July, 23 2019

                           

“Good Morning!”, I thought to myself.   My heart was filled with wonder and joy that  morning- sustained by the Wonder of the Gospel, the sunshine and my company. 


I was walking Alyssia to school.  Sometimes we ride our bikes but that day we walked.  We take time, as we walk, and often stop to observe the colors that we see--- the blue sky, pink flowers, a bright red bird.   We also smell the air.... usually fresh from blossoming flowers and fruits.   The best is when she reaches up to hold my hand.  As a Dad that´s  wonderful!

I received a youtube video from a friend just before the walk about the benefits of ...walking.  Many were mentioned! Here are a few: Walking helps you live longer... and better.  It is good for your mental and physical health, and It can foster relationships too!

It is easy to send such a video to friends that show our concern about one’s Physical health.  The queston raised by my friend who sent the video is, “Why don’t we have the courage to send videos that talk about our Spiritual health and the Gospel?”

I had this thought.  Send the video that talks about the benefits of walking to a  non-christian friend.  Then, invite them to go for a walk with you😊.   Show them you care.  BLESS them.  It is part of the  “Go & Sow” of Discipleship.  Whether it is a one time walk or turns into a “Walk” club you will have the opportunity to let your friend know that you care about their Spiritual Health too.  Ask them,  “How do you care for you Spiritual Health?”  Pray for wisdom as you share the Gospel by sharing your story and how Jesus brings health and life to your spirit and soul.   Invite your friend to take a walk with you on the Roman Road😊 (Romans 1:16; 3:23, 6:23; 5:8; 10;9,10).   Take Time to Bless someone today!

ReachGlobal works through local partnerships focused on Disciple-making that leads to Gospel Endeavors that lead to Church Revitalization and Church-Planinting.  Below are some photos of a busy ministry season with a few of our partners in Gospel Endeavors- a few snap shot of June and July.

 

Delighting in Him,

Craig, Alessandra and Alyssia Weyandt

EFCA ReachGlobal, Rio de Janeiro

US Number 1 856-514—0200

Whatsapp- 55 21 98768-9839

Skype:  Craiger Weyandt

Partner with the Weyandts financially!

Online Donations  (click here)

Or  Copy and Paste this link below

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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 78^th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

                                                952-854-1300

February 11

A Heavy Week.

Brumadinho Tragedy. It has been a blessing to make the 10 hour road trip to the recently ravaged city of Brumadinho with Pastors Fabio, Enio and Sincler. Our hearts are heavy sharing in the sadness and despair of literally thousands of people waiting for news of the "missing". As Pastor Enio wrote, "It will be a generation marked by this event: sons will grow up without their fathers, fathers have lost their sons, widows cry and grandparents have simply vanished in a moment". May the Lord comfort those who mourn and soften the pain of the suffering.

 

How does the Lord bring comfort to those who mourn and soften the pain of the suffering?  

 

We know that God does do that in a supernatural way through the Holy Spirit.  We also know that God works through His Church as well.  The Colossians were saluted for their Faith, Hope and Love.  I am challenging our congregation to live out their faith to the fullest as we share the compassion of Christ with our brothers and sisters in the City of Belo Horizonte . 

 

We are hosting a concert on the green that will raise money to help with the transportation costs to mobilize the volunteers equipped to help a community manage their post trauma stress as they deal with the disappearances of friends and loved ones and jobs.  Many have lost any vision for a future.  

 

Please Pray:

Pray for a generation that have lost their loved ones. 

Pray that we may all see a rainbow in the sadness, joy in sorrow, as we bring His love to each one we meet. 

 

The Weyandts-Craig, Alessandra and Alyssia

EFCA ReachGlobal, Rio de Janiero

Blog:  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 78^th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

                                                952-854-1300

 

 

 

ReachGlobal Leadership Forum in the Dominican Republic

August 2018

Good Morning.  I woke up at 4:30 am this morning….again!  Now, I am a morning person and 5:00-5:30am is a welcome time for me😊.   My warm,  "Eggs Up Grill" coffee mug in hand, dark outside, mourning doves cuing, a warm light lit over the table, a quiet house and the Word before me….. Love it.

….But 4:30am is somehow not the same!    I can't sleep.  I am thinking of the things I need to get done when I wake up…. But I am awake now.     Now, it could be that my insomnia is caused by my late afternoon double expressos… I am not sure.

But here I am- downstairs 4:30am.    I am preparing for a Day of Prayer that I will be leading in Costa Rica next week for about 120 missionaries serving in Latin America and the Caribbean with EFCA ReachGlobal. 

The Word brings peace to my heart and I begin to savor these moments… Lamentations 3:22-23 come to mind.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him."

²⁵ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.

 

Please Pray:

• I travel Wednesday night for a Leadership Forum in Costa Rica with City Team Leaders serving EFCA ReachGlobal in Latin America. 
• Next week will be our biennial Latin American Conference including all missionaries and families serving in the Region. 
• The Day of prayer will be on Thursday, August 9^th.  Please pray for the Father's Favor as our prayer team and I facilitate this day of prayer.  We are praying for Oneness in Direction as a Region and a brokenness before the Lord that brings Refreshment and Renewal , Healing, Forgiveness and Freedom, Direction and Vision.  
• Alessandra and Alyssia will stay in Rio while I am gone this period of 11 days.  My in-laws will come and stay with them.  Please pray for God's protective hand to cover them.

