Monday, July 13, 2015

Home, Sweet Home

Hello Everybody!

I can't tell you what a great pleasure it is to be home again. As predicted, I have spent a lot of time eating since I arrived! It's been wonderful to spend time with my family and to see so many familiar faces at church.
The first few days were a bit of a shock. I literally felt like I had just been transported from another universe. It is hard to describe how different the two worlds of Portel and Columbus are. It took me some time to adjust, but now I am feeling at home again.
One of the unique things about being here this time is that I had the privilege of spending some time with a few of my Brazilian friends. A few of the families from the Vineyard churches in Brazil were able to travel here for the Vineyard Global Conference. I was surprised at what ease I felt having them in my American context. It has been great to still be able to speak in Portuguese even though I am here! I also enjoyed being able to show them a little of my world.


The Conference was amazing. The opportunity to worship together with brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the world was the chance of a lifetime. It was so beautiful to hear so many different languages and so many different stories of what God is doing all over the world. We were able to pray for one another and encourage one another in the Lord. I was an experience that really refreshed me and increased my faith. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go.


Next week on Sunday, July 19th, I am going to be teaching at Vineyard Tuttle Crossing in Dublin, and would love it if you could make it! After the service, we will be meeting in the High School room to have a time of Q & A about my time in Brazil. There will be snacks provided. It would be a great time for you to come if you have any questions or would simply like to learn more about what exactly I do in Brazil.
Also while I am here, I would love to get together with you for lunch or dinner. I still have some time available this week and next week. I currently have a phone number, 614-580-3021, or you can send me an email.

In other news, a few weeks ago, a team from the Newark Vineyard went to Altamira and spent a week visiting the river communities. RonĂ£ (Ronan) was able to go with them. He had an amazing time translating and helping the team pray for the people on the river.



I want to thank all of you for your constant prayers and support. I look forward to being able to tell you this face to face. You all have been the backbone to everything I am doing. I love you and I bless you. I know that God is looking at you and seeing your hearts and your sacrifices. He sees your desire to serve and be apart of his Kingdom. Psalm 41:1 states, "Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble."
I want to ask for your continued prayers. The many challenges in Portel can seem overwhelming at times, and your prayers make all the difference. Please, continue to pray for RonĂ£ and I as we move forward in our relationship, and that God would bless my time here at home. 
Below is a link for some pictures of my time here so far. 


Love, Allison

Home 2015 Pictures