Legalized

After having to take another trip to the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago, we finally have all of our documents "legalized" by the Brazilian government. Basically meaning we can give all the documents to the lawyer and we should have our visa within a month.

Praise God

Things have gotten rather complicated with the Ministry of Labor and they are giving Tele the run around. The good news is that through researching the requirements for the Visa, Tele ran across a lawyer that knows the process and can get us our Visa.
So we have hired the lawyer and now all we need to do is go to the embassy in Chicago and get our credentials certified. The Brazil government does trust documents that haven't been certified by a Brazilian.
We will take a trip to Chicago on Tuesday June 19th. Please pray that is process goes smooth.

Good News

Tele went to the Ministry of Labor and they like my credentials!! So now Tele has to write a employee contract and get it approved by the Ministry of Labor. More news soon.

So much time

Sorry we haven't posted in forever. It has been a weird but wonderful time here in the US. Yep thats right we have been in the US since November 06 because we have had trouble getting our work visa to go back to Brazil. The Brazil government pretty much said that we didn't have enough schooling to be qualified to teach at the International school. So, I (Jeff) have been studying for the Comptia A+ computer certification exams because the Brazil Government has said if I have a computer certification they will give us the work permit. In the course of starting to study for these exams a good friend of mine offered me a job in the computer field that would also pay for my exams (they are about$158 each). So the last couple of months I have worked for Roche Diagnostics in there IT department and have been studying like crazy for the Comptia A+ exams.
Well, the LORD is faithful and I have passed the exams!! Which means I am official a Comptia A+ professional, translation= I know a lot about computers and could work as a general computer repair guy. So, as I write this I have been getting my resume updated and I will be getting my college transcripts and sending them all to Brazil in hopes of getting a work permit so we can apply for the work visa!!
Keep us in your Prayers

Another way to get a Visa

A+

Well the newest way that we are trying to get our work visa is now through Jeff. Tele has been in communication with the ministry of labor and they didn't approve our visa through Lindsay.They did say that if Jeff had a computer certification that they would give him a Visa to teach computers at the International school.
So, this means that Jeff has started to study a ton in order to take the Microsoft A+ certificate test. It is two tests one hardware and one software. Please be praying for Jeff as he is studying for these tests and will take it in a couple weeks once he feels secure that he can pass.

So Lindsay and I have been living with her parents in a two bedroom apartement for the past 2 months. We have really enjoyed living with her parents and like the apartement also but sometimes wierd things happen there.

Like the other night it started raining inside the aparetment.
So it turned out that the new neighbors upstairs didn't have toilet paper and one of the girls thought it would be a good idea to use paper towels. Yes that is right it was raining toilet water down upon us. Luckily it was only in the two bathrooms that it happened.

Still in Indiana

Yes we are still here but things are looking good for getting the work Visa and heading back down to Brazil.
The International School now has the government number from the IRS of Brazil that will make it possible for us to get a work visa. We are praying that everything will be processed fast and that we will be in Brazil in March!

Keep Praying for us!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Jeff and Lindsay Turner!

It was exciting to start off the year by adding a new member to our family. No, we haven’t had a baby – someone had a wedding. Lindsay’s brother Nathan married Joanna (Krasnichan) on St. Patrick’s Day. Lindsay was the Matron of Honor and Jeff was a groomsman.

This year was also good for us personally as we reached goals that we set when we first got married. We were finally able to move down to Brazil, South America and begin serving in ministry with World Renewal Brazil. Jeff works at a ministry print shop/ graphic design center and Lindsay teaches children English.

You can get all the Brazil updates you can handle by reviewing our posts for the past six months at our weblog (www.jlbrasil.blogspot.com). It reflects on how blessed and honored we feel to be serving God at such young ages.

Our hearts are in Brazil, but Christmas and Thanksgiving with our families has really been wonderful. We returned to the States on November 2^nd to participate in missions conferences. We had hoped get new visas quickly, but it is not moving smoothly. Lindsay’s tourist visa expired in November, so returning to the US has been all about trying to get two-year work visas. The process is time consuming and difficult.

