Bergquist's In Brazil

March 08

Double Portion of GRACE

February 29, 2008 was the day we never expected to have a child. I was ready to have our 4th baby by Valentines Day. My Mom showed up a little later than expected and we sat around and waited and waited and waited for labor to kick in. When a contraction came, we were hoping that it was the real deal! But after 2 weeks and 2 days of waiting, the signs of labor never took off! I ended up having a unplanned/planned c-section. Actually I was hoping for enducement before c-section and we were praying that labor would kick in. Miraculously I did start hard labor just before but I falied to progress which forced me into the dreaded and not so hoped for c-section.

Even though I was dissappointed in the fact of not having a normal birth(after having the other 3 normal) I had to be grateful that I was going to meet our little blessing.

Hannah Grace came into the world at 6:30pm weighing a champion weight of 10lbs 3 oz, out weighing all 3 other! She is a petite champion though and amazingly has very small features with small head, ears and daintly hands and fingers and slender feet.

We are blessed to have her in our arms, healthy and happy! Thanks for your prayers and concerns!

I will try and blog more while we are here in Altamira as it is faster net here that PdMoz.

More pics to follow as well of Hannah!

Thanks, Kelsie

January 15

To Have a Vision

To have a vision is the main goal to life, so you can live life to the fullest right? Ususally every year I am anxious to see what will happen and what new things will come as opportunity to serve, or experience. This year I know what I will be doing. In just a few short weeks we will have a new little one to care and dote over. It will be exciting and a lot of work too! This year I know that my life will take a different direction in the family circle. I feel an increased responsiblity to make sure our children are learning about being kind, loving, respectful, responsible, living peaceably, being generous, being honest, having self discipline and SOOOO much more things that will help them grow up to be wonderful people who can be used by God. I have 3 to be 4 little disciples to raise in the way of the Lord. HUGE and HIGH Calling! I am worried though!!!! I am finding myself in a fight to do all that and be the wife of someone who is being a missionary/pastor to the people we live among. Clyde is busy as usual with leading one of the city churches in our neighborhood, managing the water filter project and traveling to deliver the filters, doing the books for the mission and the church. He is seeking vision for the church, seeking vision for our personal mission here as well. We both woke up Sunday am with vision on our hearts. I had scheduled to talk to our girls group we have at our house every Sunday and I was without any idea as to what to share about until I woke up and Clyde and I started talking. Vision was on our hearts and I took that from the Lord and went with it. The night service went really well as we had visitors from Altamira, who we have know for the entire time we have lived here. They have an amazing testimony about how their son brought them to Christ through the ministry of the Bergen family(Rich and Deanna Bergen are the directors of the Xingu Mission in Altamira). They shared how God used the Bergens to minister love and affirmation, values and Godly principles to thier son and how peaceful he was in his everyday life. He was used to bring virtually his entire family(his mother has 8 sisters, including spouses and their children) to Christ and form a new church which today is called the Mirante(Look out point). It is an inspiring testimony to us as we have a church filled with youth and children. To hear the vision of what happened and what could be for our church was inspiring for sure. We pray now that we can press on to the vision that will inspire these kids to minister to thier families and bring them to church and thier neighbors to recieve new life!!! A restored life!!! Our other vision we are lacking though in the midst of all this other stuff is the need for a Brazilian pastor. We don't lack vision for it, just who will fill that part. We are wanting to come home this year for several months and we don't see how we can without a Brazilian pastor to lead this church in our absence. Please pray with us that God will show the right person and that they will fit well into this calling of the Praiao church. I am sorry that I havnen't been able to update our photos. Seems there is a problem with the blog uploading them. Blessings to you as you seek vision for your personal life. God has a plan for each and everyone and if your lacking vision for your life, ask and He will answer.

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December 31

Happy New Year!

It's New Years Eve and looking back at 2007, wow, it went fast!!!!! It was wonderful to be with family last Christmas and New Years and to think that we'll be with them again next year will be great! We struggle with vision for 2008 for some reason, but praying the Lord will show us a plan, a path that will encourage us to continue with stamina and enthusiasm serving in the city church. We look forward to our team coming back together again this month after many were able to go home for the holidays. We are praying that we can refocus and gain vision together and see what it is the Lord wants to do as we rejoin forces. Please pray for the next few weeks, that the Lord will show us the direction He wants for this mission in Porto de Moz. We are excited about the new baby coming in just a few weeks as well! Feb 16th is our due date, but the ultrasound puts it into the week of the 14th-21st! Kelsie's mom will be traveling here to be with us for the birth and afterwards. We are praying baby doesn't delay the arrival date too much! We'd love to have a Valentine's baby!!!!! Clyde's dad was here with us for 6 weeks and that was a lot of fun having him here with the girls, meeting our friends and seeing our lives here. He got frustrated with the 3rd world mindset, but I think other than that he did enjoy the people of Brazil and the senery! He was able to go on a water filter trip that was one of the most difficult delieveries for 2007 as all the homes were up on an embankment where they had to lift the 300lb cement filters up some 50 or more wooden, rickety steps or canoe far away to get into the hard to reach areas. We have some photos I'll attach of that trip and some of the visit with Bryan and our Christmas! Thank you to everyone for your support in prayer, finances and time! We appreciate each and every one of you! We covet your prayers for 2008 as we venture into another year of ministry, raising children and seeking His perfect will for our lives! Blessings to you all this new year and we pray that the Lord brings revival to your soul if you are weak in spirit, health to your body if you are sick, hope to you if you are feeling hopeless and peace if you are without! We know that Jesus is the answer to every problem under the sun and when we commit our way to Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts! Happy 2008!!!!! Clyde, Kelsie, Makenna, Maddy, Nate and Baby #4

