Time for an Update

NEWS UPDATE 

Great News!

I have been approved as a field worker under the organization Modern Day missions.  Modern Day’s mission is to partner in the equipping of missionaries and to facilitate their needs as they prepare to go and as they serve out in the field.  This is a tremendous blessing to me.  This tool will provide an opportunity for supporters to donate electronically and possibly gain more supporters through their own network.

Please view my profile at: http://www.modernday.org/field-workers/adrienne-arner/.  In the upper right corner of my profile, there is a button to click (Donate to Adrienne Arner) which will take you to a DonorGive login page.  Once you have registered, you will be routed to a donation page where you can choose to give a one time, weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly donation.  ModernDay is required by the government to take five percent of my monthly donations, so please keep that in mind while making your decisions.  Donations and support can still be received by Dayspring Christian Fellowship for those who would like to continue giving through the church.  Your donation is tax deductible regardless of how you choose to give.

Please check out my profile and feel free to share it with family and friends.  At the end of this newsletter is a list of needs and prayers, many of which require monetary means.  I live solely on your giving and support.  Please prayerfully consider supporting me if you do not already.  If you would like more information about my work here in Recife, Brazil and at Shores of Grace, you are welcome to contact me at adrienne.arner87@gmail.com.

Staking My Claim

The beginning of a new year is always exciting.  There have been many happenings in the first five months of 2016.  As I mentioned in my last update, many exciting things have taken place and are developing at Shores of Grace.

With all the commotion, I did not notice that my current stay in Brazil has officially been my longest.  Three months came and went.  It feels as if I blinked and missed it.  It is refreshing to know that packing-up-every-three-months is no longer a part of my normal life.  Henna, my roommate, and I have even been sprucing up the apartment, creating an atmosphere that is more our own.  We are letting Brazil know we are here for the long haul.

As my Portuguese progresses, I find enjoyment in being able to communicate with Brazilians, especially the kids in the communities, on the streets, and the beautiful girls at our Vila Betânia (Bethany Villa).  Love transcends all languages; although, the ability to convey one's feelings and thoughts brings a sense of fulfillment.

Who’s Got Spirit

Like all the schools in the United States, the kids (Christian, Forrest, and Leila) and I are bringing the 2015 - 2016 school year to a close.  The kids have really flourished in their studies this year.  Christian and Forrest both made the honor roll last semester and Christian received two other awards for his participation in classes and extra activities.  Leila has received high scores in all her classes and is gaining the confidence she needs to work more independently.

It is encouraging as a teacher to see even one student recognize their own potential, so my heart is bursting with pride as this school year comes to an end.

Please be in prayer as Nic, Rachael, and I head into making further educational decisions for the family.  Cássia will be entering kindergarten next year and we are considering all the options to make the best decision that will benefit everyone.

Shattered Dark & Kiss the Dawn

Through the past few months, we at Shores of Grace have encountered many precious moments.  God has been moving sweetly through all the areas of the ministry.  We have been experiencing powerful  prophecies  and declarations from children over lives and countries, healings on the streets when ministering to the prostitutes and homeless and breakthroughs in hardened hearts of girls who’ve never known true love.  God is stirring the hearts of his people in a time when there is dire need.

Along with the precious moments, many obstacles have risen.  Vila Betânia (Bethany Village) is growing and thriving into something more beautiful than we at Shores of Grace ever expected; however, the expansion of Bethany and its needs as well as the growth in other areas of ministry has created an ever-increasing  financial need.  The monthly bills required to run day to day living has risen as well.  If you are interested in giving to Shores of Grace and/or Vila Betânia, please visit https://shoresofgrace.com/donate/.  Shores of Grace is a non-profit organization and your donation is tax deductible.