Pursuing visas does not take up all of our time, so we have both sought ways to bring in some money. Jeff has kept busy by helping people fix their computers and Lindsay got a seasonal job at a Christian store called Go Fish in the Greenwood Park Mall. God has really blessed us with some interesting connections through Lindsay’s work. We are praying that these relationships will benefit the ministry in Brazil.

The when and how of getting back to the country seems to be up in the air for the time being, but we still serve the ministry as much as possible from long distance. We try to stay on top of the news from Brazil and update the World Renewal Brazil blog (www.wrbrazil.blogspot.com).

Please continue to pray for us as we trust in God for the plans that He has for us.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Lindsay has taken a part-time job at a store in the Greenwood Park mall called Go Fish. If you are in the area please stop by.

We are still working on getting a work Visa to stay in Brazil for 2 years. Please pray that the process will go smooth.

Tele is only here for one more week and we have been all over to the different community Churches. Thanks so much for all the churches that have let us speak and be apart of their mission conferences! After things settle down and while Lindsay and I are trying to get our new visa, we might be taking part-time jobs. We also still need to raise some more support before we go back to Brazil.

Please be praying that we will get our visa in a timely manner and that we will be able to raise more personal support.

We made it safely to Indiana!

We will be going around with Tele visiting different Community Churches and talking with people about the Brazil ministry. We are very excited to see people and look forward to the big group that will be at the Reunion next Saturday.

If anybody would like to get together with Lindsay and I our Cell phone # right now is
317-508-1960

We leave tomorrow at 6am. It doesn't quite feel possible that the time as come already for us to return to the States. Things feel a little uncertain. We don't know for sure about our visas. We don't know how long we'll be in the States. We don't know so much. I guess it just gives us a great chance to trust in the Lord. God has been so good to us and provided for us this far - we know he will continue to do so.

Please pray for a safe trip for Jeff & I and for Tele.
See you all very soon!

Lindsay

By the way - today is Jeff's Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!

Lindsay and I are starting to pack our things and figure out what stays and what goes. It is a very emotional time and if we had a choice we would stay.

On the bright side of things! We got a lot done for the Ministry like the Short-term Missions Brochure and a General Ministries Brochure that describes all the various parts of the World Renewal Brazil Ministry. ( all the links will lead you to PDF versions of the Brochures that you can download)

We also have finally finished the Brazil Broadcast for the fall session. ( This is also a PDF version of the Broadcast that you can download.)

Jeff and I can hardly believe that only a couple of weeks remain until we leave for the States. Where did the time go? This past month has been a busy one. We've been working on wrapping up a dozen projects, as well as trying to keep up with our normal routines. Life is rich and full.

Things are busy at the International School. I've been working on teaching the Kindergartener's how to read in English with the help of a really great Phonics Book called Systematic Sequential Phonics. They are picking it up fast, often having to learn the meaning of a word as they are learning to read it. We also had a huge event on Wednesday for Children's Day. If you want to know to know more about that, I'm afraid you're going to have to pick up a copy of the latest Brazil Broadcast... it will be out in about 3 weeks. :)

ok here's a couple of pictures from big bash at least - to tide you over for the Broadcast

Jeff's main focus has been on projects we need to finish for Mission Conferences in November. Like we've said before, it is less expensive to print things here. So, we have stacks of brochures and the Brazil Broadcast Fall 2006 to finish laying out, collating, and printing!

Please pray for us as we try to finish these tasks and as we continue to work out long-term visas. Right now Tele is working on registering the International School with the Brazilian government. After he does that we can get a volunteer Visa through the school.

Anyway it's all taking more time that we'd like it to and we could use the prayers for patience and for the process.

post by Lindsay

Brazilian Food

Food in Brazil is not really like Mexican food, with the exception that we eat a lot of rice and beans. You can't find refried beans or tortillas here. We eat normal Brazilian food for lunch most weekdays. Normal food is usually rice, beans, and some kind of meat dish (like baked chicken or meatballs, etc) They don't really use a lot of spices here with foods, mostly just cumin.
Here are some pics of some of the other food that Jeff and I like to eat in Brazil!

