Paz do Senhor! (Peace of the Lord)

It's been just over two months now since I arrived here in Brazil. I'm beginning to feel really settled here with all the unfamiliarity's becoming much more 'familiar' now. I have established some great friends with whom I can be myself and an equally great support network that I can go to for help.

Living in such a small, closed off town, and being the only non-Brazilian person for literally hundreds of miles has its own problems with everything I do being broadcasted and discussed by people. While it can be difficult it is something I am using to my advantage as I try to be 'salt and light' to the people here.

Previous to the church I am working in being planted here, it was unheard of for Christians to even play football! Imagine the reactions I get when we regularly draw in a crowd of 35 young people all wanting to play. Last week I purchased bibs for everyone; the young people were so excited when they found out what we had got them; many even doubted it was true.

Seeing all 22 of them run around in their blue and yellow bibs is a sight to behold and something that will stay with me forever. Many of these young people don't have someone in their life who takes an interest in them, so actually it's not about the bibs, it's about feeling loved and accepted and I want to be the person to do that for them in the name of Jesus.

Since my last newsletter we have been inviting the young people from the football back to my house afterwards for juice and snacks. At times I feel like the Pied Piper as I will literally have 20-30 young people trailing behind me. When I look back to make sure they're still there (which they always are!) I am humbled by what I see, reminded of the privileged position I find myself in and am struck by the importance of my work. It's not about the football it's about people and lives coming to know Jesus.

We already have a number of the young people attending one of the cell groups I lead at my house, Guerreiros da Fé (translated literally as Warriors of Faith). Numbers recently rose to 28 people with many of them coming as a result of being invited at football during the half time talk.

Twenty eight people at my house may seem a lot but just over a week ago we had well over 100 people turn up for a Church cell group multiplication party with 25 at the house the night before helping prepare everything. The party involved worship, a message, the 'Lifehouse' drama in which I played Jesus (again), hip-hop, fireworks and tons of cake!

With both the church and the house completely emptied of anything remotely resembling a chair I was forced to sacrifice the chair from my room-even then it was standing room only for well over half of those attending.

But that was only the start of a crazy weekend with an outdoor youth service planned for two days later outside the church. Culto de Jovens, as it was called, was an evangelistic event aimed to reach out to the young people here in Cariré. We had many new faces turn up and we re-did the drama and the hip-hop from the party alongside testimony's, some very energetic worship and a Q&A session.

I am still continuing with my Portuguese lessons and will do so here for probably around another month. Given the remoteness of the area where I am living English speaking Portuguese teachers are hard to come by, instead I am being taught by a friend's brother.

I am really pleased with my progress so far and it is a genuine delight to simply be able to visit a friend and communicate with them, no dictionaries or Google translate required! I recently went to go support some of the young people from church at a science fair their school was holding. I met a lot of people I knew, and many I didn't, but it struck me after how even with all the background noise and distractions going on I was able to understand and be understood.

Aside from language I am learning more and more each and everyday, and although at times it has felt a bit overwhelming taking everything on board, I am reminded I am not alone.

None of this progress or what has been achieved so far would have been possible without your kind support, giving and prayers. The cards and gifts you have sent are all hugely appreciated and make a real difference to my time here so thank you!

All glory to God!

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Thank God for:

• The great progress with my Portuguese.
• For the friends I have made here.
• For the blessing the football continues to be to those who come.
• The incredible support from friends and family back home.

Pray for:

• Continued progress with my Portuguese.
• Greater vision with the various groups and activities I lead.
• Clarity with my friendships here and how I can be a better witness, encouragement and example - especially to those who don't yet know Jesus.
• My finances, as I am still short of what I need to be here (contact details available on request).