The Countdown Continues … 12 to go

Another family has decided to partner with me in the gospel work in South Brazil bringing me to 88% of my monthly support.  The LORD continues to provide in amazing ways.  It is great to see the number continue to go down from 30 families at $36 to  18 families at $36 to  17 families at $36 to  16 families at $36 to 15 families at $36  to 14 families at $36 and now only 12 families at $36 left to reach 100%.

3 John 8 “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”

Will you become a fellow worker for the truth by supporting me financially?

If you want to support me please use my account number 0170101 and click on the link below.

Give Online

Measure Up?

People ask me how tall I am all the time.  It is common for them to even ask if they can take a picture with me.  I enjoy being tall and taking pictures with people who don’t always measure up.  Many gospel conversations have begun via my height.  I look forward to using my height as an evangelistic tool in Brazil.

Does a bench help?

While in Brazil last year we visited an after school program for a church plant and the kid’s wanted to talk with the “Big Guy”.  After talking with the kids I asked them if they wanted to take a picture with me while they stood on a bench.

How many stairs taller am I?

While sharing about Brazil with different families the kids normally ask about my height.  When there are stairs present I will use the stairs to help them understand how much taller I am.  Sometimes we may even take a picture together.  The children in this family wanted to see how many stairs taller I was and their dog also wanted in the picture.

Panera Bread

This month I have spent many hours at Panera Bread.  This is not only because they have some of the best soup on cold days but because they offered a me a free bagel each day this month.  

I guess that Panera knows how to get me to have meetings at their restaurant this month.  Thank you Panera for a great month of meetings and many free bagels.

Thankful for Friends

Friends are a great blessing to have as they provide encouragement in many different ways.  Friends have been vital to getting me to where I am. Throughout this journey to raise support I have had the privilege of receiving support from many friends.

First, I am thankful for with my friends is their willingness to have me over and allow me to share with them what I am going to do in Brazil.  Many of these conversations involve catching up with what has happened in their lives also, including new children.

Me and Owen

Second, I am thankful for the financial support that my friends have provided.   Their generosity has been amazing.

Third, Friends have given of their time, talents and abilities. Friends have shot and produced a promotional video, designed my prayer card, provided places to stay while traveling, connected me with churches, and helped in many other ways.

Chris and Me

Fourth, Friends have also provided encouragement and a place to rest during this very busy time in my life.  Friends have been there at every critical juncture in my support raising journey over the last year.  It is their words and actions that have blessed me and provided the necessary encouragement.

I would not be looking forward to going to Brazil in January, LORD willing, without the assistance of many friends.

Montoya Family

The Countdown Continues … 14 to go

I am so excited to announce that I have reached 85%.  This means that I am able to go to Field Preparation Seminar (FPS) in November.  The LORD continues to provide in amazing ways.  Another family has decided to partner with me in the work of the gospel in South Brazil.  It is great to see the number continue to go down from 30 families at $36 to  18 families at $36 to  17 families at $36 to  16 families at $36 to 15 families at $36 and now only 14 families at $36 left to reach 100%.

3 John 8 “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”

Will you become a fellow worker for the truth by supporting me financially?

If you want to support me please use my account number 0170101 and click on the link below.

Give Online

Ordination Service!

On October 16 I had my ordination service at Placerita Bible Church.  It was a great time to come back and update my sending church on the past few months of activities.  It was great to be able to share some of the things that the LORD has been doing.  In sharing I was able to stand in awe of how the LORD has been providing for me.

Updating my Sending Church

It was special to have the elders at PBC pray for me.  I was so encouraged by listening to their prayers.  I was humbled listening to the many very encouraging things which were said during the prayers.

Getting Prayed for by My Elders

Between and after services I was able to talk with many different people individually about what I will be doing in Brazil.  It was encouraging to have people come up and sign up to pray for me.  I was also very encouraged by the multiple families who came up and pledged to support me financially either by one time gifts or monthly support.

Interacting with people before and after services

Another great part of the day was that my parents were able to come and were joined by my aunt and uncle.  To have my spiritual family and my flesh and blood family together on the day of my ordination was very special for me.

Welcoming my Aunt to PBC

Ordination Sunday Announcement

For those of you in the Santa Clarita, CA area I am getting ordained this Sunday at Placerita Bible Church.

Sunday I will be getting ordained at the 8:30 am and 10:30 am services.  I would be honored if you attended.

 

Sleeping Arrangments

As a missionary I visit and stay at many different homes, staying with both family, friends, and strangers.  In some of those homes I provide my own air mattress and sleeping bag while in others I get a bed.  Some of these beds come with animals that like to sleep in the same place you do.  Thankfully they did not really bother me except for when I woke up in the morning.  Then they would get up and try and lick me in the face.

Two Dogs Sleeping on the same bed

After sleeping in so many different beds it has been clear to me that there are many different types of mattress and cover options.  Some mattresses are firm and some are soft.

Comfortable Bed

Some have pillow tops and some have just pads.  I know now that I sleep better when my bed is firm with a little give and that I sleep worse when the mattress is very soft or has a pillow top covering.

Great Night Sleep

Sometimes I get to bring out my cot complete with bed pad and sleeping bag.

Portable Cot, bed pad, and sleeping bag

The Countdown Continues … 15 to go

Each day as I check my current support level and find a new monthly supporter or one time gift I am super excited.  I take some time to pray for them and to thank the LORD for their partnership in gospel work.

I am now at 84% of my monthly support and 62% of my Outfit & Passage support.  The LORD is so good.  As it stands now I am 15 families at $36 per month away from being at 100% of my monthly support.

3 John 8 “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”

Will you become a fellow worker for the truth by supporting me financially?

If you want to support me please use my account number 0170101 and click on the link below.

Give Online

Food, Fellowship, Prayer

I enjoy good food, good fellowship and good prayer with other believers.  I enjoyed cooking for a buddy who came over the other night.  I found a good deal on Tri Tip and Zucchini and decided to cook them.  As I was scavenging in the refrigerator of the house where I found two of my favorite meat BBQ flavorings (Yoshita’s Original and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce).

Oven Roasted BBQ Tri Tip

I think that the Tri Tip and Zucchini turned out very good.  The sauce turned out excellent and the zucchini was simple (only garlic salt and lemon pepper) and amazing.

Tri Tip and Pan Fried Zucchini

Not only was the meal great but also the Fellowship with Nathan was awesome.  I enjoy talking with him and catching up on the last three months.  Discipleship tip: Good food can facilitate discipleship.

Fellowship with Nathan

Another thing that Nathan and I did that night was to pray together.  It is a joy to be able to spend some time in prayer thanking and petitioning God. Discipleship tip: Praying during discipleship is not only good but necessary.

Prayer with Nathan (Selfie Shot)