Steps of the Called

Taking the Next Step

Posted in | at 3:41 PM

I've been back in the States for about two and a half months now, so I figured I should probably post an update. I kept meaning to post something earlier, but to be honest I've just been enjoying spending time with my family and readjusting to life stateside. The transition has been harder than expected in some ways and easier in others. I don't feel like I've really experienced that much culture-shock (except for maybe the lack of cows and increase in traffic), but it has taken me a while to really process everything. While I was there I knew God was working and teaching me things, but the depth and vastness of those things are much more clear to me as I take the time to look back. Yes, I miss the island and the people, especially the kids. They will always have a piece of my heart. But I'm also so thankful that God has brought me back home and given me the opportunity to really catch a glimpse of the bigger picture of what He allowed me to be a part of for an entire year. Looking back at how God worked in and through me also makes me really excited about my next steps!

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I'm happy to announce that I will be moving to Holly Springs, North Carolina (a suburb of Raleigh) to be a part of the launch team for Life Spring Church!!

For all of you out there who've prayed for and supported me over the last year-and-a-half, I want to say a big THANK YOU! and ask that you continue to pray for me, my team, and the community of Holly Springs as we start this journey. I've never been a part of a church planting team before, but I am so excited for the opportunity to start from the beginning with this church! The mission LifeSpring is to connect people with an overflowing relationship with Jesus Christ, and we're planning to do this first and foremost by obeying the great commandment: love your neighbor. You can check out more details about the church (including our strategy, timeline, blog, and how you can pray for and support us) on our website: www.lifespringlive.com

My current plan is to move to Holly Springs in August, get a job in the community, and work alongside other launch team members to serve and reach the community for Christ. Until I move, my plan is to find a job here in the Atlanta area and continue to spend as much time as possible with friends and family. If you fall into one of those categories and I haven't seen you yet, I'm hoping to do so soon. Seriously. Shoot me an email and let's set something up!

Read Users' Comments (0)

Seeing God Work

Posted in | at 8:10 AM

One of my favorite things about this past year has been seeing God work in really tangible ways in people’s lives. We often talk about how God can change people, and I’ve been blessed to see it first-hand in the lives of many Azoreans over the past few months. One of those people is my friend Sandra, and she’s given me permission to share her story with all of you.

Here's Sandra's story, in her own words:

Hello, my name is Sandra Barcelos and I am 32 years old. I am from the Portuguese Azores, and currently I’m living on the island of Terceira. I am going to tell you about how I came to know Jesus.

Up until the fall of 2012, the only religion I knew was Roman Catholicism. I never attended the Catholic church much, because I never understood what the priest was saying. Nothing he said caught my interest. When my daughter died, I lost hope. I didn’t understand, why did this happen to her? Why did this happen to my child?

I came to Azorean Baptist Church looking for answers. I had never read the Bible and I didn’t know anything about Jesus. Every week I came to learn and listen about Jesus’ life. I began to understand that if God could send His Son, Jesus to die, and bear this pain, I could bear the pain too.

One day I understood in my heart, Jesus has a purpose for everything. Now I am filled with faith. I want to tell everyone how I met God, how He has helped me, and how He gave me a reason to live. I want to thank God for the ten years I had to know my daughter. I also want to thank Azorean Baptist Church for helping me to know Jesus.

Over the last year I’ve watched God take Sandra’s broken, messed up life and turn it into something beautiful! It wasn’t an overnight change, and it’s definitely not finished, but the transformation that she’s experienced and is still experiencing is something that could only be the work of God in her life. After Sandra accepted Christ’s gift of salvation, she was baptized and began studying the Bible. Over the past few months she has found the strength in Christ to turn her life around in many ways, including quitting smoking and finding purpose for her future. Everything is not perfect for Sandra now. She is still unemployed and isn’t able to provide for her 12 year old son (who is currently living on the other side of the island with his father), but she has a joy that surpasses her circumstances. She is relying on Christ even amidst tough situations and is looking forward to serving Him for the rest of her life. Sandra has begun volunteering with CEF, helping both at the camp center and in the clubs. She is even planning to go through the CEF training process so that she can be equipped to teach children and continue to help the ministry grow here in the islands. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to see God working in Sandra’s life, and that God has called her to serve the kids here! Please join me in praying for Sandra and her future as God continues to work in her life.

Read Users' Comments (0)

Another Countdown Begins

Posted in | at 11:39 AM

It’s really amazing to me how quickly this year is flying by! It seems like just yesterday I was counting down the days before coming here, and now here I am, 10 months into this journey, making preparations to return home. So here it is, the official announcement:

I will be returning to Atlanta on Saturday, January 25^th!

That’s right. Two months from today, I’ll be home!

