Giving Thanks in Brazil

Giving Thanks in Brazil

October — November

Renata and I want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! It’s mind blowing that another year has gone by already. This time last year I was in Perú and now here we are in Brasil, teaching new customs to my bride and her family, as they’re in turn teaching me. It’s funny that the name for turkey, here in Brasil, is ‘peru’. God is so good and there is so much to be thankful for. If a year ago, someone had told me that I would be getting married in Brazil, I would have told them they’re crazy. The Lord is an incredible provider for what we need and in His timing! What a blessing to get to serve the Lord where He has called us! What a blessing to get to serve a holy, loving God!

Something the Lord has been focusing my heart on recently are His commands to Joshua. In the first chapter the Lord reassures and affirms His call upon his life 5 times in the first 9 verses. The Lord is calling him to take up the mantle and bring His people Israel into the land He promised them (v.2-6), and to do so according to His Word (v.7-9). What amazing promise He gives Joshua! He lays out clearly what’s coming. He gives him the final word on what he would do for the Lord. In the face of any fear the Lord reminds him here (for the third time) as He tells him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9, NKJV). What a blessing for him to know that as he went to do the will of the Lord, that he would have his Lord with him. The Lord has given us a clear calling to go into the nations, to preach the Gospel, to make disciples, and to baptize (Matt. 28:18-20). He tells us he’s with us until the end, and what an amazing gift that is, that we get salvation, and now have been brought into His ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-21). He’s given a clear calling, and I just want to be all His, and I want to lead my family well and according to His will as we seek to walk in all that He has for us. Praise the Lord it’s only Him who can give us the strength to do so and I trust He will.

October

Time has been flying by and it has been as busy as ever. From hidden leaks in the concrete, to woodworking, and evangelism, the Lord has been providing the strength to keep moving on in what He’s set before us. One big event we had last month was called “La Festival de la Luz” and we put on a big family event where the kids could come and have fun and learn about the Lord! We invited as many as we could from the community and had a big turn out. It was a blessing to see the kids and the students al having a great time for the Lord, and new faces getting the Gospel too!

November

The Close of One Season and Heading into Another

This month has been big for both Renata and myself as she finished up her final semester! We both finished up the church planting class that Calvary Trujillo does! Both big steps and 2 years in the making!

This season on campus is normally bittersweet… seeing the 4th semesters graduate and knowing they’re moving on to new seasons in their life can be hard, but it’s also such a blessing to see them move on into what the Lord has for them. The very thing we’ve been aiming to help train them up in, we get to watch them go and do. God is good! Some come back and intern and usually have the heart to then go help with or plant churches in other parts of South America or beyond. It’s a blessing to see how some are feeling led to come and help us start up the campus in Argentina in the year to come! The last week was a whirlwind trying to wrap up some projects, pack up all of our things (as we’ll be moving off campus when we return), our final prayer group for CBI Argentina of the semester, prepping to head to Brasil, last second doctor visits, and still more. I’m so blessed that in a season of new beginnings we serve a gracious and loving Savior who is there for us in everything we’re growing through.

We arrived at the airport in Rio de Janeiro early last Monday, and outside of getting a little time to rest, we’ve been getting everything ready for the civil wedding (Saturday Nov. 29) and for the ceremony this coming Saturday Dec. 6th. The Lord has been so good to us in this whole process, whether seen or unseen. His provision, His mercy, His love, and all of you are absolutely things I am very thankful for in this season.

Civil Wedding

All the paperwork is done! Legally we are Mr and Mrs. Voisin!

Prayer Requests

-Finishing final wedding preparations

-That I would lead our home well, and continue to grow in every area of my life

—That I would love sacrificially and like Jesus in all things and that I would be His hands and feet in Renata’s life, and in turn those around us

-Enjoying time with Renata’s family

-Fruitful time while in Brasil, serving and being a blessing

-Turnarounds on paperwork

—new gov. ID for Renata with name change

—new passport (Brasil does not seem to have a budget for new passport books right now)

—Visa appointment ASAP as our hope is to be in Perú in time for the next semester

-Continued planning and vision for the pastors and for the team in regards to us going to Argentina to help start up the new CBI in Argentina

—There is a need for teams to come out and help repair damaged buildings and begin on a new wall around what will be the campus

—That the Lord would go before us in preparation for moving and serving there

-Provision in all the Lord would have us do

Other Needs:

As we’re planning on moving back to Perú for a semester before going on furlough to the States, our monthly costs will be increasing. With flights to Perú, from Perú to the States to purchase, as well as living off campus and transportation, there is a need. Any monthly partnership or one time gift is a huge blessing.

You’re Invited!

So with what’s next, we would love to invite you to attend our wedding!

This Saturday, December the 6th Renata and I hope that you would join us for the livestream of or wedding ceremony here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Time: 4pm Brasil time/11am California time

Thank you so much for reading, thank you for your love, prayers, and support. None of any of this would be possible without the Lord working through you. I pray these updates encourage your heart to know and see that we serve a God in heaven who is above all things, who answers prayer, who desires to seek and to save that which is lost, and He is worthy of all that we are. He’s coming soon, let’s keep running for the glory of His name!

Muito amor do Brasil,

Jordon e Renata