This is a coxinha
It is fried and breaded with chicken and cheese or shrimp, etc. inside. Jeff really likes these.This is my favorite that Cafe Impresso (the ministry's coffee shop) sells. It is an empada. It's smaller than the coxinha and less filling. It is like a little crusty, flaky pie thing. It can have cheese, or shrimp, chicken etc. inside, but it also has a little olive inside. Yummy yummy! They also have desert ones that rock my socks.This is Tapioca - not like the bubbly pudding though. It is made from the manioc root and is fried. You make it kinda like an omelet in a pan. The outside is a bit bland, but inside people put fillings like coconut, cheese, and different jellies - yummy!we also eat a lot of yummy fruits that you can't get in Indiana, like graviola & acerola. The graviola looks creepy, but makes amazing juice & ice cream.Fejuada is the most typical dish of all Brazil. I like it ok, but it make's Jeff's stomach upset. -probably because it has crazy random meat in it

What did I want to be when I grew up? I always had a long list of ideas. I wanted to be a basketball player, a photographer, a journalist, and a teacher – all at different ages/stages of my life. I always wanted an adventure in life. God delivered! It is not because I am living in an exotic country. I am on an adventure because He is my guide. My life is solely in my Creator’s hands. If he wants Jeff and I to live here, I say great! If He has other plans for us, then I say great again!

I have asked God, what will my life be? Where will I go? What will I do? Yet, I know that neither where I go nor what I do really matters. I cannot be content in going and doing. No one can. I will never find my reason for living in anything, anyone, anyplace. I need God to sustain me and give me joy. I enjoy teaching; I enjoy living in Brazil; I enjoy my life, but I know that it is not these things that give me contentment.

If I wander and search for some other contentment, it would only be in vain. It would be a pining after a phantom, an idea that does not exist. I can never find fulfillment outside of Him.

Teaching English and learning Portuguese is what my life consists of right now. Our preschoolers are on their fifth section of the Teaching English with Ace & Christy. They are two bright little girls. They are at a stage where they merge their Portuguese with their English in everyday conversations. Some of their favorite words are father, nice, listen, teacher, and of course NO (every preschooler’s favorite word).

The kindergarteners are learning quickly as well (we have four). They are in a stage where they start every sentence with the word “and” (ex. And I go to the bathroom, Teacher?). They form choppy sentences on their own now. I’m so proud!

The afternoon class is learning quickly, but they can difficult to discipline at times. They all attend other schools during the day, so they don’t take our class as seriously. Please pray for them as we work to encourage them in their Christian growth.

This last picture is of the burning of the sugar cane. They do this to get the snakes out before harvest.

post by Lindsay

I got my laptop back from the shop today and it is BROKEN still. They said the motherboard was bad which means no more laptop. So, please be praying that I can raise the money to buy a new laptop.
If you would like to contribute to the purchase of a new laptop you can send a check to

World renewal
P.O. Box 399
Greenfield, IN 46140
Earmark (Jeff Turner laptop)

WE CAN STAY

The trip to Recife went well and we can stay in Brazil until November. While we were getting our Visa renewed we met a family from South Africa who had a yacht and were sailing all around South America. They were pretty neat people and seemed to really know how to do the whole "sailing the world" thing.

While in Recife we also dropped off my broken laptop to be fixed. They said that it could be a simple fix so please continue to pray for that situation.

Brazil's Independence Day is Thursday and Carpina's Independence day is Monday so Lindsay has a big break from school. We are trying to see if we can get away to the beach over the weekend. It is nice to have breaks. I think Lindsay really needs this right about now.

Post by Jeff Turner

Bad and Good News

The big day is here. We have to go to Recife tomarrow and get our Visas renewed. If they decide not to renew them we will be kicked out of the country. Please pray for this. We aren't too worried about it. We haven't heard of anybody that hasn't gotten this type of visa renewed.

While we are in Recife we are going to see if my laptop can be fixed. That's right my trusty laptop stopped working on me completely. It won't even start. This has completely messed up my normal Job down here because I do about everything on that Laptop. Thankfully There is a Dell laptop that was donated this summer that I can use for the time being. The Problem is I can't do to much of my graphic design stuff on it, so If I can't get my laptop fixed I will need to raise the money to buy a new laptop. Please be praying about this situation and if you feel lead to give money toward a new laptop you can send a check to:

World renewal
P.O. Box 399
Greenfield, IN 46140
Earmark (Jeff Turner laptop)

We don't have very high hopes of fixing my current broken laptop but I will let you know what happens tomorrow.

