Reaching Rio

January 2008 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year from Rio de Janeiro! Looking back over the last year, I am so thankful for everything that God accomplished in our family and in our church in 2007, and commemorating this holiday season was a perfect way to celebrate.

Christmas and New Year's in Rio

This year Rodrigo and I spent the holiday season with his family here in Rio de Janeiro. It was wonderful to be able to have time to talk, visit many of our relatives, and celebrate our life here in this great city. We spent New Year's Eve together with the rest of the mission team here in Rio along with approximately 2,000,000 (yes, you read that right - two MILLION) other people on Copacabana beach! Check out Dan's video of the fireworks display at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtxm-DKz-sQ.

A special holiday season in the Rio church...

This year, we presented our third annual Christmas Musical! It was a huge success, with over 250 people attending the day of the show and many visitors. I rehearsed with our chorus for three months while soloists, actors, scenery workers, and lighting volunteers worked to pull the show together. This year, we had more volunteers and church members involved than ever before! I thank God for this powerful ministry and the fun that I have working with these people.

We also had inspiring worship services on the Sundays before Christmas and New Year's Eve. We used these special days to encourage people to prioritize in 2008 and put God first in their lives. The year ended strongly as our church members joined hands to sing and grouped together to pray for one another.

Recent baptisms...

We rejoice with four special people who were added to God's kingdom in the past couple of months! Jaçiara (below, left) has been studying with me for several weeks, and recently decided to give her life to Christ. Please keep her in your prayers as she faces some tough changes in her life as the only Christian in her immediate family. Also baptized recently were Carlos (76 years old! Praise God!), Andrea, and Marilene, who will begin a study with me this Sunday. She's "hungry" to learn more about the Bible, and also needs prayers as she learns more and more.

Website updates...

I have added lots of new pictures to the website, including preparations for our Christmas musical, more baptism photos, our recent Ladies' Bazaar, and much more: www.adriennenunnally.com. You can also read updates from other Rio mission team members at our team blog: www.spaces.msn.com/reachingrio/. Rodrigo and I thank you all for your continued prayer and support. We would love to hear from you, so drop us a line when you have time!

With much love,

Rodrigo and Adrienne (Nunnally) Almeida

Rio News

December 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

We just came back from São Paulo where we spent Christmas with our family. This year our stay in Sao Paulo really touched my heart in a special way because of the response that Elaine’s parents and her uncle’s family had in regards to our faith.  Let me explain: since my family came back from the US some changes happened during the Christmas gathering, such as taking time before the evening meal to talk about our last year experiences, share with one another our plans for the future, and then pray for God’s blessings upon our dreams.  This year I saw everyone engaged and willing to participate and enjoy this time together. With no exception we all opened our hearts and talked about blessings! Thank you God for the small changes you make in peoples heart to acknowledge your son Jesus as our Savior!

While we were in São Paulo, Elaine and I talked about our feelings and how much being close to our family in the city that we know our way around can make us feel home so quick.

Christmas Cantata

The Christmas Cantata has become a great tradition in our congregation and a wonderful opportunity to invite our friends and neighbors from the community to get to know a little better who we are. This year we had around 120 people in the evening of December 15th. Talking to some of the visitors I had a nice response of how much they enjoyed their time with us. Little by little the love for our God in permeating in our community and we thank God for your mighty work in Rio!

Wishing a Happy New Year

My family and I wish all of you a great holiday season and a Happy New Year, where His love and His light guides your dreams and your lives in 2008.

Please keep in touch,

Carlos, Elaine, Beatriz and Andressa

RIO NEWS

The last month has been a busy one, with several weddings, a few baptisms, a visit from Kirsty’s sister, and other exciting happenings.

Weddings

November has been a record setting month in the history of the Victory Church of Christ as far as number of weddings. We had 3 in the first 2 weeks of the month. The first was Michele and Peter’s wedding on the 3^rd, Thaiza and Tiago’s on the 10^th, and Luize and Guilherme’s on the 14^th. Keep these young couples in your prayers as they start their new lives together. 

Pray for Thaiza and Tiago as they just moved to the south of Brazil, where Tiago serves in the Air Force.

Sérgio and Àurea were so excited to see their daughter take the hand of Tiago.  Tiago saluted Sérgio as a sign of the great respect that he has for him.  It was a very emotional moment for the whole family.

Dabbs Family

Our team mates Gordon and Ila Dabbs announced last Sunday that they will be returning to the States indefinitely at the end of next year (2008). They made this difficult decision after dedicating the last 9 years to planting, growing, and serving the Victory congregation. Pray for this family the coming year as they slowly transition out of full time mission work and make plans for a new phase in their lives. We will miss them dearly, but know that God has many plans for their future.

Baptisms

Carlos (78) gave his life to Christ last Sunday. He came to know the church through our secretary, Aurea, and studied the Bible with Mike Folkerts (Rochester Church of Christ elder who along with wife, Diana, have done several successful English campaigns to Rio). Dan picked up where Mike left off and did a series of evangelistic studies in Portuguese earlier in the year. Carlos continued to stay active in the church and faithful to Sunday Bible class and worship and finally made the decision to dedicate his life 100% to Christ.

Pray for Marilena, Marta, Jaciara, and Gloria who also gave their lives to Christ over the last couple of weeks.

Jefferson and Bruno

Some of you may remember Jefferson, a young man that we sent to Bible college just over 2 years ago. Well, we are happy to announce that Jefferson graduated and is now back here in Rio working with our staff as a full time evangelist. Jefferson will be working directly with the evangelism ministry and will be sharing the pulpit with Gordon and Bruno over the next year. Bruno continues to serve as worship minister and youth worker as well as working towards completing his Bible degree. God has great plans for these two talented men and we ask for your prayers as they grow and mature into their roles.

