Pirenópolis

"Moooooooove!"  The cows on the path stayed there

causing us to stop the car.  We could have reached

out the window and pet them.  But those horns 

on the white cow looked sharp so we rolled up the windows.

Us on the ropes course!  

 We made it!!!! Thank You God!    Now time for waffles!

 Breakfast looked so good!

 A waterfall we saw on the way home. Check out these roots below!

We went to Pirenópolis this past weekend.  We went to a farm there and took a walk through the forest, swam in some natural pools, walked on a ropes course and ate waffles! It was so much fun!  But to get there we had to pass through some cows blocking the way. Thankfully they mooooved without much fuss.

The mission trip to Cavalcante

Hotdogs! I was reminded of Georgia!

This is the "church" we built from the trash.

The local church in Cavalcante.

In August we took a day trip with a group from church to a small town called Cavalcante. This town seemed to be in the middle of nowhere.  It took us 4 hours by bus to get there.  We were doing a follow up visit with the local church in Cavalcante.  The pastor at this Presbyterian church is just starting out there.  He and his church have visited every home in the community.  In June our church went there to partner with them to do a survey of the needs. Medical needs, food needs, those interested in learning more about salvation through Jesus, ect. Then in July a team of doctors, dentists and others went back to address the needs discovered in June. Our visit in August was to follow up with the homes that had said they wanted to know more about how to read the Bible and learn who Jesus is.

JP and I went with a man from our church to visit homes.  These homes were so poor. It was hard to tell who lived in which home because they came in and out of each other's home like it was their own. JP and Marcus lead the people through an introduction of how to read the Bible.  I found myself outside with the children building a "church" out of trash. We established where the door was and windows. 

 It was hot. When I went back inside from the sun a boy came to the door calling for the lady with the yellow shirt to come back out.  That was me. So, we continued adding to the "church."  As we were leaving some of the boys said, "They are leaving.  We can finish working on it."  

It was beautiful to see the body of Christ working together to reach a community and encourage a local church.  -Kimberly

Rafters are up!

Building the barn.

Posts are up. We got lots of lumber today. Next is building the roof.

3rd year anniversary in NC

We just celebrated our third year anniversary in Asheville, NC. Great time hiking and white water rafting. We have been so blessed in our three years of marriage so far : ) 

Swim across lake

Coach Batista and friends swim across the lake. 600 meters each way. Nice Saturday work out : )

Our first marathon

  Today Kimberly and I ran in the city marathon celebrating Brasília's aniversary. But we didn't run a whole marathon... this was a team event, so thankfully we only had to run 5.4km. The course was very tough with long hills, but we made it no problem. Fun times. Here is us with some friends at the finish line.

JP birthday party

Great time with family and friends!

Niece number 3!

Thank You God for the Nix family!
Welcome to the world baby Nix! We are so glad you are here!
love, Uncle JP and Aunt Kimberly

Easter Weekend Thank you God for Jesus!

JP's birthday dinner with family!












Time in Caldos Novas!






This Easter weekend we went to Caldos Novas with Claudia and her friend. We spent 2 full days there going to a hot water park called Di Roma. Every night the water from these pools is emptied and fresh hot water is added. Some pools are hotter than others. My favorite part was the water slide! Yeah, a hot water slide! We also celebrated JP's birthday with a chocolate cake, swimming, volley ball, pizza with family in the evening, and a thank You to God for JP. :)
Easter morning JP and I drove back to Brasilia for church at the International Baptist Church. They speak English there and many of our friends from school attend the church. After the service there was a potluck lunch. So, we had foods from all over the world. It was so good. That evening we went to church at IPN our usual church and they had a beautiful Easter service. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was presented. How exciting to worship a living savior who was not defeated by death and so as to remain dead. But who came to life just as He said he would! Now there is hope for us in His name. How great the humility and intense the love Jesus has. I think He is very brave to take on all that He did just to restore God's relationship with man, His creation. A quote from the musical stood out to me. "It was not the nails that held Jesus to the cross it was His love." His love for you my friend and for me.
Because He lives we can face tomorrow. Because He lives we have hope for today and eternity in His name.

Easter sunrise on our drive back home. The biggest chocolate egg I've ever seen! Thank you Claudia!