Photos

Here are some of the latest photos from our ministry. Click on a picture to see a larger image and read the description.

Baptism - What a blessing it is to have Christian and his family in our church. They have been through many struggles, but have much potential for the Lord's work.
Baptism – What a blessing it is to have Christian and his family in our church. They have been through many struggles, but have much potential for the Lord’s work.
Baptism - Each person has a story. Daniel is quiet, but in that silence, God has worked.
Baptism – Each person has a story. Daniel is quiet, but in that silence, God has worked.
Baptism - God has been working in Daniel's life over the past year. He settled his doubts about salvation and eagerly followed the Lord in baptism.
Baptism – God has been working in Daniel’s life over the past year. He settled his doubts about salvation and eagerly followed the Lord in baptism.
Baptism
Baptism
Baptism - It was a blessing to baptize Aline. God has been working in her life and in the life of her family.
Baptism – It was a blessing to baptize Aline. God has been working in her life and in the life of her family.
Baptism - 8 o'clock in the morning, and people were looking for a place to stand in the shade. We had a good turnout for the baptism and a joyous day together in our services.
Baptism – 8 o’clock in the morning, and people were looking for a place to stand in the shade. We had a good turnout for the baptism and a joyous day together in our services.
Couples' Activity - The statue of liberty is the iconic symbol for one of the large department stores here in Brazil. At our activity, each couple was required to complete several tasks around town. One of the tasks was to take a selfie with the statue of liberty in the background.
Couples’ Activity – The statue of liberty is the iconic symbol for one of the large department stores here in Brazil. At our activity, each couple was required to complete several tasks around town. One of the tasks was to take a selfie with the statue of liberty in the background.
Couples' Activity - Another one of our church couples taking their selfie.
Couples’ Activity – Another one of our church couples taking their selfie.
Couples' Activity - Another one of our church couples taking their selfie. Please pray for this man. He has yet to trust the Lord as his Savior. His wife has been saved for many years, but we believe God is working in his life now.
Couples’ Activity – Another one of our church couples taking their selfie. Please pray for this man. He has yet to trust the Lord as his Savior. His wife has been saved for many years, but we believe God is working in his life now.
Couples' Activity - Another one of our church couples taking their selfie.
Couples’ Activity – Another one of our church couples taking their selfie.
Couples' Activity - Another one of our church couples taking their selfie.
Couples’ Activity – Another one of our church couples taking their selfie.
Couples' Activity - Though my parents did not take a selfie in front of the statue of liberty, they were hanging out at the mall waiting to give each couple their next set of instructions.
Couples’ Activity – Though my parents did not take a selfie in front of the statue of liberty, they were hanging out at the mall waiting to give each couple their next set of instructions.
Couples' Activity - God has blessed me with a beautiful wife! The ministry is more delightful with her by my side.
Couples’ Activity – God has blessed me with a beautiful wife! The ministry is more delightful with her by my side.
March Teen Activity - Each of these activities also is an opportunity to study the Bible. The teens are quizzed over a story or a number of chapters.
March Teen Activity – Each of these activities also is an opportunity to study the Bible. The teens are quizzed over a story or a number of chapters.
March Teen Activity - The term "teen" or better "young people" is given to anyone who is not married. Occasionally we have someone near 40 years old participate, but young adults in their 20s usually participate.
March Teen Activity – The term “teen” or better “young people” is given to anyone who is not married. Occasionally we have someone near 40 years old participate, but young adults in their 20s usually participate.
March Teen Activity - There were 10 different churches represented at this activity.
March Teen Activity – There were 10 different churches represented at this activity.
Teen Activity - We participated in a teen activity at a church about 90 minutes away. The young man (Jhonata) next to me had just come to church for the first time the week before.
Teen Activity – We participated in a teen activity at a church about 90 minutes away. The young man (Jhonata) next to me had just come to church for the first time the week before.
