Wisdom and Maturity

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not "lack" Ps. 23

2011-09-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and family,

It has been such a very long time since I have updated my blog. I think to begin with I really didn't understand how to utilize one; but I am increasingly convinced that God wants me to be much more open with the lessons He is teaching me throughout this daily walk with Him.

Today a very dear friend of many years told me a kind of joke, that to tell the truth we both thought was more truth that joke. She is Brazilian, so all of this conversation took place in Portuguese but perhaps this will still "come through" in English.

She was quoting part of the 23rd Psalm to me..."The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want"...now in Portuguese the word for "not want" is more the idea of "I shall not lack"...then she added, I shall not lack strength, daily provision, healing....trials, sicknesses, distresses, weakness...but He will grant me all of the provision that I need for healing, strength, encouragement and direction.

Now the point of this is that we wouldn't really recognize any of the good things that God provides as our Shepherd if we didn't first experience the negative parts of needing this provision. In other words, if I [lack] opportunities for healing, (sicknesses or injuries) I will not recognize that the Good Shepherd provides healing. If I lack opportunities for provision (daily bread, housing, clothing) I will not recognize that the Good Shepherd provides for these daily needs.

How often recently I have heard teachings that refute the concept that as a Christian I will have any difficulty, distress, disease or need. If this is so, why would I need to call on the Shepherd?

Since we have been here in Brazil we have had to face so many challenges that it would be impossible to relate them all. As a result we have had to fortify ourselves with far more prayer than in recent years. We have had to constantly and consistently pray about EVERY detail, every day. There was NO way to just breeze our way through things...we had to "put up a spiritual fight" on every issue of life and ministry from the largest to the tiniest, in order to move forward daily. If we entered into a day hurriedly and thought that, "Oh, we will get to prayer later," we would just experience closed doors at every turn. Slam, slam, slam...until we realized that prayer "now" and not later was what had to happen; and this prayer was not just repetitious prayer...we had to re-learn how to discerned what to pray, how to battle, how to remain firm, how to stay under the burden until a breakthrough had come.

Oh we have not finished this "course on prayer", dear ones, it has just begun. I pray that God will reawaken our discernment to literally arm ourselves daily ahead of time; not be lazy or presumptuous, and recognize that this will never be any easier; the battle will only intensify as the boundaries of Satan's illegal occupancy are challenged. Let us awaken one another from our slumber and challenge the condition of our cities, families, churches and personal lives.

I Peter 5:6-8

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Be encouraged and strengthened,

Patti :)

Learning New Levels of Trust

2010-11-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Family & Friends,

We are definitely feeling a sensation that we are flying over our nation seeing things from a new viewpoint and as they are connected with one another; rather than viewing all of this from within the forest where we usually reside. We are getting a view of our dear Foursquare family in different geographic regions, ministry venues, cultural backgrounds and age distinctions. Taking it all in is changing us, and our vision of where we are, as a nation and as a church. We are realizing, as never before, how urgent it is to be in intercession for our church and the nations including our own.

We see God moving in each individual church, in a unique way meeting every community of believers and teams of leaders, exactly as they have need and direction, in this difficult and sometimes confusing time in history. God is in control of the events in our tiny corner of the universe, as well as, in the largest nations of the world. We, as believers, are in a tandem relationship with the God of the universe...a yoke. What a ride! We are yoked with God...fathom that!

Mt. 11:28-30; "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls . For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

In these past two months we have had the privilege of being in three of our Foursquare district conferences and it has been such a great encouragement. We have heard the words of our leadership to us; Our President Glenn Burris spoke with gentle perception regarding 'Living Free From Hurt'; why this message now? This is a strategic epoch as never before in which leaders at all levels are finding themselves subject to being wounded; these wounds are not "mortal wounds" and we can be forgiven and forgive one another in a manner that, all involved are able to receive remedial care from the Holy Spirit, and move on to new areas of growth and maturity.

There is a strategic work of the enemy to take advantage of areas of unfinished character formation in all of our lives; and precisely in those areas he attacks us and brings injury before the formation of character is complete. This leaves us injured and if it is not dealt with we will literally grow around these issues without resolving them. This then becomes a debilitating injury, causing us to limp and often not realizing what has been the root cause. I would like to take this opportunity to alert my family and friends that Satan's "state of the art" tactic with leaders today is to take advantage of any lonely, wounded, unhealed areas of our lives and strategically target and hit us there. We in turn receive the "offense" and everything is then "colored and filtered" through the wound, created by the unhealed offense.

Dear ones, I encourage you, as well as, myself to let go of all these offenses; pray for our offenders; allow the Holy Spirit to heal these wounded areas; and stay free by not rehearsing the events in our hearts or minds, re-wounding our souls. Only then can the "Body" recuperate and resume the calling of each one, acting accordingly, out of a healed soul, and freed mind and spirit, until the "Day of Jesus Christ".

We have been clearly blessed these past months being in so many of our churches and conferences. We have had the blessing of meeting with pastors; life long friends, as well as, making new ones, being with our fellow missionaries and, not only giving out to the Body but receiving from the various gifts in the Body.

Every Sunday with the exception of one we have been sharing and ministering in one of our churches the messages that God has put on our hearts for our denomination regarding signs and wonders following the growth of godly character in the saints; and a reminder of the hope that is living in each one of us as we labor daily, in a world full of hopelessness.

Just to keep you up to date we are lingering at right around 70% of our projected and approved budget; so many of you are among that 70% and we are deeply grateful for your open hearts. We are however restrained here in the US until the agreed 100%, with and additional 20%, in the wings for the purpose of any unexpected attrition, is completed; and then and only then will we be released by our sponsoring agent, FMI (Foursquare Missions International)to deploy for Brazil. This is a loving safeguard for us and others who raise their own support, so that we do not leap into the needy field without proper backing and funding from those committed to stand with us in this respect.

God bless you, each and every one. You are all so very precious to us and we rely on your prayer greatly. Thank you for your prayer and generosity in helping to meet the budgeted needs.

His servants with you in our minds and in our hearts,

Dale & Patti Downs

Prayer needs:

1) Anointing and flexibility in the upcoming marriage retreats; one in English and one in Portuguese.

2) Needed transportation at the end of our New England and east coast support raising season; if you will remember our Mitsubishi 1999 died last month and our very, very kind sending pastor, Pastor Cairo Marques has generously loaned us one of his vehicles to utilize while here in the NE. We will need to finalize a mode of "dispensable" transportation to the west coast in order to close up the very last details of our home, storage, visa applications and airline tickets. Therefore will will need also transportation in CA. Please pray with us for a plan to accommodate all of these needs.

3) Continued comfort and reassurance to our children and grandchildren as we prepare to leave them behind for this season. There will be SKYPE but it is not quite the same.

2010-09-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

Dearest Friends and Family,

We just finished a really rewarding week-end doing a Marriage Retreat for two combined churches in the Gardiner, Maine area. The second church was one in Hallowell, ME. It was very special and we witnessed God do a lot of work in not only the participants but also in our lives. We ministered in the Faith Baptist Church of Hallowell, Maine on Sunday morning; this historic Maine church is pastored by LIFE Pacific graduates. We had a great time with Pastors Michael & Kelleen Longfellow and so enjoyed the fellowship and sharing we experienced.

The Gardiner, Maine, Foursquare Church joined together with the Faith Baptist Church for this retreat and each church had 9 couples. Teri Orwiler is the pastor of this church and also a very dear long-time friend. Kelleen happens to be Teri's daughter and that is how the connection of the two churches was facilitated.

The retreat was held in a the gorgeous "Sugar Loaf Lodge & Inn" a mountain ski lodge retreat center. The leaves were just breath-taking and the work of the Holy Spirit was even more impressive. :)

We are in the middle of the Northeast District of Foursquare Churches and next Sunday we will be with The Capital Church, of Pembroke, NH with Pastors Peter & Lisa Bonanno. We are really excited to see them and be with their congregation. The week-end of Oct. 17th we will be speaking in the Brockton, MA Portuguese Speaking Foursquare Church with Pastors Valdir & Sueli Facioni. We are equally excited about returning to this church to share and fellowship with them.

For those of you who are wondering about our deployment time we are waiting on God just as fast as we can! We are still in support raising mode and as soon as we reach our monthly budget and our start-up costs we will deploy. We are around 65% there.:) Please pray with us, for those who God touches and assigns to us; that resources will be released to them, so that they are able to participate.

In the meantime just so you will be clear on what we are doing; we are traveling around the US visiting our Churches and inviting them to participate in supporting our return to Brazil to help form "Pastoral Care" ministry for the pastors and their families. Our means of support during this period is not the "missions support" we are raising; but simply free will love offerings that are shared with us from each church where we minister. God has totally carried us along and these offerings have been meeting our travel needs abundantly. We also have very dear friends and colleagues who have freely opened their homes to house us and shared their hearts and housing; this is an incredibly huge gift!

Our house is being sold in a short-sale and is presently in escrow; please pray with us that the offer will be accepted by the bank and this burden will be alleviated from us. We are praying and ask that you will join with us for a speedy deployment; hopefully before the end of the year we will reach the 100% level and be on our way. Every day seems more "urgent" when you reach this age and time of life; and you feel that you "must be about Your Father's business" although we know we are doing His business even while we are in this "holding" pattern.