Other than those scary events that are going on, we have had a big group from Word of Life come live at the Alcance, where we live, for a while. This group is a drama/singing group that goes around all over Brazil to present the gospel. So, they are staying with our group for about a month while they go out on the weekends to different town in the Northeast. There is an American family with them and lots of Brazilians to practice our Portuguese with, so it should be a lot of fun having them around.

This Post was sent out to the people on my Brazil E-mail update list if you would like to be on that list, please e-mail me at JeffroyTurner@gmail.com

Working at the Café Impresso Print Shop is a wonderful experience and it really feels like God custom made this job for me. I work there with Roberto Conçalves. He is an outstanding Christian guy who is dating Tele’s oldest daughter, Karine. He speaks English fluently allowing me to be a lot more useful until I learn Portuguese better.

We are open at the Print Shop Monday – Friday 9am to noon, closed for lunch, and open again from 2pm to 6pm. Saturday we are open from 9am to noon.

So, what do I actually do for seven hours? Most of my day is usually spent working on projects for the World Renewal main office, the International School, or other ministry projects. Obviously I don’t work on ministry things all day, everyday.

Part of what the print shop is, is a business open to the public, a way to earn money for the ministry. I have been able to put together brochures, fix up old photos, and make Catalogs for small businesses. The photo to the right is the front cover of the latest catalog I made that contained 30 varieties of products. Below is another catalog that had mostly cleaning supplies in it.

One day we came to the print shop to find a lady was waiting for us to open. She said that she had just talked to Tele and wanted to see if we could change a picture of her two sons. The photo was taken in her backyard and she wanted the boys at the beach instead. Tele’s comment to her was, if Jeff and Roberto can’t do this for you, then you won’t find anybody else in town that can. Once Roberto explained to me what the women wanted I turned to him and said “You’re kidding right? This is so cool; I love this job!” I can’t believe that I get to do fun things in Photoshop while making money for the ministry and doing God’s work.

I love that we are here to get the word out about God moving in Brazil.

Lindsay & I have a wonderful support base in the US that allows us to live here, tithe to a local church, serve people, and even earn more money for the ministry! I get to bless others, by doing what I love!

Deus é forte!

Jeffrey Turner

Another August Update

Jeff & I were walking around downtown Carpina today - shopping, getting out our monthly money at the bank, etc - when I looked up and everything suddenly felt completely normal. The streets, people, and shops looked as familiar as those in my hometown. I still feel like I am in a bit of a bubble sometimes, but everything isn't as exotic. That is how it feels here now; everything feels normal. This is not in a boring way, but in a "I know what to expect" kind of way. It is nice.

(Carpina downtown)

There have been changes here and there in our lives, but life remains steady. One thing that I would like to change very much is my health. I have been sick with a head cold/ cough/ throat problem for about 2 weeks now. It is quite frustrating. As soon as I think that I am well again my health takes a turn and get more sick. I am on antibiotics that seem to be helping, but I will probably pay a visit to the doctor on Monday. I have been able to teach and have only had to take off 1 day. Pray for me to have patience with my body - I get frustrated when I can't do all that I want to do.

Jeff is taking great care of me. He's discovered that the best medicine is chocolate. At the Grafica, he has been creating some very interesting projects for people recently. Roberto is giving him more and more challenging assignments. One week he had to create a catalogue for a man who sold school products. He is now working on a logo for a motorcycle delivery service. On Thursday he managed to get out of the Grafica and go to Amexius to see the property that was purchased for the church there. Pastor Assurio just returned from South Africa and he and his family will be taking over at the Ameixas church. They plan to serve there for at least 8 months.

(the view in Ameixas)

post by Lindsay

Jeff & I had our first double date last Saturday the 7th with Roberto & Karine, Tele’s daughter and her boyfriend. We visited a castle. Seriously, there really is a castle in Brazil. Who would of thought? It isn’t medieval built, but its still pretty impressive. It was built by an eccentric old rich guy who probably saw Brave Heart a few too many times. They it chocked-full of antiquated weaponry, tapestries, and very old oddities. Jeff & I hadn’t really had a date since coming down so it was nice for a change.

