Coincidence? I don't think so!

In church this morning, Natalia, one of the missionary's daughters gave a testimony before being baptized. She is twenty years old and serves at the orphanage in Turvo with her parents. She spoke in Portuguese so we didn't understand all of it but heard her mention our names. After the service, we found out that when we were here in 2004, Mike preached and gave an altar call and she accepted the Lord. I prayed prophetically over her that evening that she would make a huge difference in the lives of the children at Turvo (at that time, the orphanage hadn't been built yet!) She shared this morning that at the time, she couldn't believe that she would be serving at Turvo, but when she started the Lord reminded her of this promise. We were so blessed after the baptism, when she asked us to come up and pray over her with her parents! It was so awesome! What a wonderful blessing that we were here for her special day! :)

Around Our New Home

Hey everyone! Sorry we haven't posted anything since we've arrived...as you can imagine, it's been somewhat of a whirlwind getting settled. :) We wanted to give you a quick glimpse of our new home and family. Let us know what you think!



If for some reason, you are unable to view the video here, cut and paste this URL to view it on youtube! http://youtube.com/clmbrazil

Our First Video

The Cochrans have gone high-tech! :) We've just uploaded our first video to give you a 2-minute glimpse of what God is already doing at CLM. We hope this is a tangible way for you to join us in Brazil!



Please email us or post a comment to let us know if you were able to watch it. If you can't view the video here, cut and paste the following link: http://youtube.com/clmbrazil
(I think I'm going to get Sandra Bullock to play me and Mike has suggested Britney Spears for him in the next one!HA) Thank you again for your prayers and support!

Goodbyes

This has been a difficult week of goodbyes to our friends in Canton. Although our excitement builds each day as we get closer to Brazil, the sadness that grips our hearts with leaving grows as well. Mike and I have been blessed with such wonderful friends (and you guys are making this really tough!) Thank you all for your prayers and support that have encouraged us during the first part of this journey. Please continue to stand with us in faith, believing that the Holy Spirit will restore what the enemy has robbed from these precious children.

"Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise." Hebrews 10:23

Children Helping Children

Last week, Mike and I were invited to share about CLM with a group of first and second graders at St. Louis Elementary School. (I think Maggie and Mocha stole the show, as usual!) Each year, their wonderful teacher, Mrs. Tina Miller enhances their educational experience with a service-learning project. This year WE were it! The students invited their families to Phil's Restaurant where they took the orders, served up the food, wiped down tables...and earned tips to bless the children at CLM! The restaurant was packed from 4-8pm with the students taking turns in half-hour shifts throughout the evening. The kids raised almost $550 in only 4 hours! :) I was especially blessed when several of my precious teacher friends from East Canton dropped in to show their support. Thank you Barb, Linda, Cindy, Yosie, Deb, Molly and Jan for making this night even more special for me! AND a special thanks to Tina, Melissa, Chris (the "pop lady!") and all of the students and parents who made this project such a success!

Countdown

Today, two of my close teacher friends, Chris and Yo, came to church with us and to lunch afterwards. As we ate, we talked about Brazil and the date we are leaving. I thought about the other dates that we have counted toward together: Christmas break, Spring break, summer vacation--even the days until school started! (Are teachers like "Rainman" or what?!) I've known them for almost 14 years and now in only 14 days, I'll be saying goodbye to them, not knowing when I'll see them again. (I know that sounds dramatic...but it's the kind of day I've had, okay?!) Countdowns can be exciting because they usher in a new chapter of our lives. The tricky part is that in the midst of that excitement, we can experience intense grieving for the chapter of our life that is ending. We've been praying about Brazil for over 2 years and know that God has called us there...but that doesn't make the goodbyes any less painful. Life is full of paradox--the Bible says to be first you must be last, to find your life you must lose it, to enter the kingdom of God you must be like a child, to be great you must become a servant. Since my hope and trust is in this Author of paradox, I must embrace the joy and the sorrow as gifts from Him. I love you all and will miss you so much!

A Leap of Faith

Often we think a leap of faith is all action but sometimes the biggest steps of faith are not what we expect.

Abraham followed God's leading without knowing where it would take him. Hannah waited for God's perfect timing without knowing when. Mary expected a miracle without knowing why. Joseph trusted God's purpose without knowing why circumstances happened the way they did.

The last six months have been a huge test of our faith and we have experienced His perfect timing in new and wonderful ways. The unexpected "delay" with our visa forced us to seek God's face instead of His hand. We now see that He was much more concerned with the change within us than the changes around us. Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support as we take the next step of our journey...we should be in Brazil next month!

Proverbs 3:5,6 (The Message)"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track."

PERFECT TIMING!

HOUSE SOLD...VISA APPROVED...GOD IS GOOD!

Happy Birthday!

Luizinho from CLM Turvo will be 9 years old on January 10th. Luizinho is the last child to come to Turvo, arriving in October. He is also the youngest of the boys. He spent most of his time on the streets, because of neglect and abandonment. He has a very sensitive and sympathetic heart. He is easily and usually the first to be convicted of doing something wrong. He is very curious with continual questions about everything around him. He will be going to the second grade when school starts. Pray for Luizinho that he would grow and develop and use his very sensitive heart for God.


Sabrina will turn five on the same day. She came in May of last year from a drug addict, and consequently a very irresponsible and dysfunctional family. She was extremely fearful at the beginning and clung to whoever was taking care of her at the time. Her favorite question is, "What's today?" meaning what's happening today. She is shy and continues to be very cautious and fearful of new things and people. She will begin kindergarten next month. She is a beautiful and very precious little girl. Pray for Sabrina that she can overcome her fears and know that she is loved.

SNAKE SEASON?!