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November 04

Catch Up Blog

October has been a blurr and November is already here. I apologize for not writing more often, but our internet is slow and takes the fun out of spontaneoulsy updating the blog when ever as the site sometimes won't even come up, or stalls out when I have the photos downloading!

Oct 12th was National Kids Day in Brazil. Our church put on a great gig for the kids in the neighborhood. I feel like I have already bloged about this, but basically our church has normaly anywhere from 20-50 kids on any given Sunday service. Well, we opened the church up for a party hosted by the Youth Group to our sunday school kids and thier parents and the neighborhood kids and parents. We had over 100 kids and then thier parents! It was a well planned event and all our youth group served and participated with such delight. In Brazil, Christmas isn't like our holiday. But Kids Day is close to the same feeling or the equivalent to Christmas here in Brazil.

We had cake and gifts, the youth had skits and clowns and lots of fun!

On the family side, we had a fun night at a carnival that came to town. It was a riot to see this carnival as half the rides were not even safe to ride on by our standards. The OSHA would have a cow and then some if they saw what kind of outfit they put these little kids on. It was as if you could step back into time about 50 yrs or more and kids went to have fun and parents didn't care about saftey. Buckles were there, but they were rusted out or broken, no safety locks on the swing rides and no way to stop the machines accept to physically turn it off and stop it with your own force. There were men working the machines, but they didn't care if the kids rode for 30 minutes or 1 minutes. They just watched the lines and if there were a ton of kids, they cut the time down, but if there wasn't a line, the kids were on forever. Some were getting restless wanting to get off.

Nate rode all the rides with Makenna and Maddy except the Ferris Wheel, of which I wasn't about to let my baby on that ride. It looked very chancy to me and I waited at the bottom with NAte crying cause he wanted to be with his sisters and Daddy.

The jump house was about the most modern event they had and Nate got his own private session with his sisters.

The month ended with Clyde taking off with the other missionaries to get a team from Freemont Ohio. He has been gone since the 28th or so and we wait for him to return with our Pappa Bryan who arrived Nov 3rd in Santarem. Clyde went to meet up with him and help him meet some friends there of the Vineyard in Grants Pass and to take a lineboat to Porto de Moz. We'll look forward to seeing them both on Wednesday!

Everyone is doing great. Our ministry is going well. We are making plans to build on to the church classrooms for our childrens ministry. They so need a place to be instead of the porch at the neighbors and have thier own classes where they can have age related lessons and order.

Thank you for your support, prayers and love! We miss you and hope you enjoy the photos!

I'll add more later and do more ministry photos from the water filter project!

Blessings, Kelsie

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Catch Up Blog

We had cake and gifts, the youth had skits and clowns and lots of fun!

The jump house was about the most modern event they had and Nate got his own private session with his sisters.

Thank you for your support, prayers and love! We miss you and hope you enjoy the photos!

I'll add more later and do more ministry photos from the water filter project!

Blessings, Kelsie

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October 06

25 New Creations

In the last few months it seems to have been slow in seeing fruit and at times we felt like we weren't being affective. In a second language that hasn't been mastered, many times we find out selves asking "Did they even understand", "Am I saying it clearly" or "I wish I could say it just right". Clyde had been wanting to have a baptism but with all the traveling and events going on it kept getting pushed further out. We finally marked a date and before we knew it we had arrived. We had a few new believer's classes and knew a few people had gotten saved that wanted to be baptised. But the week before the baptism as we were announcing it and preparing for it, there were several new converts. Sunday arrived and we all headed out for the beach to have the baptism and BBQ. When we asked who all was getting baptised, there was a small multitude!!!

This was a special day because as it was Clyde's first time since being here to get to baptize. He did a brief teaching about baptism for all those getting baptised and he did an amazing job. Everyone listened intently and seemed to understood well. As I looked around I could tell the story of a few that were pretty exciting.

