Salt & Light - December 2009 Newsletter

Merry Christmas and warmest wishes for the new year. Words cannot truly express our gratefulness and appreciation for you and the way you have partnered with us through your encouragement, prayers, and financial giving. We could not reach and train the lost in Brazil to walk as Christ’s disciples without you and your partnership! We could not help this ministry and Church develop its own national leaders without God drawing men and women like you to give and pray to help see this work complete! Thank you so very much for your love and commitment!

This year was a difficult one for us and we have not communicated with you as we would have liked to. As we arrived from Brazil our heart and desire was to meet with you and minister to you as we share all that God has done in Brazil, but we arrived exhausted and unable to give that which we did not have. God has been so gracious to us as He has renewed our strength and souls as we have sought refuge and renewal in Him. Only in the last month have we begun to experience the needed capacity to move and look forward. Thank you for your grace and patience!

Since we have not been able to share with you throughout the year we thought a brief summary of the year was in order. Here is a recap of our year by season:

Spring

· After a particularly taxing season of ministry, we decided, together with our ministry leadership that it was a good time for our 1st sabbatical after over 11 years of ministry in Brazil.

· We divided up all my ministry responsibilities among three Brazilian staff. I was so pumped since that is exactly why we went to Brazil. For God to raise up Brazilian laborers for the lost world and now we have many! We are especially excited about an adult evangelistic Bible study that we began back in November with several parents of students from our campus ministry. Wellington has taken it and God has continued to grow it as many adults are coming to Christ.

· We packed up our home in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and put it all in storage. Whew! That was exhausting!

· Then we did what every good Brazilian does, we had a huge going away party with all our friends, staff, and church. It was so much fun!

· We arrived in Atlanta, GA to the cold and snow in shorts and flip flops. We didn’t even have coats. Wow, what an adjustment! We pretty much showed up with the clothes on our backs.

· We arrived eager but exhausted physically and emotionally! The heart was eager, but the flesh was weak.

· We started our time in the US visiting my parents in Atlanta, GA and Wendy’s parents in Branson, MO. It was so great to see them! It was especially wonderful for our children who have never had the opportunity to spend any extended time with their grandparents or extended family.

· We then decided to rent a house near my parents in Powder Springs, GA. My father was fighting with a terminal illness and it was a special opportunity for me and my family to have some special time with him and the rest of the family during this difficult time.

Summer

· Summer was a welcome sight for travelers from Brazil. We were thankful for the warmth, but the tornados and hail were a bit overwhelming and scary. We more than once, all piled into the closet under our stairs! We don’t have tornados in Brazil.

· I spent most of the summer helping my mom and dad as my dad’s health deteriorated. It was a special time of deep spiritual and heartfelt conversations. I am so thankful that God granted me this special time with he and my mom.

· My dad, Robert E. Long JR, died July 31, 2009 as a result of complications from pneumonia. He was a good man who gave his life trying to help others. I benefitted so much through his example of love and service. I had tried to prepare my heart for months for his approaching death, but I don’t think anyone can be really prepared. I am so thankful for God’s grace and strength which so lovingly sustained me and my family during this time. Thank you all for your help and understanding as we navigate this challenging time in the life of our family.

· At the end of the summer Wendy and I had to return to Brazil with John and Emmi to try and complete their immigration process. Unfortunately, they only approved them a green card and not their final citizenship. :( On the bright side at least they can travel freely now, but a still another process to complete their citizenship.

Fall

· Then it rained. And rained some more! I thought only tropical climates have monsoon seasons, but we had one in Georgia this year. Wow! 18-20 inches of rain in one 24 hour period! Yikes!

· The fall kicked off an important time of investment for us!

· Investing in our children through their schooling. We opted to place Luke (6th grade) at Cornerstone Prep Academy in Acworth, GA. Levi (5th grade), John (3rd grade), and Emmi (2nd grade) started school at Kemp Elementary School. This was a huge new experience for them and us. Not only their first time to go to school in the US, but their first time to ever go to a school. In Brazil, we had homeschooled them. It has been a great time of new relationships and new experiences.

· Investing in our children through special activities. Levi and John are playing soccer on a developmental travel team. We have traveled around the South playing in tournaments and have enjoyed it very much. They are continuing to pursue their love for soccer while getting great input and training from professional coaches. Thanks to special financial help from one of our friends and supporters, Emmi is getting to continue her training in gymnastics. She is training about 7-10 hours a week. If she is breathing she is doing cartwheels and back hand springs. She is also taking ballet and she loves it! I even played tennis with an ALTA tennis team from my neighborhood which I really enjoyed.

· Investing in our marriage and ministry. Wendy I began meeting with a counselor to help us process the last 20 years of marriage and ministry. We are seeking to learn from all that God has blessed us with so that we might be positioned to take even better advantage of the opportunities over the next several decades!

