I feel good about all I
know, other days I feel like I know so little. Ben
also had the opportunity to help Carlos teach a basic
agriculture course to missions students at a nearby
seminary. Overall, the week gave Ben a wonderful
opportunity to see ways to apply his knowledge of
biology as well as missions.
Next week we leave with the entire Bacheller clan (all
six kids and wives) for the city of João Pessoa in
northeastern Brazil for a family reunion on the beach.
Ben and I were originally planning to stay up north
for the month of July and visit a small village in the
semi-arid region of Brazil. However, since morning
sickness is still an issue for me we have decided that
I will return with the rest of the family and Ben will
stay for about a week and a half. We have been in
contact with a pastor in this village and he informed
Ben that the officials in the town want Ben to teach
classes in agriculture and soil management while he is
there. Ben is very excited to put some of his training
into use.
Here are some specific prayer requests to keep in
mind:
-Safe travels up north and back with our family;
-Wisdom for Ben to know what to teach to the community
members of the town in northeastern Brazil;
-Rest in the midst of so much going on;
-Safety & health for all three of us;
-Endurance to finish strong;
-That God will use us despite us;

We pray for you as well, please keep in touch, and
thanks for all your support & encouragement!
Becky & Ben Bacheller.

Attached you'll find a picture of us with the couple
that housed us in Rio as well as the children at a
daycare center planting lettuce during the Emphasis on
the Environment Week.