Monday, July 20, 2015

Broken, but Useful

"But we have this treasure (CHRIST) in earthen vessels (US) that the EXCELLENCY of the POWER may be of God and NOT of us!" 
2 Corinthians 4:7


 To celebrate Mother's Day in May, we decided to 
decorate Christen's backyard and invite all the ladies and their friends for a Saturday afternoon of coffee or tea, 
goodies, fellowship, a fun mug gift exchange, and being refreshed in God's Word. What a joy it was to see several new ladies! 
      
Our theme was "Broken, but Useful." With God's help, I was able to share some encouraging truths from 2 Corinthians 4:6-18. Some thoughts I shared were how I am  that earthen vessel, worthless and broken, but God came and shone in my heart my sin and need of cleansing from sin through Christ's cleansing blood on the cross. 
      As His child, I will still be troubled on every side, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down. However, I can  hold on to the Scriptural truths/promises that say I will NOT be distressed or be in despair or forsaken or destroyed. "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
mortal flesh!"







I had fun learning how to make some of these vases out of milk boxes with my friend, Karine. Incredible, how something so ugly as milk boxes could be completely transformed into something so beautiful! 
I am so glad God is doing                                                      that with my life! 



Flute/Recorder Lessons

 I never imagined starting a recorder class with some of the girls from church. It all started with Larissa, the girl on my right with the blue recorder. She expressed her desire to learn how to play the recorder and that is how it all started. One child after another started asking for lessons. Thankfully, my mom gave me four of her recorders which were a big help to get several started on, and eventually, they purchased their own.I am so very proud of the four girls that have                                                                                               continued.

(Lohana and Larissa are in the picture with me)





Lohana, Larissa, and Luana
Lohana and Luana are sisters. 


Sitting at the table with me - 
(Left) Kamile, Lohana, and Larissa

 Please pray their love for music grows and that God receive all the honor and glory.



Happy Valentine's in June




 In Brazil, Valentine's Day is celebrated in June. To show appreciation for the couples of our church, the teens decided to host a Valentine's Banquet which included decorating, serving, planning the games, and serving the wonderful food made by one of our women in the church, and cleaning up. 


Our three teen guys, Ricardo, Alex, and Rafael, did an excellent job serving the couples and making sure they had everything they needed.

           


                    
     

Please continue praying for our teens to continue growing in their knowledge of God, loving Him, and serving others with all their heart! 
(Ricardo, Alex, Rafael, and Karine)

Psalm 86:11
"Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name."


As I close, I want to ask  you to continue praying for me as I wait to receive word from all my supporting churches and individuals on whether God would have me to stay for another year serving alongside my brother and his family. Lord-willing, I will stay on teaching my nephews and niece, teaching the children's Sunday School class on Wednesady nights, teaching my recorder class, helping with the teens, and hopefully, starting up some English classes in August. Whatever I receive for teaching my English classes will be going towards my car fund! 

Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to read about what God is faithfully doing through His broken vessel!