It was much needed after a busy month of short-term groups and after the first week back to school. School really couldn’t have started better though. God is so faithful! The Holy Spirit was unquestionably leading me through. I have really enjoyed putting together lesson plans and working with the children. It is so rewarding to see them try to communicate with the words that I teach them.

It is so amazing to see them really learn. One example of such happened last week. We reviewed family members from a previous lesson with our preschoolers. After school on Friday, we noticed that a girl’s father was about to leave without her. Karine said in English, oh no look her father is leaving. The little 4 year-old looked and said quickly with concern, “Meu Father!?” - combining her first language (meu is my in Portuguese) with English. They comprehend more and more all the time!

On a completely different note, I saw my first giant cockroach “in the wild” yesterday! It was nearly as big as the palm of my hand and white in color! I’ve only seen ones like that at the Cincinnati Zoo. –The Moraes’ said they’ve never seen one like ever before either (except on Animal Planet), so not to worry if you plan on taking a visit to see us! I think it must have just climbed down from the Amazon jungle (three very large states away). If a cockroach can come down from the Amazon, then a monkey should be able to as well. I do hope to see a monkey in the wild!

It can be such an adventure here. Keep praying for us, especially to learn Portuguese quickly. We haven’t had lessons in longer than a month (on account of the short-term groups and our teacher going out of town).

Lindsay

I Loved seeing the Castle. I was big into castles as a kid and this is the first one that I have ever seen. I hope we get a chance to go back and see it again.

Jeff

Please Pray for Lindsay because she is sick today. I was sick all last week and it was no fun at all. I am afraid that I have given Lindsay what I had. I had a bad fever and my throat hurt. I woke up in the middle of the night last week, shaking and not being able to stop. But, I am ok now I just don't want that for Lindsay, especially since she started teaching this week and tomorrow is her first full day of teaching.
As for me the transition between the groups leaving wasn't that difficult because my head was pretty cloudy from being sick. I got sick the last day the big group left. It is nice to be back at the Print Shop working on projects and on the World Renewal Blog site. I hope to be able to go around to the different churches soon and report on them.

Post by Jeff T

Wow! July went just way too fast!

The 2006 short-term mission trips started early July and the last of the other Americans will leave on Monday (Rachel & Anna Winzeler)
There were Americans trickling down just about each week of the month.
The first group held medical clinics. The last day they held one in the Carpina Dump. The level of poverty and the faces of the children touched the group deeply.
The second group was mostly a group of youth. What a group of 1 Timothy 4:12 young men and women. They really shined God's love and peace even through a language barrier.
Things get back to normal soon. Tuesday the second semester of school starts and I'll be teaching English alone for the first time. I am nervous, but excited. I know that I'll be relying on the Holy Spirit daily, especially that first week.

I also turned 22 last Tuesday. We celebrated by going out for Pizza! Yummy!

Please keep Jeff in your prayers - he has been sick since Monday. It started out as just a cold, but it moved into his chest.
He is on antibiotics. He will be back to posting regularly soon.

Lindsay

(me & Stephanie, a college student from Kansas
who came down for the month)

Lindsay and I haven't posted in a while because it has been so very busy this month.
Since the short-term missions groups have been here it has been a big blessing and also a very busy time. The medical trip team was a very close group and touched many peoples lives while serving at Lagoa De Itaenga and the Dump. Lindsay went to the Medical clinics a couple of days to take pictures and help out. I only got to go one day because we have been very busy at this Print Shop.
When that group went to Recife to Shop and eat at the all you can eat steak house Lindsay and I stayed back because there wasn't any room to go. Well we didn't really mind and it turned out to be a blessing because we were the first ones to see Rebeka, Pastor Ricardo's and Kattia's new Baby.

I think Rebeka looks a lot like Ricardo

It was sad to see most of the Medical Team leave but 3 of them did stay for English Camp. This new group that came in was a bit overwealming at first because it is a group of about 31 people mainly Youth. But, it has been a big blessing to have them here and you can tell they are very on fire for God. Most of the Youth I know from working with the High Schoolers at BRCC.
Well the Youth Conference Started today and Lindsay and I will be helping with the games and of course taking pictures and the like.

