Tuesday, July 3, 2018

July 3, 2018

Here in Brazil we are in the middle of the World Cup.  Yes, the World Cup of Soccer is being hosted in Russia, but it is a national holiday here in Brazil.  The school where I was teaching took the whole month off during the World Cup!  Banks and Businesses close on game day when Brazil is playing!

Though some World Cup traditions are the same this year and though Brazilians will cheer for their team come game time, the spirit and energy is not the same.  Normally, besides all of these traditions, the Streets are painted with vivid colors of yellow and green and are lined with vibrant streamers!

Why not this year?

The Pain Continues… Just a few years ago many Brazilian Government officials were involved in the largest financial scandal in the history of any democratic nation throwing magnificent parties for the world (World Cup and the Olympics) at the expense of Brazil’s middle class and poor.   Rio de Janeiro declared bankruptcy by the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  Two years later the crises continues as Brazilians leave the country in large numbers for lack of jobs and little hope, violence continues to increase and the federal government must intercede with its military as local governments have no money for police.   

And Now What do we do?

Some Brazilians have asked my wife and I this past year, “Why do you stay? You are an American….. You can get out of here!”  My response is usually the same.  “I am a missionary.  My job here in Brazil is to offer hope to those who need it.  If there was ever a time that Brazilians need hope it is now!” Hearing this Brazilians usually smile and give a gently, “Sim” (yes).  

Friday night I had such an opportunity.   My Brazilian friend and Colleague in the ministry, Renato, invited me to his meeting with Brazilian Young People.  He has started a business that empowers the poor with the skills and knowledge they need in the hotel business to get a job and earn a salary.

This is one of his ministries.  Alessandra and I love to invest in Brazilian leaders that have a passion and calling to create opportunity for the hopeless in the Name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. 

I was invited as a representative from the Union Church where I serve on the Leadership team.  Renato is one of the Brazilians that we will continue to partner with working with our young adults who come to discern God’s missionary call on their life. 

And the World Cup?

We still cheer for the Canaries (Brazil Team)!  As I write this we are planning where we will watch the next match with our friends… and we are excited-true fans!   Soccer remains a big part of Brazilian Culture and Life.   Though we long for our human heroes and champions we know that in time their names and deeds will be forgotten, and we are reminded by “our difficult times” that our true and Eternal Hope  is our true and Eternal Hero and Champion, the Ancient of Days, the True Eternal King (not PelĂ©-as the movie suggests)…. His Name is Jesus!...and we are more than fans of HIM!

Please pray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delighting in Him,

Craig, Alessandra and Alyssia

EFCA, ReachGlobal Rio de Janeiro

 

Blog:  http://reachglobalcity.blogspot.com/

Face:  Life on Life Rio

Partner with the Weyandts financially!

Online Donations

Or

Make checks out to:                   EFCA ReachGlobal

Attach a note that says:          I am supporting the ReachGlobal work in Brazil by Craig

Weyandt, Account 1409 

Please Mail Check to:            EFCA ReachGlobal; 901 East 78th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

                                                952-854-1300

 

May 28,2018

 

Happy Memorial Day everyone!  I hope your holiday was a good one.   As June approaches we are coming to the end of our semester here in Brazil at the International School where I am teaching.   I will complete one year as a school teacher.  I started with 70 students and I will be ending with 180!   I doubled my teaching hours this last semester too!  It has been a good ministry experience and opportunity to share the Gospel with many teens and pre-teens that do not know Jesus. 

 

As we enter a new season (winter here!) the Weyandts too are entering a new season of ministry.  I am terminating my teacher role to Junior and Senior High-School students.  The school administration is sad that I am leaving, but this work is taking up all my time and taking me away from other important ministry relationships.  I will miss the students and being part of their lives, but I am also excited for new ministry opportunities!

 

As many of you know my spiritual gifts are exhortation and encouragement and one of the forms that I enjoy exercising them is through teaching and preaching.  I have worked hard over the years at becoming a good teacher, and so it makes me happy to be invited to teach and preach.  

 

I have been invited to increase my role at the Union Church where Alessandra and I are members.  This year I have led worship, preached and taught at Bible Fellowships.  And now I will join the leadership team.    One of the Kingdom Pearls at the Union Church has been investing into the lives of the Men’s Small Group.  I will continue my role co-leading this group.  This group of men has a mutual commitment to discipleship and growing together as Christ’s body.

We even know how to have fun together!  One of the wonderful characteristics of the Union Church is that we have members from all over the world.  Pictured here in the Bowling Alley we have North and South Amercia, Africa and Asia represented.  Our European was traveling, but promised to not miss the next bowling (Boliche) outing!  Yep, we will do it again!  Not only did I come in 4th place twice and will need revenge, but everybody really liked it!

 

Another Characteristic of the Union Church is that we are a church-planting church.  Through our partnership with Restore Brazil the Union Church is facilitating 10 church plants both local and regional.  

 

Please Pray:

  • Brazil continues to be in crises mode.  The country has been paralyzed by a week-long truck strike.  There is no gas at the gas stations so cars and public transportation have come to a slow crawl or has stopped all together.  Today the Schools are closed and most people are home from work.  We pray that the Lord will raise up honest leadership and that  Brazil- through its suffering - will become a place of blessing not only domestically but to the world .
  • Pray for Alessandra as she travels to work.  Daily she passes by a number of dangerous neighborhoods where gunfire of war-grade weapons is common place.  
  • We rejoice over Alyssia as she grows up! With getting older comes added expenses to our budget.  We are raising up funding for her schooling.   I will be taking time to travel to the US to raise the additional money that we need.  Her school will start in August, but I will travel in October.  Would you pray about contributing an additional $50 a month toward Alyssia’s education?
  • We will receive some visitors from the mission over June.   We are working on vision casting, telling our ministry story and recruiting.  Please pray that the name of Jesus will be exalted and that God’s story line in Rio de Janeiro can be told with clarity and passion.
  • Pastor Fabio and his family from Caju life church is making final preparations to do a sabbatical in Portugal.  We are grateful for our EFCA- ReachGlobal colleagues who are making their homes and cars available to this wonderful family.   They have raise 80% of their expenses.  If you would like to contribute a one-time gift to support Pastor Fabio please send a check to the address below and use the 6203 account number.   Attach a note that says, Rio/Pastor Fabio.    Please pray for personal renewal for Pastor Fabio and his wife Lia that this would be a life-giving experience.

 

Delighting in Him,

 

Craig, Alessandra and Alyssia

EFCA-ReachGlobal Rio de Janeiro

 

bBlog:  http://reachglobalcity.blogspot.com/

Face:  Life on Life Rio

 

Partner with the Weyandts financially!

Online Donations  (click here)

Or  Copy and Paste this link below

https://my.efca.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=359&des=WEYANDT-M1409 

Or

Make checks out to:                   EFCA ReachGlobal

Attach a note that says:          I am supporting the ReachGlobal work in Brazil by Craig

Weyandt, Account 1409 

Please Mail Check to:            EFCA ReachGlobal; 901 East 78th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

                                                952-854-1300