Aginaldo, a 50 yr old man is from the state of Goias in Brazil. We met Aginaldo when we got back from the US on furlough one night at church. His wife, Rosi and 3 boys had been coming to the Vineyard for many years. She is 20 yrs younger than Aginaldo, but here it is hard to tell sometimes the ages of people until you ask. When we invited them to a couples group, Aginaldo had all the right things to say and seemed to be on the same page. But one day a fellow missionary said to us "You know he isn't saved yet right?" We didn't know that for sure without asking him pointblank. I think we did at one point after learning that and he said he was. But after time went on, we could see certain traits that weren't fruit of genuine salvation. In July, Clyde took the youth on a retreat on the river and Rosi and Aginaldo came a long as adult chaparones. The retreat was going well until the last night or so when some spiritual encounters were happening. Aginaldo aparently had many encounters with the spiritual realm but this night we were seeing which side he was experienced with. Clyde had the authority to bring him back to "earth" so to speak. But it really riled up the youth as they had probably never seen anything like it before.

Clyde spoke to Aginaldo that night and told him he needed Jesus. But Aginaldo was saying he was just needing a key to unlock his search. Clyde told him over and over the key is JEsus!!!!! Aginaldo stayed away from church a while, but Clyde kept loving on him and he came back and still didn't surrender his life. The night before the baptism, Aginaldo came up for the alter call and he was ready to recieve Christ! It was a big day for that family!

Waldinilson and Nazare are a couple who are related to our assistant youth leader Cley. Cley comes from a family of 6 brothers and sisters. Waldeni, Cley, Cleia and Kezia are all in our church. They are all called of God and are walking in it or starting to. They have all been praying for thier oldest brother Waldinilson and other oldest sister Waldinilsa to come to Jesus. Well, Waldinilson and his common-law wife, Nazare came to the Lord in May or June together! That was an exciting day. Since then they both have really been plugged into the men's group and couples group and most recently Nazare has been helping in the children's ministry. They both were baptized on Sunday!!!!!

There are a few other stories like Donathila, a 13 yr old girl who I have in my girls group. She was going to the 7th Day Adventist Church and her friends invited her to our church for game night. She felt the conviction of the Lord and wanted to get more serious with God. She found freedom and has been plugged into the youth and is serving on the worship team. She has a strong calling and I am excited to see God working in her life and see her growing. Her baptism was a neat thing to see.

Mileny, the most faithful youth of all the girls, strong and steady and yet never baptized. Not sure if it was because her parents didn't let her or what, but she was lite the moment she entered the waters. She came up beaming in a new life and new light!!!

Other guys that Clyde has been working with too were also baptised and it was very awesome to see so many "new births". 25 to be exact!!

Please continue to pray for this ministry. We are excited to see the fuits of our labor, but it isn't done yet. We desire to raise up the leaders and see them come in to ministry as God calls and leads. Please pray for this church in reguards to the leaders being raised up and trained!

Thanks for your support!

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September 19

September Busy-ness

We have been busy this last few weeks with teams and our trip to Santarem. We hit the ground running as soon as we got back with Clyde heading out on the river right away and then coming home in time to preach Sunday and then home a week to get some stuff done before another team came! We just saw the last team off from Sunbury Ohio. Clyde went on the river with them. We had just gone on the river as a family to minister to a few river villages and I wasn't ready to hit the river again so soon. Anyways, the team came and we had them for dinner their first night and they left for the river that night! Maddy went with Clyde and Makenna and Nate stayed with me. It was fun to see Maddy be so independant and free. Makenna has changed and doesn't want to go unless I go!

Now we are in Altamira getting some R&R and we're gonna do some missionary care with Dennis Stranges who is the team leader for the team that just came and went. We will be home Saturday night in PdMoz! Hopefully I will beable to update the blog once in PdMoz, cause it hasn't let me in months! Enjoy our photos and keep checking in!

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Licking Country Vineyard Team

We enjoyed Pastor Steve Osbourne and his team the first part of September! They came with almost equal men as women and put on a phenominal vacation bible school. Crafts, stories, clowns and lots of fun for the kids. It was a great event. We targeted an area in Porto de Moz called Carini that is a nieghborhood that doesn't have any churches. The mission has purchased property to build in the Carini in the future and this was a great introduction to the neighborhood as to who the Vineyard is and our hearts for them. We rented a big truck that loaded up all the kids and took them to the church. We also had a film night out at the future church site. We rented Narnia in Portuguese and made a ton of popcorn. They loved it and probably had 75-100 people there.

We also had a youth conference over the weekend that was really neat for the kids. We had a youth group from Altamira join us and they brought youth to dance and do drama. Each church had a dance ready to share and they enjoyed worship and praise. The team had people to share testimonies and Pastor Steve shared as the main speaker!

