Our couple's ministry continues!

Hi, this is Davi, he is my English student. He was presented here before. This last Saturday, Matt and I had dinner with Davi and his wife Cátia. We had a great time together. We also invited them to visit us at the next couple's meeting on November 17th. They were really optimists about it. They are both very intelligent and open mind. Cátia works for a Dutch company for hair products called Keune, she is a technician. Next year I am going to work for this company to teach English to hair professionals, as they have to travel to have courses abroad, that is being a pretty big project for me right now, as I am preparing my own English book for this purpose. God has opened many doors for me since I started to use my gift and acquaitances to serve and glorify the name of Jesus! I ask you to pray that our relationship with this couple grow! And also pray for their relationship as a couple!

Bible Campaign

I was talking to Jennifer Terry, and I found out the she also has a study group in English at her home, she is teaching English using the Holy Bible, she is teaching Moema and Roberto, they're new members and they are interested in learning about Jesus and also to study English. I believe it is a blessing for Jennifer to be part of it. So it rang me a bell! :)
It is me again with another idea. Christmas is on the way, it would be a great opportunity for me to give mini new testament bibles for my students, and I could offer a free class (maybe Matt can help) to read with them one of the gospels, maybe John would be a good one to start. Their interest in English plus a mini bible from the States could make a big difference. I know most churches distribute mini bible for possible future members to introduce Jesus. Would it be possible to separate some and send to me? Now, I have about 20 students and Jennifer is expecting more students after Christmas, maybe 5. They are all adults and workers, from middle class families. I believe that with such an ecouragement we can have a new English group for a Bible study class! If you want to help us with some mini-bibles please write to Matt or to me at: waleskapauls@globo.com
We are here to serve!!!

Meet my students!!

These are Felipe and Alex, they are computer programmers.Our class is on Tuesday and Thursday at noon, after class they have 30 min for lunch. they studied together for a few months, and then Felipe left to work in another company. Alex is the one wearing glasses , he is very smart and has an advanced English, right now he is studying with another student, Rafael who is also a computer programmer. Great news, I will have this group over next Friday night for a pizza and a game night in English. Matt will help me with that. I will have more students coming. I will take more pictures to show you later! :)

This is one of my study groups, their names are Rita, Graziela, Gustavo and Éder (on the computer). I go to where they work, our class is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:30 , they have just 30 min for lunch before class. It is a good group, the English is basic, and they are getting better everyday. It is a computer software company, they are systems analysts, so they need English to have better opportunities in the job market. I like my work because I see them growing proffessionaly, and I know that I was part of this growth. Matt also visits this group once in a while to check their English and talk about our mission in Brazil.

And this is Fábio. He is 26 years old, from São Paulo. He was transferred to Porto Alegre to work as a System analyst. But it is not his dream. He really wants to be a tour guide. We have fun studying English, he is very forgetful and never on time, however he has changed lately; once I got home just in time to teach him, and he was already in my living room waiting for me , he had arrived half an hour earlier for the class, and when I get home, he was playing chess with Matt, and it was difficult to take him out of the game. I believe a seed was planted in that moment, maybe it is the beginning of a friendship!

Couples' meeting October 6

In my opinion, one of the most important ministries in a church is strong marriages. That's where the church is first attacked by the enemy. Unfortunately nobody on the Porto Alegre team was willing to invest in it, because they were already busy with other ministries plus family. I had already volunteered to help, but I soon realized that my help would be taking the leadership. After inviting a few couples to lead a class and having "no" as an answer, Matt and I realized that God might have chosen us for this. I thought, "How come!! We 've just been married for 1 year and half! " So, we went to a Brazilian Christian store and searched for materials and activities for couples, it took just a day to study and prepare a nice class. We had the help of a very nice couple Branda and Renato. Since they work a lot during the week, they decided not to give the first class, but they provided the house , the food, and the invitations, we had three Brazilian couples acting out some situations , and that was all we needed. Together with Matt, I could use my teaching skills to lead a communication game. I felt that Matt and I have a lot of harmony working together. God really guided us in this meeting! We had 14 couples. They all had a good time, and we learned together about communication! By the way - We were the youngest couple at that meeting , they were all married for at least 10 years, and at most 25 years. It was a great experience for me. By preparing these classes, I have been learning to be a better wife to my husband. The feedback was great. Now we are going to teach more couples to lead future classes, by showing them our material, and supporting them in this ministry. We had a great time! everybody enjoyed and learned from and with us! Even with non-Christian couples we used the Bible as a basis to confirm everything we were talking about!
I hope God has touched some hearts in that meeting! :) Please, pray for this ministry! Next meeting will be a romantic dinner with candles and a singer (we have a member who is a singer in a restaurant). Next year, after vacation time we are commiting to have these meetings once a month. Our plan is: Communication, finances, sex. We started with communication, because without it we can't work out the other two areas! :) The missionary team in Viamão has gladly supported us, and helped us in this ministry Rui & Nádia Diogo, and Mark & Juaneila White!

Women's retreat September 28-29-30

Hi, Last weekend we had the women's retreat. It happens once a year. We had about 20 women. Jennifer and Benay did a good job planning the retreat. I collaborated having a study group and working with an ice-breaker acitivity. It is always important to renew our spiritual energies and be closer to our sister in Christ! Check the photos! :)

This is Juaneila. We have many things in commom. She is a missionary in Viamão with her husband Mark White. She has supported me to work more in this mission with my husband. It' s nice to have someone like her around, it is hard for me to understand what do to by myself. God has put angels in my way!

This was my study group at the retreat, they are (from the left to the right) Juaneila, Daisy, Valéria and Rosana. Rosana goes to the church that meets in the Blumes' house. Jú is a missionary with her husband Mark White in the city of Viamão. Valéria and Daisy attend a house church in their neighborhood near Viamão.

This is Valquíria , she was our cook in this retreat. She used to work for Matt and Paul. Now she attends the church in the city of Viamão, actually, she has a house church at her home, and they had about 6 baptisms within her family recently (Great blessing!). She is also a good friend of mine! :)