Camp - I was invited to preach at a camp about five hours north of us. It was a blessing to see many people I had not seen for more than 10 years.
Camp – I was invited to preach at a camp about five hours north of us. It was a blessing to see many people I had not seen for more than 10 years.
Camp - Each evening several adults drove out to the camp to participate in the church services. There were about 100 people there throughout the 4 days.
Camp – Each evening several adults drove out to the camp to participate in the church services. There were about 100 people there throughout the 4 days.
Camp - The teen boys were enjoying their moment in the spotlight after winning their competitions. They were typical teenagers.
Camp – The teen boys were enjoying their moment in the spotlight after winning their competitions. They were typical teenagers.
Wow! There is not anything quite like a bus ministry here in Brazil, but this church van is about as close as it gets. It is used weekly to pick people up for Sunday School and church.
Wow! There is not anything quite like a bus ministry here in Brazil, but this church van is about as close as it gets. It is used weekly to pick people up for Sunday School and church.
Camp - Some children's workers really get into it! Each day someone took the younger children out to teach them during the services.
Camp – Some children’s workers really get into it! Each day someone took the younger children out to teach them during the services.
Thinking back on the 15 years since we were sent out as missionaries of the Temple Baptist Church under Pastor Clarence Sexton. This was the day I was ordained into the ministry in March 2009.
Thinking back on the 15 years since we were sent out as missionaries of the Temple Baptist Church under Pastor Clarence Sexton. This was the day I was ordained into the ministry in March 2009.
My father had cataract surgery this month. The surgery was in another town about three hours from Cacoal. Thankfully, everything has gone as well as expected and he is seeing much better.
My father had cataract surgery this month. The surgery was in another town about three hours from Cacoal. Thankfully, everything has gone as well as expected and he is seeing much better.
Our teens sang together in our Christmas Eve service. It was a blessing to hear them sing about the Savior's birth.
Our teens sang together in our Christmas Eve service. It was a blessing to hear them sing about the Savior’s birth.
Pr. Emídio (left) and his wife were a great blessing to me. I was invited to preach a three day conference for them in Rio Branco. It took about 18 hours by bus to get to there and the same coming back. What a blessing it was to preach on the second coming of Christ and enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Pr. Emídio (left) and his wife were a great blessing to me. I was invited to preach a three day conference for them in Rio Branco. It took about 18 hours by bus to get to there and the same coming back. What a blessing it was to preach on the second coming of Christ and enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Ladies' Christmas Tea - This event has brought in many ladies who do not attend our church.
Ladies’ Christmas Tea – This event has brought in many ladies who do not attend our church.
Ladies' Christmas Tea - Sabrini and her daughter Gabriela
Ladies’ Christmas Tea – Sabrini and her daughter Gabriela
Ladies' Christmas Tea - All but one of these ladies attend our church regularly. This is just a small number of the ladies that were present.
Ladies’ Christmas Tea – All but one of these ladies attend our church regularly. This is just a small number of the ladies that were present.
Ladies' Christmas Tea - Bruna, and my mother Pam with Amanda. Bruna lost her mother last year and we have tried to encourage her through these difficult days. She lives about 45 minutes away from our church.
Ladies’ Christmas Tea – Bruna, and my mother Pam with Amanda. Bruna lost her mother last year and we have tried to encourage her through these difficult days. She lives about 45 minutes away from our church.
Ladies' Christmas Tea - Luciene (sitting down) is our neighbor. She works every evening we have church, but this gathering gave an opportunity for her to participate in a church event. Her daughter who is twelve years old has been coming to church most every service.
Ladies’ Christmas Tea – Luciene (sitting down) is our neighbor. She works every evening we have church, but this gathering gave an opportunity for her to participate in a church event. Her daughter who is twelve years old has been coming to church most every service.
Ladies' Christmas Tea - Though it is quite a bit of work running after everything, Amanda always does a great job at preparing and getting things set up for this event.
