Missionary Candidate Graduation

These are pictures of two of the four Brazilian missionary candidates that graduated in late June, and their graduation ceremony. Ben was able to teach a couple of classes to them and have times of interaction. It was such a blessing--the two he's standing with are preparing to go to Mozambique in the Fall of this year.

Pastor Irací

In this picture, I'm standing next to Pastor Irací, who was a friend of mine when a kid, but also my dad's student in seminary in the early '90's (oh, he was also a great soccer player). Now he's a pastor in a nearby city where we will be located once we return to Brazil. I had not seen him since the '90's when I left Brazil to return to the States for college. We reconnected quickly, and enjoyed talking about the needs and challenges in the local Brazilian Church, but also the strengths of the Church. He's also invited us to come speak at his church when we return to Brazil, which, for me, would be a privilege.

Friends

The last day we were in Brazil Caleb got to hang out with his friend, Josué, and Ben with his friend, Heber. We already miss our friends dearly, and can't wait to go back!

One Week Left!

Hi from Brazil!

We have one week left here before we head back to the USA! Our time here as been wonderful, and yes, very busy! The last two weeks held many things we want to update you on:

• Regarding ministry, Becky, Caleb and I visited the town of Vianópolis, where we are planning to attend Portuguese language school when we return to Brazil (yes, Ben is fluent but he will still refresh on his Portuguese too!). We will likely remain there for approximately 9 months before moving to Anápolis an hour away to begin ministry full-time. We will have a simple two bedroom apartment to live in on the campus of the language school and are excited to have this opportunity to focus on Portuguese.
• On the family side of things, Ben’s youngest brother, Joel, got married to his Brazilian fiancée, Lanna one week ago. It was a wonderful time for the family to be together and gave us the opportunity to add more cultural observations to our growing list.
• This past weekend we also enjoyed more family time at the Brazilian hot springs city of Caldas Novas. Caleb loved all the water (“hot agua” as he calls it) and the slides! He is also feeling more comfortable with Brazilians wanting to touch his hair and come close to him. He has even started saying “Oi”and “Tchau” (Hi and Bye in Portuguese) to Brazilians that he meets. It is exciting for us to see him adjusting to the country he will soon call home. Caleb has also moved to a “big boy bed”, as he’s crawled out of his crib. He’s adjusted well to having the newfound freedom too—in other words, he’s been a very obedient little guy.

 

Looking toward this summer:

We would like to ask you to pray for us during our summer travels once we return to the USA, as we will be on the road for almost three months! If we haven’t scheduled a visit with you yet, please contact us by email or phone! Here is our schedule:
July 3^rd – 5^th, Boston area.

July 6^th – 11^th, Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

July 12^th – 26^th, Olean, NY (western NY, including Buffalo, Rochester) and central NY state: Cortland/Ithaca/Syracuse area)

July 27^th – 9^th, Troy, OH area.

August 10^th – 13^th, Grand Rapids, MI

August 14^th – 19^th, Douglas, WY

August 20^th – 23^rd, Wheaton, IL

August 24^th – September 1^st, Kansas City, MO; Tulsa, OK, and Hutchinson, KS.

September 2^nd & 3^rd, Princeton, KY

Sept. 4^th & 5^th, Franklin, TN

Sept. 6^th, Chattanooga, TN

Sept. 7^th, Morganton, GA

Sept. 8^th, Drive back to Columbia, SC!

 

Yes, that’s a whirlwind tour! We will also be visiting more friends and churches in Georgia, Virginia, and Florida later in the Fall. So, we would appreciate your prayers for our safety, as well as for God’s provision of committed prayer and financial partners. Currently our goal is to be in Brazil full-time by the second week of March, 2010 so that we can begin language study. He has called us here, and we know that He will make a way, in His time. Let us pray specifically that God will bring us here by March, and praise God in advance for what He will do!

 

In His Care,

Ben & Becky Bacheller

7103 Frost Ave., #81
Columbia, SC 29203
803.233.3608
803.629.1085

Email: bbbacheller@yahoo.com
Skype: bbbacheller
http://bachellerfamily.blogspot.com
Mobilizing and training Brazilians for missions.

www.teamworld.org
Account #: 010156

 

FW: 9 days in Brazil

 

Hi from Brazil! We have been here for 9 days now and are finally feeling like we are getting into a routine—there is always so much to do! So how are we adjusting and what have we been doing?

