Painting to be Auctioned for Missions

This painting is up for bids:

This 16"x20" acrylic painting on canvas of Coconut Beach in Brazil is being auctioned off for missions. I am the director of our church's VBS and every year the girls and boys have a contest to raise money for missions. This year their offering will be given for building a church that our church helped plant in Coqueiro, Brazil. My husband, my pastor and his wife, and many of our friends have been on mission trips to the area. To place a bid for the painting, leave a comment of your bid amount beneath the photo on my facebook page (click here). Highest bid placed by midnight Saturday night, June 11, 2011, wins the painting. 100% of the proceeds from the painting will be sent to Brazil for building the church. VBS begins Monday, June 13. Of course the proceeds of this auction will be added to the GIRLS contributions! This painting based on a photo taken in Brazil by my husband while he was on his last mission trip to the area in 2009.

Playing Tourist in Brazil

During some of the team's free time while on the Brazil Mission Trip, Marty and Billy opted to head down to the beach to check out the Kitesurfing Competition. They both liked what they saw so much they wanted to try it for themselves, but unfortunately time and money didn't allow for that.


Hey, Lisa, what are the odds that lessons in kitesurfing end up on the guys' Christmas wish lists this year???

I do agree after looking at the pictures it would be something fun to watch. Out of curiosity I searched for kitesurfing on the Texas coast and actually did find places in Corpus and on South Padre that have shops, lessons and the works. Pretty expensive stuff though!!!


Kitesurfing is surfing a board similar to a wakeboard, while strapped to a huge kite you fly at the same time. Each kite contains a chamber that runs the lenth of the kite that holds air, which keeps the kite extended at all times.

Here are the photos Marty took of the kitesurfing competition in Brazil:

The green and red objects lying in the sand are the kites.

You can see from this photo of a young man carrying a kite just how long they are.

Check out my other blog for Marty's cool sunset photos from the plane trip home.

Another Brazil Mission Trip Update

Pastor Mitch, with missionary Sharon translating during an evening outdoor service.

Brazil Mission Team member Billy, with missionary Sharon translating during a day of VBS in Brazil.

This was received in an email a few days ago from our pastor and friend, Mitch:



Well, we are half way through our Brazil mission project and the devil is still trying to disrupt things. Please continue to pray for us, the people of the FBC Luis Correia and our missionaries. We learned last night that the brother-in-law of Pastor Julio’s wife was shot in the stomach while at work. He is a night watchman in Teresina (the city we fly in and out of). Details are sketchy, but we learned this morning he has died. Needless to say, this has disrupted the focus of Pastor Julio and his wife, Audi. They hosted us in their home for lunch today and we had a wonderful traditional meal, but she is very sad. The custom here is to bury the dead within 24 hours, so the funeral was today and there was no way Audi could get to Teresina before the funeral. She may ride in with us as we depart.

Now for the good news. Some 15 people stepped forward last night to say that the wanted to know Christ in a personal manner. Reva shared her testimony, Marty sang a solo (yes that’s correct, a solo) and I preached an evangelistic message. So far, our team members have led over 30 people to Christ through evangelistic visitations in the homes. Here in Coconut Beach, there are only two classes of people: the very rich and the very poor. Many of the large, expensive ocean front homes are empty. They are vacation homes for the rich. Many have a small house on the property which houses another very poor family who looks after the place while the owners are away. Then there are the fishermen. They live in small tile homes with only hammocks for beds and with little other furnishings. There are also construction workers building the large fancy homes. They live much like the fishermen. These three types of people are the ones we are mainly trying to reach because they are here year round. There have been many who have expressed interest in a weekly Bible study and even a new church. Vic and Sharon believe the little town is ready for a mission church to be established.

Pray for us over the next few days for something special. Unknown to Pastor Julio nor to Vic and Sharon, there is the Brazilian National Kite Surfing Championships being held in Coconut Beach this weekend. It actually begins today and will run through Sunday. Hundreds of people are expected and we’ll be handing out tracts to all who will accept. Pray for opportunities to share one on one with some of these visitors.

We love you all and we’ll send more updates as we can.

Bro. Mitch and the team

Photos from Brazil

I had my mother in law drop me off at my house today so I could pick up a few things I need and grab my camera. I must be feeling better if I want my camera, right?! I am feeling much better than before and finally feel like I am on the mend. I may even attempt a trip to the office tomorrow if all goes well.