After the weekend we went on the river with the team and had some wonderful time on the river. We left with them as we were needing to head out to Santarem to finish up our visa process. So it was crazy and fun all at the same time!!!

So enjoy the photos! It was fun to have this team and they blessed us in so many ways!!!!!

Blessings to you Licking County Vineyard and Pastor Steve and Carol!

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July 16

July Update

We have INTERNET!!!!!!

We are so happy to have internet to communicate with our family and friends, to have resources for homeschool and much more!!!!!!

We want to thank the Deleware County Vineyard in Sunbury, Ohio for making it possible! We love you!!!!

Our July update is this....incase you hadn't heard yet, we are expecting again!!! Number 4 is arriving the first part of February and we are getting excited for the final family member!!!!

Things are going well with the pregnancy and we trust the Lord for smooth sailing the rest of the way!

Events in Porto de Moz are constant. We are leading the Praiao Church here filled with mainly youth and a handful of married couples. We started a homegroup to raise up and see the married couples more strengthend and we are excited to finally see the couples opening up as we go through a book on communication in marriage together. We hope to see these couples released in opening up thier homes for home groups and see potential leaders in this group!! For that, we are excited.

On the youth side, this is the month of the Sun Festival that draws in many to the party scene at the beach. Many youth who's roots aren't deep are washed away to the party during this holiday month. We still have our faithful group of about 50 who left today for a youth retreat to a river village called Cupari. (Coo-pah-dy)

Clyde is doing an amazing job at leading the church. He was chosen by default to lead this church and he finds it a challenge to be called "Pastor" but until another can be found, he is trying hard to do the best he can in leading these people into relationship with Jesus.

We found ourselves with a major setback and dissappointment as the youth leader had fallen into sin with his girlfriend and has since stepped down. We are (the leaders) pretty dissappointed and yet know that God is in control! We all have to step up to do more now and yet we feel that God will be showing us new leaders that maybe we wouldn't have seen if this hadn't happened.

On the other hand we are saddend at the fact that our "leaders" are struggling with sin and they are wearing masks. This culture has nosense to a call to purity. Christian or not. We have been sharing with the girls group a lot lately and we just pray that the seeds are falling on ready soil! Please pray for us to have wisdom and discernment in these areas.

On the family front...

Clyde's Dad, Bryan was planning on being with us the first part of July through September, but at the last minute had to cancel plans due to his dad slowing down to lung cancer. We are sad that everything changed for a sick Grampa, but we trust again that God is in control. We are praying for Grampas last days to be painfree and for him to let Jesus Christ into his life in his last days.

We are feeling a bit homesick these days with the news, but keep pressing onward.

The kids are growing leaps and bounds. Maddy and Makenna are doing school wth our Canadian neighbor Amanda who is 5 yrs old. I teach them 4 days a week and so far they are catching on to reading, writing and arithmetic!!!!!

Nate is starting to communicate in both Portuguese and English! He has an equal amount of words in both!

1. Fish or Peixe(Peh-shee) 2.Daddy 3. Mom 4. Barco(Bar-coh) =boat 5. Pare (Pah-de) = stop 6.Caf =coffee

7. Bum(fanny) 8. Aviao (Ah-vee-ao) = airplane

He points and pulls you to whatever it is he wants in the fridge or of anything of interest! Running out of room! Blessings Kelsie

June 14

Update for June

We are passing through the "Big City" to get a few supplies and internet errands done. I am sorry that I didn't have enough time to really do a good blog with photos. My computer has been sick and not able to use it, but thank goodness we have computer doctor, Steve Dolan to cure all alments. The puter is doing better and I'll beable to do a better job next trip in July.

Currently we are here to get the Columbus Ohio Vineyard team that comes annually and we are hitting the river tomorrow bright and early to do river ministry in many river villages. Nearly 7 villages that have churches or small groups and leaders. ALL need major encouragment and that is what we plan on doing! So be praying for us as we travel with the team. There is no danger or course, just that the visits will be encouraging and inspiring and that God's arm will be extended to the people through us. We want to extend love and mercy, grace and peace!

Clyde and I will be home Saturday with the kids and life continues on there in the Praiao church of Porto de Moz. Everyday is busy with groups and studies. Clyde and I are doing the "Married's Group". It is going okay. We have been awaiting a book called "Fighting for Your Marriage" to teach these couples and they are in hand and we are looking forward to working through it with them.

We have one couple in perticular who is on the rocks. She was raised die hard Catholic as was he, but in March he gave his whole heart to Jesus and was baptized and we see a transformation in him. His wife is not yet saved and really struggling. We are loving on them as much as we can. They are a beautiful young couple with a little girl who is just a beautiful as they are with a sweet spirit. Please pray with us that God will protect this family until the day she realizes that she can't live another day without Jesus, our redeemer, Prince of Peace , Counselor and all the other marvalous names He IS!