When I began this journey and committed to serving here for one year, I honestly expected that to be a conservative estimate. I kind of had this idea that I’d get here and never want to go home. (I’m also aware that many other people in my life were expecting the same thing.) And although I have loved (and am still loving) my time here, over the last few months God has changed my heart and mind. He has led me to make the decision to return home to the states. Fears that I would be letting people down, both here and at home, and worries that my supporters would be disappointed in me, made this a very difficult decision for me. But God, in His infinite grace, has used a variety of circumstances, encouragement from many of you, and reminders in scripture to affirm in my heart and mind that I’m called to be obedient to Him and to focus on pleasing God, not man.

This year has been amazing for me in a variety of ways, and I wouldn't trade it for anything! But it seems that God is pointing my next steps in different direction, and I’m going to trust Him. I don’t know yet what comes next for me, and that’s okay. God knows, so I don’t have to worry. It’s actually quite freeing to be able to rest in that knowledge.

It is a little bittersweet, since the countdown to coming home also means a countdown to leaving. Leaving is going to be hard. It almost always is. But for now, I’m going to focus on making the most of my last two months here and look forward to sweet reunions with friends and family that will be here before we know it!

Read Users' Comments (0)

Clubs are Back!!

Posted in | at 9:59 AM

After a super busy summer, a couple weeks of rest, and several scheduling fruit-basket-turnovers, Good News Clubs are back in full swing here on Terceira. We are now hosting 7 clubs each week, including a new one in São Mateus and another new one at Azorean Baptist Church, which serves as Sunday school for Portuguese and American children. We’re doing a series on Elijah, and the kids are loving it! It’s been really fun catching up with the kids after the summer and getting back into our normal routine. Here are some photos of our fun so far:

So far, the weather has been nice enough for us to have our club in São Mateus outside!

Playing the blanket game!

Learning about Elijah

Practicing our memory verse

Read Users' Comments (0)

Reflections on a Closed Orphanage

Posted in | at 10:38 AM

Last week we had a camp on Faial, one of the other Azorean islands. Since they don’t have a camp center there, we rented an old, closed down orphanage. This orphanage was originally a home for boys, and it closed down about 20 years ago. Now it’s used by a charity organization that distributes food and clothing and by groups like us who need space for activities. Although it’s been closed for years, you can still clearly see the remnants of what like was like for those kids back then:

rooms with twin sized beds lining both walls,

an old, no longer functional bathroom with an entire wall of sinks,

and a “play area” that looks more like a prison yard than a place for kids.

As I lay there that first night, I couldn’t help but think about all those boys who lived there way back when; those boys who likely never had someone to tuck them in or sing them to sleep or comfort them after a bad dream. All the boys that once lived there are grown men now. How many of them grew up in this place, never knowing the love and care of a Mommy or Daddy? It breaks my heart to think about that, but it also makes me so thankful. I’m thankful that my mom was adopted into a family that taught her about loving God, and that legacy has been passed down to me and my siblings. I’m thankful that I was born into a great family, thankful for the wonderful parents I’m blessed to have but more importantly I’m thankful that God loves me so much that He made it possible to be adopted into His family, to become His child.

Every person on earth is a creation of God, but John 1:12 says “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” We go from being God’s creation to being God’s child when we make the decision to believe in Jesus. We’re kind of like orphans, but instead of being stuck in an orphanage, we’re stuck in our own sin, unable to get ourselves out. When we understand that it’s our own sin, not someone else’s, that separates us from God, and decide to put our trust in Jesus as the only way to reconcile with our creator, we are adopted into God’s family. Paul describes it in Romans 8 and Galatians 4 as the difference between being a slave and a son. Both a slave and a son belong to (created by) the master (God), but a slave is bound by an obligation that he cannot get out of (sin, separation from God) while a child is free and will benefit from the inheritance (salvation and eternity with God in heaven). God basically offers to take away the title of “orphan” and replace it with “son” or “daughter.” When we choose Jesus Christ, He’s fulfills His promise and says “THIS ONE’S MINE!”

He’s offering us a chance to belong. I would guess that this is one of the greatest desires of an orphan, and whether we’re technically orphans or not, I think we can all relate to that feeling. Adoption is rare at best and definitely not guaranteed for children living in orphanages. But the adoption God offers us through Christ is abundantly available and 100% guaranteed.

I know of several families who are waiting for adoptions to go through. They’ve done all the work, and now they’re just waiting for the call saying they can bring their precious child home. They’re expectant and excited; they’ve got big plans for the future of their child and their family. I think that must be kind of how God feels as He waits for us to decide. He’s done all the work. All we have to do is accept the invitation into His family.

I don’t know why this specific orphanage closed 20 years ago. I’d like to think it was because all the boys found loving homes and there was no longer a need. However, I’m sure that was not the case. Whatever the reason, I’m thankful that this particular orphanage was closed because it gave us the opportunity to have camp, and in the process, welcome two new believers in to God’s family. God’s family is big enough for all of us “orphans.” He’s ready and willing to close your orphanage and call you His child. Have you been adopted?