While I was home an email arrived from Marty, full of pictures and the simple statement, "Here are some pics for your blog." :0)

I guess someone showed him how to email pictures because that's one thing I forgot to show him how to do when I got him the camera and computer!!! So, a big thanks to whichever team member is helping Marty!!! And I'm sure my readers thank you too as I'm sure they are sick of looking at the same thing every time they visit my site.

The mission trip is going very well and I anxiously await news of today. I am able to email Marty every night when he returns to his hotel. I believe today was the day he was to help the ladies (Reva and Denise) with VBS at a school.

Here is Marty along with our pastor (Mitch) with a family in Brazil. Each person pictured with them made professions of faith after hearing testimonies from our team members.

I await to hear from Marty what this photo is....

(I just got word from Marty this is a hot dog stand)

Team members Larry (one of our deacons, also the father of Lisa over at C&C World--he's the man in the orange shirt), and Marty is on the far right in the striped shirt.

Marty with a gentleman who made a profession of faith this week after hearing testimonies from our team members.

Marty with members of another family who all made professions of faith this week. What an awesome God we serve!

He's even taking the time to take some scenic photos. Marty does love pineapple....especially grilled in Brazil!!!

Our pastor, Mitch, with another family.

If I'm not mistaken I believe Marty told me 20+ people have made professions of faith this week and there are 13 prospects for the new church.

Brazil Mission Trip

Our church received the most exciting email today from our pastor who is in Brazil with a mission team, including my husband Marty.

I have heard doubts from many about Marty continuing on this mission trip with my problems recovering from surgery. Today's email confirms without a doubt that we came to the right decision that he should continue his trip as planned. I told him last week that God must have great plans for this team otherwise why would satan be throwing so many stumbling blocks before this team? Here is my pastor's email and the photos he sent with it:

"I know that some of you have already received updates from your Brazil team,however I wanted to share with you a couple of photos from today. One is ofthe afternoon VBS class (about 45 children) and the other is of the Rodriguez family. Marty shared the gospel with the adults of this family and five of them accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. The people of the First Baptist Church in Luis Correia, with whom we have partnered, are doing a wonderful job with us, as are the interpreters. Pastor Julio this afternoon said, as he was wiping his brow, "wow, and it's only Monday!" Thank you for your continued prayers. We will be conducting an evangelistic service tonight in the home of a lady who lives in Coconut Beach. Her daughter, a believer, is the headmaster of the school where our VBS is being conducted, but she was not a Christian until this morning. One of our team members led her to the Lord. As you can tell, God is already doing great things and it has already been worth all the problems we had to overcome. Give Him Praise and Glory!

This photo is of the family mentioned above with Marty (in the yellow t-shirt)

VBS in Brazil

Our God is an awesome God!

Bald Bill!

I posted here about our church's upcoming mission trip and my friend Bill's promise to shave his head if $3,000 could be raised today. After this morning's special offering for the mission trip, over $5,000 was raised! So, after church services tonight Bill took a chair outside and was joined by his wife with clippers in hand. Quite the crowd gathered just outside the front door to watch Denise shave Bill's head. There were shouts of "Are you gonna cry, Denise?" from many and all the kids were chanting "Mohawk! Mohawk! Mohawk!"

Bill and Denise giving their testimony during this morning's worship service.

Don't be sceeered Bill!!!

A crowd had gathered to watch.

The first cut!

Almost done!

Bald Bill:

Photos, Missions, and Shaved Heads

Meet my friend Bill:

Bill, along with my husband Marty and 6 other team members from our church will head to Brazil this fall for a mission trip to help start a new church. Unfortunately the team is still just over $7,000 short of the money needed for the trip. That's where my friend Bill comes in. He has agreed to shave his head if $3,000 can be raised the morning of August 17 when the pastor will have a special time of prayer and dedication of the team during that morning's worship service. Mostly I want to see this team succeed in raising the necessary funds they so desperately need...but I'd also like to blog about Bill's shaved head!!!

If you'd like to help meet this team's financial goal (and help shave my friend Bill's head!), I've set up an account at RedBubble to sell cards and prints of my photos. All proceeds I make will be given to this team's fund. So head over to my page at RedBubble and find something you like. If you don't see something you like, keep checking back because I'm continuing to upload new stuff.

You may also make a donation to the Brazil Mission fund by clicking the link below or on my sidebar.