Clyde and I are also approaching the big 10 wedding anniversary this coming week! In the 10 years we have had some great times, memories and difficulties and trying times. But Jesus is in the midst and we are so blessed to be where we are in Him and with each other.

I look forward to the next 10. I know that raising kids is a tough job and that is the part I want to be solid in with Clyde.

Clyde's little sister is in labor waiting to deliver twins. PLEASE PRAY FOR A SAFE DELIVERY AND....GRACE EVERYDAY HERE AFTER FOR THEM!!!!

We don't know the sexes of the babies yet...maybe you'll all find out before we do since we are leaving in just a few hours. ACtually I have to get to sleep as it is nearly 2am and I am rushing to get this to you all!

Blessings, Kelsie and Family

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April 29

Family Times

Every time I look back at pictures of the kids, I am reminded of how fast they change and grow up! I am still stumped as is humanity at why we can't enjoy them and hold on to each precious and annoying time we have with them.

Our family is growing before our eyes and it's an exciting time.

Makenna is 6 and really blooming! She is very outgoing, independant, determined and smart. She has lost her first few teeth in the last several months. Now she is looking like a little jack-o-latern when she smiles, but it is a sweet smile! She has a hard time talking without her top tooth in yet so it's quite comical to hear her speak!

She is getting more responsible. She has picked up on several Brazilian habits(good ones that is). First thing in the morning she gets up and brushes her teeth and washes her face. She enjoys going on her new bike anywhere I need her to to pick up groceries and has been very good about watching out for others on the street and using her manners in the stores! IN PORTGUESE MIND YOU!

She is homeschooling and for the most part is doing really well. She enjoys reading to me and getting better everyday!

She loves to mother her sister and brother and from time to time gets a yelling from me cause she is so bossy towards them. But she means well usually!

She loves to help cook now and very proud of the fact that she can cook her own egg(with Mom's or Dad's help) and almost cries these days if I don't let her do something when it comes to fixing meals! So, I am learning to be more patient with her and allow for her to make messes and mistakes! I know that I won't regret it in the future!

Maddy is 4 and is a sweet little stick of dynamite! She is getting more in touch with her feelings and understanding how others feel when they are left out or not welcome but has no problem telling a neighbor kid to leave. We're still working on that one. She is into making ALOT OF NOISE right now! She loves to sing opera in the bathroom at top volume and usually when people are trying to talk. She loves to copy Nates noises, but her's are 10X's as loud.

She is a worshipper. Several times I see her treated away from the rest of the kids sitting on her bed singing in Portg or English or both and singing her heart out to Jesus. One day I saw her sitting on the bed looking out the window and singing in Portg "Eu Ti Amo Jesus" over and over. She loves to dance to the music the youth play and because we live next to the church, she can dance all the time at home in the living room and just listen to the music coming from the church. She drops everything to change her outfit so that she can have a twirrly dress or skirt on and dance. But she really has potential to dance. She is pretty graceful!

She is smart and homeschooling too! She picks up on math skills faster than Big Sister!

Nate will be 20 months May 4th. He is a happy little boy! Always wakes(well almost always) with a smile on his face. He loves his Momma!

He loves his sisters too! He loves to bath in the rain, play all day and trying to talk. He says a few words in English and a few in Portguese.

In English he can say, Mama, Dad, Wawa(water) In Portg he says (PEY) Peixe(fish) and (OW) Aviao(Airplane)

We are so blessed to raise our kids here. For them to have this opportunity. The girls remember things about the States and we enjoy remembering with them. Makenna remembers so much it is hard to believe it! There is something inside her that misses her cousins and wants to go to school with them. But I keep telling her that if Jesus wants us to come home to the States, He'll lead us back home in the right time! But for now, we feel God's hand on us to do His work here.

April 28

Intervinha 2007

We came to Altamira this weekend to attend the first regional Intervinha conference for the North of Brazil. It's purpose was to encourage all our Vineyard church planting pastors and wives in the North region. Well, the only ones planting Vineyard churches is the Xingu Mission and a friend of the XM, Buck Schmidt in Macapa. It was so exciting to see how a little seed has grown into such a huge crop and how much more it will grow. In 10-12 years the Mission has planted 21 churches along the Xingu Basin.

We had the priviledge of having the Director of Latin America Vineyard, Fernando and his wife Nora come from Venezuela to share about church planting according to the book of Acts. It was neat to see the Brazilians soaking up as much as they could.

We spent 3 nights and 3 days together worshiping, hearing and reading the word together, hearing testimonies and frustrations of ministry as well as a special night of how the Vineyard movement started on the Xingu and all the wonderful miracles and testimonies that have come out of it. God brought the key men and women together to till the ground and sew the seeds and we feel the spiritual climate is ready to reap the harvest! It is an exciting time right now and we are so excited to be apart of this movement!

