El Roi in the details

This post was intended to go up a couple months ago, but time to stop-reflect-and write a difficult commodity in my season of life. At any given moment, I usually have a couple blog posts whirling in my brain. This one has been marinating since we bought our car back in February. The picture below is of Aaron and I with our van in the US. This picture was taken in front of the bank the day we went in to officially sell our car. The photo cred goes to Kelley, the lady who bought it. 

We're smiling here. We were relieved to have a buyer for the car. This transaction facilitated the purchase of our car here in Brazil. But I struggled with letting this van go. The conflict hit when Kelley and her family first came to our home to look at the van. As Aaron drove away to test drive the van with the family, I was completely taken off guard by my heart's resistance. Everything in me said WE CANNOT sell the van! I didn't really understand why I felt that way. The vehicle would be of no use to us in the next year with our upcoming move to Brazil. Did I want to take the van with us? Well, yes! I'd already asked my dad who works with exporting goods to Brazil, but that was not a feasible option. It would have cost us far beyond what the car was worth. Was it the memories? Sure, that contributed. We did grow our family from 4 to 6 in that car. We had a memorable, unifying, God appointed 3 week road trip in that car. Not to mention the countless hours spend in it singing together, reviewing school work, listening to audio books, traveling to see grandparents and friends. But memories weren't the issue in my heart. I knew remarkable memories awaited us to be created in Brazil. Then it hit me... like a ton of bricks. COMFORT.

You see we were letting go of the comfort of that van. It was an old van, but it had all the bells and whistles to help ease life for this momma of four! Not only was it comfortable, we were letting go of it without the security of having a vehicle waiting for us in Brazil. Moreover, it paralleled what Christ did for us as He left heaven. Albeit, a very faint analogy, but Christ King did leave every familiar, comfort and glory to come down to earth where no comfort awaited Him. In the faintest of a whisper it's as if God said to me, "How many times have you told your children to share their toys. Joyce, your turn with this van is over. It's another family's turn. Fear not, I will provide."

Of course He will! And He did! Here's us in front of the car God provided. It's a great car. It fits all 6 of us which is a challenge to find here in Brazil. Aaron did a wonderful job finding a great quality car that runs super well at an awesome price. There's a whole set of adventures in the story of how he actually retrieved the car from Florianopolis, where he bought it - but that would be a whole other post!

Hear me when I say, I know God is so much bigger than our modes of transport, but He does work in the details. He's our El Roi, our God who sees even the minor details of our life. And for me the Lord often speaks through those details. I'm thankful He cares about us even in the seemingly little things. I'm thankful that He communicates with me. I'm thankful that I know the voice of my Shepherd (John 10). 

Christ, THE Pedra Grande - Guest Blogger Aaron

Greetings from Brazil! It has been just over two months since my last email update, and what a wild two months for all of us! We are all experiencing the global health and economic crisis in different, yet similar, ways. My sincere hope is that these times of trial draw us nearer to our Savior, the One who secures us eternally and loves us unconditionally. (John 10:27-30) May our prayers and desires be more selfless, more grace-filled, and more passionate than ever!

Back in Brazil

As a family, our first couple of months back in Atibaia, Brazil have been a blessing. We lived here for five months last year and are back in the same house again. Joyce and the kids have reconnected with so many friends from Classical Conversations and church and they are continuing to improve their Portuguese. Austin and Evelina are writing their own books. Nicholas is writing his name and learning like a first-grader even though he's only four years old. Jonathan is learning a lot about gratitude in this transition back to Brazil. Last month we even received a special visit from our dear friend Emily King! It was a sweet time filled with laughter, açaí, and lots of bug spray. ;)

We also returned to Pedra Grande, the largest mountain in Atibaia (altitude 4,800 ft) and hiked it as a family. What an adventure! We were so proud of Nicholas for making it to the top and for the older three who encouraged him along the way. It is a steep, rocky hike, but we talked about how God often calls us to persevere through adversity even as He surrounds us with beauty.

The week before covid mandated social distancing, we traveled as a family in our first Brazilian car to Belo Horizonte, the capital of the neighboring state Minas Gerais. I had work meetings and we took the opportunity to get to know a little more of the country. We participated in a CC community day there, visited some beautiful cultural sites, and explored Lago de Furnas on our return to São Paulo. What a blessing to be together for adventures like these!

Ministry Updates

My work with EDI/GDI continues to be promising, although the global crisis presents a threat to nearly every line of work, including ours. After launching online seminary classes last fall, we officially launched the first Brazilian Christian Hall in Porto Alegre and have been amazed at the loving, godly community we have encountered. There are now three Christian Halls - one in Uganda, one in Ohio, and one in Brazil - working to develop students intellectually, spiritually and professionally. Praise God! We are so grateful that God continues to raise up additional church and school partners who are gearing up to launch in May and August this year to offer Christ-centered degree programs for both theological and non-theological courses (see map attached). We will also launch our first High School Dual Credit classes in the coming weeks, giving Brazilian high school students the opportunity to take classes with our partner US universities.

Our Classical Conversations home school programs are now in almost every state in Brazil and continue to grow rapidly! Joyce has provided a couple of additional trainings this year and is preparing to provide community assessments to assist our national leadership ensure the success of each CC learning community. 

My business partner and his family are also now (stuck) with us in Brazil indefinitely which has provided a great reinforcement to the work here. However, it has created some challenges with managing our projects back in the US that will likely help us if we are able to expand our work to other regions. It is certainly a time hold remember how fragile our lives truly are and how humbly we should make plans for the future. (James 4:12-15)

Prayers

Please join us in prayer for:

• CC communities and Christian Halls that will no longer be able meet in person for a few months, that the ministries and relationships will remain strong.
• Sober minds among the leaders of nations and institutions during this crisis.
• Our increasingly globally-aware children to know security in God and to delight in His faithfulness.
• Friends, family and neighbors and us to know that Christ is our Rock through thick and thin and that we would not waver in our devotion to Him.

Please let us know how you are doing and how we can pray for you.

With love,

Aaron Pierce