God bless you all and may His joy and hope fill you up and bubble over wherever you are!

Our love,
Dale & Patti Downs

2010-08-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Family & Friends,

We have had a very refreshing, blessed and exciting month in the Northeast! We arrived simultaneously with the home-going of our dear friend and sister in Christ, Pastor Sonja Lartey. We were able to be present for the evening visitation/wake in Jamaica Plains, MA. It was an honor to know and have had time with her during her “earth-side” journey.

The following Sunday we were in the Hyde Park Foursquare Church where the Lartey’s have pastored for over a decade of ministry. We went that morning to be a comfort and support to our dear friends and colleagues in ministry and in reality they were full of hope and spilling out all over those who came. We were exceedingly blessed from the moment we walked through the door until leaving after a wonderful time of fellowship following the morning service.

The next Sunday we had the joy of being with Teri Orwiler in the Gardiner, Maine Foursquare Church. We started our visit on Saturday evening at a church softball game and were hosted by Pastor Teri in her home. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and communion together with this dear friend and sister in Christ. The Sunday morning service was a joyous celebration of the presence of the Lord in their midst; worship, ministry and words of encouragement from the Holy Spirit to our hearts.

The following Monday evening we had a time of fellowship with Pastor Eduardo & Livania Marques. After supper together at their home Dale and Pastor Eduardo headed off to the late night Monday evening prayer time the men of the church have together. It actually begins at 10:30 PM and ends around midnight or later; these dear brothers who work long and hard hours in Boston are only able to get off work (many restaurant workers) around 10 PM or later. God gave Dale a rich word of encouragement for them through the life of the 3 Hebrew children and Daniel as they struggle themselves in a “foreign” land not of their birth.

This past Sunday morning we were with Pastor Joel & Marlene Menezes a downtown Boston Hotel location. It is a new and growing work and is effectively reaching the Brazilians of their area. The majority of all these dear pastors and their wives work tirelessly at full-time jobs and still lovingly care for the sheep God has placed in their care with great love and compassion.

Sunday night was aptly described by Pastor Cairo Marques as one of those "sweet & bitter" occasions at the same time. His son, Roberto, and family; Marcia, Leonardo and Marianna are departing their ten year church plant in Brockton to take an existing Portuguese-speaking Foursquare Church in San Diego, CA. The Brockton, MA Portuguese-speaking church had its inception during our years of pastoring in Brockton. Pastor Roberto and Dale simultaneously felt led to launch this church in our exiting facilities. We were both blessed! Later they found their own facility in downtown Brockton and have grown beyond belief. We were able to be there Sunday night to help in the sending forth of the family to their new assignment from the Holy Spirit. The Brockton Portuguese-speaking Church literally gave birth that night. It is Pastor Roberto & Marcia's goal and mission to plant five new churches in the coming five years. I can't tell you what a great blessing it was to be a part of those who prayed and sent them forth. They will be missed but God has plans for this great work and they will be good.

This week we have been in the state of Maine hosted by dear friends of many years in a lakeside setting. What a refreshing and reinvigorating experience; we have canoed and kayaked, and had time to pray and meditate together. We are preparing for a week-end in our Foxboro, MA church with Pastors Mike & Mary Bave on Sunday morning and Pastors Eduardo & Livania in the Weymouth Foursquare (Portuguese-speaking) Church.

Thank you so much for your prayers and faithful support as we continue to connect with our churches and ministry colleagues to share our ministry plans of returning to Brazil for the purpose of giving pastoral care to many of our former students who are now pastors and leaders in that great work.

We give thanks to God for each one of you;
We regularly pray for many of you.
Our love,
Dale & Patti Downs

Prayer Needs:

1) Strength and health to carry out the will of God for our golden years.
2) Insight and wisdom as we visit with pastors and friends; it is our desire to be an encouragement to them in their place of service.
3) Churches and colleagues with willing hearts to be a part of our support team.
4) Holy Spirit preparation of hearts and churches in Brazil to receive and participate in the care of pastors and leaders through prayer and people resourcing.
5) Continued navigation of our personal needs: the selling of our home in Indio, CA and the closing out of all other financial obligations.

Blessings dear friends and family! D & P

The Lady in "Waiting"

2010-07-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

We are in the midst of a very blessed and unusual time of "waiting". We left CA, house, belongings, what was left after liquidating and giving away all but some remaining boxes of our earthly belongings, on the 27th of June. We set out for the east by way of Aurora, CO and stopped at our Daughter and son-in-law's house, Debbie & Damian and the grandchildren, Naomi & Declan! It was our delight to have some hours with them and to eat a lovingly prepared "42nd Wedding Anniversary" breakfast at their table.

Next, we headed to Decatur, IL, where we spent a few quick days with many dear life-long friends there and had some dental work done. Our dentist and his wife have lovingly hosted us many times as we have crossed this nation in these past 15 years. They are dear lifelong friends. :)

Now we headed into our 2nd all night drive to Bridgewater, MA where we are graciously and lovingly hosted by dear friends and fellow believers. They are "washing our feet" and we pray that we are "washing" theirs also. Our first Sunday here we had the joy of ministering in the Bedford, NH Foursquare Church, where dear friends pastor a wonderful church full of the grace of the Lord. It was an unforgettable experience!

I spoke to a group of Portuguese speaking women on the following Saturday night, and since there was one English speaking lady present, I did my own interpreting; something, I realized, I would not like to have to do on a regular basis. :) This session was followed by a "Prayer Vigil" until 1: am with their entire congregation. They are Pastors Eduardo & Livania Marques whom we have known nearly 30 years. We remember when they started dating in Brazil when we were there previously as missionary representatives. :)

Our second Sunday we enjoyed a service in Norwell, MA with dear friends who pastor there and it was a great blessing to see how God is using and blessing them in that community. Then a time of fellowship and lunch afterward with some dear friends from our past history in New England. What a blessing to see what God is doing in the lives of those who faithfully grow and nurture others on their way through life!

What does this all feel like? I haven't talked a lot on this blog about my feelings; it has been more informative and not so much a look into the personal journey I am on. Recently I felt led to formulate a teaching around the fruit-bearing in our lives and how it is nurtured and cultivated. May I encourage any of you who read this, by sharing that the most difficult times of our lives can become, if recognized and turned over to God, the most meaningful times of our lives.

This time of uprooting and accepting the challenge to return to Brazil has been, it seems, far more difficult and character-building than was the first time with 4 children in hand and all the luggage involved in moving your whole family. There is the aspect of leaving that family behind, in a manner of speaking; a scriptural concept, I might add, even though not an easy one. There are more in the family now, counting in-laws and grandchildren. And we have wonderful enriching relationships with our adult children as they continue to navigate their way through life; all of them in some form of military life. They are growing at different rates and in different ways in their spiritual lives as we accompany them in prayer. We entrust them to God and know that in His time we will have together "family" times, yet in our future.

We will be in New England for the months of July and August. If our FMI approved budget is not yet met we will spend the remaining time with our children in Virginia and Colorado making ourselves available to serve and share in the churches in those respective areas, until we reach the goal that has been set. In a recent meeting with a member of our FMI deployment team, we were encouraged as to the fact that, this process usually takes at least two years and that we are currently ahead of the norm, which we owe to many of you who have stepped forward during your own financially difficult times and stood with us.

One marvelous answer to prayer has been the on-going help, on the other end, in Brazil, of a dear life-long couple, fellow missionaries, of over 40 years, who have stepped forward to handle the preparation of the FMI owned apartment we will use while there. They have lovingly repaired, refurbished and cleaned the apartment in anticipation of our arrival. We will of course reimburse them financially out of our start-up funds but we can never repay the labor and time that these dear people have sacrificed to "prepare a place" for us. :)

As we have traveled throughout the US and visited our Foursquare churches we have been blessed to see how God is moving and directing so many pastors and churches in the same direction. There seems to be a universal "prompting" from the Spirit of God to prepare "the Bride" for her "Groom". We see many making their way back to God, and currently growing believers taking more seriously the day and time in which we find ourselves. Even though we grieve over the defiant and rebellious ways we see the world citizens resisting the message of their need, and the only answer, we continue to faithfully spread the table and invite the guests!

Please remember us as we prayerfully visit churches and invite them to stand with us in what, we believe, the Lord of the Church is calling us to do in this new epoch of our life and ministry. We are open to do anything He wants and this, so far, is all He has indicated to us. So we move forward in faith and obedience. It is our desire to be a great blessing to our state-side churches even though our target ultimately, will be to bless our Brazilian pastoral families with spiritual and emotional care, as well as, support as they wage the battle in these final days of history.