The picture you see of the group shot is the whole group(with exception of just a few, maybe 6 or so who didn't make it or weren't in the photo)who came far and wide to be at the conference. All these people are pastors, church planters or missionaries(foreign and national)

Please pray with us as we seek the Holy Spirit in reaching the unreached in this region.

Next year there is a plan to meet nationally in Altamira and see our national Vineyard churches from the south come up for a special time in 2008!

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Team Alberta

We just had a wonderful team from High River Full Gospel in Alberta Canada come. A team of 11 with men and women initially coming as a work team but denied by the Brazilian government to work. They had many disappointments but God wanted them to come and minister not work.

So they came and everything was a faith builder for them.

The team was wonderful. We split the team up amoungst our homes and Clyde and I got 2 ladies and the Team leaders, Jim and Sharon and a young gal who did a short term a few years ago, Camy.

Clyde traveled with the team on the river for 4 days and when they got back we traveled to Altamira to see them off.

God sent them to edify the Brazilians and to build us up too. I was so blessed by everyone. They all helped out so much. If there was just one dirty dish in the sink, someone was washing it!

Thanks you guys, You were such a blessing. It was a pleasure to have you all and we look forward to seeing some of you again!!!

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Easter and Souls

This year was different as we are now with a whole new batch of friends and a new missionary team.

The Saturday before we had an egg dying party with the girls group and that was fun. We taught on the colors and thier significanses and that is wasn't all about bunnies and candy as they have come to known over the years. I shared abit and several girls asked for prayer to re-dedicate thier lives to Jesus. It was a powerful time in such a simple way. I was shocked at how easy it was to share and have them recieve into thier lives the Lord in a more serioius way. Thank you Lord!

Then Sunday, we planned a special lunch and hunt at Kevin and Angie's house. Well, the day before was a really sad day for Angie as Kevin was away in Santerem with Richie looking for another mission boat. Angie found thier dog had died and she was so heart broken about it. So with Kevin and Richie gone and not due back until Sunday night, Clyde and the neighbor BRazilian boys helped Angie bury Cheffy!

Angie said, "let's still have lunch here" "Cheffy may have died, but Jesus Lives!" or something to that extent. So Clyde hide some 50 eggs for Makenna, MAddy and Amanda to find(oh, and the little brothers, Nate and Hezikiah too) In just a few short moments, the kids had found ALL of them eggs and Makenna was heart broken cause she wanted to find more and Amanda found the most.

It was a fun time until the egg seperation had to be done. The girls races so fast with thier sacks that most of the eggs were broken and a egg salad mess. Note to self-ASK FOR SOMEONE TO SEND US PLASTIC EGGS NEXT YEAR!!!!!

OH-The most important news of all this Resurrection weekend was that Makenna and MAddy both invited Jesus to live in their hearts.

I was reading the Bible and the story of Jesus living on the earth and how He ministered to the people and then how He died on the cross.

The story was broken up into 2-3 days. By the day of the resurrection, Makenna stopped me after the story and said " Mom? I don't know that I will go to heaven." I had been teary as I read to passages from the Bible of how Mary was in the Garden and the Angel spoke to her. Makenna had understood the story fully and realized that it meant something more than just telling a story. I felt the Holy Spirit in such a gentle way when she made that statement. What a priviledge it was to share with my girls and have them invite the Lord Jesus into thier hearts. If I felt that excited about it for my girls, how much more excited God gets when sinners come to Him for Salvation.

That night at church, the short play the youth did was very powerful. The Holy Spirit came in such a powerful way. More than normal and since then our youth want to pray, seek God and sit in His presence. Before the church didn't even have any ministry time after the message. But now, they hunger for it and we see the Lord really entering many of these kids' lives and doing a work. Little steps in allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way and yet seeing the practical put in motion!

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Couples Ministry

I have an album I entitled "Couples Ministry" and I wanted to just share in this blog who these couples are. These couples put together a BBQ every Saturday on thier own to just hang out and fellowship. This particular Saturday we went, all the kids were so smiley for me and wanted me to take tons of pictures of them as they were fascinated with the fact that they could see thier photo instantly. For this reason I have a lot of photos of the kids. But they are so easy to take good pictures of!

Anyways, the couples here are the ones we are mentoring and some of the couples are not pictured as they didn't come or left before I got a pictures of them. All of them are gems and we are developing our own relationships first and as we gain trust we feel we'll have the freedom to speak into thier lives and share our own experiences with them to encourage them.

Ne and Sheila are a couple who have a heart to evangelize. Ne is the project manager for the water filter project. He loves to deliver the filters as it gives him a chance to share the living water with the river folks. He is smart, soft spoken and gentle as a dove. He just turned 30 and finds opportunities arising to be ministering more.

