We are getting ready to leave for the Rio de Janeiro trip. The North Valley Church team will meet up with the Boca Glades Baptist Church group in Miami on Monday evening. We'll all fly to Brazil at 10 pm EST; arriving in Rio around 6 am. (FYI: Rio is 2 hours ahead of Alabama...)
Many of you have been praying and giving to this trip. Thank you!!! From me and from the team (Rachel, Candace, Stacy, Jason and Pastor Chris). Please continue to pray for:
1. God to use us as He wishes with the people there.
2. For no fear.
3. For safety.
4. For our families while we are apart.
5. For lives to change for eternity.
We are very excited and we are anticipating great things. Thank you again for your support and prayer. If I am able, I will update you on the blog from Brazil. We are supposed to have internet...so I'll see if I have all the right materials to connect and keep in touch.
Thought I'd leave you with a chapter from Ephesians. It is my favorite book of the Bible. - Lee Ann
Ephesians 3
Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles
1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