Ladies’ Christmas Tea – Though it is quite a bit of work running after everything, Amanda always does a great job at preparing and getting things set up for this event.
Missions Month - Rúbens is an evangelist to children in the Suruí tribe.
Missions Month – Rúbens is an evangelist to children in the Suruí tribe.
Missions Month - Try out reading this Portuguese in black and Suruí in red.
Missions Month – Try out reading this Portuguese in black and Suruí in red.
Missions Month - We had an exciting Sunday School with a native Indian missionary teaching the children.
Missions Month – We had an exciting Sunday School with a native Indian missionary teaching the children.
Missions Month - Rúbens taught all the children to sing God is so good in Suruí.
Missions Month – Rúbens taught all the children to sing God is so good in Suruí.
Missions Month - This is s slide of the song God Is So Good in the Suruí language.
Missions Month – This is s slide of the song God Is So Good in the Suruí language.
Missions Month - Jefferson and Epi are Brazilians who are serving in São Felipe. They are working in a small church which is around and hour from Cacoal. Previously they have served in several different countries and still carry on weekly training after their visas were denied in the country where they served.
Missions Month – Jefferson and Epi are Brazilians who are serving in São Felipe. They are working in a small church which is around and hour from Cacoal. Previously they have served in several different countries and still carry on weekly training after their visas were denied in the country where they served.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - We had teens from seven different churches participating in this event. It was a great blessing to see these young people study the Bible and enjoy a day of fellowship together.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – We had teens from seven different churches participating in this event. It was a great blessing to see these young people study the Bible and enjoy a day of fellowship together.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - Unscrambling a Bible verse
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – Unscrambling a Bible verse
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - Unscrambling a Bible verse
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – Unscrambling a Bible verse
Teens Activity - Though our system is a bit primitive compared to some, having a bell on a table actually worked pretty well.
Teens Activity – Though our system is a bit primitive compared to some, having a bell on a table actually worked pretty well.
Teen Activity - Renan is one of the men in our church and he did a fabulous job of coming up with about 150 questions out of the book of James. He also had the opportunity to ask the questions on the day of the event.
Teen Activity – Renan is one of the men in our church and he did a fabulous job of coming up with about 150 questions out of the book of James. He also had the opportunity to ask the questions on the day of the event.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - Young ladies practicing their posture and balance. Just don't let anyone knock the cup off of your head while you are practicing.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – Young ladies practicing their posture and balance. Just don’t let anyone knock the cup off of your head while you are practicing.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - This is a game of Tug of War without a rope. They boys enjoyed the challenge.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – This is a game of Tug of War without a rope. They boys enjoyed the challenge.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - The judges panel.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – The judges panel.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - Scavenger Hunt
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – Scavenger Hunt
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - Pr. Hudson preaching to the young people.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – Pr. Hudson preaching to the young people.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing - We were blessed with a good group of teens for this event and the Lord provided an air conditioned building for us.
Teen Gathering and Bible Quizzing – We were blessed with a good group of teens for this event and the Lord provided an air conditioned building for us.
Children's Day - Which team can draw the best LION? It is a little unpredictable when they are blindfolded and each child one only draws one part.
Children’s Day – Which team can draw the best LION? It is a little unpredictable when they are blindfolded and each child one only draws one part.
Children's Day - Everyone like trying to win candy.
Children’s Day – Everyone like trying to win candy.
Children's Day - Even the little ones enjoy the activity in one way or another.
Children’s Day – Even the little ones enjoy the activity in one way or another.
Children's Day - You don't always have to be the best person for the job. You just need to pour your heart into it. Working with children can be a huge blessing.
Children’s Day – You don’t always have to be the best person for the job. You just need to pour your heart into it. Working with children can be a huge blessing.
Children's Day - Bible Story time.
Children’s Day – Bible Story time.
Creation Conference - We had a full house on Friday night for the closing session of the conference. The topic was Dinosaurs and the Bible.