“So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:7

“…but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” Romans 8:15

Read Users' Comments (0)

Laborers for the Harvest

Posted in | at 8:12 AM

1 week, 4 Neighborhoods, 20 clubs, 104 kids, 44 new believers. Successful is the best way to describe JME in Terceira (local mission project that we did the first week of July). It really was a fantastic week. Our team included 3 high school/college students, one of the CEF Portugal directors, Clara, and me. We lived out at the camp center and spent the days leading clubs and the nights preparing activities and playing Skip-Bo!

104 kids is a lot, but when I look at it in comparison to the nearly 60,000 people that live on this island I realize we have barely scratched the surface here. For the first time in my life I’m really feeling and experiencing what Jesus was talking about in Luke 10 when He said “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Most of the people on this island would call themselves religious, but they have never been told the truth of the Gospel. They don’t know who Jesus is or that He died in their place to take the punishment for their sins. The message is here, and it’s slowly spreading. The four small evangelical churches on the island are working to reach their neighborhoods, and CEF is ministering to many children through camps and clubs, but honestly, we need more help.

I’m overwhelmed by the responsibility I feel, knowing that this is what He called me here for. But I am taking the advice we find in Jesus’ next words: “Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out…” I’m praying that the Lord will raise up leaders amongst the new believers and call more people to serve Him on this island. I know this situation isn’t unique to Terceira. All around the world, even in your own neighborhoods, there are people who need to hear the gospel. Jesus is sending us out. Will you be a laborer?

Read Users' Comments (0)

just a quick update

Posted in | at 3:33 PM

I know it's been quite a while since my last update. Sorry about that! The last few weeks have flown by, and the next few are promising to be even busier. Starting tomorrow (June 26) I will be participating/helping with back to back ministry events all the way through July 29th. Since I don't know how often I will have internet access during this time, I decided to post my itinerary here so that you all can keep up with where I'm at and what I'm doing. Also, if you'd like a quick snapshot of what June has been like, see the excerpt from my monthly newsletter at the bottom of this post. Thanks so much for all your love and support! Please keep me in your prayers!!

June 26- July 7: JME on Terciera This is a local mission-type event for teens from here and Lisbon to experience being a part of kids ministry. Basically we'll be training them then helping them to lead backyard Bible clubs in local neighborhoods.

July 8-18: Camp for preschoolers in Lisbon (mainland Portugal) followed by a missions focused camp. We are in charge of the preschooler camp and will simply be helping with the missions camp.

July 19-29: JME on Madeira (Portuguese island closer to Africa)

As you can tell, it's going to be a very busy month!! I promise to take lots of pictures and share stories once I have reliable internet access!

Excerpt from June Newsletter:

God has been answering our prayers for Azorean Baptist Church as well. Five months ago ABC started a meal ministry to help local Azoreans who were in need of food for their families. As of this week we now have 43 families who are being ministered to in this way. This is obviously a challenge for such a small church, but each week God proves yet again that He is in control and that when we commit to serve Him, He will equip us with whatever we need. Almost every Sunday after we distribute the food, there is almost no extra food and usually no extra money. But somehow, each and every week the Lord has led people to from around the globe to send money to help, which allows us to continue this ministry. This week we experienced maybe the biggest miracle yet in this ministry. By the time we finished this week, we were down to 39 cents and completely out of food. So we prayed, and we trusted that God would provide, and by the end of the day enough money had been donated to cover almost two weeks’ worth of food! But that’s not even the best part. With all these families coming to church in search of physical food, we have had the opportunity to feed them not only physically, but also with the word of God. They’ve been hearing the truth each and every Sunday, and over the past few weeks we’ve had at least 18 adults and 3 kids accept Christ as their savior! This past Sunday 10 of them were baptized during the service! It is such a blessing to see prayers being answered in ways that are above and beyond our own expectations!

Read Users' Comments (1)comments

I'm SO Not Athletic!

Posted in | at 8:58 AM

“You look very athletic today.”

This was the greeting I received Saturday morning, just before heading to the camp center for a sports day with kids from all over the island. Now, if you know me at all, you know that “athletic” is not high on the list of characteristics that would be used to describe me, probably not even in the top 100. However, I was happy to be able to dress the part for the day. Before we started we had no idea how many kids to expect. We had the attitude of “if we have 20 kids, it’ll be a good day.” Well, we ended up with 42 kids, and it was a GREAT DAY!! We had a soccer tournament, tons of various carnival-like games, a mini-marathon, and even a worship service and Bible lesson time. Many of the kids went home with medals from winning the competitions, and two little girls went home as brand new Christians!! I personally went home with sore legs, a little sunburn, and a very happy heart! Here are some photos from the day:

Read Users' Comments (0)

Visions of Campfires Dancing in My Head!

