Returning


When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43: 2

Dear Family and Friends,

It is with great joy and delight that I share the news that many of you already know, I am returning to Brazil! I am clinging to these truths in Isaiah in a new way as I look ahead to my summer. God is with us and for us; there is never a moment when we are out of His sight or off His mind. I have not been back to Brazil in 7 years and I am sure I will find many things changed. However, I can hardly wait to see what God is doing there and how He will go ahead of me.

Why go back? First of all, my trip to Brazil is a fulfillment of the internship requirement in my Intercultural Studies degree from Taylor Seminary. I have been encouraged to do my internship in the area to which I feel God is calling me. The answer to that was simple; I knew this meant going to work with the poor in Brazil. I have never directly worked with the poor before and I am eager to discover if this is part of the life work God has for me. This has led me to partner with two churches in Sao Paulo, Igreja Batista Morumbi and their church plant in the underprivileged community of Vila Andrade.

My main tasks at Vila Andrade will involve mentoring youth, doing visitation work with the pastor, facilitating children and youth programs and helping out with social outreach projects. The mother church, Batista Morumbi, also wants me to spend some time with their Global Outreach Staff helping them as they plan mission trips both within and outside of Brazil. I think it will be a very full summer.

All my documentation is in and part of my support is already raised; God is good. I am leaving on May 2nd and will return Aug. 26th. I still need about three thousand dollars. If you are willing to help out in this area and would like a receipt please designate your contribution to the Seminary Internship Assistance Fund. Please do not put my name on the donation if you are going through the Seminary, this ensures you get a receipt. If you do not need a receipt you can issue the funds to myself and mail them to me at my home address (e-mail me for more details, I don't want to put my address on the internet).

Sao Paulo is not the safest place on earth and I know there will be opposition to the work I’ll be doing, your prayers and words of encouragement are what will keep me going. If you are able to make a weekly commitment to pray for me I would greatly appreciate it. Please e-mail me at: julianna.bienert'at'gmail.com or call me at home if you are able to commit to this. (Please e-mail me for the phone number if you don't have it). Thank-you so much! There is no way I can do this on my own. I look forward to hearing from many of you.

His & Yours,

~Julianna

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