I can hardly believe it's been so long since we published an update on our blogsite. Please forgive us! Todd has been posting updates about the house construction on a connected blog site, but I haven't had much on here about our family and ministry.
These last 6 months have been crazy. Here are some things that we've been up to since the last post.
 |
| Todd praying with one of his Bible Study boys |
- We started construction on our house September 1st and are praying that today will be the last day with the construction workers. They are laying down the concrete for the sidewalk today and we as a family plan on celebrating tonight by eating supper over there tonight. The painters still have to finish, and there are of course a myriad of projects that we will be completing to get the house ready for move in. We hope to move in the end of January/beginning of February. God is to be praised! Financially, the Lord provided through a loan through Todd's parents. We had no real idea how much it was going to cost. We hoped that the amount we borrowed from them would be enough, but we thought we'd have to cut lots of corners (not paint the house, only finish one bathroom, not lay tile on the floors, etc.) but the Lord stretched our money. It has been amazing to see how we have spent way less on this house than if we had purchased a house and remodeled it to be usable (i.e. have a ceiling and a good bathroom). We are so grateful to the Lord!
- In October I (Julie) had some difficulties with the pregnancy and had to have two procedures done. One was to try to prevent miscarriage. Thankfully the surgery was a success and the issues have been resolved. I was on bed rest off and on for a couple months, but since about month 4, I have been free to do whatever needs to be done here at home with discernment. The pregnancy is going very well now and we are expecting little baby girl to arrive late April/early May. Please pray for continued health and safety. The doctor does want me to move to Fortaleza in March so that we can be in town, just in case. It is standard for a missionary to be in town 6 weeks before, but the doctor wants me there 2 months early.
- In November the Lord opened the door for a Ladies' Bible study to start. We have been using the Firm Foundations book from Goodseed Publishing, which is a chronological study of the Bible. Between 3 and 6 women show up weekly, and several of them have invited family to come. Please pray for us to find a day that works for everyone. One of the ladies is finishing highschool, so she can't come during the week and another can't do it on the weekends.
Christmas Program with Children from Kid's Club
- In December we worked on a Christmas program with the children involved in Kid's Club. It was a lot of fun and several parents came, including all of the Bible study ladies.
- Neuma, the Brazilian lady raising support to come work here in Croatá, has had some pledges for support. That has been encouraging for her. We plan to go with her to several churches in Fortaleza while we are there waiting for baby to come. It would be wonderful to have her move here by the middle of the year.
- We are praying for the Lord to show us the correct timing for starting a Sunday School and Sunday evening Bible study with adults. That Bible study would eventually turn into a church service. We were all excited to start now in January, but now with the baby coming and us having to be out of town for a couple of months, we have decided to wait until probably June to start it. We are planning on converting an existing old garage on our property into a covered area with a bathroom that could be used for services. We also have a project for church set up: chairs/benches, Bibles and songbooks, a little sound system and microphones. We dream about a projector, but that may be something down the line.
- Tomorrow we head into Fortaleza to welcome our new coworkers Ray and Debbie Pete. They will be here for 6 months assisting the missionaries. It will be wonderful having them here in Croatá for the month of February. We will also have my parents come down for welcoming the baby, and then another friend from our homechurch in Kansas.
- So the timeline is like this for this Spring. But we must remember that the plans are made by man, but it is the Lord who brings them to pass. We ask for your prayers for the Lord to accomplish His purpose and that we will be flexible.
- January 18--Welcome Petes
- February--Petes at our home, work on construction of the covered area for meetings, perhaps host a work team from a church in Fortaleza
- March/April--move to Fortaleza waiting for baby, work with Neuma with meetings for her support
- Late April/Early May--Baby Arrives, hopefully my parents will be here for that
- Late May--welcome our friend from Kansas and move back to Croatá
- June or July--restart other Bible studies and start Sunday school and Sunday Evening Bible Study.
We love and miss you all.
Todd and Julie Hendry
