Friendly faces crowded the apartment, all talking and laughing as they waited to light the Sabbath candles and have dinner. When we walked in, we knew only our host and hostess. But when we drove away at the end of the evening, we had the distinct impression that God had just led us to our “ministry soul mate.” And it seems we were right!
His name is Stephen Arnold, but many of his friends call him by his Hebrew name, Shmueli. On that winter night in 2012, when our new friend, Vlad, excitedly pulled Shmueli across the room to introduce us, it quickly became clear that this was no chance encounter! Shmueli had just moved to Chicago from North Carolina and prayed that God would send him ministry partners to go to Brazil and open a hostel ministry for Israelis. We knew that God had called us to Jewish ministry, and we dreamed of working with Israeli backpackers, but were praying that God would give us clear direction. We never expected that God would combine BJ’s upbringing in and love for Brazil with my Jewish heritage and heart for Israel to uniquely equip us for such a strategic ministry. But here was a man, with a love for Brazil and passion for Jewish evangelism offering us a dream we didn’t know we had.
Now, almost 3 years later, it is becoming a reality. Friend, we eagerly covet your prayers as we step forward into this new work. As missionaries with Chosen People Ministries, our team of three is working to establish a hostel in Brazil in 2017, to share the gospel of Jesus with the thousands of Israelis that backpack through South America every year. And much needs to be done before then!
Thank you for praying for our summer fundraising project. As we near the end of our travels, we praise God for His provision and for all of the gracious friends and family who have supported and loved on us. Please continue to pray for our full funding by January 2017; our Fall Semester at Moody Bible Institute, beginning on August 24th; and our continued healing from Lyme disease.
Praying continually for an overflow of God’s joy and peace in your life,
BJ and Carissa Kerstetter