Chambersburg First Work Team to Palmas!

They came, they saw, they worked, they sweat a lot, and most of all were a blessing to us and those they came across during their time here.

Chambersburg First Church of God Work Team to Brazil


On the 11th of November 13 Americans (oh yeah one was actually German, sorry Natasha) stepped off the plane into the heat of Palmas, Tocantins! They came to work and minister among the Brazilian people and in my opinion did a great job at doing both.

I like this photo!


The team being so big was separated into two work teams, some worked on our church building in Taquari while others worked on the second floor of the Sunday school classrooms at Santo Amaro. God blessed us with beautiful weather. Some asked if it is always this hot, and the reply was "this is nice you should see it in August or September!" For many this was their first time in Brazil so everything seemed new to them. The Taquari team helped fill dirt in to prepare for the concrete floor, and also helped the carpenter build his "boxes" that help hold the concrete in for columns and beams. The Santo Amaro team threw bricks up to the second floor, Kirby showed us his masonry skills, and others helped lift buckets of concrete and mud up to the second floor.

A little bit of Clowing around at Taquari!


On Saturday we held a children's service outside under a large tent in Taquari, we had almost 80 children show up! They listened to a Bible story and got to see some crazy clowns as well. That evening we had a service and were able to minister to the people in the neighborhood. One young man came up after the service to talk to Galen Bricker. He thanked them for coming. After talking for awhile Galen asked him if he could pray for him, to which the young man asked For me to accept Christ? to which we told him that was up to him, if he wanted to sure we would help him pray. He said he wanted to and I was able to translate Galen as he helped this young man ask Christ to forgive him of his sins and come into his life.

On Sunday we ministered to the Santo Amaro neighborhood, all the way over on the other side of the city, to give you and idea it is like driving about 15 or more miles from one church to the other. We did more of the same invited children to Sunday school had the clowns and Brazilian church members go with them on the streets. The church was packed with kids almost 80 again if not more, I lost count to be honest. That evening we held a church service as we typically do on Sunday evening and we had 103 people in attendance probably missed a few in my counting there too. We had four people raise their hands to accept Christ that evening and came forward to accept Christ into their lives.

Taquari Church With the Walls Up!

Move This Dirt Into the Church, Thanks!

The trip had to have at least one day of rest in which I took the team to see three different waterfalls, one more beautiful than the previous. The team enjoyed the nice cold water after a 1.5 mile hike threw some virgin Atlantic forest.

God used this team to touch lives and it was nice to see how He worked among the Brazilians and Americans during these nine days.

Taquari Night Service Under Tent

Amateur Dirt Movers

Thank you once again for coming Earl and you and the team are welcome back anytime.

Jesus name be praised!

Where have we been!

If you have been wondering where we have been here is the scoop! We moved, again! We are happy to be out of our last house. It had a lot of problems, one of the major ones were bats. After a street fight broke out that was the last straw. God was good and allowed us to find a nice home in a different neighborhood. We were blessed because our contract was running out and we were unable to find anything until it was finally God´s timing, perfect as always.

So if you haven´t heard from us in awhile it is because we are exausted from the move, getting our new home in order, attending to our normal ministry duties, building a church, getting ready for my parents to come... I think you can see where this is going. Please pray for us as a much needed vacation time is coming! God bless you and thank you for your prayers.


Hopefull our internet service will be hooked up by Sunday, but I am not holding my breath.

Construction Work Begins at Taquari!

Work has begun on the church building at Taquari!! Praise the Lord!!! We have watched as through the last few weeks steel has been bent and shaped into the form that needs be, cement has been poured and this week after the footers were set, they began pouring the foundation which will hold up the walls, they should have finished that today. God has blessed and the rains have held off for the most part although they have come early this year. The walls will be going up this coming week as well as the columns that will hold up the second floor and roof. We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to this construction work. More will be needed for sure (the dollar has fallen to R$1.70), so if you feel God leading you to give toward this building project you may give your gift to the Findlay office and specify that it is for the Taquari building project. Some pictures appear below of the current progress of the church.




The footer (I guess that is what they are in English) are almost 6 feet deep and are where what the pillars will sit on top of. The metal sticking out of the whole in the ground will be one of the pillars, after it is filled in with concrete, wood boards are nailed together to keep the concrete in place while it hardens.


Two pastors who are learning more than they ever imagined about building.

Even Hannah has made some trips with Mommy and Daddy to the construction site, she slept through most of the visits.


A Brazilian worker is digging some of the holes for the pillars.


Here are the wooden forms I was talking about above, these will form the foundation of the building.


The photo above and those below were taken today and show you the progress that has been made so far.


A view from the front of the lot.


Another shot from the front.


A close up of the foundation and the metal that will be part of the pillar.



Two of the workers that are responsible for the construction.