Posted November 15th, 2008 by Jill
Today was the first day of tangible progress. Most people who know me, know that I love to check things off my list! We have been researching and preparing for so long and today we made a purchase! We may not have an apartment yet, but as soon as we do, Orthobom will be delivering our bed.
Our Brazilian teammate Juliana helped us immensely as we were “making the deal”. We purchased a bed, received a discount for paying all at once instead of using payments and also received a free mattress cover and bed skirt. While we were negotiating, the salesman brought out a recliner for Brent to sit in. Literally got it from the back of the store and carried it to the sales floor.
Later, while we were waiting for our credit card to go through, which took more than 30 minutes, another salesman brought us coffee and french fries and grilled chicked to eat as a snack while we waited. I guess three sales in one day is a good day at the bed store! I can’t imagine what happens in the fancy stores, if this is what happens at the Brazilian version of Wal-Mart, named Carrefour.
One down, one million things to go. Keep praying. We need it!
Posted November 6th, 2008 by Brent
the-bridge-11-08
Posted October 13th, 2008 by Jill
I have to say that we were stressed when we found out that we would have to resubmit our visas. I have to say that I was stressed to discover we would not be leaving “on time”.
Now I have to say I am thankful.
Brent and I have had no trouble using our extra time in getting ready to leave. We have been BUSY scanning documents, pictures, typing recipes, and Christmas card lists. Our families and friends have been more than helpful and we are feeling like we just might get it all done. God has blessed us beyond measure with His timing. We have spent every moment in preparing to go or spending time with our friends and family. We have been able to see more people than we imagined, given our added time.
The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.–Psalm 29:11
Posted September 2nd, 2008 by Jill
A beautiful evening at Kyle Field...too bad our time ran out!
It had been more than seven years since I had seen the nationally famous, fightin’ Texas Aggie Band form at the north end of Kyle Field. I was so happy to reunite with my best friend and spend the weekend in College Station. We had such a great time driving around to see what had changed and what had stayed the same. Many things were exactly the same: people saying “howdy” on campus, Layne’s chicken fingers’ secret sauce, and the sense of Aggie pride when you sing the Aggie War Hymn at the game.
I was surprised to see that many things were also different. I saw the Memorial to those who died building Bonfire, more parking garages, and different restaurants. The most striking thing was how most things seemed to be the same; although entirely new people were in charge. A&M has its traditions for a reason. They are taught, modeled and instilled in every new student. As a former student, you are asked to support the “fish” and the programs used for teaching.
It is a beautiful thing to return home and find the same ideals you fell in love with being carried out by a different generation. I can’t help but think that is what we will find when we return home on furloughs to see our home churches. Our children and youth are now being trained for their future leadership. Praise God for giving us the church to help train one another and sending us His spirit that additionally guides us. We continue to be trained until our dying day. We do not graduate from the church!
Posted August 28th, 2008 by Brent
Many of you returned to school this week while others continued going to work. What do we think is our mission there? Do we even think about our jobs or our schools as a mission? If you haven’t, now is as good of time as any.
We can think of our jobs as just means of an income or doing something we enjoy. In the same way we can see school as only a means to an education. As Christians our lives are so much more than that. They have purpose and we have a mission.
Peter says we should always be ready to explain our Christian hope should anyone ask us about it (1 Peter 3:15). There will be times when co-workers, fellow students or friends may ask us about our faith and in those instances we must be ready to share with them, but there will also be times when our love for people and our hope in Christ will put us in a position to point them to Him. We must live in a way that others see our love for Christ and all mankind. How we are viewed by others does have an effect on our ability to share Christ with them.
I believe that our place in the community and our position at work or school should be excuses to put us in relationships with other people, many of whom don’t know Christ. This is the true mission of our lives. We can be a witness of Christ through simply being a loving, hope-filled Christian in a relationship with those who don’t yet know the love of Christ. As Christians we are truly on a mission.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Posted August 19th, 2008 by Brent
I love the passage in 2 Kings 6:8 and following. The King of Aram was furious with the fact that Elisha time and time again warned the King of Israel about his next move. Upset by Elisha’s help the King of Aram sends out horses, chariots, and a strong force of men to capture Elisha.
