And now for an update...finally!

I'm sorry that I have not been blogging very consistently. Weeks have slipped away from me, and when I have been at the computer, I have not felt very creative. But I decided it was time for an update before everyone gave up on this blog altogether. Anyway, we are busy as always here in Salvador! The LST campaign left last week, so we are busy with follow-up studies. We are also still settling into our new building and busily getting ready for our inaugural service next Sunday, August 17. Though we have been in the building for nearly eight weeks, we will have our official dedication next week, and we are inviting many friends and neighbors, as well as our new neighbors in Boca do Rio.

In July, I started being responsible for the children's sermon that we have during worship every Sunday, and I am also helping to plan Bible class as we get ready to implement some new ideas. We began offering a free hot lunch to the neighborhood every other Saturday, and there are lots of kids who come to that. It gets me excited for things like our big Children's Day celebration in October and the VBS we eventually plan to start in 2009.

My family is arriving for a visit tomorrow, and I am so excited to show them everything about my new life here. They will get to be here for the inaugural, which is pretty neat. Another exciting thing that happened this Sunday is that Leandro decided to be baptized!! He has been involved with the church for a while. Lots of his extended family are members at ICOS. He went on the youth retreat in June and decided he wanted to begin studying the Bible with Travis. While LST was here, he was constantly at the building, helping out in any way he possibly could. Then last week, he told Travis he was ready to give his life to Christ, so after service this morning, we all trooped across the street to the beach and watched Leandro get baptized in the ocean. Here are a few of the great pics we got today:

Travis and Leandro heading into the ocean

Praying over Leandro after his baptism (He is in the navy jersey.)

All the church members who were present as witnesses for this great event

Here are some things I would like for all of you to be praying for in the coming weeks:

- my family's visit
- inaugural service on Aug. 17 (Pray for many visitors and curious neighbors!)
- my work with the children
- LST follow-up studies
- our new brother in Christ, Leandro

Thanks for your prayers, and thanks for reading! Ate mais, gente!