Post by Jeff

For some reason I still think I can play soccer without shoes and not get hurt

The new World Renewal Brazil Blog is now up and running please check it out to see more pictures and stories from people down here!

wrbrazil.blogspot.com

Best Day of My Life

I will never forget July 4, 2006 for the rest of my life.

I have had four days that I can really say have been the best days of my life. There is the day in high school that God straightened me out and reminded me who He had called me to be. I don’t have that date memorized; I can’t even remember if it was in February or January. Then, there is the day that God put Jeff and me together. Again I can’t remember what exact date that was. God didn’t gift me with a memory for dates.

The other two wonderful days are easy to remember: my wedding date, New Year’s Eve 2003, and now July 4, 2006. July 4^th God gave my family a new hope. July 4^th God informed us that Huntington’s Disease had been cured in a mouse.

When I got the bulletin that the HD Society of America emailed I was completely stunned. It had been discovered sometime in June, but I was just getting the email. CURED! Even now I want to jump for joy. It is just completely unbelievable. For years the doctors have been saying things like “we’re coming along with studies” and “we really expect some progress soon.” What do vague promises like that mean to families like mine who face a devastating disease? But now, they are saying the word cure. Cure. It’s just so unreal.

So I immediately googled everything I could find on the news of the disease and I found two other articles from scientific journals that confirmed the results. They genetically altered a mouse to have HD and then they cured him. The articles said that they now know what to do and that all the doctors around the world who study the disease can focus on this finding. One of the articles said that with in five years they expect to start trials in humans.

I never really expected see them saying this to one day. There was always something in the back of my mind saying if I get it that’s fine and I know God will use me anyway. There was never really the thought “if I get this God will cure it.” I know that it is not completely certain that there is a cure for humans, but for the first time in my life God has given my brothers and me a real hope of life without HD. Life with HD has been such a part of my thought process; this news is just so amazing that I can’t even describe how it changes me.

The happiness I have because of a possible cure for HD, a disease I might experience on earth, is nothing compared to the happiness I have because of the God. He saved me from pain and sin. He has showed me that I have purpose in life because of Him. He showed me the only cure for the hole in my heart.

He has saved me. He has given me a new hope that I can see. He has given me hope that is real and tangible. My gratitude to God is so very vast. I feel like I did on that night in high school when He drew me back to Him.

I’m a little scared that this cure might not work, all of the best days are a little scary though, but I know that He is in control and He wants to save me. He wants me to have hope.

I read this just a few days ago:

Romans 5:1-5

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we gain access by faith into this grave in which we now stand. And we rejoice in sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

I am so in love with my Savior.

I didn’t give much background on this – Huntington’s is the disease that my father died from and that I have a 50% change of having.

post by Lindsay

3 WEEKS

Three weeks. We’ve been here three weeks – sometimes it feels like we just got here and sometimes it feels like we’ve been here for ages.

This week we mostly had practices for the program. I was grateful that I didn’t have to help teach much, because I got pretty sick on Wednesday and spent the day in bed. I feel like I’ve adjusted to the school just in time for it to let out.

I can’t help but wonder what next semester will be like, when the English classes are really mine. I’ll have another Brazilian teacher in the classes with me, but I’ll be doing the teaching. I feel confident. The curriculum is great. I know what changes I want to make and I know generally what I want to do with the daily lesson plans.

I know a few phrases that will help me in classes. “Senta” (sit down), “Esta Feio” (that’s ugly – teachers use if a kid has some “ugly” behavior), “Chega” (that’s enough), “Muinto bem” (very good), etc. And the kids know a few phrases in English about obeying: look, listen, close your mouth, very good, etc.

The kids are really pretty good and they are excited about learning English. Today was our program. We did the “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Here are some pictures.

- Lindsay

Celebrate!

It has been especially exciting to be down here during the World Cup. All of Carpina stops for 90+ minutes every time the Brazilian team takes the field. Everyone watches the games. The shops, grocery stores, and restaurants close, unless they have a TV. I really mean everyone. Even the police vanish. The crime rate goes pretty much down to zero so it’s ok. We had to even let out our afternoon class at the International School early for one game and cancel it all together for another game. The day before each game the kids color all of their activity pages green, yellow, and blue (Brazil’s colors). Yeah, Brazilians like soccer.