I do not doubt for one minute that we are in the final days of history as we know it and I want to be found faithful regardless of the cost, until the end....or the beginning...depending how you look at it. :) God bless you all,

Patti (for Dale & Patti)

Prayer Needs:

The sale of our home
Continued health and strength
Acute spiritual hearing
Continued provision as we raise the needed support
The Brazilian Church and leaders: Marriages and family
Our children and grandchildren

Thanks so much for prayer...without it nothing happens. :)

Setting Ourselves to Return to Brazil for God's Season

2010-03-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

To family, this sight is very familiar, but to many of you it is unknown. This is one small swath of the enormous, third largest city on the planet, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. It is approximately the land size of the LA Basin with a population of approximately 25 million inhabitants. This was home to us for 9+ years between 1982 and 1991. Our children learned to love it and its citizens. Dale and I learned to navigate it (Dale better than I) but I did learn how to get lost in it and then to get found, more times than I care to remember. :)

We are on the brink of returning to this city and this wonderful country; our hearts are full of excitement and wonder about what God has planned for us in these coming days and years. Our Portuguese is coming back and our Spanish is diminishing...I wish there were a way to keep them both on the tip of the tongue but alas they are so "alike" and yet so "un-alike" that you have to suppress one to speak the other. So we are making the switch and I have to say, for both of us there is an inner joy at reclaiming our Portuguese. It is such a fun and delightful tongue, that one just enjoys it way too much!

In the event that any of you have missed the news of our approval, we are finally fully approved and have begun the serious work of mounting a "support team" both prayer and resource. Would you add us to your prayer list and remember us as often as you can. There are 15,000 churches and meeting places in Brazil and 2,000 in the state of São Paulo where we will be, serving the church, the majority of our time. There are 27,484 licensed workers in the nation-wide church. Last year alone nearly 1/2 of the converts reported in our Foursquare yearly reports took place in the country of Brazil; 1.4 million world-wide and 731,821 of those were in Brazil. There are 60 Bible Colleges and 150 Bible Institutes. Last year alone they planted 331 new works all thriving.

You might ask yourself, "What in the world do they need you for?" In the burgeoning rapidly growing miracle of a church, there are many great men and women who are working day and night to see their communities reached; pastors are stretched and their families are burdened and fragile from the strain of the labor. It is into this venue that we go bearing encouragement and care for the hearts, marriages and families of our workers there. Obviously we will not be able to carry a load of that magnitude by ourselves but we can, by the grace of God, begin a system of care-giving that, it is our prayer, will rapidly multiply and catch the all-to-frequent fall-out of tireless workers in the harvest.

In our wonderful Foursquare world-wide family there are all kinds of ministries going on simultaneously and this is one that will join with them to help our brothers and sisters "finish well". It is our prayer that if the Lord places us on your hearts you will pray with fidelity for our strength, wisdom, resource, national cooperation and the trust of those hearts that stand in need. It is our prayer to be "Jesus" with skin on for our laborers and workers in the Brazilian field; that they may have respite and renewal in the battle and be resourced by our American Church with "ministry gifts" that will come and share in the encouragement of these men and women of God.

Thank you for following our journey and lifting us up in prayer, as well as, with resource; we could do nothing without this backing by our American Church. We also realize that here in the USA we are in a season of tremendous financial uncertainty; much like some of the churches in the New Testament who gave out of their clear and apparent need, in order to see their brethren encouraged and fortified spiritually. Brazil does not need our financial resource, but they need our spiritual support and care and the Lord has seen fit to call us back to the harvest field to stand in the gap and urge and encourage (Heb. 3:13-14) "one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14) For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end..." It is for this purpose we set ourselves to return for a season and we desperately need your prayer and intercession for this task.

We are in our home, which is for sale, and actively saving resources for the upcoming mission. While waiting, we are working. Dale is this week serving in security for the Tennis Tournament in our community; I am available for substitute teaching and have applied for Census work, as well. We are speaking during the week-ends in our wonderful Foursquare Churches in the So. California area. I need to say that each Sunday is an absolute delight as we are gathered in by our loving and gracious pastors and their flocks; shown hospitality and renewed in heart and spirit as we worship together and share the word God has placed on our hearts.

Thank you for all your love and support in so many ways!
May the Grace of God visit you in these unique days when all that matters is HIM and His purpose.

Dale & Patti :)

God's Journey Back to Gilgal for Healing

2010-02-06T18:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Family & Friends,

Freezing cold wind, cozy car and a beautiful scenic highway; there we were on our way from Woodbridge, VA to Decatur, IL. This would be our first visit back together to the Decatur Foursquare Church since our farewell in June of 1997. We were so looking forward to seeing and experiencing what God has been doing, as well as, seeing many life-long and very dear friends. Excitement vibrating in our hearts and minds we pulled over in Cambridge, OH to take a call from the FMI office. Immediately following the call we headed back onto I-70 East, when a warning chime went off and signaled for us to check the heat gauge, which was in the red zone by then. Getting off at the very next exit we headed to a near-by truck garage. They checked the engine, and by now the car could not move without being towed. It was towed to the Jeep dealer in that city and the bad news was that the engine was gone and would need to be replaced. The estimate was nearly $7000. We were stunned! I could just see Dale sinking further and further into his chair. We stopped and prayed asking God to intervene.

After a few calls to check with friends for any other options it was decided to tow the car to Decatur where a very dear man who is a mechanic in the church checked the engine out and gave us his version of the situation. Just a side note: the owner, himself, of the tow company, took the day off, and drove us (Dale & me) in the cab with him, as he towed the car. It was a divine appointment and for 8 hours we were able to minister to this dear man.

The Decatur mechanic shop owner, also a member of the church, checked out our situation and gave us an estimate of 1/2 of the estimate we had received in Ohio. (No offense Ohioans) PTL. That very Sunday we were to be guests in the Decatur Church and share about the plan to return to Brazil and what we would be doing this ministry season there. The kindness and generosity of this church and its loving members covered all of the cost of the replaced engine. This was a huge miracle for us. We have much for which to give thanks! We are now awaiting the engine to be completed and then we will head for Aurora, CO to dedicate our new grandson, Declan Rhys, Debbie & Damian's son.

During our short sojourn here in Decatur we have been so lovingly received and hosted by dear life-long friends. We had the joy of being received by Pastors David & Lori Catron in the two Sunday morning services; it was a wonderful and unforgettable experience. The building and ministry of this church has so grown and is effectively touching so many dimensions of this area that we cannot help but be very blessed that we were able to be a very small part of their honorable history. We were blessed to see Mrs. Erickson, Lori's mother, who for all intents and purposes, was a mentor for us, at the very commencement of our public ministry. We have been very privileged in our lifetime to have had so many incredibly rich relationships and to have received so much from servants of the Lord, such as Mrs. Erickson.

Tuesday morning I (Patti) had the joy of sharing with a women's Bible study hosted by the church and again was able to renew so many life-long friendships, as well as, make some new ones. It was a very special time of sharing about the hope we have in Christ in the midst of what seems to be hopeless times.

On Wednesday evening we were just amazed as we entered the Monticello, IL Foursquare Church known as, "Open Hearts Foursquare Church", pastored by Dave & Ellen Stogsdill. This amazing church has literally "opened their hearts" to hundreds of teens to see their lives changed and discipled. That night there were approximately a hundred kids present. Pastor Rod & Sam Burris (a couple who were kids in the Decatur church when we pastored there) have taken these kids under wing and are growing them up in Christ. Wow! They gathered around us and prayed for us. It was an awesome moment. :) Very dear life-long friends, Ken & Polly Schnipp have helped in the formation and progress of this body of believers. Isn't it amazing how God knits his gifts together to do a work for His Glory. What a joy to see Bill & Brenda Tolly whom we have know so long that neither of us care to count. :)

We also had a very special reunion with Rev. Jim & Loni Newcome, remembering some of the unique times we shared at the very beginning of both of our ministries together in the Decatur church 40 years ago. Part of the joy was catching up on the lives of our children and grandchildren together.

I must draw all this to a close...what a week we have had. Thanks to all of you who lift us up in prayer and maintain our cause before the Lord. Oh yes! In the midst of all of this excitement we got word that Jonathan Hall had received the long awaited letter that we have been praying for to enable our re-entry into Brazil; he literally had it in his hand. That was just icing on the cake.

Our most earnest prayer request is for Denise, our youngest daughter; she is being checked out this coming Tues., Feb. 9th, due to the results of a biopsy she had; part of which was pre-cancerous. We would so appreciate your prayer for her. She is serving in the Air force in Guam.

God bless dear family and friends,

Dale & Patti :)

2010-01-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

God's timing is so often a mystery to our way of thinking; we have to quiet our hearts and wait on Him and His plan to unfold. That is where we find ourselves in these days as we travel the nation and share with our precious churches and pastors the intent of our hearts and our plans to return to Brazil, should the Lord of the Church continue to open the door in that direction.

We spent most of December and some of January in the Northeast visiting the Portuguese speaking Foursquare Churches and sharing with them the words of encouragement God had place on our hearts for them. My heart went out to so many of them as I realized anew the incredible trials and difficulties that they have faced and that each immigrant faces in their new country of habitation.

I have been with dear and precious people who, after establishing a career and family in one nation have been prompted by the Holy Spirit to uproot and leave all to go to a new country and do it all over again. So often they are not received with open arms; they cannot enter into the same career path they had established in their country of origin and are forced to do menial and low paying jobs that "hack" away at their self-image and self-worth in their own eyes. They suffer miserable humiliation at the hands of governments or communities where they find themselves; and some find themselves doubting the call of God.

While visiting these dear and undaunted Portuguese speaking pastors and congregations we have been challenged anew about, "What really is important in this life?" They have laid it all aside and believing God and His promises, they have come and given all to plant churches in our nation, in order to reach not only their own "transplanted" nationals, but to be a blessing to our country. "A blessing to our country?" You may ask; yes! They are entering into the community where God directs them, finding work that most of our citizens prefer not to do, and they begin to intercede for our nation and its spiritual condition and use their strength and resources to open churches to minister to the spiritual needs of their expatriates.

