This term moved us to Bauru, SP to open up this part of the state of Sao Paulo. We have been here since June 2000 and are teamed up with Bill & Sue Spoelhof, and Guto & Vanice Vanini (a Brazilian couple).

We have been helping the other Bauru Field team members get settled into life here this past year, as well as ministering in university Bible studies and getting to know some Brazilians. In November we started an in-home Bible study and that grew into our first church-plant, which officially began in May 2001.

We have rented a beautifully equipped facility on the south end of the city that is located in a highly commercial and residential area. After much thought and prayer, we named the facility the ALFA CENTER, because it is 'the beginning' of a work, in which Christ is the center. The Alfa Center is used for ESL classes (English Second Language), Bible studies, an English Bible hour on Sunday AM & our evening Celebration in Portuguese.

Family

Our family has grown this year! Aurora is a very active 21 month little girl – we think she’s already entering the “terrible 2’s”. We’re just hoping that she’ll grow out of them before she reaches 3!!! She talks non-stop in 3 languages - English, Portuguese, & her own language. We’re getting quite good at translating what she’s saying! She sure brings us tons of joy every day! Debbie is always taking pictures of her (a scrap booker at heart), so check back weekly for updates on her growth & development - &, of course, sweet smile!!

We’ve added Jennifer, Debbie’s sister, to our household for this year. She came down under ABWE as a short-termer in January and is working with the ESL program, as well as spoiling her niece!! She’ll be with us until December.

Our home is always open for entertaining and we’re enjoying getting to know some Brazilian couples and families, as well as discipling them around our dining room table. Aurora loves to play with other kids and doesn’t seem to mind sharing her toys!

Dan keeps busy with his responsibilities in the office (studying, correspondence), pastoral care (preaching, discipleship, Bible studies, accountability, meetings, visits, etc.), and day-to-day errands. He has been able to translate weekly Bible-study lessons for our in-home group, as well as prepare practical messages to encourage spiritual growth among the people attending our services.

Debbie spends most of her time caring for Aurora and our home. She is coordinating the Worship team at the Alfa Center and is developing that through notebooks for instrumentalists and weekly PowerPoint presentations for our services. She has also spent many hours working on the nurseries at the Alfa Center. She has developed a policy brochure for nursery workers and parents, and along with Jennifer, has painted a very large mural on the wall of the toddler nursery.