Brazilians really like to celebrate, not just for soccer. Take for instance this holiday they have Saõ João (celebrating the apostle John). The holiday was actually yesterday, but they had been celebrating it for about a month before we arrived!

It’s remarkable how the Community Churches come together for these different celebrations. Often all these celebrations can really damage the family. Some people make them excuses to go get drunk and party hard. Community Church makes everything family oriented instead.

It seems like Brazilians are looking for something “more” to fill their lives, something to get excited about. You and I know, God really wants to give them something to be excited about even after they put away the decorations. It must feel so empty to not have any hope to celebrate every day. I pray that those who are lost around us here can see the real reason that we have for celebrating. Our salvation is our real joy and the churches here really know how to show it.
They really live out Philippians 2:1-4

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

They love through their actions. They show that they care about the conditions of families. Everyone takes turns serving each other. They aren’t perfect, but the pastors and leaders here are striving to have the same love and are “one in spirit and purpose” to reaching others for Christ.

Some Goodies from the Internet Cafe

Already Burnt??

We have been here less than a week and I already burnt my feet.

Ok so I burnt them while I was fishing in the ocean on Sunday morning.

That's right the first Sunday here I went fishing and Lindsay slept in.
The Community Church holds church on Sunday evenings here.

Fishing was really fun and I caught a huge fish. Ok so maybe it was a small fish

Things have been going great with helping the Ministry so far. I have spent most of my time these last few days at the Cafe/Print Shop downtown Carpina (about a mile away from where we live). I was able to bring down my desktop computer and my laptop so we are using them in the Print Shop.

Roberto (the guy who runs the ministry Print Shop) and I spent a lot of time making the place look proffessional by getting the computer ready for the Print Shop to use. The Print Shop is also a Internet Cafe. Tele said that it is the only one in Carpina with laptops and a wireless network (we brought one down with us)!

The Cafe Impresso/Print Shop is a new ministry about 4 months old that has already been a huge blessing down here. Tele and workers here are able to witness to the customers and it is also a blessing for communication with churches in the US. They have high speed internet so we can use a program called Skype to call telephones in the US from our computers for cheap. You can also call computer to computer. If you want to talk to us get www.skype.com. Our user name is JeffRoyT or just search for Jeff Turner.

Lindsay has been helping out at the International School and will be taking over for Rachel Winzeler in August as a full time teacher there. She has been enjoying it a lot.

Both of us our starting Portuguese lessons this evening. After Brazil wins their first game of the World Cup (playing right as I speak)!

post by Jeff

Location: Carpina, Brazil

Well we're finally here!
We left Wednesday at 2:30pm and arrived at 1:50pm on Thursday.
It was a pretty long exausting trip, but worth it. We went a different route this time, but it didn't end up being any shorter of a journey.

We kinda did a hop through the north of Brazil.
We stopped in Manaus then went through Belém, then on to Fortaleza where we had a 4 hour layover,

(Jeff napping at the airport)

and then finally switched planes to go to Recife. Then we drove 45minutes inland and we were in Carpina.

It was all a bit overwhelming. We both were doing just fine, until we got off the plane.
I (really just me - Lindsay) crashed just a little. I guess I hadden't really had time to adjust. I was fine and all of a sudden I realized what we were doing. I started to miss family and friends a bit.

(a group of our friends at a favorite pizza place in the US)

That lasted a couple of hours until I ate some sticky sweet bread - and I remembered that Brazil wasn't so bad! :)

Today was great. I met our afternoon class at the International School. They are a really bright bunch and ages 5 to 10. They come in the afternoon after school to learn English so that they can start school in the next semester.

(some of the kids in the class with Karine, Rachel, and Rachel's sister Ana who came down with us from the US)

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
- I Chronicles 29:13

Saying Farewell

We have our plane tickets in hand and we are repacking our stuff to make sure nothing is over 50 pounds as per the airline restrictions. Then off we shall go to BRAZIL on June 7th. We are having a final farewell party at Brookville Road Community Church this Sunday June 4th between 2pm and 5pm Please come and see us. *Edit Thanks to everybody who came to say goodbye to us!!