I have seen that they have adopted us whether we have adopted them or not. I personally, can see how that as we join together in communities we can share resources and even facilities; helping us both in so many ways. God is on the front and cutting edge, "OF COURSE", of this plan, and only wants our humble cooperation. I fully believe that the more we partner with every "immigrating" people to help them reach their "transplanted" citizens the greater God is going to heal our hearts as a people and cause us to flourish in a time when "flourishing" is not the norm. I'm a candidate for that!

A quick update regarding our timetable: We are awaiting official invitation from the Foursquare Church in the country of Brazil and we understand that this is forthcoming. If this should be God's plan for us, please agree in prayer that this step will also be completed. After 9/11 all foreign travel, immigration, and obtaining visas of any kind has been noticeably complicated. Hurdles exist that never were a problem before but are now looming hugely before all, including God's people, with a mind and heart to do His will and be a blessing in the receiving nation. This is where God's people come in and must stand in the gap in intercession. Join us as we do this very thing.

Every country, including and especially ours, at this needy hour, needs missionaries. Why? Because the missionary is a voice that speaks to a nation, not of his origin, the Word of the Lord and it is more closely listened to and meditated on in the process. We as Americans listen and meditate more closely on the word and message of those we hear from other countries, No Eh? (Isn't that true?) We didn't devise this system but the Lord of the Church has devised it. Isn't it only in another country that the "prophet" is thoroughly heard and his words regarded? It is true here also. God is amazing!!!

God bless all of you, dear family and friends, as we commit to do our best to keep you updated on the things that God places on our hearts and the progress of His plans for our remaining years of service.

Greeting all of you with a Holy kiss and embrace!

Dale & Patti

Romans 15:13 (Our prayer for you!)

2009-12-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Family & Friends,

Wow has the time passed by and here we are in December already! We are presently in the New England area visiting dear friends from the English, Portuguese and French speaking churches. They have all received us with great love and hospitality. We are being hosted in the home of Russ & Chris Ventura, very dear friends that have made us feel so at home! Their input, prayer and encouragement is beyond value to us at this very important juncture of our life and ministry.

Our first Sunday here Dale and I tag-team shared in the Hanover, MA Foursquare Church pastored by John & Lori Hatcher; It is a lovely church and the people were so receptive. It was a tremendous blessing. John & Lori are not only our former Supervisors but very dear and precious friends. Their church is flourishing and fruit-bearing. It was nourishing just being there.

That very afternoon we were guests at the Haitian (French speaking) Brockton, MA Church. Pastor Andre Paul and his congregation were a great blessing to see and share with. They took us to dinner and their church board shared and interacted with us until time to head for our evening service.

That same Sunday night Dale and I spoke in two different Portuguese speaking Foursquare Churches; Dale spoke in the Malden, MA church and I spoke to the Brockton, MA church. Pastors Cairo & Iracy Marques and their son & daughter-in-law, Roberto & Marcia, Leo & Mariangela, were our host pastors. God ministered to all of our lives and hearts with special prayer for teens, couples and any who were specifically in the midst of deep trials of their faith.

A very unique and interesting experience followed on Thurs evening at the Plymouth, MA Portuguese speaking Foursquare church; Pastors Elvis & Daniele were our host pastors and their incredibly exuberant 30's something (age-wise) congregation of about 40+ members could not have been any more loving and receptive than they were! What a fun time!

On Saturday night we braved our first "snowstorm" (remember we are Californians) in order to go to Lynn, MA; north of Boston and join in with between 50-60 Portuguese speaking leaders in their divisional Christmas dinner. It was just marvelous. A delicious and irresistible Brazilian Christmas extravaganza! This was hosted by Pastors John & Eliana Runyon of Lynn. It was catered by Pastor Ozmar & Iara Godoy de Oliviera (a never to be forgotten menu!) I will only mention one mouthwatering delicacy: mousse of passion fruit, (maracuja) in Portuguese! Oh was it ever delicious.

Supervisors Jim & Melinda Scott were there and shared stimulating and encouraging Christmas greetings. They are very dear and long time friends. We had much to catch up on. It was a great evening and every seat was taken in spite of the "snowstorm". What faithful and courageous folks live here in the NE. :)

This past Sunday we were in the Foxboro, MA Foursquare Church with pastor's Mike & Mary Bave. It was such a precious and Spirit-anointed time! They are very sensitive and humble leaders and God is in their midst. We joined them and 3 other families for a wonderful and outstanding lunch and time of fellowship around the Pats vs Dolphins game; needless to say the opening of game created an electrifying atmosphere but by the end...rather sad :( to say the least. Remember that New Englanders really, really, really take sports very seriously. May they all recuperate before next Sunday. :)

Sunday night was the joyous experience of being in Pastor Eduardo & Livania's Portuguese Speaking Foursquare church in Weymouth, MA. The presence of the Lord was so manifest that I could not hold back the tears. We shared the Lord's Supper together and God by His Spirit was ministering richly to all of our lives. One precious lady had just very recently been healed completely of a serious kidney ailment which was going to require surgery. We all joined her as she shared her testimony in praising the Lord for this miraculous answer. To our utter amazement Cairinho (the pastor's son of 13) played the keyboard with the worship team and just blew us away. We remember him as a little kid. We had the joy of seeing the great work the Lord is doing in their little son Venisios' (Vinnie's) life, and body, as he receives ongoing healing from some physical needs that stem from his difficult birth.

We were able to visit with some very dear friends last night here in Bridgewater and enjoy the good report of all that God is doing in their lives. I forgot to mention that I brought my color analysis equipment with me, at my daughter's request, and have been able to utilize it in the consignment shop of a friend, to do "colors" for some ladies who desired that service. I always have a great deal of FUN doing color-analysis for folks! By the way I have been able to update my website if you would like to check it out. You will find it at: www.yourpersonalpalette.homestead.com

That is all for now, Christmas blessing to all of you and all of yours from us! You are dear and precious to us and we pray for the most meaningful Christmas you have ever had; not centered in what you might be receiving but in what you might be able to share with others. Isn't this the present day challenge for all of us. Don't forget the needy in your family, church or area during this time. Doing anything for them is, in essence, doing it for Christ.

Much love,
Dale & Patti Downs :) :)

2009-11-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Family & Friends,

We find ourselves in Woodbridge, VA at the home of our daughter, Dawn and her husband Ray; We also have two precious grandchildren here, Quinn & Quincy. We finished our FMI training last Friday, headed home to Indio, washed clothes repacked, spoke in Hemet, CA, at our wonderful Foursquare Church there on Sunday morning and Cliff & Vickie Ingle accompanied us. We had a great time! We were hosted by Pastors Ron & Denise Hernandez; they are very dear and their church is a precious community of believers of all ages.

We set out, all packed-up, on Monday morning, after breakfast with Carlos & Tammy Pena; Carlos will be taking our church plant and moving forward with it. We know God has a real call on his life for pastoring. He has a heart for people and loves discipling them; just what is really needed.

We stopped our first night in Denver to see Debbie, Naomi & Declan; then on to Decatur, Ill. where we were hosted by Dr. Warren & Linda Jesek, very dear friends from our epoch in Decatur. We left after a few hours (literally) of sleep and headed for Woodbridge and Dawn & Ray, where we are now.

We have more work to complete on our status with FMI. We must receive the formal letter of invitation from the Brazilian church; we understand that it is forthcoming. Then we must formalize our job description and have it authorized by the receiving church. We are working on all of these things at once. Next, we must submit two budgets to the FMI financial department showing our budget for set-up costs and our budget for yearly support for living expenses and for ministry expenses.

As soon as the above things are in order and we receive approval for fund-raising we will begin that aspect of our process. We will be traveling around to visit churches, meeting with District Mission's Reps and contacting all who would like to partner with us in this new chapter of our ministry to the Brazilian Foursquare Church.

Right at this very moment we are a little nostalgic as we have bid Denise farewell for we don't know how long. She was home from Guam on a TDY with the Air force. After her course and duty in FL she came up to Dawn's for a few days to be with us. Please remember her in prayer as she heads back to Guam during these next few days. We already miss her much.

I need to bring this to a close right now; but I will be back sooner this time, to give you some words of encouragement that the Lord has been dropping into my heart. You are all very loved and we pray that all is well with you as you head into the wonderful Thanksgiving season. May we all recognize how very much we have to be thankful for. God is so good and He never leaves us nor forsakes us. :) I'm so glad to remember that!

God bless dear, dear ones,
Our love,
Dale & Patti

Exciting Weeks Ahead!

2009-10-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Family & Friends,

We are preparing for our departure to FMI's Missions Training this coming Tuesday, Oct. 27th. We will be in training venues daily until Nov. 6th. The books we have had to read have been wonderful. We have especially enjoyed John Amstutz's book "Disciples of All Nations". This is so well written and so challenging. I wish I had read this book 40 years ago and then re-read it yearly, but it was just written this year. There is a study guide, present in the book, created by Gary Matsdorf and it is excellent for doing in a class with others. It is not information that I have not known, but it is formulated and shared in a unique and anointed manner that prompts the heart and spirit to process it all anew, and draws you up to a new level of understanding The Great Commission of Christ for all of us. I just really recommend this book for every church and every leader.

