Brunch With Bev
It won't be long before John and Bev Leonard leave to go to their new ministry in Brazil! Ladies, you are invited to attend a farewell "Brunch with Bev" on Saturday, May 12th, at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Bev will be sharing how God led them to this ministry, what their new ministry involves, and how we can pray for their family. We will be giving Bev a gift during the program. You will have opportunity during community groups this coming Sunday, April 15th, to give toward that gift, and to write a note of encouragement for a scrapbook that Carol Byrd is putting together for Bev. Please come prepared this Sunday evening and join us at this special brunch on May 12th! Questions can be directed to Carol Byrd, Deb Pehl, Darlene Whims, or Lynn Ober.
Rachel Swanson (Liberia, Africa)
Happy Easter! I'm so glad that we serve a risen Savior. So many things have happened these past few weeks to be thankful for. I wish I was back home to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior with all of you, but I'm also excited to celebrate it with our Brother's and Sisters in Liberia. Praise God.
Christie and I have really been encouraged with teaching. We finally feel that our students are grasping some concepts and we aren't continually “beating” them. Maintaining order is a full time job, but we've worked around some of the “beating” and have them pump tires and do squats against the walls instead. I've started doing reading in the classroom and they are really catching on with the sounds of the letters and having fun in the process. It's cute when the students that we've had to discipline still come up to us during the day with a smile and a hug. Also, just this past week I've started teaching a boy in ABC's how to read. His name is Jack-Jack. I mentioned it to him one night and he was shy and didn't really respond except by nodding his head that he was interested in learning how to read. The next day he came running up to me and said, “Rachel, reading lesson?” We've had three lessons so far and he's a determined little guy.
There is some ways that Christie and I have been changing our spending habits on. One is transportation. American's usually charter a taxi for when they go into town which is kind of expensive when we have them all day and have to pay them by the hour. We now go into town the Liberian way. We walk to a market place called the “Estates” which is about 2-3 miles away. Then we hop on a “bus” (more like a van) which is packed full of people and make the bumpy ride into town. Once in town we hail down a local taxi, which is again packed full to the limits, and go to the place we want. Usually there are three of us going to town, Christie, a Liberian and me. For all three of us it costs only a little over U.S. to get into town, plus we are getting a feel more of the culture. It's always an exciting time. Once on the way back from town we went to the place where we could catch a bus back to the Estates. There was a line of people wanted to catch a bus and were already filling up all the vans that were on the curb. We walked past the crowd and down the street a little more. An empty bus was pulling up and the guy that was in it waved at us to get to the front of the line where they were pulling their van up and that we could ride in that bus. We had a problem at the line between the man that was guiding the line and letting people in, and the man that told us we had a ride. Eventually we did end up getting on, but I knew it was just because we were Americans that we didn't have to go back to the end of the line. A couple men were having an argument in the bus as we got started and the word “American's” was mentioned. The rest we couldn't understand. When we got off we asked the girl that we were with what they were talking about. She said that the 1st guy was upset because he didn't think it was fair that we as Americans got to get on and not wait in line. He thought that since we were visiting we should do things culturally and respect their ways. Man #2 said that maybe it was different culturally for us and not to be too quick to judge. They couldn't agree so they agreed to change the subject and talk about football instead. I had felt guilty the whole way home, but also I was relieved that we had gotten a bus to the Estates before dark. There are many times when Christie and I feel white and that was one of them.
Thank-you for your prayers. It's encouraging to hear from my parents how many questions they are getting about Christie's and my trip and how many of you are continually praying for our health and well being. At the 2 month period I was having a day where a lot of things were reminding me about home and I was kind of missing it a lot. Mom and I had talked for maybe 10 minutes, but the calling card ran out before much was said. It seems every time I start feeling sorry for myself, God is always faithful in bringing something or someone into my life which puts my life into perspective and realize how blessed I am. Right after Mom and I had lost connection, there was a knock on our front door and Comfort had come with one of her friends saying that she had a sore. I told her to come in. It was dark and when I saw her sore, and then saw her eyes glazed over with tears, I realized the sore was just an excuse and she really needed to get something off her heart. I asked her what was wrong and big teardrops started dripping down her cheeks and all she said was, “I miss my mom.” I wrapped her in my arms feeling awful and very selfish when I had just talked with my own mother who was alive, breathing, well, and loved me, and here I was hugging poor Comfort whose mother had been killed by a rebel and I could do nothing. I held her for a few minutes, prayed, and then walked her back to her dorm. I am powerless to keep life; but I can be powerful, in Christ,
in my response to life. Be in prayer for me with that.