Prayer Requests
Safe Travels
Packing
Our hearts being prepared to leave
For Family left behind

Stuff for Sale!

Jeff & I have moved out of our appartment and are now living with Jeff's folks until we leave for Brasil June 10th. We had to get rid of a lot of stuff, some of which we will sell at a yard sale next Saturday, May 6. It will be at Jeff's folks' house, if you want to stop by and need directions let us know.
Here's a list of some of the larger stuff & some textbooks we have for sale - if you're interested in any of them leave a comment, give us a call, or email Jeff!

Game Systems:
Super NES with 2 controllers and 5 games (X-men, Toy Story, NBA Jam, Scooby Doo, and Super Mario World)	Sega Genesis with 2 controllers (I think the cord is a little screwed up - I remember having to position it just right to get it to work) with Sonic 2 and Comic Zone.	Sega Dreamcast with 2 controllers, memory card, and rumble pack with 6 games (Seventhcross Evolution, Grandia II, Evolution 2, Bass fishing, Crazy Taxi, and Soul Caliber.)
I also Have a NES without any cords

Books (mostly textbooks, all are used)	Appliances / furniture
Epistle to the Romans (Pillar NT Commentary)	Iron & Ironing Board - $15 (1 yr old)
A History of the Ancient World	Blender - $10 (2yrs old - not used much)
The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing	Electric Mixer - $15 (2yrs old – not used much)
The Art of Public Speaking (W/ TOPIC FINDER & CDROM)	Mickey Mouse Toaster (sings it’s a small world – not used much) - $20
Jesus Under Fire	Microwave – (old – used a lot – works well) $15
Education that is Christian	Two tall & Skinny five-drawer dressers $45 for both
Practicing College Learning Strategies (very used)	DVD Rack - $15
Missionology	Black & White Dish Set (from Target): 2 serving bowls, 4 regular bowls, 4 square plates, 6 large plates, 6 small plates (one has a chip), 2 mugs - $45
Balancing the Christian Life (Ryrie) (very old copy)	Cordless Phone - $10
From God to Us: How We Got Our Bible	three large square pillows $6 each (still in wrappers)
The Battle for Truth	black metal CD Rack $10
“Getting the Most From Your New Strong’s Exhaustive Bible Concordance”	Five glass casserole dishes. I think they are all Pyrex, but I can’t remember. 2 are Teflon coated. If you need more info or dimensions just email me and I will dig them out of their boxes. $25
The Gospel Reloaded	1 large woven clothing hamper $5
Share Jesus Without Fear	digital camera 1.5 mega pixel $20
Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans
What Should we think of the “Carnal Christian”
Stepping Stones (A Journal)

Daffodils

Jeff & I went
to the Link Daffodil Garden
after church on Sunday.

I'm a big fan of daffodils.

Here are some pictures from our excursion.

-Lindsay

2 1/2 months and counting...

Well, time sure is flying by now.
Jeff & I move to Brasil in 2 1/2 months.

It has been really encouraging to meet with so many people recently.
Getting together with families from the church I grew up in has been especially nice!
All the kids I used to babysit for are getting really big.

- Lindsay


The reality of this life changing move has been becoming more real in the last week. We have decided to only stay in our apartement for the month of April then we will be living with my parents until we step on the plane to Brazil. This will make it a lot easier to sell off a lot of our possessions and start packing.


- Jeffrey

Please keep us in your prayers as Lindsay is finishing up school during the time we will be moving out of the apartement and we continue to meet with people and churches about supporting us.

HERE WE GO!

So we're going to Brazil in June, huh? Guess we better get really serious about this support raising thing then.


Jeff recently attended a BodyBuilders personal support raising Boot Camp and so we are off and running on this thing. I must admit it's pretty scary, but I have full confidence in my husband and in even more so in my Lord. I know that if He wants us in Brazil, He'll get us there.

I guess you might say I'm scared, yet sure. Scared about how this is all going to pull together, yet sure that God will lead us where He wants us.

Ok I guess I better get going - I have some projects to do...

-Lindsay