Brasil- 2009

“Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.” Philippians 3:13/14

If I was planning my life out two years ago, I never would have dreamed of where I was headed. The unexpected twists and turns on this road of life is what makes it interesting. After coming back from Africa to a crashed economy and unemployment rates rising, I prayed diligently as to what I was supposed to do, if I was to find a job or just to escape to another country again. The new reality of America shocked me, but all things work for the good of those who love God, and God brought me a wonderful job in an unexpected place. I have been working with an autistic seven year old boy in the local public school these past few months. I love the kid and working with him is always interesting.

However, another unexpected turn has come in this road-trip of a lifetime to God's heart. I'm going back to Brazil!

I'm going to a completely different place in Brazil, and with different ministries than I have in the past. I will be going there to visit the two bases that Iris Ministries has there, in Rio de Janeiro state and in Sao Paulo city. I will be visiting these bases to find out if I could see myself working there long-term in the future. I will be helping out with the projects that they have, teaching some art classes, helping with a feeding program, and working with kids in large and very poor favelas (slums).

In addition to the two Iris bases, I will also be visiting a church in Rio de Janeiro and helping at some projects they have with women, youth, and children in the favelas.
I will be in Brazil for 2 months, from June 17- August 23.

Please pray for me, the Iris bases, and the children that I will be working with. Pray for:
Good health and safety for me and the Iris base leaders
Discernment to determine where God is leading me to work with Iris
Greater ability to understand and communicate in Portuguese
That the children would know God's love above all else
Open doors and windows where God wants to share His love through me

Your prayers are needed so much!

I will be updating this blog from Brazil. I will post further prayer requests on here as time goes on. I will also be sending email updates to those of you who are on my email list. If you would like to be on this list, please send me your email address.

Thank you so much for your continued and faithful support!

Vai com Deus!
-Emily Bair

For tax-deductible donations to this trip or the projects I'll be working with:

Follow this link to contribute with a credit card: https://protected.hostcentric.com/jbair/order.htm
(The website is for my dad's computer software business, English Plus, its legit.) Use the box for “Donations” and write in the “Special Instructions” box “Brazil”. Don't worry about the computer system information.

Or if you would like to use a check, make it payable to Harvest Christian Center, with Brazil on the memo line. Send all checks to: Harvest Christian Center, 302 Soundview Ave, Shelton CT, 06484.