Creation Conference – We had a full house on Friday night for the closing session of the conference. The topic was Dinosaurs and the Bible.
Creation Conference - Friday night was our biggest service and we had people visiting from two churches in Ji-Paraná (about 90 minutes away).
Creation Conference – Friday night was our biggest service and we had people visiting from two churches in Ji-Paraná (about 90 minutes away).
Creation Conference - Mrs. Johnson did a chalk drawing for the ladies and taught them a lesson. It was a great blessing.
Creation Conference – Mrs. Johnson did a chalk drawing for the ladies and taught them a lesson. It was a great blessing.
Creation Conference - Dan Johnson has been a missionary in Brazil for nearly 50 years. He was a great influence in my life as a teenager and was a great help to our church through the week.
Creation Conference – Dan Johnson has been a missionary in Brazil for nearly 50 years. He was a great influence in my life as a teenager and was a great help to our church through the week.
Father's Day - Connect 4 is actually a pretty fun game to play. Here we have a father and son playing against a grandfather-grandson duo.
Father’s Day – Connect 4 is actually a pretty fun game to play. Here we have a father and son playing against a grandfather-grandson duo.
Father's Day - We enjoyed an activity with some of the parents and their children.
Father’s Day – We enjoyed an activity with some of the parents and their children.
Father's Day - Zach and his daughter Michele are working on a puzzle together.
Father’s Day – Zach and his daughter Michele are working on a puzzle together.
Indian Tribe VBS - This looks like a painting, but the photo was taken right near the tribe as we went down to the river.
Indian Tribe VBS – This looks like a painting, but the photo was taken right near the tribe as we went down to the river.
Indian Tribe VBS - Beautiful children!
Indian Tribe VBS – Beautiful children!
Indian Tribe VBS - The young man in the front is from a different tribe, but came to help with vacation Bible school. He also did not speak their language.
Indian Tribe VBS – The young man in the front is from a different tribe, but came to help with vacation Bible school. He also did not speak their language.
Indian Tribe VBS - Young people participated answering questions about the stories.
Indian Tribe VBS – Young people participated answering questions about the stories.
Indian Tribe VBS - Gabriel teaching the Bible story of Joshua and Caleb.
Indian Tribe VBS – Gabriel teaching the Bible story of Joshua and Caleb.
Indian Tribe VBS - Eliane taught the story of Jim Eliot and Nate Saint to a group of Indian children. The story was full of emotion as she described the missionaries giving their lives to share the Gospel. What a marvelous change the Gospel has made in this tribe!
Indian Tribe VBS – Eliane taught the story of Jim Eliot and Nate Saint to a group of Indian children. The story was full of emotion as she described the missionaries giving their lives to share the Gospel. What a marvelous change the Gospel has made in this tribe!
Indian Tribe VBS - The kids sat in the chairs, but the adults sat in the back and participated in everything.
Indian Tribe VBS – The kids sat in the chairs, but the adults sat in the back and participated in everything.
Indian Tribe VBS - Kids are the same everywhere! They light up when they get an opportunity to have fun.
Indian Tribe VBS – Kids are the same everywhere! They light up when they get an opportunity to have fun.
Indian Tribe VBS - The afternoons were full of fun and games for kids and adults. These are beautiful kids that were full of energy.
Indian Tribe VBS – The afternoons were full of fun and games for kids and adults. These are beautiful kids that were full of energy.
Indian Tribe VBS - As you can see on the sign near the guitar, the name of the village is Pawãnewã. This was the setup for the Vacation Bible School.
Indian Tribe VBS – As you can see on the sign near the guitar, the name of the village is Pawãnewã. This was the setup for the Vacation Bible School.
Indian Tribe VBS - Many times the fish was set out on this table. Once something is set on the table, it is free for grabs. The dogs eat any fish bones or leftovers, so just drop anything you don't want on the floor!
