Hello Everyone,
At the special request of Jason, today’s daily update is being written by his former intern Christen. Living here nearly five months now, I am still amazed by the sweet hospitality that is continually extended to me.
Way back in January, while taking some photos of church members, I was introduced to Deco and his family (who were gathered on the sidewalk enjoying grapes and the warm summer weather.) The invitation for me to come back was extended at that point and having postponed to the point of the family thinking I’d left the country, I decided I really should pay a visit. So, together with Jessie and Risa, we set off to find out where Ivone (Deco’s mother) lives.
We expected to meet with this woman, who is nearly seventy, and share the gospel. However, upon hearing shouts of her name from outside, she welcomed us in, served home-made bread, and shared story after story of the work the Lord has done in her family! It is evident that she is filled with a joy that only Christ can bring! As a mother of five (including two adopted children) grandmother of ten, and great-grandmother of two, Ivone both prays for her family and regularly welcomes them in for her wonderful cooking. Demonstrating a Mary spirit as she sat and shared with us, we were both inspired and challenged by the life this sweet woman and the love of Christ that she expressed! We went to encouraged her but ended up being encouraged.
After Sammy’s mother prepared a shrimp stew cooked in a pumpkin (Yes, we ate again!), we spent some time preparing for the evening activities before driving an hour and a half to Novo Hamburgo.
With Sammy’s help, Valcir and Claudete planted a church in this city four years ago. Jason (who makes an annual visit) was well-received, and even though it was my first time back since last April, I was excited to see a few familiar faces. Jason preached the same message from Sunday on Romans 6 with Jessie and Risa’s testimonies and the response to the altar call was overwhelming! 
Many people expressed a renewed commitment to the Lord and several made decisions for the first time. We heard later that 30% of the crowd were newcomers Praise the Lord for this growing body of believers and the way the church continues to expand here!
Just when we thought the evening would end, we gathered with the entire church body at a local house for dinner at midnight.
Besides the yummy food, the highlight was sharing more personally about the Lord with two teenage girls. The conversation could’ve lasted for hours but was brought to an end as we still had to drive home. We finally arrived back in Bom Retiro at 2:06am to see that the temperature had dropped to a whopping 59 degrees (perfect for Christen’s long-underwear that she had changed into earlier) and were greeted by special visitors and long-time friends, Jonatas and Daina. As we type away, the hospitality and warmth of Brazilian culture continues to be extended into the wee hours of the morning! We girls are soon to leave to Christens to sleep...but Sammy and Jason will still be going strong till 5:00am!"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it" Hebrews 13:2
For the team,
Christen Roszkowski
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