The Reconciliation of All Things

Hi from Brazil! We have one week left here before we head back to the USA! Our time here as been wonderful, and yes, very busy! The last two weeks held many things we want to update you on: Regarding ministry, Becky, Caleb and I visited the town of Vianópolis, where we are planning to attend Portuguese language school when we return to Brazil (yes, Ben is fluent but he will still refresh on his Portuguese too!). We will likely remain there for approximately 9 months before moving to Anápolis an hour away to begin ministry full-time. We will have a simple two bedroom apartment to live in on the campus of the language school and are excited to have this opportunity to focus on Portuguese. On the family side of things, Ben’s youngest brother, Joel, got married to his Brazilian fiancée, Lanna one week ago. It was a wonderful time for the family to be together and gave us the opportunity to add more cultural observations to ou...

  Hi from Brazil! We have been here for 9 days now and are finally feeling like we are getting into a routine—there is always so much to do! So how are we adjusting and what have we been doing? Ben has been observing his dad’s seminary classes and has started teaching in the missions training program. He also gave a devotional for the seminary yesterday and will be preaching in a Brazilian church this Sunday. Preparing to teach and preach in Portuguese takes more time than in English, of course, but it is a great opportunity for him to get re-acclimated to the language. He has also enjoyed playing soccer with the seminary students. They play on an outdoor cement court about the size of a basketball court—for those who know soccer, it’s called Futsal, the official Olympic indoor soccer game.  It is a fast game that requires quick ball handling skills. Caleb and I love to come watch Ben play and meet the student wives and their families....

Last night was Ben's youngest brother Joel's wedding. Joel married a Brazilian named Lana. It was a beautiful ceremony and we are so happy for them.

Here are more pictures of the wedding. Caleb loved playing with the little girl who brought in the rings as well as his cousin Julia. Julia is 6 months younger than Caleb. In Brazil they have special couples who are in the wedding that walk in before the bride and groom. We along with Julia's parents were among these special couples and the kids came down the isle with us. Both Caleb and Julia did such a good job especially since the wedding started at 8PM (their bedtime).

These pictures are from Ben's Seminay graduation a few weeks ago. Ben's dad came from Brazil for the celebration. Ben has worked so hard the last 4 years and I am so proud of him!