Our staff have also encountered many physical attacks recently.  The area where we live and work has experienced many robberies and muggings in the past month.  One of the ladies here has been robbed  twice with the attacks being only a couple of weeks apart, losing everything each time.  Many of our staff, including myself, walk from place to place for it is the main source of transportation.  With the rise in crime, it is becoming increasingly unsafe for us to walk where we need to go.  Please be in prayer for safety along with finances for vehicles.  Shores of Grace has limited use of vehicles due to the ministry work, so personal vehicles are becoming a necessity.  Henna and I have been looking at purchasing a vehicle but are not able to do so at this time.

Prayers & Requests

Thank you for your continued support.  Below is a current list of needs and prayer requests.

• The government of Brazil
• The funds for Shores of Grace and Vila Betânia
• The volunteers and staff at Shores of Grace and Vila Betânia
• Wisdom for the direction of the Billmans’ education
• Funds for my personal dental work
• Finances for purchasing a vehicle
• Continued monthly support and progression of paying off student debt
• Funds for traveling to see family and raising support

If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me at adrienne.arner87@gmail.com.  Please do not forget to check out Modern Day (www.modernday.org) as well as Shores of Grace (www.shoresofgrace.com).

Blessings,

Adrienne Arner

No Time Like the Present

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.  

First, I will express my gratitude to all of those who sent their monetary support to my GoFundMe campaign as well as those who continually send me support. I was in awe of how quickly the money came and from people I did not expect.

It has been a month; since, I returned to my home here in Brasil. I have been reflecting on my transition back to the normal chaos of my life, and the strange thing is it feels as if I never left in the first place.

I don't know if it is due to the welcoming arms of the family I have here with Shores of Grace, or if it is just a confirmation of this being where I belong. Regardless, I am blessed and overjoyed to be home again.

I will admit I catch myself thinking about not having to prepare to leave again in another month or so.... and it is a strange sensation. For most people, having to pack up the majority of your belongings every three months to travel to a different hemisphere is unfamiliar. But I have created the habit for about two years now, the lack of it is an unusual state of rest. I am definitely enjoying the rest; however, I don't believe the true peace of situation will hit me until my three month mark comes and I remain here.

The excitement of being here long term is overwhelming. I continually think about all the things I can do and be a part of; since, I will be here. And, there are so many exciting things happening here at Shores of Grace.

The base itself is now reflecting the life and excitement we at Shores of Grace share for the people of Brasil. The past several weeks two extremely talented artists have been fervently working on painting the walls of the mission base. Even in the incomplete stage, we caught people just stopping to admire the artwork.

Also, the new Vila Betânia (Bethany Village) is now open to receive girls from 0 - 18 years old needing a home and a safe place. The inauguration night was beautiful. The judge over children services and her team for our city came and shared publicly their support for the work of Shores of Grace. It was an emotional night for everyone as more and more people shared their hearts for the new home and welcomed in the new staff. After a traumatic closing of the first Betânia just over a year ago, it was a night of healing broken hearts and mending shattered dreams. It is a testimony of how God can turn the dark into light and morning into gladness if we keep our focus on him.

We now have 14 girls and 3 babies at Vila Betânia. The first of our babies is in the processof being adopted. We are all very excited for her to have a loving family but cannot help being saddened by her leaving our care. It is amazing how quickly a connection is made when your heart is open. Please be in prayer for a smooth and peaceful adoption process and transition not only of the baby and family but for the Betânia staff as well.

Nic and Rachael Billman, founders and directors of Shores of Grace, have recorded a new CD, Kiss the Dawn. The CD will be released during their Kiss the Dawn tour in the States next month. The CD is INCREDIBLE! It has a classic folk rock sound. It also features two songs with Steffany Grezinger from Bethel music.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Nic and Rachael and the team during the recording process, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. All of the songs came out of a time of hardship where complete abandonment to God was the only way to survive.

Along with the new CD, Nic and Rachael have released a music video of one of the songs, Blackbird, featuring their eldest daughter Leila. It is a gripping video produced by our own media team at Shores of Grace in association with a professional team from São Paulo.

If you would like to view some behind the scenes clips of the production of the CD as well as other Shores of Grace work, visit the Shores of Grace YouTube channel or the Shores of Grace Facebook page.

