Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Bye bye Brazil
We are in that final phase again - the big pack. Except that this time it is for six months. And with evaluations and medicals and everything to get through in order to come back. Six months of church visiting, ministry in Holland, Tom's twenty-first, Cora's dissertation, our Silver Wedding, the EMA, three graduations, Bec and Aidan's wedding, the Carey Family Conference, Tom and Emily's wedding...
In addition to thinking about all of the above for the UK pack Taybar and Patty will be living in the flat for the next 6 months, and we need to leave it in good order for them. And we are looking to move to another place soon after our return, so havce actually started some general house packing, in order to leave them more space too.
Our final Sunday here was excellent, with church lunch, baptisms and evening meeting with the Lord's Supper. The whole Peregrinos family seemed to be there (actually not all - some were far away... São Paulo, Los Angeles, Argentina, Chile, the UK) but we had record numbers for each part of the day. Thank you for praying. Andrew preached on Mark 7 and 8 - on the sovereignty of Christ to open blind eyes and deaf ears, and lead us to recognise him in his sufficiency to save. Great freedom. New people are turning up all the time, and we are very grateful for the signs of God's blessing.
All of this makes for this leaving being the most emotionally difficult yet. It is very hard - and yet we are desperate to see our children and wider family and church in the UK. What a strange life, to have your heart so firmly linked to two places.
Tonight there is a "surprise" farewell party, and tomorrow we fly. So much to do... We will try to get back to the blogging rhythm in the UK.
Singing with Taybar, Giovanna, Timóteo and Lídia after the three were baptised.
Further photos of the final days here are visible here.
Peregrinos' Carnival Retreat
Carnival fell early this year, and we havd a long weekend near the beach at Rio Vermelho, in the North of the island. We sought to brng new members up to speed with our basis and vision as a church by looking at the four aspects of church life visible in Acts 2:42. The days were hectic, made challenging by blocked toilets, and by a number of serious pastoral issues that were "uindergoing treatment" throughout the days. God was very good, and the event was an immense refreshment and moment of orientation.
Photos of the retreat can be seen here,
here
and here.
IPL
It was a joy to be involved in the ABU (UCCF) national leaders' training event in January. We spent two weeks with them, out of a three week conference, and believe that a key avenue for future ministry has been opned up for us. We are booked to return next year, and to be involved in the staff-workers' conference in October.
Photos of the IPL can be seen here.
We are in that final phase again - the big pack. Except that this time it is for six months. And with evaluations and medicals and everything to get through in order to come back. Six months of church visiting, ministry in Holland, Tom's twenty-first, Cora's dissertation, our Silver Wedding, the EMA, three graduations, Bec and Aidan's wedding, the Carey Family Conference, Tom and Emily's wedding...
In addition to thinking about all of the above for the UK pack Taybar and Patty will be living in the flat for the next 6 months, and we need to leave it in good order for them. And we are looking to move to another place soon after our return, so havce actually started some general house packing, in order to leave them more space too.
Our final Sunday here was excellent, with church lunch, baptisms and evening meeting with the Lord's Supper. The whole Peregrinos family seemed to be there (actually not all - some were far away... São Paulo, Los Angeles, Argentina, Chile, the UK) but we had record numbers for each part of the day. Thank you for praying. Andrew preached on Mark 7 and 8 - on the sovereignty of Christ to open blind eyes and deaf ears, and lead us to recognise him in his sufficiency to save. Great freedom. New people are turning up all the time, and we are very grateful for the signs of God's blessing.
All of this makes for this leaving being the most emotionally difficult yet. It is very hard - and yet we are desperate to see our children and wider family and church in the UK. What a strange life, to have your heart so firmly linked to two places.
Tonight there is a "surprise" farewell party, and tomorrow we fly. So much to do... We will try to get back to the blogging rhythm in the UK.
Singing with Taybar, Giovanna, Timóteo and Lídia after the three were baptised.
Further photos of the final days here are visible here.
Peregrinos' Carnival Retreat
Carnival fell early this year, and we havd a long weekend near the beach at Rio Vermelho, in the North of the island. We sought to brng new members up to speed with our basis and vision as a church by looking at the four aspects of church life visible in Acts 2:42. The days were hectic, made challenging by blocked toilets, and by a number of serious pastoral issues that were "uindergoing treatment" throughout the days. God was very good, and the event was an immense refreshment and moment of orientation.
Photos of the retreat can be seen here,
here
and here.
IPL
It was a joy to be involved in the ABU (UCCF) national leaders' training event in January. We spent two weeks with them, out of a three week conference, and believe that a key avenue for future ministry has been opned up for us. We are booked to return next year, and to be involved in the staff-workers' conference in October.
Photos of the IPL can be seen here.
# posted by Andrew and Cora @ 5:34:00 am 