We want all of you to be able to follow our "adventure", so I'm going to share a tentative itinerary for the months of Nov. & Dec. As the Training venue closes on Friday, Nov. 6th we will head back home to Indio, wash cloths, check mail and re-pack to leave for the east coast. We will be re-uniting with our daughter Denise, who will be here on the mainland for a TDY with the Air force. She will have a few days in Virginia at Dawn (our oldest daughter), Ray and their children, Quinn & Quincy's home. We will be there until Denise's departure back to Guam where she is stationed. We will also be visiting the Mt. Vernon Foursquare Church, where our children attend. We look forward to seeing many dear and long-time friends while there.

Near the end of November we will be heading north to New England to visit the Portuguese-speaking Foursquare Churches in the NE area. They have all been very supportive of our plan to accept FMI's invitation to return to Brazil for a season of mentoring and supportive serving.
We will be blessed to accept several other invitations to share in our English-speaking churches that desire to reconnect with us, and give prayer support to what is happening in our lives and the Brazilian church.

We want to thank Dr. Cairo Marques & his very dear wife, Iracy, who have been 100% with us in this project and been so encouraging. They share oversight of the Portuguese-speaking churches under the leadership of Jim & Melinda Scott, the New England Supervisors.

Those of you who are prayer-partners, please continue to hold us up in this respect. We are in a "applicant/candidate" status in the sending process, even though we were approached by our director, Jonathan Hall of FMI, and we must complete the entire process. It is a wonderful and enriching training and we are benefiting greatly. Just please continue to pray with us, as this is totally a "faith" venture on our part and we are completely reliant on God for this season of the journey.

We especially want to thank so many of you who made great sacrifices in your budgets for our "Missionary Trip" to investigate the demographics and the"climate" of receptivity in Brazil; it was really overwhelming and we have had so many pastors and leaders share their desire to receive us back into the Brazilian Church for this season of ministry. We also share this great burden in our own hearts. We thank you for making that 3 months of ministry possible; we could not have gone without all the kindness and generosity of each one of you, as God prompted your hearts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

As soon as we move from "applicant/candidate" status to "appointed" status we can formally do deputation to undergird our permanent return to Brazil. We desire your prayer for us as we complete all that is required. God will have to do the rest. Thank you dear family and friends for your loving prayers and support as we walk this path of faith. It is definitely a new level of trust for us and may God be glorified by our obedience and steadfastness in staying the course.

God bless until the next update,

Much love,
Dale & Patti

2009-10-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Family & Friends,

This is an unforgettable experience!!!! Today, I'm sitting in the recording studio at LIFE Pacific College and it is absolutely incredible! We are here with the members and friends of the "Pilgrims" Quartet, of LIFE Bible College renown, during the late 1960's, recording an updated version of the songs that ministered to our generation during those days. All of these dear life-time friends and ministry colleagues had come together, while we were in Brazil, and planned a wonderful benefit concert to encourage us along the path of our potential return to Brazil for a season of further ministry. The concert will take place tomorrow night, Saturday, Oct. 17th on the campus of LIFE in San Dimas, CA.

We have so many people to thank and there is no earthly way to show our deep, deep gratitude for their selfless contribution of time, energy and resources, but we want all of you to know of their love and tireless work on our behalf. Please pray for the Lord to return to each one, many fold, all that has been sacrificed for this event and subsequent CD recording, which is being done as we speak.

You can catch pictures of the recording session in progress on Dale's FB page and possibly on mine before the day is over. We want to mention the folks who have made this possible. First of all we want to thank Pastor Jack Hayford for his participation, encouragement, prayer and recorded DVD introduction and commendation, of the project, and the quartet's participation. We are grateful to Bob Barnum, Steve Willis, Steve Von Hoff and Terry Runyon; the members of the quartet, and also for all the logistics of this incredible and unforgettable week-end. You wouldn't believe how much work has been involved! We thank Debbie Brown, of Christian Assembly and lifetime friend, originally from Iowa, Patti's home state, as well as, Linda Willis, Steve's wife and Karen (Willis) Teal, Steve's sister; they have been an integral part of all of the hospitality we are enjoying.

A very special thanks to Brad Palsma of LIFE Pacific College and Dr.s Robert Flores and James Walls, as well as, all the staff that have opened wide, the doors and of all these facilities for our use and enjoyment. A special thanks to Shawn Fitzlaff who has unbelievable patience as we do the studio work. We are so very grateful for all of this; we really do not know what to say; we are speechless. We pray that the Lord will return to each one of you, dear family and friends, many fold your loving work and sacrifice!

If you are in the area please know that you are invited to enjoy this night of celebration of 40 years for the Pilgrims and be a part of the "encouragement" team for Dale & I as we continue to walk in faith through this unbelievable and miraculous epoch of our lives and ministry.

The campus is located at; 1100 Covina Blvd., San Dimas, CA and the concert will be taking place on Sat. night Oct. 17th at 8:00 PM, though the doors will be open at 7:00 PM; If you simply get on campus, someone will be here to direct you to "The Loop" in the Roy Hicks, Jr. Building, where the concert will be held.

Thanks to each and every one of you who have been following with us during this great adventure, and have held our hands, as we walk through this door, and prayed for each an every step with us. May the Christ of the Church bless you.

Our love and prayer,

Dale & Patti

The Wind of the Spirit

2009-10-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Family & Friends,

We are now one week into the precious life of Declan Rhys Basehore. He is definitely the MOST precious little guy I know. (No prejudice) ;)

Declan's big sister, Naomi has had, since birth, a condition known as PKU. It is a condition that requires the limiting of all the "protein" intake in her diet. Everything has to be made for her from special products that contain "a special protein" without 1 of the 7 amino acids. The result for these precious kids is, that if they are given regular food with regular protein, it causes brain damage. Since Debbie & Damian both carry the recessive genes for this the probability is high that Declan could also have this disorder. Of course we are all praying for a "good" report for him as he is being tested for PKU as we speak. We should have the results this coming Friday.

Declan is doing so well in every area, progressing along with strides and such a sweet personality. Grandma and Grandpa are really enjoying him. Debbie and Damian are very dedicated parents and are very loving with the children. Grandma has been enjoying listening to Naomi read nights, after homework. Damian, a Staff Sgt. in the Army and serving in S. Korea for a year, will need to return soon after our departure to finish his tour of duty. Please remember Debbie and the children as they get into a new routine without family nearby. She like so many "military family members" bravely and courageously offer this service to their country.

Last Saturday, Dale saw our son, First Sgt. Daniel Downs, and his assigned unit, off as they assumed their tour of duty in Afghanistan; we are all daily lifting then up for protection and wisdom as they serve in perilous places and during perilous times. After sharing a few and precious minutes of prayer and encouragement with Daniel, Dale headed out to Colorado to meet up with me and the family here to welcome Declan Rhys.

Our daughter Dawn & her husband Foursquare Chaplain, Commander Raymond Houk and their two children, Quinn (10) and Quincy (8) serve in Washington DC and are currently approaching retirement from the military and praying about full-time pastoring in the civilian world in the coming year.

Denise, our youngest, is serving with the Air Force, in Guam and is in her 7th year of enlisted duty. She is a Staff Sgt. and serves in the area of instruction for readiness, for all ranks and even on occasion other branches. She has been seriously busy during the recent typhoon scares that have threatened that island. She enjoys the local Foursquare Church on the island, pastored by Caesar & Anna Crisostomo, who have lovingly taken her under-wing in their church. :)

On the Brazilian front, we request your ongoing prayer concerning our future plans. We feel that this is God's direction for our lives at this juncture, and have had it confirmed in so many different ways, that it is hard to imagine that this would not be God's plan. Before we are able to return to Brazil for any type of ministry we must have an official letter of invitation to enter Brazil and lend ourselves to the ongoing ministry there. This letter must come from our elected President of the Brazilian Foursquare Church, Rev. Mario de Oliveira. It must be clear to him and the National Board that there is a need for our presence, and ministry gifts in the church, in Brazil. They must then officially request our deployment there, before we can return to serve.

It is certain that we do not want to be anywhere where God does not need or want us; so we are seriously praying that God will speak and move the hearts of the leaders, should it be His will for us to return to Brazil for this season. Our tenure there in the 80's, was for the specific purpose of walking the Brazilian Church through a "bridge-point" of change from North American supervision and leadership to national supervision and leadership. This we were able to accompany and then returned to the states, in Nov. of 1991; a new leadership team installed who were good men of great integrity. They led the Brazilian Foursquare Church for 4 of their most fruitful and spiritually dynamic years.

Following this administration a new leadership team took office and has lead for the subsequent 16 years. There are 2 remaining years in the current leadership's tenure. We are praying for God's direction for the Brazilian Foursquare Church and for His future selection of new leaders. Please join us in this prayer, it is a crucial time for them. Our presence this time would be mainly for the purpose of encouraging the pastors and leaders as they enter this new phase. The present model throughout many denominations, as well as our own church in Brazil, has taken on a seriously political "form" that matches closely with the nation's political model, and the majority of our spiritual shepherds not only in Foursquare, but many other Spirit-led groups, as well, feel that there is a Holy Spirit inspired wind of change calling for a less political church to emerge. We are praying for God's direction in all of this.

