Hi family,

Thank-you for the birthday wishes. Al had planned a big 40th birthday party for me. There were about 20 people squished into our house. It was a lot of fun. There were new and old friends there. Unfortunately Al's family could not come, last minute, as his uncle died and the funeral was that day, April 9. So Al ended up rushing to Winkler for the funeral then dashing home again for my party. I feel being 40 gives you credibility. It's a coming of age. Because you are no longer young. You are seriously in middle age now. It's great. I don't feel a day over 25 in my heart. (My body though says other things!)

Happy Easter to you all. Praise God we serve a resurrected Lord. "I am the resurrection and the life,..." Jesus said. His resurrection power resides in us to empower us and encourage us. Boy have I experienced that in the past few years! With God all things are possible! I hope you can get a glimpse of that today in all your individual situations.

Last week Al and I shared our testimonies at the singles class (that was the 4th night we were both teaching. One more for me next week). We were asked to share about our journey of how we came together, and what brought us there. It was neat to see the reaction of people. We were blessed because we saw how we encouraged others. It's neat how God is using our years of singleness to give hope to others. Al is meeting regularly with one guy now just to walk beside him, as a mentor. He has visions of maybe a small group of men developing out of this. Bottom line, pray everything through to the end. Don't give up along the way. Though the road may look dark, the light may be just around the next bend. Or maybe the next. And God is right beside you. He will never leave you. Surround yourself with people who will help you believe this in the toughest of times.

Last night mom and dad and Al and I went to a low german play called, "Onse Groote Ditje Dietsche Kjasst." Did you get that? "Our big (fat) Dyck Mennonite Wedding." Yes, it was hilariously written as a play on words from "Our Big Fat Greek Wedding." (If you haven't seen that movie, you've GOT to see it!) There was a twist right at the end, the wedding ended up being a "double wedding" as Mennonites like to save money. It was hilarious. I understood about 75%.
Mom and dad, we had fun going out with you last night ending with ice cream at the Banana Boat on Osborne.

I am walking every Saturday with a few girls: Irene (Martens) Kuntz, Holly Wiebe (a friend from Al's old group of friends), and a lady that Irene knows, Lynn Stevens, a retired doctor. It's an interesting mix, but I enjoy these new friendships. I am also doing another Beth Moore Bible study at Grant Memoiral Monday nights. I'm in Sally Tully's small group. So that is really a blessing for me right now. If you get to do a Beth Moore study, I think you'd love it! (It's similar in style to "Experiencing God".) Thursday I was a server (with Sally) at a fundraising tea for Crisis Pregnancy Center. It was a meanigful experience. I ended up knowing tons of people there, including one of the main counsellors there - her son is in my class! He's the one that is a splittin' image of Muki! I did not know she worked for CPC. So that was neat. I always admired this woman - she seems to be a woman of Godly strength. - - - Al and I have been going to the gym three times a week, since Christmas.

Well, it's a quiet Saturday morning and it has been nice to sit and chat with you all. I look forward to hearing from you. How was Matthew's birthday, Tres? May you know God's nearness today.

Love, Brenda

Deise Ortner will be coming today and staying for two days. We are all very excited to see her again. For Easter a bunch of us Canadians will be getting together for a potluck and the kids will do an egg hunt. We have had a very relaxing spring break and are not quite ready for the rush of the last 7 weeks of school. School starts again on Wednesday (Matthews birthday). If it's nice tomorrow (we've had rain pretty much all break) we may take Deise into Switzerland if she's interested.

What are your plans for Easter? Brenda how was your birthday party? Patsy I tried calling but Hannie said you were in Caxias for the day. Dwayne I'm glad you looked at our website - did you find it friendly or difficult? They are really working on it this year, it's been a while since we had someone here who could really put time into it. Hannie says that Jessi is not growing because she can't sit or walk yet, but she is talking and only Shannon can understand her. How's Shannon nowthat her mom is gone? I hope you had a great time together - actually I'm sure you did, it's always great when mom's are around!! Mom and dad you could come anytime with those cheap flights!!!!!!!

Love to you all,
Teresa

For tomorrow, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Brenda. Because of the time change and you working, I won't call, but we do actually remember some birthdays - some a little early, some on time, and some a little late.

Teresa

With Scott & Patsy leaving there have been questions about what we are going to be doing. Well, it looks like we will be staying right here in Gramado and focusing our time on language study. We will not be leaving at this time, rather doing our best to help out where we can. Life will be different once Scott & Patsy leave but we are looking forward to the challenge.

We have heard that the church in Brandon, Faith Fellowship Baptist, will be supporting us $100 a month starting in March. This will help us out a lot, especially with language classes starting again and having Lidi here helping with our girls while Shannon teaches Jado school.

Shannon´s mom is still here for just under a week yet. Shannon and her have cleaned our whole appartment thoroughly. Gwen slipped and cut her leg pretty bad yesturday. She was holding Jessi at the time but saved her from hitting her head on the stone side walk behind our house.

We are all taking our turns with a nasty cold. Our family is pretty much done but the Buhlers are hosting it in their home right now.

Talk to you later,
Dwayne

Hey family,

It´s official...we are leaving Janz Team Brazil. We are leaving with a bunch of mixed emotions, but mostly excited for the future. Our desire would be to study at Medeba (a camp in Ontario) that partners with Providence in order for Scott to do his third year of his Youth Leadership Development degree. We still have a lot of unanswered questions in our lives, but through it all, we have a peace that "transcends all understanding". Pray for us. For the time being, until we are sure about where we will be studying, we ask that you do not share this with anyone. We´ll let you know as soon as we have anything definite.

I think it~s time to get together again to talk...so much to share.

love, Patsy