Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Cate Family Newsletter February 2012.






Dear Friends and Family,


We hope and pray that this newsletter finds you all well and in love with Jesus. It has been a few months since we have posted our last update so we would like to take a minute and catch you up on our news from Brazil.

Church - We’re baaaack!!! After over 7 months of being without a building the body of Calvary Chapel Mocamba is moving back to our old building. The owners finally decided that it would be better for them to rent the place out until they find a buyer (IF they ever find a buyer), and they are letting us return to the building that we put so much of our time, money, and hearts into over the last four years. The building and yard are pretty trashed, but after some T.L.C. , hard work , and lots of paint we should have it back to normal. We are moving back with a fresh excitement and new vision for what the Lord is going to use this special place for. We are going to set it up with more of a relaxed “home-style / coffee shop” vibe and we are praying that this will be well received in our community. We want to have a place that people feel welcomed and comfortable to come in and hear about the love of Jesus. We hope to reach the people in our area that would not normally go to a “church” building.

The Lord is already using the old building for His glory. The day that Nate got the keys and went to let off a few very needed bug bombs he had the opportunity to share Jesus with a man who desperately needed to hear about Him. The man was sitting outside the church with two other guys that we know to be drug dealers in the area. We have always had a good relationship with these guys, and Nate talked to them and told them that we would be moving back into the building soon, and we would really appreciate them letting everyone know that we were going to be back. The guys were happy to hear that the church was coming back and they said that they would let everyone know that had been using the front of the building as a hang out (for bad stuff) that it was off limits now. After two of the guys left Nate had the chance to hear the other man’s life story and pray with him. It was exciting to see how open this guy was to being prayed for, most people would look at him from the outside and think he was a big scary man with a bunch of tattoos , but in reality on the inside he is just a broken man in need of Jesus. Please keep praying for this man and all of the people in our community. We want to see a revival for Jesus in Rio Vermelho!

In January we had the awesome privilege of having Pastor John Hwang come and teach on a Sunday morning. We were joined by some of our brothers and sisters from C.C. Floripa. The body enjoyed the encouraging message as well as the fellowship and great food after the service.

Other church news includes plans to attend the C.C. Brazil Retreat at the C.C. Bible College in Campo Mauro next week. Our family as well as some individuals from the church will be going to the retreat, we always look forward to our time together with the other pastors and missionaries in Brazil and we are so very thankful that the Lord miraculously provided for us to be able to go. Be praying that the Lord will do great things in our hearts at the retreat and that we would have smooth traveling for the 14 hours it will take to get to the Bible College.

Family- Our family enjoyed a simple and sweet Christmas together. The kids were so blessed by their gifts of baby dolls for the girls and stuffed animals for the boys and they again just went on and on about how great Jesus was for letting them get presents on HIS birthday! J For our meals on Christmas day I decided rather than trying to make an “American” Christmas meal (and getting disappointed because I cannot get the ingredients needed) I would let each person in the family pick a favorite food and have it show up in the menu on Christmas Day. It was interesting trying to figure out how to make meals including cracker chicken, green peppers, sweet rice, cake, beans and rice, pancakes, pasta, apple pie, and sushi but we made it work and the kids had SO much fun looking for their personal favorite dish during the day. For the most part, life in Brazil is what our kids know so we can make up our own family traditions as we go and have fun with it.

January 9th we celebrated Hope turning 6 years old and we celebrated our two year “Homecoming Day” for Jeremiah, Lilliana and Josiah on Jan. 21st.

February4th was the twins 4th Birthday and we are now enjoying having THREE 4 year olds in the house. Even though we currently have a 7 month old, a 2 year old, three 4 year olds, a 6 year old, and a 7 year old in our family, I find it FAR easier than having three 2 years olds !! The older kids are learning to be helpers and it has been such a blessing to see their servant’s hearts during this time of waiting for my surgery. We are very proud of them all.

We are excited to announce that after almost 5 years of living in Brazil, mountains of paperwork, and loads of money, we finally have our permanent visa cards! It is a HUGE praise report that has been years in the making!!

Thank you again for all of your prayers, love, and support!! We love and miss you all and look forward to spending eternity with you. God bless!

Love,

Nathan,Danielle, Josiah, Hope, Grace, Lilliana, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah Cate

Prayer Requests:

- - Time of refreshing during the retreat.

- - Personal growth in our individual relationships with the Lord.

The Lord to use the church building in mighty ways for His glory and that more people may come to know Jesus.

- - Financial provision for a van, church building repairs, and for a surgery for Dani.

- - Strength for our marriage.

- - A house for the Cate family – we found out yesterday that the owners of the house that we are renting will be moving back in so we need to find a new place to live.





"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good! For His mercy endures forever." Psalm 118:1

2 comments:

  1. Hey, this is Kyle Hammond from Brandon (I was in your graduating class). My wife and I will be praying for you guys as you do the Lord's work in Brazil. I know God will bless you as you continue to go where He leads. Just last year when I was counselling at a camp I felt called to evangelism with a focus on families so it's great to see your family thriving. If you need anything at all let me know and I'll do my best to help out, you have my prayers. you can email me at khammond@faculty.pcci.edu or call at 1-813-892-3580 God Bless.

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  2. Hey Kyle! Congrats on the new wife!! :) We saw your wedding pictures on facebook. It is awesome to see you walking with the Lord. Thanks so much for the encouragement and prayers. Maybe we will be able to catch up with you at our 10 year reunion. :) God bless!

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