Delighting in Him,

Craig, Alessandra and Alyssia

EFCA, ReachGobal- Rio de Janeiro

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

Face:  Life on Life Rio

 

Send a Financial Gift!

Online Donations

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 78^th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

                                                952-854-1300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2018

                                                                                                     November 2018

<![if !vml]><![endif]>It is with a thankful heart that I write this letter.  God is at work transforming lives! I would like to share with you about my partnership with the leadership team (pictured right) of Christian Surfers Brazil (SCB)! 

Cesar, the new executive director of SCB, had a dream. It was to unify the mission.  SCB has been present in Brazil for more than 30 years, but because of vast distances between the local chapters and Brazilian laws and bureaucracy the mission had not been able to organize.

As we, the leadership, recently traveled throughout Brazil meeting with the regional and local leaders we were happy to find that almost everyone in local leadership is fruit from the ministry!  However, without the unity of missional alignment we also found that intentional Evangelism and Disciple-making are not happening as could be, and the result is isolated and independent chapters of surf "families" and an aging mission. 

God has raised up an exceptionally talented executive team for such a time as this.  Cesar (far right above) and his executive team through their legal and organizational skills and hard work and determination have successfully restructured SCB.  We have become a legal Brazilian organization.  This will allow us to be more resourceful serving the local chapters. 

Together we are one at heart in preserving the "family" like and organic qualities of the mission while investing in regular and consistent training.   Our mission is to Share the Good News of Jesus with surfers; to Follow Him together and to Give others the opportunity to do the same.   Our vision is that God would use SCB so that every surfer in every surfing community in Brazil will have the opportunity to know and follow Jesus.  Brazil has 3 million surfers! 

I have begun developing basic training modules that will equip surfers to accomplish our mission and vision with an effective disciple-making strategy walking as Jesus walked.  Our goal in 2019 is to train 3 regional trainers in each of the three surfing regions that our mission serves.  These trainers will train dozens of local leaders.  We will also identify a group of "under 20" year-olds to invest in as the next generation of SCB leadership. 

I count on your partnership!  I am trusting the Lord for Year-End donations so that I can start the new year with a strong operating budget.   Would you pray about making a year-end donation.  Your gift would go a long way in helping me to train trainers for the purpose of Making Disciples of Jesus Christ!  I thank you for your on-going interest in my life and ministry!

<![if !vml]><![endif]>Keeping The Kingdom Daily,

Partner with the Weyandts financially!

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 78^th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

952-854-1300 

December 2018

To everything there is a season…A time to travel….and a time to return.  I am extremely thankful this Holiday season that our good friends and ministry partners, Pastor Fabio, Lia, Elisa and Isabela, have returned from their sabbatical in Portugal. 

A sabbatical is a season of rest.  Early this year as I met with Pastor Fabio we both agreed that he needed a period of rest!  Fabio was Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually weary.    The Lord provided and we arranged for this precious family to spend three months in Lisbon, Portugal. 

We are extremely grateful to the Camlins and the Shoemakers, our ReachGlobal missionary colleagues in Lisbon, Portugal who provided housing and a car for Fabio's family and even provided some Brazilians as a care network😊.

Two months before Fabio's trip Brazil's economy took another giant hit as truckers went on strike paralyzing the Nation for one week.  This crippled the Caju life church's finances as businesses came to an immediate halt. 

Fabio and Lia voluntarily gave up their salary even though their long-awaited trip was imminent.  God provided their salary and ReachGlobal, Latin American Leadership gave a gift that helped with their relocation expenses!  They traveled on the appointed day😊.  Refreshed and with renewed vision they have returned.  Today, Friday, we will be together to celebrate their youngest daughter's birthday!  I am so excited about this reunion and to about their experience!

We did some traveling as well in October! I visited Des Moines, LA and San Diego, and Alessandra and Alyssia joined me in Denver.  Alyssia got to know her American Cousins as we spent time with my Brother Brian and family!

Please Pray:

• I injured my knee in August and the pain is getting worse.  The test results show that it is a minor Meniscus tear and tendonitis.  Not so bad…. It is just a thorn in the flesh!  Pray for my patience and discipline to obey the Doctors.
• We are moving!  After 6 months of Apartment searching we found one that will facilitate our lives and ministry very well.  We had all but given up, discouraged by all the challenges we have been facing lately.  And, one day to the next, God provided a place for us😊! The search is over!  Please praise the Lord with us!  We will receive the keys today!
• I was at my nephew's birth 30 years ago.  His first child, a son, was born while I was in the US.  I was able to hold little Isaac during my overnight layover in LA before coming back to Rio.  A Special Moment.  "Baby's are born every day…but when it is yours there are no words to describe the wonder"!  Brendan Dry (Isaac's Dad) 

Thank the Lord for this new life and for the gift of God to everyone under the sun, the mystery of such Wonder expressed in such a daily thing! 

 

 

Keeping the Kingdom Daily,

Craig, Alessandra and Alyssia Weyandt

EFCA ReachGlobal Rio de Janeiro

 

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

Face:  Life on Life Rio

 

Partner with the Weyandts financially!

Online Donations

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 78^th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

 

                                            

 

 

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 Pelé-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 78^th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

                                                952-854-1300