· Investing in our relationship with God. This has been perhaps the most important and renewing part of our time here. As we have spent additional time in God’s word, prayer, meditation, and study we have felt his grace and love filter into all areas of our lives.

Winter

· As we enter into Winter things are finally settling down. The kids are settling into their school routines and have adjusted to the new structure. Fall sports have all but wrapped up. Our bodies, minds, and souls are finally renewed and feeling new capacity to engage the future.

· We are working on some special projects for the ministry and enjoying the opportunity!

· We are excited to start meeting with our current supporters and friends to give an update and catch up with them.

· We are excited and thankful for the opportunities to reach out and minister to those around us!

· We are excited to see all that God has in store for us as we work to position ourselves for impact over the next twenty years of ministry!

Prayer

Thank you for all your encouragement this year! We are so thankful for you and appreciate you faithful partnership! Here are a few of our current prayer request. Please join with us in prayer about these things!

· Please pray discernment for us as we begin to seek clarity from God about our next assignment and prepare for deployment, whether back to Brazil or wherever God leads.

· Please pray with us as we are responsible to raise $23,000 of support that did not come in 2009 as well as shore up our support needs for 2010.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless you and keep you!

My Dad's Eulogy - August 3, 2009

I would like to share with you the Eulogy I shared at my father's funeral. - August 3, 2009


My father, Robert E. Long JR
Born July 7, 1932
Died July 31, 2009

The past few weeks have been really tough and I pray you will be patient with me as I try to share with you a few special thoughts about my dad. We are here today to celebrate his life and his legacy through God’s grace.

There are so many things I would like to say about my dad, but too little time to fit them in. My wife tells me that I like to be way too detailed, but I will try not to drag this out too long. By the way my dad was a stickler for details!

I was reflecting about what passage of scripture did my dad’s life most remind me of. Don’t get me wrong, I know my dad was a sinner saved by grace like any other man, but he was special. He was my dad! I began to think about the passages about husbands, then fathers, and many of them fit, but the one God brought to my mind was John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” That is what I saw in my dad’s life.

My dad was a man of love.

+ I didn’t realize for much of my life how rare that was. The way he loved my mom, the way he loved his family, the way he made so many feel loved each and every day.
+ He was an affectionate man. I loved his hugs and kisses. I grew up watching him shower my mother with loving affection. Many others have shared how he made them feel so special through his hugs and words of encouragement. I remember the first time my wife Wendy met my dad he grabbed her and gave her a big hug. She later shared that is was the most special thing since her dad didn’t hug her like that.

My dad was caring.

+ He was always looking out for others. He wanted things to be right for others. Even on his death bed his worries and concerns were for us and those who came to see him.
+ This celebration is another way he thought about others. He wanted this to be a party. He wanted us to remember and celebrate his life and not feel bad about his death. He wanted to celebrate him going to be with the Lord and feeling no pain and being made new.
+ He liked to serve wherever he saw a need. He served:
o The church through numerous committees and councils, helping many friends and families
o The community through the PS city council, Sweet water Camp, and Austell Gas Company
o The nation through 19 years of service in the Naval Air Reserves.
o The schools through years of dedicated service through booster club and even carrying the chains at the football games.
o His family through many worrisome nights and trials

My dad believed in doing your best!

+ He always tried to do his best and expected you to do the same. He always wanted your best effort and your best attitude.
+ He would say, “If something is worth doing its worth doing right!”
+ I remember a soccer match when I was younger that my dad didn’t think I was giving it my all. He came down to the sidelines during half time and was really clear that If I didn’t pick it up and do my best in the second half he was going to come out on the field and whip my butt, and you all know he would have!

My dad was a straight shooter, a man of his word.

+ Dad always sought to tell it like it is, at least the way he saw it.
+ If he told you something you could bank on it.
+ If he said I’ll do it, he would.
+ You could always count on him!
+ He was direct. He was not in to beating around the bush.

My dad was a tough fighter!

+ He wouldn’t give up! And he didn’t scare easy.
+ He knew what he wanted or thought was best and he would fight for it!
+ And you know exactly what I mean if you ever found yourself on the other side!
+ You can believe we have. Am I right brothers?

My dad was wise.

+ He had great insight and discernment.
+ He had an incredible knack to see what needed to be done and make sure it happened.
+ He was a man of action. He didn’t just believe in talking about it. He liked results!
+ He had a critical eye – he would size things up quickly and was usually right on the money

My dad had a great sense of humor and quick wit.

