Project Fortaleza 2014

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Projeto Fortaleza 2014 je-net.jpg

A group of 18 staff and students from our Belo Horizonte ministry ventured to Fortaleza, Brazil in January to work side-by-side with a Christian orphanage and, also, to use this time as a training project for the students.

Alan Andrioni, our UFMG campus director, led the project and has sent us numerous messages about how well it has gone. All the components - from working with the orphanage, to Bible study with the students and even building vision for a hurting world by participating in a campaign to grow awareness of child sex tourism in Brazil - have really been encouraging to our staff.

The team is finishing up already and heading home. We thank God for this opportunity and for what He will do through it in our student's lives.

We are trying to raise a small amount, $1500 to help off-set the student's costs. Would you consider giving above and beyond to this project? If so, you can send any checks made to Campus Outreach, and 1599 Brazilian Summer Project on the memo line to:
Campus Outreach
PO Box 43737
Birmingham, AL 35243

Feliz 2014

We would like to wish you all a Happy 2014, Feliz 2014 here in Brazil. Our 2013 was full of transition and travel, but we made it through. Now, in 2014, we will be filling up our tanks with some dedicated personal development, time dedicated to the overall structure of our organization in Brazil, and a new website! This site is 100% formatted for mobile devices, tablets and computers. We will be updating periodically so everyone can keep up with what is going in in ole BH.

Global Staff Conference 2013

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We're leaving tomorrow, July 10th, for a packed-to-the-brim 7 weeks in the USA. All the passports are ready (Isaac has 2 of them) and the tickets printed out...now we just need to pack.

First off, we will be headed to Orlando, FL for the first ever Campus Outreach Global Staff Conference. Over 500 staffers and family from 5 continents will gather for a week of time togther for "Refueling, Relationships and Refocus". We are really excited because of the great teaching from 3 CO-partner church pastors (John Piper, Matt Chandler and Frank Barker), practical and pertinent seminars that relate directly to our ministry on the college campus and lives as staff, and the opportunity to get to know others who what we do around the globe.

The fact that Orlando is home to Disney and Universal studios ain't bad, either. Tathiana is ready to fulfill a childhood dream of going to Disney - and she get to do it with her sister, Fabiana, who also works with us!

After the Conference, we will be making the rounds with our team and individually in a short support-raising stint before heading back to Brazil at the end of August.

For more info about the conference, see: http://coglobalstaffconference.com

Global Connection

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A) Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND: B) Brisbane, AUSTRALIA: C) Khon Kaen, THAILAND: D) Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA: E) Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL: F) Augusta, GA - USASix men in six different countries, in six different time zones, on five different continents and of three different nationalities connected via a video conference call last Wednesday, December 5, 2012. I know that happens all the time these days, but it was a first for me.

All five of the international Campus Outreach ministries and one administration facilitator spent over an hour talking about the administration needs that each one is facing. The goal was to encourage an exchange of experience and knowledge about how to move forward and help out campus ministries thrive in their different organizational contexts.

It was the first of many such global connections to come. I, personally, relished the time to hear from other Resource Directors of other CO franchises about what they are facing and how similar it is to what we are trying to build and integrate here in Belo Horizonte. I want to help our ministry gain infrastructure that helps our relational campus ministry thrive on what we do best, and help take care of our staff for the long-haul of evangelism and discipleship on the universities here in Brazil.

Isaac Silva Elam

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Isaac Silva Elam, born Nov 15, 2012He's here! Isaac Silva Elam. Born Nov 15, 2012 at 9:32, 7lbs, 11 oz, 19 1/4 inches.

Mommy doing well, recovering from c-section. Father trying to learn all he can. LOTS of help from Brazilian friends and family. Not sure he realizes that we're tired, but when he looks at us, he so cute. Parenthood, that wild rollercoaster ride called reality, here we come!

Thanks to all for the prayers.

Baby Alert!

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Tathiana and our staff ladies at a retreat.We have hit the home stretch. It’s November, and Isaac will be here sometime this month. Tathiana is doing well; no health issues for her or the baby, nursery pretty much ready, hospital bag packed and doctor appointments scheduled. If only the Brazilian summer heat would ease a bit, 9 months pregnant and 90º heat don’t make for a enjoyable tandem.

We will be sure to post photos via Facebook and website, so stay tuned. Life and ministry are about to change as we know them!

Pray for these specific things: 

  • For the delivery, a C-section (because of a surgery that Tathiana had on her legs when she was a child), so that always is a bit scary, and the recovery is longer.
  • For Isaac to get through the first days with no health problems, feeding issues or infections.
  • For Tathiana to rest and recover as she adjusts to full-time mommying.
  • For Jon to have the heart of a servant beyond his natural ability, to have the heart of Jesus.