EASTLICK UPDATE
Oct/Nov 06
How is everyone? We have been so busy the last two month it seems they have flown by. It is hard dealing with the thought of Talita heading to the states to live and study this month (Nov 17th). We had no idea it would be this hard to let her go and have shed many a tear thinking about it. Of course SHE is totally pumped to go so I guess that is good. Izzy, Lulu and Talita have all been doing well in their Portuguese and their school work. Izzy just turned 14 today (10/29) as I write this. Lulu will be 11 the 28th of Nov. with Dad’s b’day coming up close behind on 12/2.

ChallengesSome of you remember we had come back to Brazil with some challenges. The youth group had gone through some major changes and at the request of the Pastor we were asked to start a youth group just for JR High and High school age kids. After having no youth ministry for nearly 2 months due to some decisions beyond our control, we restarted the youth group with about 25 kids. After 1 month, we are up to about 50 and now working to find our student leaders so we can continue to grow.

Growth
My cell group had fallen down to 3 men and Dulce’s to 4 woman. This past month we have averaged about 20 men and 15 woman in the cells most of them being new and not even attendees of church yet. Needless to say there is a LOT of work to do regarding evangelism and discipleship.

Adventures with Jonny
The Jiu jitsu academy had to be closed last month due to the owner of the building deciding he did not want us in there. We have a lease with his ex-wife who lives in the building but the man is so unreasonable he even threatened to shoot us and loaded his gun to do it. Needless to say we thought it better to leave there. The cool thing is that the night he was getting so crazy with us, at one point I just turned my back on him and prayed and he immediately calmed down. The next day was when he began to threaten again and his- ex wife saw him load his gun etc. I went with the guys and prayed before we went up to get our stuff. The man came and passed by on his way up to his top floor apartment and never said a word. Needless to say the men were impressed with the power of prayer.

Another encouraging thing was that after being discouraged about the failing cell group I prayed and asked God to give me some kind of help and encouragement. I preached that night and after service He began to show an answer to my prayers. I had really given it over to him the last few weeks and that night 2 young men on fire for God: (one, named Jairo is a guy I had visited in jail and helped beat an unjust case, the other is a long time friend of his who also "just happened to feel led by God to be in the service that night). Both have been sensing God calling them to move from where they were as a step for growth. They came to me and shared how the service impacted them and how God spoke to their hearts to come and enter into a covenant relationship with me. They want to be discipled and they want to start cell groups. After we talked and prayed we went to Jairo’s Uncle’s house. (He lives in the exact neighborhood where I had been trying to get a cell going and he has a large house and family and lots of interested friends.) It all just made my head spin how God is doing this! What I worked at for months and prayed for to happen He seems to be bringing together in one night with people I had no idea were there.

Year end Goals
Dulce is training a praise team for the youth group and we’d like to seee them strong and having their own leader. We want to raise up 2 leaders and 2 co leaders to lead the 5 cells we are working on. We are currently visiting churches and recruiting folks for youth camp in January. We have a goal to hit all 10 Allianca churches and a couple of related churches by year end and would like to have 200 kids registered and paid for the camp by the end of the year.

We have located another place to reopen our Jiu Jitsu wrestling academy. It is more expensive but a way better location and much nicer building. We plan to open in November and we are working hard to get sponsors for the kids and raise the funds for the monthly expenses. We already have over 50 people interested in training with us, and some interested in sponsoring kids. We have written a project involving personal growth covenants where those who receive assistance will be aided in forming personal growth goals for their sport, studies and Spiritual lives. We will have accountability cells and restart “Church on the mat.”


All and all the past 2 months have been about taking back ground we felt the enemy stole and actually gaining new ground. We thank God for that BUT WE ALSO KNOW WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS!!!!

Please pray for:
- Our cell groups and for God to raise up 4 faithful adults to help lead.
- “Church in the garage” (We affectionately call our new cell group that is meeting at a combination parts store and mechanics garage- today we had 10 men there!)
- for Marilda and Junior who both struggle with alcoholism and Wellington who is finishing rehab for cocaine and alcohol addiction this month
- for all the couple we have who are new converts living together to be able to get the money and get married this next month. (5 couples)
- Wisdom, power and anointing for us to work with youth and reach and train them for ministry.
- For us to be able to raise up a youth ministry leadership team.
- For us to be able to get Impact teams going doing school vacation
- New Life Academy (Outreach center using wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, and Judo, social action, evangelism and discipleship to impact our neighborhood)
- “Church on the Mat” part of the above project
- For $300/ month rent and the minimum $600/ mo to come in for the Academy
- For Dulce and I to continue to receive AT LEAST $2800/ mo for our needs.
- For 200 kids for youth camp and each one to be able to raise the $40 they need to go. (A huge challenge for some)
- Talita’s trip and transition to the states and grace for us to deal with it.
- The kids language skills and schooling to continue to go well
- God’s peace, provision, wisdom and power for all He has called us to be and do.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND THANKS SOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS and SUPPORT! We can’t do it with out you! We love you guys!!!!



Jon and Dulce