+ To know him was to love him!
+ You never knew what he was going to do or say.
+ It was always a terror bringing a date to the house for the first time. You never knew what he was going to say. “That’s not the one you brought by last week!” or some other embarrassing remark!
+ He loved to play and joke around yet could be so serious.
+ He was recently sharing about what he used to do to my poor nephew Rusty.While out shopping, if he noticed a pretty young girl walking in the parking lot, he would drive up beside her roll down my nephew's window and while holding the button so Rusty could not roll it up, say, "have you met my grandson Rusty? He thinks you are beautiful!"
+ Even as he lay in the hospital these past two weeks he was cracking us up with his zingers and fun loving way.

My dad was a great encourager.

+ He always wanted to see people do and be their best.
+ He had a wonderful way to make you feel special.
+ So many of you shared with me that he was always such an encouragement. That he made you feel important and set such a great example. Thank you for sharing these precious memories with us!
+ My dad was an example/blessing/help
+ If I could ever become half the father and husband he was it will be a blessing to my family and the Kingdom of God.

My dad left a legacy.

+ He loved deeply as Jesus loved him. He left no doubt of his love! Children express things so well and directly sometimes. My son John made his grandfather a card telling him he loved him and wanted him to get well soon and come home. On the card John drew a picture of himself and a picture of Dah. Under his picture he wrote, “John loves Dah!” under Dah’s picture he wrote, “Dah loves John!” He never questioned his Dah’s love!
+ These past few weeks were some of the most difficult for Dad, yet he constantly expressed his love for us. Even the last words I remember him saying were, “I love you!”
+ His loving wife, my mom, who lives knowing God’s love more deeply through Dad
+ His children – four boys who are seeking to love and serve like their father before them and one very special daughter who was glad to see him last Friday morning when he got to heaven to be with her there!
+ 13 grandchildren that he was so proud of and bragged on them often
+ 10 great grandchildren and one on the way that made him go soft just to have them sit on his lap
+ Many lives he touched through the church
+ Many lives he touched through the years with bank
+ Many lives he touched through the years on the Gas board
+ So many lives touched that I can’t begin to list them now!
+ People knew he cared and people felt the love of Jesus through him.

My dad, he will be sorely missed!

I love you Papa!

Back In The USA For A Year

After more than eleven years of ministry in Brazil we are back in the USA for a year’s sabbatical. We are prayerful that it will be a great time of rest, renewal, reflection, & evaluation. And boy are we ready for it! We also know it will be a an important time of fellowship and family as Russell’s father faces his fight with terminal illness.

Please be in prayer with us as we head into this important time. Here are some important practical needs we have at this time:

· Housing—we are looking to base out of the Atlanta, GA area this year (near Powder Springs) as we want to be close to Russell’s family during this difficult/challenging period. God has blessed us with a house and we are trying to settle in and learn about the community and opportunities for the kids and the family.

· Furnishings—Since we are here for and extended period of time we also needed household furnishings as well for the house. We have stored all our house hold goods in Brazil and have arrived basically with our clothes and personal affects only. Thank you to all those who have loaned and given articles to help make this house like a home.

· Transportation—We have been blessed with the use of my dad’s 1991 mini-van. If any knows of an additional spare car/truck to help us cope with the school, activities, and other needs of a family please let us know. It would be a great blessing for both Wendy and I to be mobile during this year.

· School—We have been homeschooling our children in Brazil and will be seeking to determine what schooling option would be best for each of our children during this key time back in the USA this year. Pray with us as we seek God on this important point as well as many others.

· Prayer—We need your prayers. This is a really important year for us. We are praying for God to great things in our hearts, lives, family, and relationships.

· Transition—Change is always a challenge and transitioning from our life in brazil back to life in the USA, even for a year, is no small feat. We are all a bit overwhelmed with the changes and differences, but thankful for the privilege. Just the logistical challenges/needs alone are difficult; not to mention the cultural and relational adjustments.

· Protection—We need God’s continued protection and guidance as we walk through this process. We believe God wants to do great things in our hearts and lives during this time and we know the enemy would like to distract, derail, or impede us as we seek God and evaluate our first twenty years in ministry.

· Continuing Ministry in Brazil - God has raised up faithful Brazilian men and women to assume my ministry responsibilities so that we could take this important time. Let's continue to pray for the great work that God has begun that He will continue it to completion. Pleas pray for: Wellington & Louisa who have taken over our adult investigative Bible studies, Raul & Viviane who have taken over the leadership of the adult discipling ministries, and Diana who has taken over the leadership development and ministries director for our local Church plant, Communidade Horizonte.

Thank you for your patience and your prayers! We look forward to catching you up on all that’s been going on in our lives and ministry as we move through the next few months. Thank you for holding the rope for us throughout all these years! It would be impossible without you! We cherish your partnership in this Great Commission!

Please feel free to email or call! Your support and encouragement will be key during this important time!

With great love and affection!