There are so many changes and new things happening here at Shores of Grace as well as in my own life. If you would like to continue hearing more from me, please follow this blog or send me your email address. I would love to share my stories with you.

Home Sweet Home

As I laid in my bed, I was consumed with the thoughts of "this is MY bed, this is MY room, this is MY space."  

For the average person, this may not be something you contemplate frequently; but for me, it has been a daily thought for the past week. Why???

Well, after a year and a half, I finally have my OWN place again. I don't have to unpack a suitcase just to repack it in a couple months. I don't have to plan on where to store things that I can't bring with me on my travels. I only have to take what I want and leave the others in their place. 

It's an amazing and strange feeling.... You don't realize how much you missed the feeling of "being at home" until it returns to you. 

This is my new favorite place.

Thank you for all the prayers and the support to have this opportunity. Henna (my roommate) and I couldn't have been done it with out you. 

A HUGE THANK YOU...... actually UM GRANDE OBRIGADA to our friend Wellington who made numerous calls and meetings for us to help us find our place. We DEFINATELY couldn't have done it with out you. :)

Our housewarming party with our friends and "family."

We have found so much favor through the whole process. The apartment came fully furnished with beds, tables, chairs, closets, even cups, and plates. The landlord even replaced mattresses and purchased a microwave and coffeemaker for us. 

The landlord is a testimony as well. Our team at Shores of Grace goes on "treasure hunts" on Tuesday nights to one of the area malls. One night, one of the treasures for evening happened to be our landlord. She was very touched by the prayers of the group. 

When we contacted her about the apartment and told her we volunteer with Shores of Grace, she was overjoyed to have us rent the apartment. 

Henna and I don't spend too much time at the apartment due to the volunteer work we do, but it has been a blessing to come home to our own space to relax and unwind and to have a quiet place to prepare for the day ahead.

Please keep us in your prayers as we adjust to leaving on our own in a foreign country and continued favor with our landlord and neighbors.

News Update

This is just a quick update on what's been happening on my side of the world.

I am busy settling back into a routine here in Recife with the Billmans and my Shores of Grace family. There has been a lot of great things happening.


The Billmans have found a new house to better suit their needs and it is amazing!


They are excited to make it a home and have already enjoyed the yard with grass instead of concrete.


I am also working on my personal move to an apartment with another missionary from Finland. We have found a few places of interest and hope to be moved in my the end of this month. Please me in prayer for us to find the best deal and the ideal location. Both of us are fully funded by supporters, so also pray for a consistency of financial means.

More good news.... I have received my last document needed to complete my volunteer visa applications. I will be submitting the application while I am here in Brazil, so please be in prayer over the process. I hope to have the visa upon my return to the States in November or December. 

Last but definitely not least, thank you for all the prayers and support you all have already provided. I am truly amazed by God's goodness and the goodness of others everyday. 

If you would like to send a contribution to me, please do the following:

For my Midwest folks:

Make checks to DCF Missions with my name (Adrienne Arner) on the memo line.
Send it to:     Dayspring Christian Fellowship
                       2157 N. Prospect Ave
                       Springfield, MO 65803

For my East coast folks:

Make checks to Landmark Church with my name (Adrienne Arner) on the memo line.
Send it to:    Landmark Church
                      3220 Platts Springs Road
                      West Columbia, SC 29170
               

Without Borders

      This update is long overdue. I have struggled with what to write for many months now, because there are many things to share and not enough words to convey the heart of it all. God has shown new aspects of who He is throughout this journey, and it has been an amazing and beautiful revelation of what He intends for his children.

As many of you already know, I am now a full-time missionary. I live solely off your financial support, and you have been a tremendous blessing. I have had few monetary concerns. I have learned to trust “without borders,” and God has exceeded my needs; however, when I return to Brazil this month, I will be searching for new housing. With the new living expenses I will need to at least double the funding I am now receiving, so I am looking for more monthly support. Do not feel obligated or feel you do not have enough to give. Any amount will help. Additionally, the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Brazilian Real is 1 to 3.37, so whatever amount you can give will more than triple.

