We all know that some of the greatest things in life are a collaborative effort - Lewis & Clark, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Simon & Garfunkel and Calvin & Hobbes - just to name a few. Well, this blog is no different, we have combined all of our efforts to bring you the best blog possible (and to save you the trouble of clicking between every blog). We hope you enjoy it.
We participated with many churches to bring donations to some of the many people in Niteroi who lost their homes and belongings in the floods and mudslides. Click on this link to enjoy a video of our day working together!
We hope you are doing well We continue to be blessed by your love and support. Hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter. Have a blessed day!
Brent and Jill Nichols May Niteroi Newsletter.
Download our latest Newsletter below!
Download: April Newsletter.pdf
Well, just as I was about to write a blog about how I have nothing to write a blog about, this week happens. Brent and I were starting to feel life here had become hum-drum and that blogging about it would be bor-ing, when Monday it started to rain.
It rained all Monday afternoon, all day Tuesday and then finally took a break Wednesday morning. (It’s raining right now.) Most people who have come to visit have gotten to see how quickly Niteroi floods when it rains. This is the heaviest rain we have seen since we have lived here. Buses weren’t running, no one would send a taxi, and our doormen actually wouldn’t let us leave our building all day Tuesday.
I have to admit that I didn’t know rain could be so dangerous. Then came all the reports of people losing family and homes to the mudslides. People here can live cheaply on the side of a mountain. It’s available land in a place where space is at a premium. Over 200 people died in our state alone because of the unrelenting rain.
Then today, while Zane and I were working at the church building, a man cautioned us to close our doors and we couldn’t understand why. Then we saw all the other storefronts pulling down their heavy steel doors and the people were all running in one direction off the street. A mother and her daughter stopped in front of the church contemplating where to go. I asked them if they wanted to come inside and they immediately entered and the woman began trying to calm her daughter, Bruna. “Look, it’s okay, they’re locking their doors.” That’s when I noticed little Bruna was shaking.
“What’s happening out there?” I asked. I got some water for Bruna as her mother explained, “Some of the people who live on the mountain, are rioting. They don’t want to go to the shelters while their belongings are still in their homes, even if they are falling down. The police won’t let them stay there, it’s not safe.” We talked a little longer, and after 30 minutes, her husband called and told her it was now safe and she and Bruna left with Zane who volunteered to see them safely home.
All different reports are still coming in regarding how many stores were vandalized. Today the threat of a riot shut down at least 4 neighborhoods in our city, including our downtown. Traffic was stopped and people were hiding indoors. This has been a week of much bad news.
I’ve never been one to watch the news, usually I know what Ellen DeGeneres tells me. In Edmond, I didn’t usually need to know what to do when it rained, and I didn’t worry much about riots. I didn’t rely on public transportation and I didn’t know people who lived in a shack on the side of a mountain. Please pray that God can use this catastrophe and devastation to bring people to Him and the comfort that only He provides.
Download our latest newsletter and read about the inauguration by clicking below!
Download: The Bridge.pdf
Since the inaugural service things have stayed busy. It’s hard to believe that this coming Sunday will be our fourth service. So far we have had more than sixty people attend every service. This has surpassed my expectations for our first services. God has been blessing this work. It is exciting to see the people that He is bringing to our church on a weekly basis. Several of the visitors that came for the inaugural service have come back or have been present for all the services.
We are planting and watering the seed but God is the one who has provided the growth. And we are grateful for the things that He is continuing to do in our midst.
Here is a special edition newsletter about this past Sunday and the launch of the church here in Niteroi! Click below to download:
Download: Newsletter.pdf
As today is our 1 year anniversary on the field, we’ve put together a special video newsletter retrospective, culminating with our inaugural Sunday. Hope you enjoy!
http://www.vimeo.com/10045413
Well, we launched the church yesterday and it was a success!! Here’s a picture of our team celebrating after it was all said and done:
I was too busy to count heads, but I’ve heard that the count was around 125 people, but I’ll get a more exact number in the future. We are working on a video to show this special day to everybody who couldn’t be here with us, so be on the look out for that. Thank you for all your prayers and support!