Is there anyone out there? Do you read me?

Waiting to hear from you ALL.

Teresa

Hi family, we got another one of those letters from Markus' dad. This is interesting timing since it's Fasching (witch festival for two weeks), I'm heading up the prayer ministry for Candlelight Dinner, and we've been feeling pretty good about getting an email out every month!!

Today in church we learned about submission, what does that mean towards Markus' dad? It does not specifically say towards fathers, but towards each other. I guess Mr. Schalm is included in that.

Pats, it all sounds very exciting. Make sure you get family time as well.

I just had to talk to a parent of a girl I tutor who says her parents never have time for her. They don't do homework with her (grade 3 still needs parents involved!). Well, I talked with the mom and she broke down and they are working things out. It appears they were having kids in every night and pretty much expecting that their kids would love it as much as they do and be able to go with the flow. I'm not saying you will do the same, but we have had people live in our house for longer periods of time and family life is interupted. Even marriage is interupted, especially since she will probably sleep in Hannies room(?) where you can hear everything in the other room. Hope I'm not sounding discouraging because I'd be among the first to have kids come live in my home.

How are mom adn dad doing? Don't really hear much from them. I guess phone calls are to expensive and I'm not sure when I could ever get you. I hope you are having a great time and being fulfilled in your roles there. Enjoying all the family you have around you.

Love to you all,
Teresa

Dear Teresa,

Cool that you could visit with Wolfgang...tell me all about it. It seems to us that God is growing our "house church" faster than we expected. Besides hearing from others that the people invovled in our group are already telling others that they attend church at "Scott and Patsy's house", we already have our first "daughter" coming to live with us for a few months. Let me explain a little more about what God has been asking of us. During our Kaleo camp Dwayne spoke on comittments one day and God asked me to give him our house, our home for Him to use for His glory. Scott and I talked a long time that day and we have total peace about it all. Since then one of our staff members talked with me about her homelife(abusive, fearful, etc) and I sensed God asking me to open our home to her for a while...so we are. She will be moving in at the beginning of March. God has been bringing more and more people into our life wanting mentoring, etc. It is sooooo fun! A part of me feels that our "ministry" in Brazil is merely beginning! It's a weird sensation. We are very happy to hear that Houses that Change the World is already in Portuguese...we'll start passing it around.

Anyway, we're on our last night of camp and we are all ready to move home and try to establish a little bit of routine before heading off for the beach. We hope you are all doing well.

Brenda, I need to call you about Muki's birthday presents that I'd like for you to send with Jack at the end of February. We'll call you in the next couple of days.

We are tired, but encouraged. We've seen some great things happen this summer and that is always so invigorating. I don't know if there is anything more thrilling than watching someone drink in God's love story for the first time!!!

Gotta run to the fireside,

Patsy

Hi family,

Today I had a great visit with Wolfgang Simson, the author of the House Church book. He may be in Winnipeg this summer and would love to meet Al and Brenda. His collegue there is Ken Spade and the house church movement is quite big in Winnipeg he says.

Scott and Patsy he asked for your email and said he could give you his contacts in brazil. His book is in Portugese as well. He'll be in contact with you some time.

It was pretty exciting, I could've talked for hours. He's now taking a few months sabbatical to write another book about the more the apostolic and prophetic work in the house church.

Teresa

Hi family, we are still around and doing fine. We are busy, Markus is working about 16 hour days right now. Hopefully this will end soon. This Monday I'm going to see a movie with some girlfriends so he'll have to be home. Oh well, it's only for another two weeks maybe.

Matthew is giving up on violin because he has to play in a recital and at the festival with an adjudicator and he's terrified. I told him to hang in there and stay strong at least until the end of this year. I really wish he would continue for at least another year, but I also will not make him and thus punish myself with the fight to practice every day. Mom remember me and piano?!!

I just finished reading "Blue like Jazz" another book like "What's So Amazing About Grace", "Ragamuffin Gospel", and "Messy Spirituality", it's a good read if you want to read it.

We have decided to take Niklaas to the orthodontist as soon as we are past these busy weeks. We know God will help to make the payments as they need to be made.

Please keep praying for our candlelight dinner. Markus will go on Saturday with some of the volleyball friends. The gospel message will be very plainly spoken in German.

Otherwise we are doing fine and busy, but things are going well.

Steve and Darlene have decided to go back home. This was a very difficult decision for them but they think it's best for Steve's parents and maybe even Allison.


Love you all,
Teresa

Hey family...

I´ve got a few minutes to myself on the computer, so I decided to check the blog. Where are the Schalms??? It was good to hear from you Brenda. We´re so thankful that nothing more happened to you in the accident.

We are all doing well. Dwayne and Shannon have renewed their tourist visas for another 3 months to give us time to start their permanent visa process. Jessi was officially registered as a Brazilian this morning. Now the process starts...lots of fun!!!

God has been doing great things in the lives of everyone around here. We believe more and more in this ministry. Boy, now that I am reading Houses that Change the World and The Ragamuffin Gospel at the same time, I have much more to discuss with all of you.

Mom and Shannon baked some brownies for us to share with the staff tonight at midnight!!! Just a little encouragement for the staff. Anyway, we love you all very much.

Hope to hear from you all soon. We are wanting to send out our update letter with a few pictures in the next couple of days.

love,

Patsy