The British Invasion

We recently enjoyed a 2 week visit from Sarah and Craig, Kirsty’s sister and her husband from England. This was their first time to Brazil. We showed them the sites and took them to our favorite spots and had a great time catching up and spending fun time together.

Rio Prayer Update

November 2007

Gordon, Ila, Claudia and David Dabbs

 CHECK OUT GORDON'S BLOG AT:  www.soulvenue.blogspot.com

Jessica Mueller had a long awaited brain surgery a couple of weeks ago.

Thanksgiving . . .

• Thank God for the baptism of Marta!  She made the decision yesterday after studying and praying with Ila over the past six months.
• Thanksgiving for the conversions of Luize (she studied with Kirsty 5 years ago and just made her decision!), for the conversion of Gloria, and for the baptism of Maria Amelia.  Also, please pray for these disciples as they begin the adventure of following Jesus.
• We are thankful for the continued success of the Pastoral Group.  Currently Brazilian members Julio Cesar and Jorge and serving alongside Gordon, Kevin and Carlos Castilho.
• We praise God for the World Mission Workshop that was just held at Oklahoma Christian University.  Thanks for all those who worked hard to put it on and for the amazing way that God's Spirit was present and working in the hearts of nearly a thousand university students.  Gordon was one of the keynote speakers.
• We are overwhelmingly grateful for the successful surgery (on an aneurism) of Jessica Mueller.  She is a teenaged member who has been waiting for two years to have this life-threatening problem treated.  After much, much, much prayer and the help of may of the church members, the surgery was scheduled and sucessfully performed at a hospital in Ipaveruna.

1) After six months of study (with Ila) and prayer, Marta is our sister in Christ. 2) Victory in Jesus!  Marta was baptized yesterday (Thursday).

Requests. . .

• Pray for our safe travels and work while we are on furlough.  We leave in the latter part of November.
• Ask God to bless Claudia and David's studies at the Brazilian school they attend.
• Pray for protection and blessings for Ashley Oehm, our intern who works with two orphanages. Also, we are so thankful for the Rocketdyne Road congregation in Neosho, MO for its continuing generosity to help the orphans.  Thanks!
• Pray for Marcos and Bianca who are studying the Bible with Gordon on Saturday mornings.  May God touch their hearts with his amazing grace.
• Pray for the upcoming weddings at the Victory Church in November:  Michele and Peter, Tiago and Thaisa, and Guilerme and Luize.
• Ask God to bless all of the evangelistic studies that are being held at our congregation.
• Pray for the "Derrotando Gigantes" (Defeating Your Giants) campaign that is starting in November at the Victory Church.
• Ask for the Lord's blessings upon these couples:  Hermeto and Katia, Amandio and Bete, and Geronimo and Penha.
• May God help the parents of the congregation to raise their children and may he bless Carlos Castilho's parenting class.
• Ask for the Lord's blessings upon Workshop 1 (for new members) on Sunday and for the children's party that we will be hosting at our home on Sunday as well.

Precious!  We had loads of fun at our annual Children's Day bash last month.

RIO PRAYER UPDATE

October 2007

Gordon, Ila, Claudia and David Dabbs

Rio Team commemorates 9 years since original arrival on the field.

Thanksgiving. . .

• Join with the angels in rejoicing over the baptism of Maria Amelia.
• Thank God for the new marriage of Luiz and Melissa.
• 9 years on the field!  The Rio Team celebrated with a meal at a wonderful restaurant the 9th anniversary of our arrival in Brazil (although the actual date is in November).
• Thank God for the unity enjoyed among the congregations in Rio de Janeiro.  We never take unity for granted.
• We thank God for a wonderful evangelistic Thursday night service last week.  We had over 160 in attendance to hear Tim Archer and Steve Ridgell of the  Herald of Truth ministry preach the gospel. 

1) Maria Amelia is a new Christ-follower. 2) Monday morning, we hosted Church of Christ evangelists from around Rio to be part of the bi-monthly prayer breakfast at our building.  This unifying and edifying breakfast has been occuring for the past two years.

Requests. . .

• Pray for the World Missions Workshop at the end of October.  Gordon will be making a lightning fast trip to the USA to speak to the gathering.  May many university-aged young men and women be called to the mission field through this powerful event.  Pray especially for Bob Carpenter, Harold Shank, the Niccums and the rest of those who are planning this event.
• Continue to pray for our transition to a Brazilian eldership over the next 14 months.
• Pray for God's comfort upon the David Meadows family.  David, a veteran Brazilian missionary and elder of the Guarulhos congregation in Sao Paulo, passed away on Monday.
• Gordon has received a highly unusual invitation to be a professor at the Baptist Seminary in Rio (the largest Baptist seminary in Latin America).  He would likely be asked to teach classes one morning a week.  Pray for wisdom for Gordon in deciding what to do.
• Pray for the slew of weddings coming up at the Victory Church (4 in November).
• Pray for the family of Valerio.  Valerio was an evangelist at the Ramos congregation in Rio.  He passed away a couple of weeks ago from a massive heart attack.  He leaves behind a wife, Waldesia, and two children, one of whom is a 14 year old autistic boy.  May the Lord help us to care for this precious family.
• Pray for God's continued blessings on our national TV program.  May the Lord especially bless F.H. Gates and Antenor Goncalves who have taken leadership in this endeavor.  To watch the programs on-line  (and see Gordon in action), check out the website  www.igrejadecristo.com .
• As always, pray for our marriage and our family.  We know that you are praying because we see God's blessings!  Keep it up!!!

A great man and an effective missionary.  Dave Meadows, long time Sao Paulo missionary, passed away this week.  His loss will be felt by churches all over Brazil.