Christie and I have been blessed with talking with some of the older girls about their Faith. Please be praying for openness and honesty with them. A lot of the African culture is filled with how to Worship God and there is so much we can learn from them with their faith and prayer. Also, though, I think sometimes the relationship with Christ can be overlooked, especially with so many kids, and a lot of the children just know God as a way of life, but not intimately. This Easter weekend we are going to have a sport camp weekend with another organization which I think will be powerful. The man that is leading it is so full of passion for the Lord and faith that God will do what He says He will do. Christie is going to be sharing her testimony and we are going to be involved with helping all weekend. Please be in prayer that many lives will be changed and that it will open doors for in the future interaction with the kids.
This weekend Christie and I came into town and stayed with a married couple that Christie knew from her past trip here. They have a house here and we are welcome to come anytime and stay. We call it our haven of rest. It's been a time of sweet rest and fellowship. We were treated to pancakes and a fruit salad one of the mornings and all Christie and I could do was drool. So good….Rainy season starts this next month. That will be really interesting as we have already had some spells of some intense rain. It cools everything down, but also makes bug life all the more
interesting. It will really be an adventure to trek into town….
The Lord is working on my heart in many ways. I think these next 5 months will be filled. In many ways I feel that our time has been short here, but then so much has already happened. I'm looking forward to getting more into the lives of the kids. There is so much more to touch.
Thank-you again for your prayers and letters. I love you all so much.
Rachel
Leonards (Brazil) - Official Medical Clearance
Dear Prayer Team,
Thank you so much for your prayers!! Just this past Wednesday, March 28th, John received official medical clearance from the staff (pictured above) at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado!! When John asked the question, "Can I go back to Brazil in May?" at our final conference Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Maureen Preston (see above--blue jacket) responded, "I would say, have at it!!!" We were overjoyed to hear those words, to say the least!! They did a thorough check-up on John--tried everything to find something that wasn't right, but once again, the Lord was good and they gave him a "clean bill of health." Please thank the Lord together with us for this wonderful answer to prayer.
Continue to pray as Jerrod and Bev will make quick journeys to Brazil to take care of visa documentation, and also make sure that all is in place for our move to Brazil in May. They will travel separately since we both help out a lot with caring for John.
We greatly appreciate your prayers on our behalf for safety on the roads and also for strength for our speaking engagements. All of our meetings have been such a blessing--it would be hard to pinpoint a "highlight" since each one was unique and God continues to use John for His glory. Our schedule is slacking off now somewhat and we will be able to concentrate more on packing/preparing for our trip. Although it will be different, we are confident that the Lord will see us through and give us wisdom as we go forward with this endeavor. Our plans are for the entire family to go down to Brazil together, and then the boys will be coming back after a week's stay. They will help us get moved and all settled in.
Here is what our up-coming schedule looks like:
April 10th ”Bible study at Employer's Mutual, Des Moines, IA
April 11-13th ”Conference—Tabernacle Baptist, Coralville, IA
April 15th ”Floris Baptist Church, Floris, IA
April 16th ”IARBC conference, First Baptist Church, Creston, IA
April 22nd ”First Baptist Church, Creston, IA
April 29nd Senior night for Jerrod--Saylorville Baptist Church, Des Moines, IA
You are a vital part of our ministry!! Thank you!
Sincerely in Christ,
John and Bev Leonard
Taylors (Curitiba, Brazil) - Answer to Prayer
ANSWER TO PRAYER FOR THE PHIL TAYLORS:
MARCH 28, 2007
Thank you all for praying for Phil and MaryRuth over this past weekend with the special mtgs. held at the mother church, Calvary Baptist. God definitely gave me wisdom and strength to preach 4 messages on "Brokenness" - a necessary step for a life of commitment and faithfulness based on Psalm 51:17 along with 34:18.
On the last night of the conference which was Sunday night, God broke at least 20 hearts which included MaryRuth and myself along with Pr. Wilson and Helena, the pastor and wife of Calvary Baptist Church, along with the leadership of the church and several members. Praise the Lord for this tremendous answer to prayer! Amen! Alleluia! Amen! Please pray that each one of us would continue to seek daily before God to have a broken heart and contrite spirit. We are praying that this would be the beginning of a genuine revival at Calvary Baptist Church. Won´t you pray with us toward this end?!
Praising Our Merciful & Gracious Heavenly Father,
Phil & MaryRuth Taylor
Your Missionaries in Curitiba, Brazil with BMM
Evening Service & Community Groups
Evening Service & Community Groups will continue as scheduled. Please join us for a time of worship & fellowship.
Rachel Swanson (Liberia, Africa) - African Travelers
Hello from Liberia!