Renato and Celinalva are another couple who have been in ministry but are on the sidelines right now. Renato is in his late 20's and a natural. He has ushered many to salvation and Celinalva has a sweet, shy side, but very much a lover of Jesus. We desire to raise them up stronger than before and see them bloom in the ministry God has for them.

Adiriu and Adrianna are a sweet couple. At age 24, Adeiru is the Maranatha 3 boat caretaker/captain. He travels with every water filter trip, ministry trip and team that uses the boat. He is quiet and yet we see potential over him and Adriana to be leaders.

3 other couples are involved, but just getting to know them. One couple I forgot thier names as they are not easy ones, they have 4 kids and have a very sweet disposition about them. We look forward to getting to know more about them and we ask that you keep them in prayer.

We desire God to use us to encourage and strengthen thier walks together and in the Lord.

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New Ministries Opening

Since Cristoval, God has really opened up some new ministries for us. Clyde starts his day at 6am making coffee for the men's bible study at 630am Monday-Friday. It has been a good discipleship kind of group. Mainly the workers of the filter project and others who have jobs. Monday nights he also started a Men's bible study and has been faithful in that for several weeks now. Together we have started a couples ministry group and train up couples to have small groups in their homes. But for now we are just starting and laying the foundation for what we feel could be a great root system for future leaders and getting the couples strong in marriage and in thier faith.

I have started a few girls groups with a little help. I was dragging my feet cause I wasn't prepared to carry the load and have a family to care for as well. But God knows the perfect timing for everything. He provided the willing hands and hearts and together we are making a difference in the girls' lives who I had had a burden for but didn't know how to facilitate the burden. So with Rachelle, our single missionary from Saskatoon, Canada and Suziele, our Brazilian prayer warrior, we have a group and have had 3 weeks with them. I'm also discipling several girls from new believers to girls who are just needing some spiritual enforcement to be better leaders.

I was really nervous about actually commiting, but God has given the grace and the wisdom so far to do His work.

I was praying for many months and even back in the States to open up the right place for me and He has done it and more.

The church we are helping has also asked me oversee the worship ministries and that was really close to my heart.

I now understand where my worship leader back home comes into challenges practically with sound, harmony or the lack of and just dynamics to usher in the presence of God into the worship times. I have little desire to play an instrument in front of anyone, but to teach, encourage and train is really what I feel the Lord has given me to share the years of experience and give it away!

Thank you Lewis Crownover for your influence in my life and thank you for pushing me(encouraging me) even when I didn't feel it was in me. I guess there was something that dropped in!

Lord, give me wisdom to teach, train, encourage and support these youth to be all that You have created them to be!

Continue to lead Clyde and I in the areas of ministry You have given us. Give us Your words, Your heart and Your love to love on these people who You are raising up as leaders to make an impact on the earth for Your name!!!!!

AMEN!!

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March 15

Cristoval 2007

CRISTOVAL 2007

Brazil is reknown for Carnival that is equivalant to "Mardi Gras". Lots of party, alcohol, drugs and sex. In this culture in Brazil, it is the holiday just before Ash Wednesday to allow a time to "repent" for all the human desires that came out during the weekend!

The Xingu Mission came up "Cristoval" or (Christ-o-val) to load up the mission boat and take anyone who could fit up to the mission ranch on the river to retreat and have a time with worship, an encounter with the Lord and get away from the mess in the city.

Over the years it has turned into a youth event more than anything and great opportunity for them to invite thier unsaved friends.

This year we had split up the region and had 2 seperate Cristovals. One in Altamira and one at the ranch on the river near Porto de Moz.

Both were a great success. Our time with the Porto de Moz group was good. We had a team from the States to minister with thier Pastor Danny and his wife Penny Meyer from Sunbury Ohio and Pastor Steve Osbourne from Newark, Ohio.

A TESTIMONY

Just 4 days before arriving in Porto de Moz, our house was broken into by a youth boy and his friend. This youth had gone on a river trip to minister with Clyde a few months before we came home on furlough. It seems that things got rough for him and he moved out of his house and moved in with a new friend who's parents(mom and step-dad) are ring leaders for robbing houses. The youth boy came under the wrong influence and gave into allowing them to get into our home. When we found out it was him, we were very shocked and dissappointed, but began to pray that God would do something through this situation. I prayed also for our house that we wouldn't feel any sense of violation. God answered our prayers all the way through! We arrived and felt no violation at all! The girls were who I was concerened about the most and they have felt nothing. The youth boy got introuble and came running back to the church. He went to Cristoval and rededicated his life to the Lord. That was an amazing moment, very emotional for us. We forgave him and were blessed to see him surrender his life again. He is doing well and recently his sister was saved and baptised!

Thank you Jesus for all your faithfulness.

A NEW HARVEST

Since Cristoval we have seen several youth get saved. We had a baptism service at the beach and baptised 30 new believers. Now the discipleship begins and we look forward to the new crop of potential leaders.