Indian Tribe VBS – Many times the fish was set out on this table. Once something is set on the table, it is free for grabs. The dogs eat any fish bones or leftovers, so just drop anything you don’t want on the floor!
Indian Tribe VBS - This is the supper line!  Grab a plate and they will fill it for you with fish, rice, spaghetti or whatever the menu for the day includes.
Indian Tribe VBS – This is the supper line! Grab a plate and they will fill it for you with fish, rice, spaghetti or whatever the menu for the day includes.
Lorraine has been excited to come to Sunday school. She repeated the entire lesson on the way home. This is the result of a young lady who has dedicated herself the last three months to teach Sunday School. Look at the effort she put in to building a well. The amazing thing is that it actually works. You can raise the bucket in and out of the well. Can you guess what story this is?
Lorraine has been excited to come to Sunday school. She repeated the entire lesson on the way home. This is the result of a young lady who has dedicated herself the last three months to teach Sunday School. Look at the effort she put in to building a well. The amazing thing is that it actually works. You can raise the bucket in and out of the well. Can you guess what story this is?
God has blessed us with three wonderful children. We are very thankful for each of them.
God has blessed us with three wonderful children. We are very thankful for each of them.
Bible Story Time! (At least they look like they were enjoying it.)
Bible Story Time! (At least they look like they were enjoying it.)
Bible Story Time!!! No story, no play time. That is what one of the ladies decided as she asked these boys to come over to her house.
Bible Story Time!!! No story, no play time. That is what one of the ladies decided as she asked these boys to come over to her house.
June 2023 Family Picture
June 2023 Family Picture
Thank you Pastor Sexton for your encouragement to us and our children.
Thank you Pastor Sexton for your encouragement to us and our children.
Jonathan with Selina Kokenzie
Jonathan with Selina Kokenzie
Missionary kids!!! They are an interesting bunch. They can't even figure out which camera to look to. Jonathan enjoyed having the Kokenzies and the Rogers at his graduation.
Missionary kids!!! They are an interesting bunch. They can’t even figure out which camera to look to. Jonathan enjoyed having the Kokenzies and the Rogers at his graduation.
Jonathan's graduation
Jonathan’s graduation
The graduate and his mother.
The graduate and his mother.
Sometimes you have to travel over 5,000 miles to see friends who live just two hours away! We have been friends with the Kokenzies for years. Though we have not been working together for almost ten years, our children have been very close friends through all that time.
Sometimes you have to travel over 5,000 miles to see friends who live just two hours away! We have been friends with the Kokenzies for years. Though we have not been working together for almost ten years, our children have been very close friends through all that time.
Church ladies having a bit of fellowship after church.
Church ladies having a bit of fellowship after church.
Jonathan and I in Chicago, getting him registered with the consulate.
Jonathan and I in Chicago, getting him registered with the consulate.
Heading to the airport for the beginning of a summer trip.
Heading to the airport for the beginning of a summer trip.
The Graduate
The Graduate
The Graduate
The Graduate
The Graduate
The Graduate
The Graduate
The Graduate
Never a dull moment!
Never a dull moment!
Watch out below! This is not a tree I want in my yard. Look closely.
Watch out below! This is not a tree I want in my yard. Look closely.
Some of the ladies gathered for a birthday.
Some of the ladies gathered for a birthday.
Raylda training our people to teach children.
Raylda training our people to teach children.
Raylda is a missionary to children. She works in the public schools and holds Bible Clubs, Vacation Bible Schools, teaches in Day Care Centers, and has been doing this for over 40 years.
Raylda is a missionary to children. She works in the public schools and holds Bible Clubs, Vacation Bible Schools, teaches in Day Care Centers, and has been doing this for over 40 years.
Raylda - Missionary to Children
Raylda – Missionary to Children
This cake is a good description of Jonathan. Happy Birthday!
This cake is a good description of Jonathan. Happy Birthday!
Youth Activity in Ji-Paraná
Youth Activity in Ji-Paraná
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