I am back from the ACFI conference in Buchanan. It was an experience in more ways than one. We got to try the true African way of traveling across the country...a loaded van with all the luggage on top, while we were swaying back and forth traveling at a good speed. Christie and I were in front with three other people, and the rest of the 20 some kids were sardined in the back. During the trip our noses picked up a pretty ranky smell from the back and there was alot of yelling to stop the van! The driver pulled over and all the kids piled out of the back and let the poor little boy run to the bushes. While we were stopped, the driver decided to check the engine which we had been sitting over in the front. (Christie has learned where the phrase "pants on fire" comes from as she sat right above the battery which was over heating.) As he pulled up the seat and unscrewed a cap, boiling oil spurted everywhere. He just poured in more oil, screwed the cap on and we were good to go. God was good in keeping us all in one piece.
The conference was good. There were three sessions a day, which in truth got rather long, especially when at least one of them never failed to go at least 4 hours if not 5. Great preaching and I was challenged in many ways just through my devotions in the morning as well. Christe and I have been putting our dancing shoes on! It's the African tradition to dance to the offering and also the worship. When I first attended a service all i did was clap. Now, the Lord has loosened my muscles and I have been turning my "happy feet" on. :) The older women loved to see that we were trying to adapt to there culture. One night when we came home from the last session, a lady who cooks for us was laughing with another women about how Christie and I dance. I guess Americans tend to do a lot with there shoulders....We told Kamah that she would have to teach us some moves, so the next night she found us during the offering and we praised the Lord with our dancing together. Since the conference was in under a tent with dirt, we all got the dust flying.
One day when we were walking back to the house that we were staying at, there was a crazy little old man that wanted some attention. He had a small build, was dressed like a girl in a black blouse and skirt and wearing flowers in is hair.Also, his eyes looked like he was in drugs. I just thought he was begging and couldn't catch all that he was saying. When he started to get too
close, almost touching us, I was thinking that a good self defense action might becoming in use. Before we had do actually confront him, one of the drivers from the conference was passing us, and I asked him if he would make sure the man wouldn't follow us home. When we got back to the house and explained the situation, we were told that he was the local crazy man and filled with demons. He has been that way since the war. We ran across him a couple others times, but didn't have to rebuke him in the name of Christ. During that week we ran across a few more cases like that one, and everyone's explanation for the case if that "they have been like that since the war. " It really opened my eyes to the spiritual warfare that is taking place down here and that I will need to have my "armor" on and be prepared for the fiery darts the devil's going to send my way. At the conference there was a Pastor that is Liberian who is from North Carolina where he is pastoring a church. He fled Liberia 12 years
ago, because the Rebels wanted his life. This was his first time back since he had fled so many years ago. We stayed in the same house as his family, and enjoyed many conversations with him. His testimony is phenomenal. He said that he recognized many people from so long ago. He even, just in that short time that he's been here in Liberia, has walked past people that he saw slaughter families, children, pastors...just for the sake of killing. He said that Liberia still has so much unforgiveness in their hearts and need deliverance from it. I can only imagine how hard it would be to see the person how killed your family everyday. A lot of bitterness. I can only think of how hard it was for Corrie Ten Boom to shake the hand of the Nazi officer how killed her sister, and look him in the eyes and forgive him.
We traveled back to Dixiville this past Monday. When we pulled up, it actually felt like home. I think we are getting settled! We celebrate our 1 month anniversary tomorrow. The ride home was almost even more eventful than the first, but I just might have to share that one when I get home. :)
School is on break until March 2nd. Christie and I already have our hands full with kids and forming and controlling our relationships
with them. we really feel a burden for the older girl and desire to start a bible study with them and get deeper into their lives. We are discovering though, it's very easy to "vex" them. (The Liberian way how they explain that they are angry.) It's hard to show each of them the attention and the friendship that they are hungry for. They each want to be "the" close one, and will get jealous or hurt over a very little thing. Pray for sensitivity. Wayne says that there has been a lot of abuse done to a lot of the girls at the orphanage, and I'm sure some of the girls are emotionally/physically scarred and are hurting inside. We don't want to leave these girls with just a surface friendship. We want to go where it hurts and where both our lives will be changed because of it. Your prayers are needed and such a blessing. Thank you. Not only that, but we are still very much involved with the younger kids. Combine the two and it's a little overwhelming. Wayne was there this past week and he had some words of wisdom. He said not to worry about loving every single kid. The ones that God wants us to love will just find their way to you. It's been very true. Not that we don't reach out, but also, there are some kids that are just attracted to Christie more that me, and visa versa. It's been a joy to discover all these unique individuals here. God is so good.
We made the adventurous trip into town today. Every day I have more and more respect for my little escort back at home. I didn't know that when I bought it I was buying an "all terrain" rugged vehicle. :) It's amazing what these cars go through down here and
still survive after one day of it. The drivers are hard core and would win any demolition derby. (correct my spelling all you car lovers out there!)
Again, there is so much to write down, but I look forward to updating you in the future. Thank you for the prayers. Love you all.
Rachel
Prov 27:1