You have been praying for years that God would allow Carissa and me to reach Israeli backpackers in Brazil with the Gospel. As most of you know, because of Carissa’s health, we have not been able to move overseas. But God has bigger plans. When He closes a door, sometimes instead of opening a window, God opens a two-car-garage door.
Rather than moving us down to Brazil to help run one guesthouse, God has given us a new vision: to recruit and train more missionaries to run a network of Christian guesthouse ministries across all of South America to reach exponentially more Israeli backpackers with the Gospel than we would have been able to reach on our own.
In order to recruit Christain young adults to reach Israeli backpackers, I am working to set up and lead short term mission trips to backpack alongside Israelis and volunteer in already established Christian guesthouses in South America. Not only are these trips an effective way to share the Gospel with Israelis; they are also an opportunity for others to catch the vision for this ministry, and want to do it long term.
Outreach Brazil is a three-week trip, December 21st – January 8th, for Christians, ages 18-30, to share the Gospel with Israelis while exploring the beautiful sites in Rio de Janeiro. The team will hike with Israelis in the world’s largest urban rainforest, host backpacker Shabbat dinners, and have conversations about the Jewish Messiah at the foot of the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer.
As of the writing of this letter, I will be leading Outreach Brazil with our coworkers Robin, Shmueli, and Jenna. However, this is contingent on Carissa’s health remaining stable, and her ability to take care of Ari without me. While we are so thankful to report that our beautiful girl is overall healthy and growing well, she has had a number of challenges from severe colic to nursing trouble. Please pray that Ari quickly outgrows these challenges and is an easy baby for Carissa while I’m gone. As always, continue to pray for Carissa’s complete healing. Pray also for Outreach Brazil, that Israelis will be open and receptive to the Gospel, for team safety and unity, and that God will move some to continue this ministry long term.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support, we appreciate your partnership with us in the Gospel.
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year,
BJ, Carissa, and Ari