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

 

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 4^th 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 78^th Street;  Minneapolis, MN

55420-1300

                                                952-854-1300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL 9, 2018

 

Alessandra, Alyssia and I hope you had a wonderful and joyful Easter.  Truly, Jesus  is the Greatest Story ever told, and the beautiful truth is that His Story continues in and through us- all who believe and love HIm!  I am so glad to be part of this story and fully aligned with what the Father is doing and wants to do on this earth- making disciples of Jesus Christ of all nations.

 

Sometimes I become unclear of what I should be doing day to day.  There are periods of time when I see and understand God's will with incredible clarity.  So what do I do when the day to day becomes unclear?  Who do I invest in?  What neighborhoods should I visit (Rio has 150)?  When should I stay home with my family and when should I go out to make a visit?

 

I am really thankful for a mission culture of accountability and empowerment.  ReachGlobal as a mission exists for the multiplication of transformational churches among all people.  I have latitude as I work in Brazil toward that end.  This week my supervisor, Tim (pictured left),  is here with me.  He is helping me work through our 10 year and 3 year goals and 6 month initiatives.   We will meet two more times in person with other City Team Leaders this year and monthly by skype to review my goals.  ReachGlobal's leadership investment affirms me as a leader and gives me confidence that I am doing what I should be doing. 

 

 

This past month was filled with family celebrations and ministry!  Set in the Spring Context of Easter, the Masters Golf Tournament and Tax Day we celebrate Alessandra's Birthday, our 10 Year Wedding Anniversary, My Birthday (today😊) and Alyssia's (soon-15 April).    And another highlight was traveling to the south of Brazil where I ministered through preaching to leadership of Christian Surfers Brazil. They came from the Northeast, Southeast and the South of Brazil.

 

Celebrating the Birthday of Our Wonder Woman!  Happy Birthday Alê!!!!!!

 

 

Please Pray:

• Praise God with us for Life-  We praise God for each of our lives and the opportunity to stop and celebrate Life Together as a family in Jesus name!
• Though we celebrate the Risen Christ each and every day please praise God with us for this Easter Season-an opportunity to declare, "Jesus is Risen!"
• The Christian Surfers exist to create opportunities for every surfer in every surfing community to know Jesus and to follow Him with us.
  • Please pray for the leadership and me as we seek to equip the surf "clubs" throughout Brazil to effectively live among the surfing tribes reflecting, representing and proclaiming Jesus. 
  • Pray that God will raise up the next generation of leaders among these surfers to take the place of the "silver" surfers  (guys like me with gray hair!)
• Pray that the Lord will protect Alessandra as she drives daily through the streets of Rio.  We are experiencing a period of heightened violence, Military action and political uncertainty. 
• I am asking for wisdom and patience as I continue teaching Bible at a local school.   Many kids are hearing the Gospel for the first time, but it is a challenge!

 

Delighting in Him,

 

Craig, Alessandra and Alyssia Weyandt

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