    For those who do not know, I am the teacher

(learning coach) for the children of Nic and

Rachael Billman. Nic and Rachael are the

co-founders and co-directors of Shores of Grace. Their main focus is to bring the love of the Father to the women, men, and children of Brazil who are facing abuse and are being forced into sex-trafficking and prostitution. Shores of Grace has many branches including a street ministry (homeless districts), favela ministry (slum districts), prostitution street ministry, and many more.

   During this past year, I have been blessed to serve in all areas of Shores of Grace. I have seen women come off the streets to pursue a better life. We were able to bless a few of the women with opportunities to go to law school, nursing school, and cosmetology school. The story that touches my heart the most is the mother of the boy pictured to the right. She is a mother of eleven. She and her family live in one of the favelas we minister to on a weekly basis. She walks over an hour to go to school to learn how to read and write. I had the privilege to assist her in writing her children’s names and birthdays for the first time. Her face was illuminated with joy when she was able to completed her list on her own.

   Thank you for all your prayers and support this past year. I cannot wait to share more about God’s work in Recife, Brazil.

    

Blessings!

Financial support:

Make checks payable to DCF Missions.  Include Adrienne Arner on the memo line. Please send to:

      Dayspring Christian Fellowship

     2157 N. Prospect Ave

     Springfield, MO 65803

The Happenings

Things I have realized....

1. That I haven't really talked about my experiences here (what I do and what I've done)
2. That I probably should (referring to #1)
3. That I don't know where to start (referring to all of the above)

So here I go......

Everyday I discover more and more how AMAZING middle school and upper elementary teachers are. YOU ALL ARE THE BOMB! I had a good idea of what I would be getting into, but I'll say there have been a few days where the struggle was real (that's for you Chandler ;)). 

A diet really needs to consist of more than meat, rice, beans, bread, sugar, and coffee. All of which are found in abundance in Brasil. It is also kind of a shame, because there are some wonderful fruits and vegetables natively grown here which a lot of Brazilians do not eat. I would give you the names of said fruits and veggies if I knew how to spell and or say them.... but I don't so.... come visit and you can try some. See what I did there?!

I will say the one most Americans would be somewhat familiar with is açai (ah-sigh-ee). It is native to the Amazon. No, I am not close to the Amazon, but I am closer here in the northeast than Rio or São Paulo. Regardless, açai is awesome!!!! I have probably eaten my weight in it.

Mosquitos will probably be the death of me...... The only creature I'm confused to what their purpose on earth is. Good news though, I've started to build up an immunity. Which means, I don't swell up like a balloon with every bite.... Yes, it did happen NUMEROUS times, and no, I did not take pictures.

Working with Shores of Grace, it is evident that LOVE is the master tool. During my time here, I have willingly shared my time with numerous people who get overlooked everyday: the poor, homeless, and prostitutes. I have shared many smiles and hugs, drawn and colored pictures with them, painted finger and toe nails, attempted conversations with them (still working on Portuguese), and prayed with them.

Missions does not have to be extravagant. Love does not have to be extravagant. All you have to do is be willing to share what you have with those around you. You may only have a smile or a head nod to share or a 5 minute conversation while waiting in a line. I have heard from so many people, "I wish I could do what you are doing," and "I've always wanted to do that but don't have the time or opportunity." The truth is you can do what I am doing everyday. No one is stopping you from sharing a little bit of you with everyone you meet other than you. Limiting yourself by believing you have nothing to offer or share is the only obstacle to overcome. We all have something to share, and again it doesn't have to be extravagant. There is no way to know how sharing will affect those you share with. We tend to think towards the negative, but why would an act of kindness have a negative effect?

I'll leave you to ponder that....

