Nossa Recente Viagem (Our Recent Trip)
|
We were recently blessed with an opportunity to travel "north" to the USA for a short but eventful trip (three weeks). Every four years, MTW has an "area conference" for all of their missionaries in a particular region of the world. Since the Latin America area conference was held in Orlando, FL, we were able to be "home" in the culture of our birth. The week-long retreat was a great time of refreshment, "recharging" and fellowship. Our keynote speakers included two leaders at MTW, Dr. Paul Kooistra and Rev. Ron Shaw, as well as the noted author and speaker Elisabeth Elliot. We were also thankful to have several afternoons free as a family to enjoy the sights and sounds of Orlando.
|
|
Because of a gracious gift from Lynn's mother, we were able to rent a van and travel back to our "US base of operations", Johnson City, TN. We stayed with our dear friends, Chad and Michele King, and attended a worship service at our "home" church Westminster Pres. Lynn and I simply had to resign ourselves to be like "empty nest" parents as our children were at friends homes for nearly the entire duration of our time in TN. Is this a sign of things to come?!
We then trekked up to Elizabethtown, KY (with Lynn's mother Betty on board) to visit with my mother for several days. While there, we saw several frien
ds and relatives, traveled to Louisville one evening so that Jacob could skate at the new skate park, and gorged ourselves on great "health food" at White Castle hamburger joints. We then headed back to Johnson City for our goodbyes to friends and family before driving to Atlanta for our flight back "home" to Brazil.
|
|
|
You might have taken note of my writing the word "home" always in quotation marks... I have been contemplating recently what it really means to be "home". Am I "home" when I am in the language, culture and country of my birth? Certainly I am comfortable in these things, but I'm not sure that constitutes a full definition of what "home" means. The apostle Peter referring to the believers in his first letter said, "Što God's elect, strangers in the world, scatteredŠ" (I Peter 1:1) How can I be a "stranger" in this world when this is the place where I was born? The answer lies in the new birth in Jesus Christ. My "home", that is my true home as a redeemed sinner now is (and will forever be) in heaven, and while I live here on earth, be it "scattered" to Campinas, Canberra, or Chicago, it is only temporary while I sojourn and serve my risen King. My Lord is continuing to teach me to "hold on loosely" to the things of this "home" as I look forward to the eternal "home" to come.
|
|
Nossa Nova Casa (Our New Home)
Speaking of "home", we have moved to a new home, a rental house here in Campinas. We were very grateful for the apartment that we had for our first seven months in Brazil, but the cramped quarters were beginning to fray all of our nerves. Our new "casa" is located in a safe neighborhood and has a small yard in the back (where Patches reigns as queen over every creature great and small that dares to enterŠfrom bugs to lizards to Taylor's cat Crystal). We are very thankful and blessed to have this house, and our prayer is that God will use it for His glory as we continue to serve Him here. Our new address is:
Rua Serra do Caparao, 11
Condominio Recanto Ecologico
Jardim Paranapanema
Campinas - SP 13095-500
Brasil
Phone: 011-55-19-3253-4429 (we are now 3 hrs. ahead of EST)
|
Noticias do Ministerio (Ministry News)
The Lord is continuing to slowly open up ministry opportunities for us here during our time of language study. Our contact with Caê continues to be fruitful. Please keep praying for him and for our witness before him in word and deed. Two other friends of Jacob (also "skatistas" or skaters) are at our home quite often. Both boys have the name Vitor and neither one comes from a Christian home.
I have begun playing soccer again on Weds. evenings with a group of men by invitation from a deacon at the Presbyterian church that we attend. There are only a handful of us that are Christians, so it has been a great opportunity for outreach. One man that plays with us is a Mormon. Please pray that I (and the other Christians) can not only play in a way that glorifies Christ, but also that the Holy Spirit would open opportunities for the presentation of the Gospel.
Concerning future ministry, there are several possibilities. We are prayerfully considering each, and would appreciate your continuing to pray with us for wisdom and discernment.
Português language classes continue to go well for Lynn and I, but please don't stop praying as our minds and mouths daily get "reprogrammed" for this new tongue.
One praise to our God concerns the kids and their adjustment to school. Thank you for your faithful prayers for them as they adapted very well into the Brazilian system and have made many friends.
Our prayer for you is that you would grow in grace and knowledge of the only true Savior, Jesus Christ, and that the upcoming holidays during which we celebrate His birth would be a blessing for you and your family. Feliz Natal (Merry Christmas)!
Soli Deo Gloria, The Atkissons
P.S. Visit us at our webpage and web photos!
www.mtw.net/people/datkisson.htm
|
- December 7, 2002
|