Posted in | at 9:37 AM

On Sunday I experienced a glimpse into what the future could hold for ministry here on the island, and I have to tell you, it makes me really excited! This week Azorean Baptist Church had our service out at camp followed by a picnic. Most of the Portuguese families who attend ABC regularly do not have vehicles, so they usually walk to church. Since the camp center is too far away for walking, it was slight challenge to shuttle everyone there and back, but in the end it was totally worth it.

The morning started out overcast and rainy, and to be honest, I was a little concerned that the day was going to be ruined by the weather. However, God proved His sovereignty once again by allowing the rain to persist while we had our worship service under the newly painted, covered meeting area, then sending sun and blue skies for us to enjoy while we picnicked and played. Looking back, I’m confident that the rain kept many people in the meeting area and listening to the word of God who might have chosen to skip the service and explore the camp during that time otherwise.

As I watched this group of about a hundred people, adults and children, Portuguese and American, both believers and unbelievers gather to sing worship songs and hear the message of truth from the Bible, I had a moment of realization. This is what it’s all about. This is why this place that used to be corn fields has been turned into a camp. All the work, all the money, all the time invested in this place happened for this reason: to glorify God and bring the gospel to the people of the Azores.

As I watched children playing soccer and volleyball, swinging and climbing on the playground, running around with these huge smiles on their faces, I felt this incredible joy and hope swelling up inside of me. Joy because these kids are experiencing the love of God through this place. Hope that soon this place will be filled with children and families on a regular basis, experiencing the beauty of God’s creation and learning about Jesus through camps. I felt like God was giving me a glimpse into the future of camp here. It was a moment of affirmation and reminder of why I’m here. I’m excited because I have seen Him work through camps in the lives of numerous people, including my own. I’m excited because I know He is already working in the hearts of the people on this island, and this camp is going to provide many opportunities for the gospel to be shared. I’m excited because He’s allowing me to be a part of this! I have visions of cabins and counselors and worship services by the campfire dancing in my head!

Like I said, we ended the day with plenty of sunshine and everyone had fun. But more importantly, we ended the day rejoicing with the angels in heaven because we gained another sister in Christ! Maria, one of the Portuguese ladies who’s been attending ABC for the last few months, finally decided to give her life to Christ and accept Him as her personal savior, sitting right there, under the covered meeting area!! Our God is mighty to save! He is at work, and He’s called us to be a part of it. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bless the work being done at camp and multiply the ministry for the gospel on this island.

Read Users' Comments (0)

When the mission trip comes to you...

Posted in | at 10:32 AM

I’ve been on several mission trips over the years, but this last week was a brand new experience for me. This time the mission trip came to me! We just wrapped up a wonderful week full of work and fun with a mission team from Shades Mountain Baptist Church. This was my first experience as a “missionary on the field” being visited by a supporting church, and let me tell you, it was GREAT! We spent the week catching up on life and laughing together as we worked at camp, continuing to prepare the property for the summer season.

Dinner in Praia

Not only was it fantastic to get a ton of work accomplished at camp (see photos below), but it was such an encouragement to spend time with these wonderful people! I am so thankful for their support and encouragement, but even more so of the example they set in the way they live their lives. If you spend even five minutes talking with any of these people and you’ll quickly learn that their faith is real, and it causes them to live their lives intentionally.

On every mission trip I’ve ever been on, the local missionaries and ministers have always expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for the help. I never really doubted that they were thankful, but part of me always wondered if they were just saying what they felt they were supposed to say. After this last week, my perspective has changed a bit. Now I know what it feels like to be that person on the field benefiting from the support, encouragement, and help of a mission team, and I am immensely, genuinely thankful and blessed by their commitment to being the hands and feet of the gospel.

Here are some photos from the week:

Laying sidewalk around they bath house.

Cleaning and organizing the camp kitchen

Painting the meeting room

Packing bags for the meal ministry

BEFORE

AFTER

The Shades team with CEF Missionary Jose.

Read Users' Comments (0)

Holiday Adventures!

Posted in | at 10:22 AM

May 1^st is a holiday here in the Azores set aside to celebrate workers. Of course, what better way to celebrate workers than a day off of work! Since we had a whole day and the weather was cooperative, me and two of my new friends decided to spend the day exploring the island. Thanks to my handy-dandy new (to me) car, we were able to take a leisurely tour around the island. We literally went around the entire island, stopping at various places to take photos, enjoy the views, and sample the local cuisine. Here are some photos from our adventure!

Meet Raquel (left) and Beatrice (right). Raquel is Portuguese, and her family lives here in Terceira. Her father is the pastor of the Baptist church in Angra. Beatrice is Austrian, and she’s here doing an internship and learning Portuguese. These girls are so much fun!