As we return to So. Cal, this coming week, heading for LIFE Pacific to be a part of the "Pilgrim's Quartet" 40 year reunion and concert, we are nearly speechless. This group of dear friends from the distant past, have come into our present, and with good-will in their hearts, full of generous grace, they have planned a benefit concert to help underwrite our need for self-support during this period of ministry to Brazil. Join with us as we continue to "ask, seek and knock" on all of these issues.

God bless you, dear family, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ,

Dale & Patti

Awaiting Our New Grandson :)

2009-09-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Family & Friends,

Dale is in Brazil tonight experiencing the last night of the São Paulo State Pastor's Convention. It has been a thrilling event and he has communicated that many positive decisions were made during this event. I (Patti) flew home on Friday 9/17-18 and was whisked home by my dear friend Vickie Ingle. A few hours later she and her husband Cliff brought dinner by and we shared a meal. A few more hours of sleep, repacked suitcase, and Carlos & Tammy Peña picked me up to whisked me back to LAX, where I headed off to Colorado to be with Debbie, our daughter, as she prepares to give birth any day to our 4th grandchild.

Damian her husband, who serves in the Army and is stationed in S. Korea, flew into the same Denver airport on the same airline and we arrived minutes apart facilitating airport journeys for Debbie and Naomi (our 6 year old granddaughter). All of this was without trying to plan it that way. It could only be the Lord and His kind facilitation of all of this travel.

All is ready here and we are only awaiting those "contractions" that make it all possible. Dale will arrive at LAX on Saturday 9/26 after an all night flight and will be preparing for a trip to Denver to join me. I know he will have much to share about the final week he spent in Brazil and we will see that you are all informed. The next few weeks are somewhat unsettling so we sincerely appreciate your continued prayer.

We need to sell our home; pack up all our remaining belongings; store them away and head off to LA to finish our Foursquare Missions Department's training update. We will need to await their official acceptance (remember this trip was a trial run) for deployment. This will all take place after we make a much awaited stop at LIFE Pacific College where "The Pilgrim's Quartet" will probably make their last formal appearance before they are called to sing before the King Himself, in Heaven. :) I'm not trying to be morbid...just imagining that we are all heading in different directions once again after this special concert. We are deeply grateful for all the background work that Debby Brown has done, assisted by each member of the quartet and other special friends, in order to make this special event possible. Dale and I have been blown away by all of the outpouring of love and excitement surrounding this event and the ministry opportunity door that continues opening into the country of Brazil for a season.

Well, I will be posting again as soon as our new grandson is bouncing on my knee. :)

God bless each one and thank you for your continued prayers.

Much love,

Dale & Patti

Blessed to Be a Blessing

2009-09-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Family & Friends,

Last Sunday Sept. 6th we had a most interesting Sunday at the Central Church during the morning service. I must say that since my earliest memories of Brazilians they were and continue to be the most flexible and positive minded & hearted folks. The electricity was turned off in the barrio where the SEDE is located. I never heard even one complaint...amazing. Everyone just said "we'll find a way"..."God is here and so are we"...so there was a precious service that Sunday morning. It was communion Sunday and the Traditional Choir was to sing. They had happened to ask Patti to play for them and since there was no power they needed to use the "real" piano. It was really a unique time of "worship & celebration of the Lord's Supper" together with no need for all the normal accrutraments. I remembered a teaching I heard Pastor Jack give several years back entitled "What will the church do when they pull the plug?" or something like that. Well, now we know. It just goes on and God blesses and makes different options available.

On Monday Dale was hit by some sort of bug and bless his heart he was really under it. We had scheduled two appointments and we went forward with them; I dare say he probably doesn't remember much about them. We had lunch with the former head of the Missionary Information Bureau here in Sao Paulo. We enjoyed catching up with Diane Bectel after which we met with a very dear lady who ministered to our family in may practical ways while we lived in Brazil. Her name is Terezinha. She and her daughter met us for refreshments at a nearby mall and we recounted our family histories during these years of separation.

On Monday night Dale had a fever until we prayed and rebuked it in Jesus Name and immediately he began to get better and the fever went. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ! Tuesday he awoke with renewed strength and has felt only "better" each day since. Tuesday night I (Patti ) shared with a class of people who meet here at the Central Church to study "Child Evangelism". I was personally amazed at the insights the Holy Spirit highlighted for me from His interactions with children and from His very own childhood. I was meditating on what Jesus was doing when His parents found him in the Temple. He was "sitting" "listening" and "asking questions". I suddenly saw that there is a window of time in the lives of young people around 12 years of age and if we do not allow them to "sit" with us "listen" to our conversations about life with Christ, and "ask questions" someone else will and we will run a great risk of loosing their souls and lives to the kingdom of darkness. It is all too easy to shove kids onto the TV, Video games, etc., and forget to include them in our lives at this highly "vulnerable" and "open" age. I wish it were possible to regain all of the "selfish self-centered" moments I let slip by with my own children. I'm thankful that God is a God of second-chances and has redeemed many of these opportunities for us.

It seems that each time we seek the Lord for what we should share He is giving us wonderful fresh insights in His "living" Word. Dale has been able to spend some rich quality time with many pastors and staff members from various churches in the area, ministering and listening to their hearts. On Wednesday we headed out to visit the Sao Paulo State District Office of Foursquare Churches. This is the largest state office and sets the pace for nearly all the rest. We met with the dynamic president of this district, Rev. Rocco Digilio Filho and his super competent staff. This district office is set in a beautiful 4 floor office building and makes great use of all of it. There was an entire department of publicity, with a staff of graphic designers and a radio studio, with plans for a Television studio in the near future. It was really amazing and impressive. Their theme for this year is the "Family". They have felt a tremendous need to help the pastors and leadership shore up the family structure throughout this trend-setting district which will then in-turn touch the entire Foursquare Church here in Brazil.

The State Secretary of Communications and Editor and Chief of the district's colorful ministry update "emFOCO", Rev. Waldir Kullian, kindly took time to introduce us to many of the departments and arranged for us to do a quick radio spot and shot for the "emFOCO" communication publication. It was a great blessing to see these brothers and sisters ministering with such excellence in their areas of expertise.

Tonight we will be meeting with a very dear pastor friend and his family to hear his history during these past 18 years. After our meeting and dinner we will head out to "The Valley of Blessing" a community outside of Sao Paulo where another Pastor friend and his family live to spend the night. Tomorrow morning we will be sharing with the pastors of his region in a pastors get together. Sunday will mark Patti's last Sunday here and we will be in church one last time with the Calvary International Church, long-time home of many of our children's now adult friends. Sunday evening we'll be ministering in the church of Walter de Lima located enroute to the city of Campinas. We look forward to renewing our relationship with him and knowing his congregation.

Well, folks, that is it for now. Hey, just one last thing. We had to take a taxi today to the church and when we arrived the taxi driver asked if he could come to this church; "Of course", we replied and he handed us his card. I asked him if he knew Jesus as his Savior and he said, "Yes, and I really need to be in church". Please pray for Pacheco who is going to be returning to an active Christian walk. People are just EVERYWHERE if we can get our vision re-focused on the needy world around us and on Christ's presence within us to meet the need.
God bless all of you dear ones!

We are blessed to be a blessing!!
Dale & Patti :) :)

2009-09-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Family & Friends,

Time flies when you are having fun! And we have certainly been having an adventure. This past week we visited very long-time friends who live here in Sao Paulo and had dinner with them. Then just today I learned that this dear friend had suffered a heart attack two days before and had not realized it. We had a wonderful time of prayer with them and then left only to hear today of what had happened. I'm so glad and blessed that we were there and able to pray with them (after the fact) but before it was known what had happened. He is hospitalized and doing better. Please remember Anna & Alfredo.

Tuesday we used a rented car to go to the office of our old and dear friend Dr. Dankwart; we had to get updated physicals for our Mission's applications, so he started the process with us. It was a good visit, and as far as his findings, we are alive and well. It was a great reunion for us. He was the Dr. who cared for our whole family during the 9+ years we were here in Brazil. He just lost his wife after a long illness and so please remember him when you pray for us.

Wednesday was the day I spoke in the afternoon service in the central church, The SEDE. I experienced a great grace upon me for this service. I so appreciate any and all prayers, for us and those to whom we are ministering, because we are sensing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to do things that seem beyond our ability. My message was from Heb. 9 thru 13. It was an expository message and dealt with the Old Covenant that was fulfilled and the arrival of the New Covenant and what it means to us. The title was "Little Miracle Tabernacles". The sense was that we are each "the temple" of the Holy Spirit. Since I have peaked your interest just send for the tape...just a joke...it wasn't taped. :)

Thursday we took a day of rest (I use that word advisedly) as we drove to several sights to check out important things with regards to our eventual return. We saw the available apartment and that was very helpful. It is definitely adaquate and has a lovely view. Geographically it is located too far from the city IF our work brings us daily to the city. So...we are praying and thinking about where our work should be based upon our return.

Let me just say that it is not possible to think..."Oh, I'll just run here and there and then get back". Travel in this city is absolutely a nightmare. This is not a negative confession...it is the truth. There are daily many deaths of "motorcyclists" who are errand boys. They travel between the lanes (on the lines) in a city of 20+ million and at least a million cars. Just while you are slowing at a stop light 5 or more of these "motorcyclists" will zoom on each side of your car and startle the life out of you. It would be so easy to hit one without knowing he was coming. Thanks for the prayer for safety, as we take a few trial runs through this incredible traffic. I (Patti) have not sat behind the wheel; Dale is, as usual, on the cutting edge of every impossibility.

