Dave and Ruth Brendle Connecting to Tribal Missions through Computers and Bible Lessons Co-worker recovering
Trevor, author of the Firm Foundations series, has been in the hospital. A simple infection went into his blood, and he was very ill.
Praise the Lord that he is improving. Pray that he will quickly regain his strength and be able to resume his work with Ruth on revision.
Life-changing
Nathan is still sorting through all he learned on his trip to Brazil. The one word he keeps using is “life-changing.”
He loved many aspects of the trip, like:
- • Working with VBS in the Brazilian towns.
- • Having devotions on the roof of the boat on the River
- • Leading worship songs for the evening meetings in the towns.
- • Hearing how his testimony touched the heart of the Brazilian lady who translated for him.
- • Helping in the clinic on the boat.
He says that Brazil will always be in his heart. And, thinking of his heart, one of the things that touched him the most was when one of the Brazilian team members told him that she could see he had a missionary heart.
Enjoy these few pictures:
Ministered in 5 towns
One-day VBS in every town
Handed out soccar balls
Someday IS Today
Nathan leaves TODAY on a church-sponsored missions venture to Brazil. The motto of this short-term missions program is SOMEDAY IS TODAY. And it is really TODAY!
Nathan’s team of 18, along with two other short-term missions teams, were commissioned on Sunday, July 24th.
His team leaves Northland Church by bus at 11:59 pm tonight (Friday). They fly from Miami to Manaus, Brazil on Saturday morning.
Thanks to all who gave toward his trip expenses. Interestingly, the total cost of the trip per team member ended up being $124 over the initial fee. Thanks to your generosity, there was overage in Nathan’s account of $125. Is that cool, or what?
A special thanks as well to those who gave towards Nathan’s out-of-pocket expenses. That covered:
- • Shots (over $200)
- • Tee-shirts and shorts (most of which Nathan will leave for new Brazilian friends)
- • A guitar (Nathan found a lovely-sounding Yamaha on Craig’s List, very inexpensive.)
- • A journal to record his journey and what he learns
- • Spending money
Pray for good travel, for bonding with the team, and for wonderful ministry opportunities on the boat and in villages along the river.
Ask about Brazil
Nathan plans to go on a missions trip to Brazil in June. We had a yard sale recently as a fundraiser, and he netted enough to pay for his passport.
We’d appreciate your prayers for him.
Continue reading to check out the letter he wrote about the trip and why he wants to go.
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One Hundred Dollars
What can $100 buy?
- • 100 cans of Arizona Sweet Tea
- • Groceries for a week
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- • Gas for a few days
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A few months ago, Nathan heard a call from the Lord. Our church here in Florida has a short-term missions program with the theme, “Someday is Today.” Nathan believes his “Someday” has come!
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Super Moon
“The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory.” (Psalm 97:6)
Full moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the moon’s orbit. On March 19, 2011, the moon was the closest it has been to the earth in 18 years. It was 15% larger, and 20% brighter. And our hearts were filled with wonder at God’s design.
Photograph taken by Dave, looking over Lake Monroe in Sanford, Florida.
Learning Leadership
NTM and Friends Youth Group held their weekly meeting at our house last night. So Dave and I had the joy of seeing Nathan actually leading the group for the first time.
Ministries marry
Carol and Herman working on Bible lessons
Lindy and Carol are NTM missionaries in Brazil. Dave and I are pleased to be working with them to see a vibrant church established among the Guanano people.
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High School French inadequate
Dave took French in High School, but what he learned then was far from what he needed today when he had to set up a computer in French.
Coffee-drowned computer back in service
Last week, a lady at NTM’s home office brought her computer to Dave after spilling a full cup of coffee on it.
As a previous post described, Dave spent a day drying it, cleaning contacts, and so on. And the next morning, he did more cleaning of contacts and diagnostics.
After the cleaning and drying, the only part that was not fixable was the touchpad. Dave ordered a new one. It arrived today, and is already installed. So that computer is back in service!
Thanks for praying for Dave.