Ben has been observing his dad’s seminary classes and has started teaching in the missions training program. He also gave a devotional for the seminary yesterday and will be preaching in a Brazilian church this Sunday. Preparing to teach and preach in Portuguese takes more time than in English, of course, but it is a great opportunity for him to get re-acclimated to the language. He has also enjoyed playing soccer with the seminary students. They play on an outdoor cement court about the size of a basketball court—for those who know soccer, it’s called Futsal, the official Olympic indoor soccer game.  It is a fast game that requires quick ball handling skills. Caleb and I love to come watch Ben play and meet the student wives and their families.

 

I (Becky) have been focusing on caring for Caleb, helping Kathy (my mother-in-law) cook lunch (the main meal of the day here in Brazil) and studying Portuguese when Caleb is napping. Everyday Caleb and I walk up to the park at the seminary so he can play. He has made several friends including a little boy who is one year older than him named Josué (Joshua). While the boys play, Josué’s mom and I talk in Portuguese. I am thankful for the Portuguese I still remember and am excited to keep learning new vocabulary and grammar.

 

Caleb is enjoying Brazil but even at his young age has been going through some culture shock. With his blond hair and blue eyes he stands out and many people come close to him, squeezing his cheeks and telling him loudly in Portuguese how cute he is. Brazilians think he is at least three or four years old (he’s only 1 ½) which increases their expectations of him. Despite these cultural differences Caleb is adjusting well. He is saying new words in English and in Portuguese and enjoys jumping on his Aunt Joy’s trampoline. His friend Josué also let him borrow a little tricycle which he carries with him and rides around.

 

Observation Skills

When you enter a new culture, it’s a good habit to make note of the many things you see that are different from what you’re accustomed to. Even though Ben grew up in Brazil and this is my fourth time visiting, we are both trying to make an extra effort to observe what might be unfamiliar to those who have never been to Brazil before.

Here are some of our observations:

-The Sunday church service is at night, usually from 7:00pm to 9:15pm.

-Pregnant women, women with children, and senior citizens usually get priority with public services (it’s nice when boarding airplanes).

-Motorcycles usually don’t obey the “Rules of the Road”, and will weave in and around cars.

-Police vehicles drive much slower than traffic with their lights flashing, but without sirens on. They make their presence known, but generally don’t give tickets to those who run red lights or speed off in front of them.

-The dirt is red, kind of like “Georgia Clay”, which Caleb loves to look at and get dirty in as he walks.

We'll include more observations in our next update.

Praises

-We arrived safely and all our luggage finally arrived!

-Ben has had many opportunities to preach and teach.

Prayer Requests

-That we will have the chance to rest amidst all the work to be done here.

-For Caleb’s continued adjustment to a new language and culture.

-That I (Becky), will be able to learn more Portuguese every day.

-For our safe travels in Brazil as we visit language schools and as Ben travels to teach and preach.

Thank you for your prayers. We will continue to keep you updated. Remember to visit our website for more regular updates and pictures!

In His Hands,

Becky (for Ben and Caleb)

 

Here we are eating a traditional mid-western Brazilian dish: Pamonha and Caldo de Milho, boiled corn puree (in corn husks wrapped with rubberbands) and corn soup. Caleb really loved the corn soup once he tried it, we think you would too!

 

This message was sent from Ben & Becky Bacheller to bbbacheller@gmail.com. It was sent from: Ben & Becky Bacheller, 7103 Frost Ave., #81, Columbia, SC 29203. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Email Marketing by

 

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Joel's Wedding

Last night was Ben's youngest brother Joel's wedding. Joel married a Brazilian named Lana. It was a beautiful ceremony and we are so happy for them.

Joel's Wedding

Here are more pictures of the wedding. Caleb loved playing with the little girl who brought in the rings as well as his cousin Julia. Julia is 6 months younger than Caleb. In Brazil they have special couples who are in the wedding that walk in before the bride and groom. We along with Julia's parents were among these special couples and the kids came down the isle with us. Both Caleb and Julia did such a good job especially since the wedding started at 8PM (their bedtime).

