Thursday, May 28, 2009

All here...but one...

Yes, it's true! Caleb, Becky and I (Ben) arrived in Anápolis, Brazil safely today around lunch time...including all but one of our luggage pieces...unfortunately, it was Caleb's car seat; fortunately, a neighbor of my parents had an extra car seat in storage that we could use! Thank you for all your prayers before, during, and even now, after our flight travels. We hope to get Caleb's car seat tomorrow or soon thereafter. Please pray this comes through quickly!

You know you're in Brazil when...
Here are some very real examples of life that struck us as we arrived at our final destination in interior Brazil today:

1. A tractor trailer (semi) and passenger bus had broken down on the side of the highway--instead of using orange cones or such, there were three consecutively larger branches (I mean, large branches, not just sticks) of trees in a regular spacing, acting as cones, warning oncoming traffic that something was going on farther ahead.

2. Driving through downtown Goiânia, at a gas station we saw cars filling up with gas, and a horse and cart tied to a pole.

3. Along the highway there were numerous fruit stands with tangerines and other fresh fruit as the dry season gets started here in the central plateau of Brazil, reminding us of God's promise to provide for His children even when we seem to have 'want'.

World of Contrasts
In the same way, this world is full of contrasts, isn't it? God's Creation shows this: deserts, rainforests, drought and rain. God is delighted in His Creation, and we can definitely enjoy it too! However, some seek God, others don't. No matter the country one lives in, these contrasts are a reality. As we spend this month here in Brazil, would you pray that we would be a light in the darkness (another contrast) and be wise in choosing which opportunities to follow through with. We thank you!

In His Unfailing Love,

Ben, Becky, (Noah) and Caleb Bacheller.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

It Came!

WHAT came? Caleb's Visa! Yes, it came through! We went two Thursdays ago to the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta to apply for Caleb's Tourist Visa and we got it the next day! Praise God! Wooohoooooo!!!!! Now Caleb can enter the country with us!

Yesterday, Saturday, Ben graduated from seminary and we had a great celebration with friends at our place, including Ben's dad who flew in from Brazil!

This Tuesday (after tomorrow) May 26th we fly out to Brazil for a month and will be returning on June 29th, and we'll be keeping in touch with you all through email, as well as our website (for those who like more details).

Thank you so much for praying fervently with us that Caleb's Visa might come through! It is awesome to see how God has continued to provide, in His timing.

Again, please do continue praying for this strategic ministry we will be involved in this summer, but also long-term as we ask God to bring us the prayer and financial partners we need to make this crucial ministry a reality: mobilizing and training the Brazilian Church to plant more reproducing churches around the world for the Glory of God! If you would like more info, please email us! We can send you a PDF of our Ministry Portfolio so you can better understand what, where, who, and why we are going to Brazil.

Thank you again for your partnership--each one of you reading this matters to us and the the work being done in Brazil and consequently, around the world!

In Christ's Unfailing Love,

Ben, Becky, (Noah) & Caleb Bacheller.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Caleb's Visa Part II

PRAISE GOD!!! We've been scheduled to come in this Thursday at 10am in Atlanta! We believe your prayers got them moving!! Now, pray that his temporary visa will be granted!

Ben for the family.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Caleb's Visa

Praying folks,

Please be actively in prayer for Caleb's Visa. We have discovered that his application is not even in processing yet it seems. Our plan B has been to apply for a temporary Visa, which we are in the process of doing, but they have not given us a specific date and time to go to Atlanta for this. One can only schedule by email, they don't answer the phones for anything (believe me, I've tried, English & Portuguese). Please pray that they will respond to our emails and give us a specific time to go. We have non-refundable tickets to Brazil, leaving two weeks from tomorrow. We are asking God to really move here. Please join us!

Ben (for our family).