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!