On top of all of that, I have come to know and love the people here: the volunteers who come and go, the other missionaries (from Brazil, USA, and other countries), the staff of Shores of Grace, and the people of Brazil. I am incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to come and serve a family who gives it all and give it their all. I am blessed to be living out the calling God has placed on my life over 14 years ago. With that being said, I have decided to pursue a volunteer visa which will allow me to serve in Brazil for a longer period of time. I am excited for what God has in store during this next season, and I ask for lots of prayers. The volunteer visa can be and typically is a tricky and lengthy task, so any prayers and encouragement will be accepted with open arms. :D

What Dreams are Made of

....I would never want to miss this

'cause in my heart I know what this is

.....This is what dreams are made of

I've got somewhere I belong

I've got somebody to love

This is what dreams are made of.....

I am imagining right now that my sister is freaking out, because I am quoting part of a Lizzie McGuire (Hillary Duff) song. The reason I am quoting the song is not the same as her reason for singing it. No, I have not found "my husband" (lol); however, I do find this portion relevant to my situation. For I am living out my dream. 

Many people never get the chance to live out their dreams. This could be from many reasons; I feel it is mostly due to a fear of the unknown. It is unknown to us whether the "dream" is what we hope it to be. We would rather hold on to the hope of the dream rather than have it to become a reality with the possibility of being disappointed.

Admittedly, I felt this way coming to Brasil and, honestly, still wake up feeling this way. The most important part of my day is reminding myself God would not have put the dream inside my heart to see me fail, and I will not let an attitude of failure keep me from walking it out.

Since I have been here in Brasil, I have been asked twice what my dream is. Both times I had to pause before I answered. Not because I didn't know what my dream was, but because I was reminded I am currently living it. 

During the process of coming here, God had reminded me of discussions I have had with him as well as others about my dream of coming to Brasil. It blows my mind how even things I said when I was a young girl are now coming true. 

I cannot put into words the feeling in my heart to be so blessed to have this opportunity. How is it that I am the lucky one to see the dream come to pass? Many others more qualified than I have not had this chance. The greatest part of it all is "no I am not qualified, not on my own." Through God, I am qualified. Through the obedience of my parents and their prayers, I am able to walk in the inheritance given to me. This is what dreams are made of. 

Yes, it has been difficult at times to figure out how things will work, feeling out of place, and even lonely. I think we all have been a little deceived when it comes to understanding our callings and dreams. It isn't like a fairy tale.... well even in the fairy tales the characters had to overcome before their dreams came true. Cinderella had to have the feeling of disappointment and hurt before the fairy godmother granted her wish. She had to have the fear of the Prince being disappointed with her being common for him to chase after her. I think we tend to overlook those parts of the stories. We want the happy ending; however, we are not willing to overcome the struggles to get there. 

I wonder if the happy endings would be so happy if we didn't overcome the struggles. I was reading a story today with one of the kids called It Could Always be Worse. In the story, a man is complaining about how awful his life is, how poor he is to a rabbi. The rabbi tells him to bring in all his animals into his one-room hut with him, his wife, in-laws, and six children. The man does as he was told and comes back complaining more than before. The rabbi tells him to return the animals outside one day at a time. Once they are all out of the house, the man comes back to the rabbi rejoicing and grateful for his life. After reading the story, I discussed the story with the student. She realized that the man's situation did not change. He was still poor and there were still too many people living in one room. It was only his perspective of his life that changed. Many times the struggles we face are to remind us how blessed we are. Our dream may be to be wealthy, to have a family, or to be successful. But, how we define those things may not be correct.

No, I may not be wealthy financially. No, I may not be married with children. No, I may not have a professional career to which I am moving up the ladder. BUT.... I am wealthy in the blessings of others being willing to provide the things I need. I am surrounded by people with the same heart and vision. People who get me.... even in the most irrelevant parts of me. I am succeeding in the things I was created for; to teach, to love people, and to love God. 

THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!

*** In case you were thinking that I misspelled Brasil, I did not. I spelt it the Portuguese way. :)