Much has come to our minds during all this visa process. 

We're trying to get our one-year Religious Worker visas for Brazil.  We were waiting for two months just to hear SOMETHING, and we are grateful to the Lord that we finally did.  That message, however, was that we are not "compatible" for this visa.  Hmmm.

My (Ginger) immediate thoughts were, "Well, God is at work again.  We get to sit back and see what He's going to do."  I often am amused when things don't work out like I have planned.

So, as of now, we don't know if we will be going to Brazil in January (as we had originally planned) or not.  The WONDERFUL thing is that the New Tribes leadership in Brazil is busy looking into our visa situation (on top of all their other many responsibilities).  My hat goes off to those men and women. 

So here's the biggest point I want to make in adding this blog.  It's about our daily lives as Christians.  Christopher and I praise God that our main purpose and focus in life is NOT being missionaries , or being in a tribe, or even being in Brazil.  Praise God that we aren't putting these things before us as idols.  No, our focus of every day is walking with the Lord - growing deeper in our relationship with Him.  Let's "glorify God and enjoy Him forever."  (anyone recognize that wording?!) 

Anyway, the main point is that God is God, and He is in control.  PRAISE GOD!  He has His purpose in everything, and as we walk daily, we will seek Him and pray that He will use us as His vessels wherever we are.

We read Colossians together today, and something really stood out to me.  Paul spent his whole letter encouraging and instructing the church at Colossae.  Then, in the second to last sentence, he communicated, "oh yeah, and by the way, remember me while I'm in prison"  (my own paraphrase).  

Wow - what a lesson for us all to learn.  Paul's focus was on others and their growth in the Lord, and yet he was imprisoned.  How easy it is for us to only think about ourselves and our own circumstances.  Paul's example encouraged us to make sure we don't just focus on our own situation, but (as we seek the Lord daily) to be ACTIVE in lifting up others and THEIR SITUATIONS in prayer.  We desire to not just focus on ourselves, or even on the work the Lord leads us to do, but to be active prayer warriors for the people God has blessed us to know.  Not only is this good medicine to keep us from getting wrapped up in ourselves, but it is the Lord's desire.

Thanks for YOUR prayers, and let us know how we can pray for YOU.