Early the next morning Elisha’s servant goes out and sees the men of Aram surrounding the city. The servant, understandably scared and fearful for his life, asks Elisha what they should do.
Elisha very calmly and faithfully tells the servant not to worry because, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” He then he prays for the Lord to open the eyes of the servant.
When the Lord opens the eyes of the servant he sees the hills full of horses, and chariots of fire all around Elisha. What an amazing sight it must have been. The servant, who was once deathly afraid, realizes that God is there for them. At that moment the servant went from a place of extreme vulnerability to a place of invincibility. I would I loved to have been there to see the tables turned so quickly and feel that security in the presence of the Lord’s army.
The good news is that I can. God is with us today. In the moments that our lives and faith come under attack we need to remember that God surrounds His people and will continue to deliver us just as he has delivered his people throughout all the ages. We are not in a place weakness, but because of our relationship with Jesus we find ourselves in a place of power and strength. May God bless us this week as we live for Him in a powerful way.
Posted August 11th, 2008 by Jill
Posted August 11th, 2008 by Jill
Does it ever amaze you how smart God is? I know it shouldn’t, but sometimes I am struck by His plans and how good they are. How does He equip us all individually for the work He has for us to do? How can He fit the many of us together for His one, huge global plan? Brent and I are so blessed to answer His call to work in Niteroi, Brazil. But we know the only way that works is for others to answer His call wherever they are. Praise God for sharing His spirit with us to prepare us for works of service! And He does this that we may be built up, unified in faith and knowledge. That sounds like a good enough reason for me, but His plan goes further. Even the unity He desires has a purpose.John 17:23 says, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and I have loved them even as you have loved me.” Everything God has for us is purposed in His plan, His plan for good. Satan attacks and perverts this world but he can never change the victory already given to us in Christ. Let’s take as many with us as we can! Let’s share our victory by submitting to one another, promoting that unity that shows the world the love of Christ.“Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” —Ephesians 5:1-2
Posted August 5th, 2008 by Brent
Last week the Nichols’ celebrated a milestone in our lives. Jill and I achieved/made it to our 5th anniversary. It is amazing to think how fast it has gone by (at least on my end it seems fast). So much has happened in our lives yet it seems like only yesterday that I nervously stood at the front of the church auditorium with sweaty palms waiting to get “hitched”.
The past 5 years have been some of the best years of my life. Jill and I have experienced so many wonderful things and have made thousands of memories that will forever impact our lives. Five years ago mission work to Niteroi, Brazil was not even a consideration or a dream in our minds. Yet God had was waiting for just the right time to place it on our hearts.
While I was reflecting on my anniversary it hit me that 5 years is the same amount of time we have made as an initial commitment to the work in Niteroi, Brazil. Immediately thoughts and dreams of what God will do through us came racing into my mind. “How many new Christians will there be? How strong will the church of Christ in Niteroi be?” Thoughts like these flooded my mind as I started looking forward and dreaming as to what God will be doing in Niteroi over the next five years. I can’t wait to see what He will do. I could never have dreamed all the blessings and opportunities God has blessed me with over the past 5 years and Jill and I are excited about what He will do in the next 5.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Posted July 15th, 2008 by Jill
This year has been a big year for me and technology. Growing up, I was not scared. I even worked for a technological company. I helped build computer boards, solder chips, test hardware and software. That was back in the day when knowing DOS was helpful. Since college I have been slipping. I have been turning my head away from the new scary, devices. However, in order to make the most of communicating with friends and family I have had to jump back in.
Guess what I found out? Technology looks scary….but is actually not that hard. Especially if you can get by yourself and keep your husband from breathing down your neck while telling you what to do. I have recently conquered Skype, iTunes, Wii, and iPod. For those of you who think I just lapsed into Portuguese, let me explain.
Skype will allow me to talk to my friends and family FOR FREE in Brazil. iTunes will keep me from having to pack any cds to Brazil and allow me to carry all my music on my computer. iPod will then enable me to play my music. And Wii? That’s for being able to get out all my aggression when I don’t understand how to work one of these technological necessities. (By the way, I’m sore from 2 rounds of boxing.)
Praise God for the minds He gave us that never stop learning, if you will allow them to. I have repented. I am grateful for the gadgets, and now I know how to use them.