Caleb enjoying Brazil

Ben's Graduation

These pictures are from Ben's Seminay graduation a few weeks ago. Ben's dad came from Brazil for the celebration. Ben has worked so hard the last 4 years and I am so proud of him!

Caleb in the tree

All here...but one...

Yes, it's true! Caleb, Becky and I (Ben) arrived in Anápolis, Brazil safely today around lunch time...including all but one of our luggage pieces...unfortunately, it was Caleb's car seat; fortunately, a neighbor of my parents had an extra car seat in storage that we could use! Thank you for all your prayers before, during, and even now, after our flight travels. We hope to get Caleb's car seat tomorrow or soon thereafter. Please pray this comes through quickly!

You know you're in Brazil when...
Here are some very real examples of life that struck us as we arrived at our final destination in interior Brazil today:

1. A tractor trailer (semi) and passenger bus had broken down on the side of the highway--instead of using orange cones or such, there were three consecutively larger branches (I mean, large branches, not just sticks) of trees in a regular spacing, acting as cones, warning oncoming traffic that something was going on farther ahead.

2. Driving through downtown Goiânia, at a gas station we saw cars filling up with gas, and a horse and cart tied to a pole.

3. Along the highway there were numerous fruit stands with tangerines and other fresh fruit as the dry season gets started here in the central plateau of Brazil, reminding us of God's promise to provide for His children even when we seem to have 'want'.

World of Contrasts
In the same way, this world is full of contrasts, isn't it? God's Creation shows this: deserts, rainforests, drought and rain. God is delighted in His Creation, and we can definitely enjoy it too! However, some seek God, others don't. No matter the country one lives in, these contrasts are a reality. As we spend this month here in Brazil, would you pray that we would be a light in the darkness (another contrast) and be wise in choosing which opportunities to follow through with. We thank you!

In His Unfailing Love,

Ben, Becky, (Noah) and Caleb Bacheller.

It Came!

WHAT came? Caleb's Visa! Yes, it came through! We went two Thursdays ago to the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta to apply for Caleb's Tourist Visa and we got it the next day! Praise God! Wooohoooooo!!!!! Now Caleb can enter the country with us!

Yesterday, Saturday, Ben graduated from seminary and we had a great celebration with friends at our place, including Ben's dad who flew in from Brazil!

This Tuesday (after tomorrow) May 26th we fly out to Brazil for a month and will be returning on June 29th, and we'll be keeping in touch with you all through email, as well as our website (for those who like more details).

Thank you so much for praying fervently with us that Caleb's Visa might come through! It is awesome to see how God has continued to provide, in His timing.

Again, please do continue praying for this strategic ministry we will be involved in this summer, but also long-term as we ask God to bring us the prayer and financial partners we need to make this crucial ministry a reality: mobilizing and training the Brazilian Church to plant more reproducing churches around the world for the Glory of God! If you would like more info, please email us! We can send you a PDF of our Ministry Portfolio so you can better understand what, where, who, and why we are going to Brazil.

Thank you again for your partnership--each one of you reading this matters to us and the the work being done in Brazil and consequently, around the world!

In Christ's Unfailing Love,

Ben, Becky, (Noah) & Caleb Bacheller.

Caleb's Visa Part II

PRAISE GOD!!! We've been scheduled to come in this Thursday at 10am in Atlanta! We believe your prayers got them moving!! Now, pray that his temporary visa will be granted!

Ben for the family.

Caleb's Visa

Praying folks,

Please be actively in prayer for Caleb's Visa. We have discovered that his application is not even in processing yet it seems. Our plan B has been to apply for a temporary Visa, which we are in the process of doing, but they have not given us a specific date and time to go to Atlanta for this. One can only schedule by email, they don't answer the phones for anything (believe me, I've tried, English & Portuguese). Please pray that they will respond to our emails and give us a specific time to go. We have non-refundable tickets to Brazil, leaving two weeks from tomorrow. We are asking God to really move here. Please join us!

Ben (for our family).

 

Daddy, this is a horse!

To be exact, he calls the horse "Norman", after Nana Smith's horse.