Living in Brazil!

What an adventure it has been! We landed in Joinville on the Friday the 13th! Trying to push all our luggage was a nightmare. JK!

But it was something else watching us move 27 pieces of luggage around! Aiden and Seth were real troopers.  But there were people who saw us struggling and were happy to lend a hand.

People of Brazil are very friendly. Especially in Joinville.  We've made contact with people who English and Spanish.  

People in Brazil really want to learn English.  There are schools in Joinville who only teach English.  One school even offered us a job teaching English.  That's how eager they are.

The name of the school is TopWay.  We met two young people, whom I hope to get to church.  I forget their names but pray that they come to our Bible study and church once we open.

We are currently looking for an apartment or house to rent. Pray that we get a place that will meet our needs. 

It is so expensive in Brazil.  I mean, real expensive.  Just so you get an idea of how expensive it is, a monopoly game that costs in the states around $12, $6 during Christmas, cost $40!  That's right 40 AMERICAN DOLLARS!  Barbie dolls cost $35 also.  In dividule Hot Wells cars cost $3. Bey Blade tops cot 30 bucks.

It really is expensive. Everything is. A McDonalds Big Mac cost $3.50 alone. You get a combo and your going to spend around $7.50.

So you know what that means. Please give to missionary work. Especially this one! Lol!

But seriously, please if you haven't already been giving, give to world evangelism.  Giving to world evanglism has never meant so much to me until actually being in a country struggling to survive.  Physically, mentally, politically and especially SPIRITUALLY!

Please give and pray for us! We covet your prayers.

Brazil for Jesus,

-Pastor Ray Felan-

Made it to San Antonio

The move to San Antonio wasn't to bad, though we did have to leave a few things behind.  It was hard to leave the wonderful people whom we pastored for four and a half years.  Ruby called me on the phone crying when she left.  I ask her if she was okay. I thought she got into an accident or maybe was stop by DPS. She was actually sad to leave Harlingen and it's wonderful church.

Me and Jared left about 2 hours later.  We were getting the car transport for the Avolon, loading up small things in the trunk and leaving a little momento for the Rosembaums before we left to S.A.

Chick-fil-A had a promotional contest for the two highschools, the Hawks and the Cardinals.  The highschool with the most votes for the best decor would win the top cash schalorship award.

After the competition, the decoration were taken down.  But I kept some of the Hawks paraphernalia.

Some hawks heads and pompoms.  This was ideal to decorate their driveway.  So before we left Jared and I went to the Rosenbaums and left a Hawkish momentum. 

We made it well in S.A. and we are going to stay with family for awhile.  So pray for us. We covet all your prays.

Until next time.

J.C.H.C.

Ray 

Joinville,Santa Catarina, Brazil

Here are some pictures I found of Joinville.  Joinville is pronounced: zho - een - vee - lee. It's a French word. 

Joinville is a city in Santa Catarina State, in the Southern Region of Brazil. Joinville is the third largest municipality in the southern region of Brazil, after the much larger state capitals of Curitiba and Porto Alegre.

Area: 437 sq miles (1,131 km²)

Weather: 58°F (14°C), Wind N at 2 mph (3 km/h), 99% Humidity

Population: 486,803

Here is the city of Joinville.

It's a pretty big city.













This is an ancient bridge in joinville.

GOING TO BRAZIL!

What an amazing conference we had in San Antonio, TX.  There were so many people that Wednesday night felt like Friday.

And I'm thrilled and humbled that at this conference my wife and I and our boys, Aiden and Seth, are going to pioneer new work in Joinville, Brazil!

Jesus is such a wonderful Savior!

There were actually two other countries we were looking at which were Honduras and China.  But God directed us to Brazil.  The two cities that caught our attention were Salvador and Fortaleza.

So we started doing our research.  But then ended up looking south to a smaller city called Joinville. How we came to chose that city to pioneer is for another time to tell.

Please pray for us and the people in Joinville.  I'm praying for a mighty revival in that city.

I will be writing more about our adventure into this harvest field as we get ready to leave.

Please stay in touch.

JCHC
Joinville for Jesus.
Pastor Ray Felan

Real busy weekend

What a busy weekend we have had.  Saturday was filled with outreach in two cities.  First, we outreach for the Weslaco church, pastored by Cory Garza. He's having a comedy event featuring comedian Cleto Rodriguez.  This event will be heald at the church outside on October the 19th.

We outreach for about an hour and a half.  It was pretty hot and humid, but this didn't stop us.  The Kingville church also came to Weslaco to assist in the outreach.  Pastor Steve Solis brought some folks.  It was a really good turnout.

After some food and fellowship in Weslaco, we took our people to outreach for our pioneer work in Raymondville.  Pastor Pete Martinez and his wife Martha are doing a work for God in this city of 10,000.

It is late, so I will write an update at a later time.

Encouraging Growth

God has begun to bring an increase in our church. For a couple of months we have seen visitors coming into our services with three couples coming back and expressing that they will start attending the church on a regular basis. We have also seen two single people, both male, coming and locking in.  We are averaging 45 to 55 people a month. If everyone would come at the same time, we would have approximately 67 faithful members in attendance with visitors at almost every service.

God is really helping us in our street meetings as well.  Our services on Sunday night start at 6pm so by the time service is over, it's still light out.  This has given us an opportunity to go street preaching right after service for about an hour or so.

Pray for us here in Harlingen.  I will come back soon to write more.

JCHC
Pastor Ray Felan

It Been A Year Or So!

Hello All

Well, It has been a year or so since I have written on this blog.  I hope all is well and for those who have been praying for us thanks and please continue.

I'm hoping to post more often as time allows.  Returning isn't easy.  The demand of the harvest field is demanding, but I hope that I can write more often.

Please pray for us and continue to come back to this blog.

Thanks
JCHC
Pastor Ray