Bud Simon

A New Blog

Those are the faces of the various Xingu Mission missionaries in Altamira. 

And, there is a new blog that shares a more rounded version of what is going on in Altamira and all of her church plants.  Every week, a different missionary shares a story, testimony, or whatever is on their heart that represents the work here. 

It is at http://www.xingu-mission-altamira.blogspot.com/

The goal of the new blog is to provide a broader view of all that happens in the work here.  it is hard to gather the scope, but here are a few of the things that happen (in no particular order):

• Teaching English to the under privileged
• Teaching computer skills to the under privileged
• Training new missionaries
• New Believers Retreats
• Church Planting
• A Variety of leadership training platforms
• Team building experiences
• Travel adventures
• Short term missionary events
• Missionary kinships
• Teams
• Church construction
• Boat trips
• Motorcycle trips
• Church Celebrations
• A school of more than 200 students (TESL and computer literacy)
• 50 churches and church starts in our region
• six mission boats in our region
• six motorcycles doing ministry
• "Jesus"film outreaches and other film outreaches
• Youth outreach events
• Conferences
• 12 missionaries and 11 missionary kids
• and alot more also

With all that is happening, and the fact that the blog is updated weekly, you will want to check it out on a regular basis. 

So,please read the ALTAMIRA BLOG .  It will help give a broader and deeper view of what the Lord is doing in this corner of the world. 

(L to R) Pastor Naldo, Keith Wilson, and Josh Pflederer on a road trip to church in the interior

A Perspective from a Short Term Missionary

Suzanne & Kate

Kate Snow, from Columbus, OH, spent six months with the Xingu Mission here in the Altamira region. She is 20 years old and will be studying again this fall. It was a delight to have her here from January through July of this year. She worked hard, helping out in any way that she could. She plunged in without reservation, doing her best in each situation.

I asked Kate to share some thoughts about her time here in Brazil. She had a whole range of emotions and also had the opportunity to have a variety of different experiences during her time. A couple of the things that really made an impact were the fact that some things can not be experienced in a couple of weeks and the opportunity to learn new ways to express God’s love across the language and cultural barriers.

Here are some of Kate’s thoughts about her six months here.

When I went on the mission field for an extended period of time, I struggled with the provoking question, “Why am I here?” How can I be influential without knowing the language, culture, customs, or without material offerings (i.e. running an orphanage, AIDs awareness, etc…)? Is it right to dampen the awkwardness of meeting new friends by buying them lunch or a small gift, potentially igniting a misconception or dependency on North American’s who may seemingly ‘have more money?’ Stripped of everything from basic communication to the comforts of home, I wondered, was love limited to those with some thing to offer or is it truly possible to build friendships purely on love?

Every day as I rode my bike to a new person’s house, my life began to transform. My concerns moved from wondering how silly my broken Portuguese sounded, to focusing on the beauty of our simple conversations and the joy in laughing when conversations became too complicated. Daily I began demonstrating love through smiles, body gestures, a helping hand, listening ear, or an attempt at an encouraging word.

As time progressed and I began to gain insight into Brazilian culture and learn the language, I felt increasingly challenged to not become comfortable. I had to learn the culture but not become too much of it; to be in this new Brazilian world, but not of it. As well, I had to learn the balance between investing in nurturing friendships while continually meeting the rejected and lonely: to love deep and without bounds.

That which literature cannot prepare one for, and one cannot fully experience within a few weeks, I explored, experimented, and ultimately discovered a new depth of love. I experienced a love that truly extends beyond language, culture, material, and time. I gained a fuller understanding of Jesus’ words to love my neighbor as myself.

Kate with some Brazilian friends

Boat Trip

Daniel, jumping off the top of the boat on a river trip

This is the delight of being able to share some time along the river with my kids.  We had a fun time swimming and playing as we went out to visit a river community. 

My niece, Tami, and Lydia, our new friend, are here and it has been fun to be able to show her around.  The stay has been too short - it would be good to have them around for longer!

Rio - A Different Kind of Trip

Clenildo, Angelita, Steve, Elba, and Thiago - Clenildo and Elba are part of the Leadership Team for the Brazilian churches and Thiago is our new friend who drove us everywhere in Rio!

I had the opportunity to travel to Rio de Janeiro last week.  Yes, a little outside my normal travel schedule here in Brazil. 

However, I did have a blast!! 

I went there with the leadership team from our region and we were able to have a great time.  There were meetings for the Vineyard church planting movement in all of Brazil.  I was along as a supporter and encourager for the church planting here in Brazil. 

It would have been great to be able to take my family along - but we are in that season of life when it is  expensive and inconvenient to travel as a family! 

There was a couple of days of meetings for the leadership team and then a church planting conference (InterVinha) on the weekend.  It was great to meet with others and have alot of informal time to meet and converse.  The time flew by!

The whole time was really an excellent way to build relationships and reinforce our values.  It is also encouraging to see others who are facing some of the same challenges in other parts of the country. 

The trip was well worth the time it took for helping the relationships develop and mature.  it was great to make some new friends and deepen the old friendships!

Clenildo, Elba, Roger from Claifornia, and Milton from Baura - São Paulo during a leadership meeting

Rick Bergen, Celso from Belo Horizante - Minas Gerais, and Mark Fields, head of Vineyard Mission - USA. 

Visitors - Coming and Going

Kevin, Pastor Marcio, and Jose standing in front of a church property

We had a great time last week when we made two new friends, Kevin Erwin & Jose Morales.  They can to visit Altamira just for a couple days.  They stayed in our home and we had a great time getting to know them. 

It was wonderful to interact with them and hear their stories.  I enjoyed the rich testimonies and the heart they have for the kingdom work.  They spent their brief time getting to know some of our Brazilian pastors and and seeing some of the places where we are working. 

Also, there were a number of visitors from Ohio.  They spent several days along the river and then we had the pleasure of having them here in Altamira for about three days.  They visited with their friends and family here. 

It was good to interact with them and be able to enjoy their company. 

Our friends who visited us last week - we had a blast and enjoyed all of the good fellowship and humor

Suzanne with Kate Snow, a new friend from Ohio

Finally, Rachelle, who has served with the Mission for several years, is on an extended furlough.  We will miss her during her time away from us.  Our prayers are with her as she readjusts to life in Canada!!!

Rachelle and Suzanne

The Team

Some of our visitors in the morning during a devotional time.  Anna has found a new friend in Angie.

We had friends from Illinois arrive this week and we are having a great time.  Also, our friend Angie arrived from Ohio, and she has been a wonderful addition to our household.  And they all seem to be enjoying themselves too:)

It has been great to have them around, visiting and sharing some of our lives with them.  It has been a tremendous help and encouragement to have them here.  And, it has kept us busy!! 

We have had alot of good times, getting to know the group.  We are looking forward to another good week together.  One thing, the time just flies by and really keep rolling on.

Showing off for the camera!