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We are incredibly thankful for God's protection this past month. While we were heading back to the missions house on the 24th, another vehicle swerved into our lane while passing an intersection in the downtown Tampa area. It happened so fast it knocked us up onto the sidewalk where, as we were trying to stop, we hit four of the posts and then a car parked in the valet area, deploying the airbags. To the glory of God, no pedestrians were struck, and no one was injured in our family. Unfortunately, the police still have not found the person who hit us. Fortunately, after seven days, we heard back from the insurance adjuster, who declared the van a total loss, sending us $3,000 more than we had paid for the van! As we have talked about that night as a family, it is clear that God was undoubtedly protecting us, and it is no doubt due to the many, many prayers you all faithfully make on our behalf.
On May 24, an article was published in Brazil, stating that the Covid 19 state of emergency had ended. After seeing that, I was anticipating any day, that kind of news would reflect on the embassy's site. On June 2, I was surprised and disappointed at the same time because the U.S. Embassy site did indeed update its mandate policy. However, it wasn't enough to allow us back in yet. The silver lining is we are moving in the right direction! We are definitely ready as soon they issue the change to head back!
It is always special to see God work through situations. Though we are stuck here and cannot go back to Brazil yet, God has brought Brazil to us! Just the other night, at church, we talked with a woman from Brazil and her husband. They plan to move back at some point but live not too far from the church here. The conversation went on and on, and we finally decided to do dinner together one of these evenings!
This month, I finished converting and uploading over 30 hours of Portuguese courses (at a seminary level) and have sent all of these to Bro. Brewer. This is a giant step in the direction of the training for the future workers and pastors in Brazil! Another project I have been working on is building a multi-lingual website with the gospel in 16 languages. The ministry "Wings Bearing Precious Seed" uses this site as they go to Olympic events and pass out literature. We are working to connect the contact forms to missionaries/pastors in those particular languages that can intercept people searching for more after visiting the site.
Lastly, tomorrow I will be going in to take the first part of the CDL test. Believe it or not, it is not legal to drive a vehicle larger than 11 passengers in Brazil without a CDL. This is necessary to continue the bus ministry and van routes in Brazil.
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