WAYS TO PRAY

The churches in Porto de Moz are going through some transition time and some of it is squeezing and refining. A part of it is really challenging as we don't want to suck out the culture, but bring to life the things that Jesus taught and commands us to do. Please pray for Clyde as he is being put in a new territory to pastor and mentor a new church of mainly youth. This is a very lively bunch with a lot of potential but lacking in spiritual disciplines.

Thanks for you love and support and we thank you for your prayers. They are really vital to us being effective here!

Blessings, Kelsie

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January 13

Readjusting

I can't just not blog about some stuff. I have been blessed with a new camera and my eyes see things I can't pass up. So I pray you are blessed with the photos I put on. You can get a glimps of the life we live here. Maddy is in a wood igloo that the Bergen kids and Kubacki kids made one day. It is really the coolest thing I have seen.

Nate is seen with our dear Cleide getting reunited and with no effort at all to feel loved. Cleide has such a sweet spirit and loves my kids(all our kids) so much that I am just blessed to see Nate take back to her as if we never left!

Makenna and Nate have a really sweet relationship. She is such a Mama and yet genuinely loves her brother to the point that if something happens, she gasps before I do.

Our readjustment has been good. The kids have done remarkable. Maddy didn't speak Portuguese and it still having a slow go, but lips the words in Portguese. So funny, where as Makenna only forgot a few words and just went for it once back! I am so proud of both of them.

Our language is pretty good. Just wish we could of arrived at this stage 2 1/2 yrs ago rather than speachless. Now we are reconnecting and getting reaquainted with all our friends. We were missed and we missed them.

Enjoy the pics and I'll be sending more as we visit Altamira to update!

Blessings, Kelsie

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Our Time in the States

Going home was a long time awaited. We didn't feel totally culture shocked. Lots of people asked. The only shock we felt was the cold LA weather when we got in. I think it was 60 degrees, but felt like 30! The other shock was the intesity of LA itself. It is a whole other world within the Country. Nice to visit and nice to leave! But if God called us to live there, I suppose I'd adapt somehow.

Seeing family after so long was great. Hugging them and talking and getting caught up was great. We enjoyed eating out, going to the beach, going to the snow again and feeling the fresh air. Not feeling sticky once was a nice break.

Our holidays were great and we really enjoyed being with all the cousins and seeing how much the grew and how our kids blended in. They all did well and enjoyed eachother.

We stayed with Clyde's sister, Charity and husband Matt for our 7-8 weeks while there in Grants Pass, and let me just say, we were so blessed by them. Thank you guys for your hospitality. We already miss you guys.

The girls were able to go to school at Grace Preschool for the time we were there as well. Worked out great and I want to thank Debbie Dennis and all her staff for the wonderful time we had. It ended all too soon, but Makenna is enjoying doing homeschool now. Maddy misses Mrs Danae, but I will try my best to fit into those shoes.

We walked away with a great experience and that was the goal. Thanks a million!

Our time with all the family was well needed and now that we are back we feel ready and refreshed.

We have taken a big breath here in Altamira and we are gearing up for the final journey to Porto de Moz which is an all night boat ride (10 hours by boat). We leave Monday afternoon and get in around 5am.

Coming back to Brazil was uneventful. We had a smooth time and yet traveling with kids under 6 isn't a cake walk, but it went okay and I am glad that part is over.

I understood how much I missed the food here and the culture and Clyde agreed. We are happy to say that we belong here until God chooses! Our mission family greeted us at the airport in overwhelming numbers. I got choked up seeing all the happy faces and how many people dropped what they were doing to come and see us home. We love our mission family!

Well, Nate is crying and my time is up for the update. But will try and update again before we leave!

Thanks to everyone who supports us in prayer and finances. We are excited to get back to work!

Thanks to our family and all your love and support. We miss you and love you!

Thank you Jesus for choosing us to be the ones to go!

Blessings to you, Kelsie and Family

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December 21

Packing up and Heading South

Well, our time here has been great in the States and yet it is closing in on us.

We have had a wonderful time seeing friends and having time with family. The girls have really enjoyed being with the cousins and having an ongoing party. Anyone who knows our girls knows that they love to party!!!

Nate is really coming out in his personality, telling me in so many grunts what it is he wants. He gives "Tim, the tool man Taylor" a run for his money in the way he grunts over anything remotely tool or manly!!! It is hilarious!!!

Now our days are filled with packing and shopping for those last minute things we want to take along!

We have been blessed by so many people financially. Thank you to all of you (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!) and a huge thanks to those who helped give us a projector to take back to the people to show the JEsus film!!!!! We are so excited about this!

I'll sort through all my pics and set up a highlights blog when I probably get back to Altmamira!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

Kelsie

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