Update Missionary Life | APRIL - MAY 2024

Hey, my big family! Here I am once again with an update on what I've been experiencing in the last month and a half...

I hope you're doing well and actively seeking to be in the center of God's will, because undoubtedly I've learned that's what will always keep us standing, regardless of circumstances.

Speaking of circumstances, in this past month, I found myself surrounded by many of them, which put me in a quite challenging phase that I'll try to summarize in this informative letter for you.

I'd like to mention that I'm doing well, my eyes remain fixed on Jesus, and my faith has been strengthening every morning.

THE PAIN OF LOSS X THE JOY OF NOW!

In the past month, I had to deal with the sad news of my grandmother Joana's passing, my mother's mother. This very sad news came at a time when I was very happy, and I felt how it put me in a situation where I couldn't understand what I could actually feel - sadness for the loss of the woman who has been and continues to be an inspiration to me and my family, or happiness for the small and big achievements that had recently come into my life. Life and its ups and downs, between peaks and valleys.

Losing someone important to me was something I knew could happen, but I never felt prepared for it, which led me to 'hold onto' the pain of grief and not being able to be physically present with my family, which didn't work out very well, and weeks later, I found myself immersed in the pain and the need to process the absence and the uncertainties and questions that grief brings.

They were difficult days, where I didn't even know how to ask for help, but God found me where I was and restored my strength, helping me to face this situation gradually and in the necessary time - Praise be to God for that! :)

DAILY MISSION!

Amidst the mix of emotions and changes, I believe I began to 'find myself' in this season regarding 'where to serve?'

Being part of the Communication and Marketing team of the base, I have been dedicating my time serving through social media and also being part of the new team we are forming with the aim of mobilizing more people to be part of the missionary field.

It has been quite exciting to see the result of this work happening gradually, from people

who connect with us after a post we made on social media, or register to learn more about how to start the missionary journey after being impacted by the mobilization.

It is grand to see God's action through our lives when we make ourselves available to serve Him, isn't it? I'm like: 'Wow, seriously, did God allow me to cooperate with Him to impact the lives of these people?' because we know it's not about you or me, but about HIM and who is available to obey. :)"

FROM NATIONS TO NATIONS!

In the last month, we received here at the base the students from the Discipleship Training School (DTS) from Colombia, who were on outreach of their DTS. It was a great blessing and brought contagious joy to our community. I took the opportunity to join them, whenever I could, for evangelism and ministries, being able to witness firsthand God's move through their lives here in Salem.

They are continuing their journey across the United States, so I ask that you keep them in your prayers, that more people may be touched by the contagious joy of God that they carry wherever they go.

Team Members: Rafael, Vitória, Samuel, and Sebastian.

STATUS OF MY VISA!

I still don't have any update about my visa, other than the return stating that they received my documents and application and transferred them to the responsible sector.

This was undoubtedly one of the circumstances that also shook me in the last few weeks and made me question how much longer I should wait, given everything that was happening in my life and in the lives of my family. And guess what? God once again came to meet me, giving me the peace that surpasses all understanding on the long road of waiting.

THE PROVIDER GOD | JEHOVAH JIREH

"So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day,

“On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Genesis: 22:14

I have learned how dependence on God comes at the price of constant learning that reminds us that God is our provider at all times and for all things in our lives.

I have to confess that this process has been challenging as well as exciting. Leaving the question/curiosity of “What or How is God going to do this time/in this situation?”.

The movement and work of God is not in fact compatible with our understanding, according to our logic it is past time, there is no more time, something is going to be missing or there is not enough time in our schedule ++ many things and thoughts from the type.

I even write about this, remembering the ways that God has already provided for my life, but still with some questions about the next provisions that I don't see coming, I feel like Elijah praying for rain and sending his helper to check for 7x hahahaha. (ref. 1 Kings 18:41-47)

But, in small gestures He comes to show us that "He is taking care of everything", even the simplest things that we think are not connected to His will, like getting a coffee after making the simple comment that I needed to have a coffee to continue the day, after a conversation talking about the Gospel.

Seeing God's care in the simplest details impresses me and also leaves me with the question "but why in this other situation do I not see your provision reaching what I "think" I need?" - Among the countless answers that the Bible gives us, Ecclesiastes 3:1 comes to mind: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven"

Well - it has purpose in God's time.

REASONS TO GOD BE GLORIFY!

The ups and downs - peaks and valleys have always existed and with them we cannot forget the reasons to glorify God, which are many, but I bring some that significantly marked this last month.

My Grandmother's life: the loss of my Grandmother has not been easy, but it is impossible not to glorify God for her life, who taught and nurtured faith in our family and who, by God's grace, reflects where I am today and in everything I'm living.

Renewal of my strength: that even after a period of pain and mourning, I could feel my strength being renewed and God showing once again that he is by my side.

New paths: opportunity to collaborate with God through new paths, being able to impact more people through social networks and also through mission mobilization actions.

Team from Colombia: for the joy of being able to see a team from Colombia at our base, willing to impact this nation with so much willingness and pleasure in making God's name known here.

God's Provision: God is faithful and continues to provide in unimaginable ways and teaching me to trust Him even more, day after day. Even when we need a cup of coffee!

PRAYER REQUESTS!

In the last few days before writing this letter, God has been talking to me a lot, especially about not trusting my own understanding (Proverbs 4:4-6) and without a doubt this applies to everything in our lives, even more so given the circumstances that happen. and try to shake our Faith.

So, my prayer request is that in addition to my eyes remaining fixed on Christ, I will not trust my own understanding.

Because, just like simple things, like thinking that I'm sure of the turn to take on a new route without checking the GPS can make me make a mistake and take me on a longer route to reach my destination when the route is recalculated, thinking that I know what God's will is in the circumstances and making decisions based on my own understanding can move me away from the center of His will or delay my process to come where He have a plan for me.

AND, HOW CAN I PRAY FOR YOU?

I also want to pray for your life, so feel free to send me a message with your prayer requests or even update me on how things are going. It is an honor for me to be able to pray and intercede for your life! :)

OBRIGADA!!! :)

Once again, if you've made it this far, thank you for your attention and patience. I am grateful for your life and willingness to support and encourage me to persist on this journey.

Remember that directly or indirectly you are also part of everything I am experiencing here.

With love and gratitude,

Nay! <3

"May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us."

1 kings 8:57