Well, today Dale set out to change his ticket to remain for the Sao Paulo State Convention of Foursquare Pastors. Of course it took the entire day..."you just have to be there" to get the rhythm of this city and its traffic. He went one place and was then sent to the other side of the city to yet another. You just have to have a call for this, folks. :)

This Sunday I was asked to accompany the Communion Choir here at the central church while they sing. I practiced music I had never heard before and finally got it down on the keyboard, when word came that Sunday morning the electricity will be off in our region during the service. :) I remembered a line from a teaching that Pastor Jack Hayford did in New England while we were serving there. It was: "What will the church do if they pull the plug?" Well, I guess we will find out this Sunday.

God bless all of you and keep on praying, it is making a huge difference in everything.

Blessings,
Dale & Patti :)

2009-08-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

Dear family & friends,

We have had an adventurous weekend and are off and running this week also. We were able to visit a church where our children had many classmates that attended. Actually quite a few are here ministering and or living still in Brazil and the church is really growing and extremely healthy. What a great blessing. Childhood friends of our children are now in roles of leadership in this church. Nathanael Fawcett one of the principal pastors spoke and it was a truly life-giving. He was as a teen-ager one of our son's best friends. They still maintain contact. What a blessing it was to hear him deliver the Word with such grace and anointing. You could feel the truth settling into each heart. We are still rejoicing over the worship and the Word which we experienced.

Later we returned to the SEDE (Central Church) and had a meeting to encourage the Deacons and Deaconesses. Dale spoke from the passage where Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. It was very meaningful and challenging.

From that meeting we immediately went to a city about 40 min. away and preached and shared in the evening service after which we returned to the center and had dinner with the pastor of the Central church and part of his family.

Monday we spent the day updating our family by Skype and studying for the Monday night Institute class which we team taught on the life of John the Baptist.

Today, Tuesday we are going together with the pastor to a meeting of regional pastors; it should be a special time. We will update you again soon. l

God bless, dear friends and family,

Our love, Dale & Patti :) :)

2009-08-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Dear family & friends,

Another few days have passed by and we are perceiving, a little better every day, a deeper understanding of the complicated dynamics of the culture as it has passed through so many changes in the past 18 years.

Some recent painful changes in our own US government's manner of seriously grasping "control" has enabled us now to understand the pain of "disillusionment" that takes place when long hoped for change is prohibited by spiritual forces that keep the door held shut to needed change.

The Brazilian nation has experienced many good and productive changes; the standard of living for the poor and middle class appears to have risen. The "Church" in Brazil has suffered a loss of credibility with true believers due to the insincerity of a few. I say the "Church" because there are branches of nearly every group that have suffered abuse and/or they are experiencing spiritual oppression. It is apparent in many faces that the "joy and innocence" has fled.

It is our hope and prayer that you will join with us in prayer to challenge any powerful abuse that is being experienced by the church and that not only our own "branch" will receive relief but all others as well.

With this said and the invitation issued to join us in concerted prayer, we still rejoice in the "remnant" that remains faithful to the message of the Kingdom of God, and enjoys spreading the Good News wherever they may go.

On a little more serious note and observation today;
Blessings,
Dale & Patti

2009-08-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family, :)

This past week-end was full of rich ministry opportunities and fellowship with churches and pastors. We were in the central church (SEDE) on Sunday morning for a "teaching" time. Dale taught on Acts chapter 10; it was so well received and we feel the language returning. We have actually spoken Portuguese with our children all of these years "now and then" and have keep a great portion, but upon our return we are remembering so much more.

The Pastor of the central church is such a very dear man and long-time friend. He and his family have gone way out of their way to meet our need of transportation, lodging and they even have provided office space in the church for us to work in. Please pray for Pastor Davi (David) and his precious family. They have made room for us at their table nearly daily and we have felt the warmth of their love and friendship. Please include in your prayers also the other pastoral staff members: Pastor Pedrinho and Pastora Ester; they serve a large congregation of 1200 congregants.

On Sunday night we were in a wonderful and growing work in Alphaville; a community that is somewhat "upper-class". We enjoyed a warm reception and we both had an opportunity to share with the congregation from the Word. As the congregation was worshiping I was so impressed by a mental picture from the Lord; it was a lateral view of the nation of Brazil and it was as though there was a glass ceiling over the country and it was "Sunday night from 6 PM to 8 PM" during this time I became aware that all over the nation tens of thousands of churches were all involve in powerful worship and I saw the Lord "dancing and rejoicing" on the surface of this glass ceiling. He was so excited; the verse from Zephaniah 3:17 came immediately to my spirit and I realized that the Lord was indeed "singing, spinning, leaping and shining" as His people praised and worshipped.

Dale followed this with a message from Mark 14 and the worship of Mary as she broke open the alabaster box and anointed the feet of Jesus; this box represented all her hopes and dreams of the future. It was very meaningful for all.

Afterwards there was a time of fellowship with the congregation and then we enjoyed dinner with the Pastor and members of his lovely family. When you pray please mention the names of Pastor Joao (John) Manoel and Pastora Sueli (his precious wife). Pray that God will continue to give them open doors and souls in the area where they minister.

Blessings dear ones!

Dale & Patti

2009-08-15T11:11:00.000-07:00

Wow has time begun to fly. We have had a whirl-wind of a week. Patti had the great opportunity to attend a seminar for Women in Ministry. The guest speaker was a dear long time friend that many of you will remember; Mary Fawcett. It was a wonderful day. It was a Tea with all the trimmings and a wonderful edifying message. I was able to take the lady that oversees the women's ministries here at the central church. She was very blessed to make new friends and receive from all that took place.

On Friday Dale and I both hit the streets at 6:30 AM to catch a Taxi and head out to the South Zone where Bill & Mary Fawcett live and we spent a wonderful time visiting with them and hearing about what God is doing in their church and lives. It was an extremely edifying time.

Today we are at the central church; Dale preparing to speak on Sun. AM here in the main church and then he will minister on Sunday evening in our Foursquare church in the area known as Alfaville.

Prayer needs:
The leading of the Holy Spirit in each venue; Transportation: we checked out renting a car before even coming and it was truly cost-prohibitive for us. Pastor Davi has been absolutely remarkable about taking us around to different places; and taxi's are readily available; please pray about this for us, for we do not want to be a drain on people for transportation. It is our desire that all who transport us will be blessed and ministered to.

Dear ones, that is it for now; We want to thank all of you who are supporting us in prayer most of all; we are deeply grateful also for those who have been able to add to their prayer, financial support; our prayer is that God will return to you 100 fold that which you have shared with us.

Our love and joint prayers for Brazil!
Dale & Patti

2009-08-10T07:48:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and family we are just reeling from all the opportunities to share the graces of Christ with brothers and sisters here in Brazil. We are really leaning on your "intercession" for us and can already feel the support of prayer.

We are reactivating our Portuguese and it is going well; we are already getting around on foot and by occasional Taxi; as well as brothers and sisters in Christ taking us to places we need to go. We are staying in a small but very convenient and adaquate hotel "flat".

Yesterday was Brazilian Father's Day and we started the day celebrating with the Senior pastor (a very old and dear friend and his family) a wonderful lunch and time of fellowship. Then we were here in the Headquarter's church in downtown Sao Paulo; there were around 1200 people in the evening service (their main service) and it was a duration of 3 hours. :) Not quite like our US services. It was a very moving and dramatic event. Many tributes, presentations, dramatic worship dances and DVD presentation and then a message on the "Pillar of Fire" as our guide through life. The pastor here is in the middle of a 7 week series on the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. They have a real live Tabernacle designed with an Ark of the Covenant made by someone in the church. There is a dramatic opening of the service with the pastor dressed as a High Priest and the Ark entering...Wow what creativity.

We will meet with leaders this week to listen to their desires regarding our involvement here in their work.

Please pray for protection and health for all of us. Last night over 500 people hugged and kissed us on the cheeks; I was not near as worried for us as I was for all of them kissing us in the same spot on the cheek...there were 3 known cases of Swine flu in the family of the congregation; so prayer for everyone's health is in order.

We are really enjoying doing all of this together. On this coming Thursday I will go with the leader of Women's Ministries to a seminar for Women in Ministry where a dear and precious Missionary friend will be the main speaker: Mary Fawcett. I can hardly wait to see her and hear her message; for those of you who remember, I know you would love to be there also.

That is all for today; Our love and gratitude to all of you our dear friends and family.

Dale & Patti

Insight For Living: My Story

2009-03-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Insight For Living: My Story

Hats Off to the US Navy: The Flight of the COD : Truth Observed

2008-11-14T13:20:00.000-08:00

Hats Off to the US Navy: The Flight of the COD : Truth Observed

God's Choice versus Our Choice...

2008-10-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

In times past God used pagan leaders in a more profitable and beneficial way than were used rebellious, unrepentant and stubborn kings and leaders, who claimed affiliation with God and His people; for examples; Cyrus, Darius, Nebuchadnezzar and Artaxerxes, just to name a few. In meditating over the principles of prayer for leaders I was prompted to pray for the possible up-coming leaders of our nation.

Lord, I lift up ___________________ into your presence and pray that he/she will not view the "Church" as an enemy but as an entity of good in the society. I pray that he/she will issue a call to the Church to function in a conciliatory way in our culture--and that we would be true "peacemakers". I pray that we "the Church" would truly PRAY for our enemies, (have we done that?)

May we join as closely as possible to the needs of our society, in which we live, without contaminating ourselves. (Jude 23) May we reach out in true Christian selflessness and give of what we are, and who we are, to help others.

In the early stages of our nation our tax exempt status was gifted to us (the Church) by a grateful government for our care of the helpless, hopeless, homeless, hindered and harassed members of our society. The Church, the Body of Christ is to make a difference in the culture and society by speaking the truth and issuing a call to righteousness, and then it must be backed up by our own sacrifice to see the disenfranchised restored to productivity and peace-filled lives through Christ with His nature indwelling them, and us, as we together pursue the mandate of Christ to the world...which was to "preach and teach" openly the Good News (the Gospel) to every creature of the human race.

What exactly is the Good News? Jesus gives us the greatest of all definitions in Luke 4:18-19, when He says..."The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah]to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], 19) To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.]

Luke 4:20 goes on to say, "...and the eyes of all in the synagogue were gazing [attentively] at Him." If we will truly declare the Gospel as it should be declared, and open up our houses of worship, and homes, to meet the needs of others, then...the eyes (attention) of not only the believing world, but the unbelieving world will be on us, and we will be undeniable "ambassadors of reconciliation in the earth and specifically our communities. Every day should be the "Today" in which these things are fulfilled in our hearing.

Luke 4:22 "And all spoke well of Him and marveled at the words of grace that came forth from His mouth..." and they will also speak of us, "Are not these those Christians whom we have hated?" We must truly love our enemies--speak like people who love their enemies and get away from divisive issues in order to present ourselves as true peacemakers! We must declare ourselves as "those who reject sin [user-advocating behavior] in any venue of life. We must think before we speak--making our words and actions match those of Christ Jesus our Lord and His Word.

Lord, Jesus, I want my community to know You are here and that You want to serve them through me. Never let me represent you as someone who has a hand out to receive; but as Your ambassador, my hand is extended, to receive them and impart Your love to each and every one. May Christ Jesus be glorified! AMEN!

"My hope is built on nothing less...."

2008-10-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

I'm realizing today more than ever that our hope must be ONLY in the Lord! We have no other recourse. If there is one thing I have been learning in these past years it is that one cannot place their hope in people; people will fail and continue to do so---Only in God must we put our trust. We run the risk of developing bitterness and getting permanently depressed and disappointed when we put our trust in places other than God alone.

Psalms 62: 5-8 Amp.

"My soul, wait ONLY upon God and silently submit to Him; for my HOPE and expectation are from Him. 6) He ONLY is my rock and my salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress; I shall not be moved. 7) With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God! 8) Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause and calmly think of that].

I'd like to do that for a minute. See that phrase in the italics? If I'm not mistaken the "Message" renders that daily lay out the pieces of your life before the Lord. Now, I can't stop this right now and find a copy of the "Message" online to check it but I know there is one verse in the "Message" that reads just like that. What a picture! Sometimes it seems like today's pieces are like those little Dr.'s office preschool puzzles that you see. Easy bezy...but then there are those days when it seems like you have a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle to lay out. Boy, I know that feeling. To God it is all the same...but from my side...I have to remember, Ps. 31:7 Amp. "I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul."

My dear friend, I've seen your anguish and most of you have definitely seen mine. What a gift, that alone is, but to think that God not only "sees" my affliction but "knows" my anguish. To "know" for God means He actually participates in the pain with you by His Holy Spirit. What comfort and I really need that comfort today!

"Blessed are You , the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In Your great mercy You have given us new birth into a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for us." [I Peter 1:3-4 Amp.]

To which I said; "How long O Lord, How long?" He immediately answered me..."In Your great grace, O God, You called me to Your eternal glory in Christ. After I have suffered a little while, You will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish me. To you be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." I Peter. 5:10-11 from [Face to Face: Kenneth Boa]

My hope cannot be in: government, the church, the leaders in the church, my employment, or the unemployment agency (which ever applies), family members, friends or anyone else--my hope has got to be in Christ alone.

I think of Martin Luther's words which I love so much: "I'm Yours, Lord, save me!"

To whom are you looking for help and hope?

"Intrepid" through Christ!

2008-09-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

Well, friends and family this is my first attempt at blogging. I want to thank my two precious mentors in this endeavor: Dawn & Debbie, my daughters. I am beginning this journey at the request and urging of them both. Debbie is getting me going technically and both of them have led the way in this new art. :)

As I read the scriptures of "Face to Face" (my daily prayer guide) I was halted at Heb. 10:35&36; and the word, emphasised to my spirit, was "confidence". I thought of it as though it were, my confidence in You, Lord, but in researching the word it appears that it is speaking of one losing, casting away or throwing away, their confidence which is defined as, outspokenness, frankness, bluntness and assurance of what one is believing and speaking.

I do not know when this "reticence" began but I have been one who has "drawn or shrunken back" in fear (Heb. 10:38 & 39) of speaking out boldly, frankly and bluntly with assurance. I wondered and ask the Lord, "What have I been timid or reticent to speak out on?"

Then my eyes fell to the next line "My soul has no delight or pleasure in him (her)" (vs. 38). That was an awful thought; that I would be guilty of some "lack" of some "action" that in turn would deny my Lord delight and pleasure in me.

In my Amplified Bible there is a link noted to Habakkuk 2:3 & 4; so I followed it there to investigate. What was the connection here? In this book God's people are being "disciplined or judged" by the Babylonians and Habby :) is asking Him, why He would let this take place by a heathen nation. "How can a righteous and Holy God use a wicked nation like Babylonia to bring "judgement" against God's own people, rebellious and sinful though they may be" [The Daily Bible: Commentary].

In essence God's answer is that "evil whenever it is found, always bears within it the seeds of its own destruction. Judah's sins have condemned it to inevitable destruction." [TDB: Commentary]. Therefore, when Babylonia's time comes those same seeds within it would bring its demise.

Now, just quickly, :) to draw all of this together: In Heb. again we go on in chapter 11 to highlight many "faith-filled" servants of God; one of whom is Abraham and we will look at him after we take a look at his nephew, Lot who is an important contrast to his uncle, Abraham.

Even though God rescued Lot and his daughters his wife was too deeply entrenched in the ways of life in Sodom; her heart had become a willing captive. Lot had lost his ability through constant exposure, to this Godless culture, to retain a vision for the "future" he was to have with and through God. As a result his daughters step in and plan, in the only way they have been trained, a future that is brought about by reliance on the flesh and ultimately brings heartache and hardship to the people of God for centuries to come, through the incestuous conception of Moab with one daughter and Ben-ammi (father of the Ammonites), with the other daughter.

Follow me now! :) Allowing ourselves to be exposed as Lot did, even if "daily his righteous soul was tormented and greatly worn out and distressed by the wanton ways of the ungodly and lawless from what he saw and heard of their unlawful deeds" (Amp. Bible II Peter 2:7 & 8); he nevertheless, stayed living there among them.

By the time this "righteous & just" soul was rescued out it was way too late for his family. Even his daughters had no "true" conception of their rightful role as the "people of God". Lot was way too connected to and entangled in the web of the world in Sodom; He had been lulled into passivity and unable to speak out, lead or initiate with authority the right direction for his whole realm of influence--his family and community, in order to save them.

Abraham, though, was able to "ACT" (see Dawn's Blog) in petitioning boldly, frankly, bluntly and assuredly with "confidence" (Heb. 10: 35 & 36). He interacted with courage before God and was instrumental in gaining the opportunity for Lot and his family to escape. True, Abraham had made his share of mistakes, but he did not fall permanently into passivity and inactivity in righteous matters. He did not lose, throw-away, under pressure or cast off, for fear of rejection, his boldness, frankness, bluntness and assurance before God; but lived and made intercession by faith. He didn't "shrink back but with steadfast patience, endurance performed and fully accomplished the will of God, and thus received and carried away and enjoyed to the full what he was promised," [Amp. Bible: Heb. 10:36 & 38] which wholly includes, ultimately, US, you and me, the entire family of faith.

As a grand result, we have an example in Abraham to not "draw back" to eternal misery utterly destroying ourselves and negating our calling; but instead by faith (full of belief) literally preserve our souls and the souls of our legacy!

Abraham could "see" imagine a future by faith--Lot could no longer "see" the future in a positive light and was unable to contribute positively to the legacy he was to have.

Moral of the story:

Don't shrink back from speaking the truth with boldness, frankness, bluntness and assurance for fear of repudiation--Speak with faith, assured that the Holy Spirit will co-join your words of "holy fervor born of faith" (Heb. 10:38 Amp.). Let's be filled with the Holy Spirit boldly proclaiming the truth in love to all those in our realm of influence; family, co-workers, and neighbors. We must not allow anything to intimidate us...we must be intrepid for Christ and the Kingdom's sake.

Key question: "So, Lord, what have I been timid or reticent to speak out boldly on?

Answer: You just read it. :)

Patti :)