It is snake season at CLM. (Obviously, their seasons are a little more exotic than ours!) In the last week, they have found four--one was actually in a missionary's home as they walked in the front door after church on Sunday night! The snake that is in the picture was found right in front of the CLM house. In spite of its intimidating size, it is not poisonous. However, others have been, even though they were much smaller. Please pray for God's protection for the children and missionaries.

Welcome Patricia!

Last Wednesday, CLM received a new girl. Patricia is 9 years old and had previously been in the government group home with her three brothers. Due to several attempts at running away, she was brought to CLM. Please pray for her continual adaptation and for dealing with the deep pain of being separated from her mother and brothers. Also pray for her mother to recover from her addiction and lifestyle so she can provide a better life for her children.

A Prayer Request

No word yet on the visa or our house...yet we are confident that He will complete what He has begun. We covet your prayers as we wait on Him.

In Colossians 1:9-12, Paul models this prayer: "We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people." Thank you for partnering in prayer with us!

Bake Sale Blessing!

Last week, I was so blessed by the third grade students at my school! (These are students that I would have had in my class this year if I hadn't resigned to leave for Brazil.) Two of them had the idea of having a bake sale during parent-teacher conferences to raise money for CLM. Rebecca and Payton (along with their younger brother, Logan and their parents) talked with other students and hung up flyers around the community to advertise. They raised almost $300! I was so impressed with their genuine concern for children that they will probably never meet.

A Ministry Opportunity

Last night, we had the privilege of joining a friend of ours who ministers at the Total Living Center at 9th and Harrison in Canton. (Thanks for inviting us, Christina!) TLC provides those in need with a hot lunch every day and dinner three days a week. The gospel is preached, an altar call for salvation and healing is offered, and gifts and groceries are generously given at each service. They also have a free clinic and offer free legal services. We were humbled by the obvious basic needs of those who live right here in our community. It was truly an eye-opener of the mission field in our own backyard.

Pastor Bartow and his wife, Mary started this ministry 15 years ago--AFTER retiring from the pastorate. He is now 82 years old! The gospel message to feed the poor and heal the sick is lived out each day through their genuine love and obedience. Pastor Bartow told us that it's the only church he knows that gives more each week than they get in the offering plate! We would definitely recommend that you check this great ministry out for yourself.

Wet Cement

"The spirit of a little child is a lot like wet cement. When a child is young, it takes little effort to make an impression that can last a lifetime."

I was sharing tonight with my friend, Stacey about how I believe our MDs ("missionary dogs") are going to make a lasting impression on the kids at CLM. I have learned many spiritual lessons from Maggie and Mocha. Most importantly, is the tangible expression of unconditional love. It doesn't matter how I look or what I've done--they greet me with wags and kisses, and a look that screams, "I have the best mom in the whole world!" If I've been gone for only a few minutes or a few weeks, their reaction is the same--uninhibited, genuine excitement that we are together again. They don't care what I'm doing, they just want to spend time with me--the closer the better. (Isn't that God's desire of us?) I think about how comforting they are to me and I know their impact on the children will even be greater. Please pray for their travel experience and adjustment to Brazilian wildlife (porcupines, tarantulas, and scorpions...oh my!)

Dear Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am!

Future World-changers

We just had the privilege of hearing Fred Markert of YWAM speak at our church. He has been involved with spreading the Gospel all over the world and his passion is inspiring future missionaries. We actually heard him speak two years ago at a conference in Colorado right before our first trip to Brazil. He talked about how physical circumstances are a reflection of the spiritual realm. I believe that those words were a precursor to what God had in store for us at CLM. Mike and I received prophetic words for the kids that would have seemed impossible because of their situation. One was for a 15-year-old boy who had been physically abused by his parents in his first few years of life. God said that he was a mighty warrior--how appropriate that God would speak strength and power into a boy who had known so much fear! The next day, that scared little boy asked Jesus into his heart!

As we have prayed about CLM and our role there over the past few months, I have said over and over that I believe the children at CLM are going to become missionaries themselves. When we spoke to Fred at the end of the service, I was elated by his words of confirmation about this very thing. I had mentioned that we had spent time in India and the Middle East and with the need for missionaries there so great, it seemed ironic that we would be called to Brazil (the second largest Christian country in the world!). He immediately said, "Oh no--not at all! You are going to be raising world-changers! People from Latin and South America are the best people to minister to Muslims. Those children are going to be missionaries!" Please pray for the future missionaries at CLM as you remember to pray for us.

Baruch

We've added some beautiful pictures of some of our "kids" along the sidebar. They are from our first trip in '04 and I can't believe how much they have changed. Valdecleia, Rosenilda, Franciele, Elielton, Lucilene, and Anderson are just a few of the children who captured our hearts. Our trips to CLM have shown me how much God adores the poor and the outcast--it felt like He was loving each of them directly through Mike and me. I also sensed God's pleasure and approval stronger than I had ever experienced before.

The word for blessing in Hebrew is "baruch." It literally means being hunted down and pursued by the favor of the Lord. I believe that God's favor was so evident at CLM because these precious children are so close to His heart! I pray that His favor will also find you as you seek His call for your life.

Fields of the Fatherless

My dear friend, Kendra, recently gave me the book, "Fields of the Fatherless," by C. Thomas Davis. Her youngest daughter, Lauren, was born in China and spent her first year of life in an orphanage. After opening their hearts and homes to this beautiful little girl, Steve and Kendra and their oldest daughter, Haley have been changed forever. They are now very actively involved with encouraging others to adopt because of the abundant joy and fulfillment they have experienced.

The book shared some startling statistics: "There are more than 70 million orphans in the world. At least 35,000 children under the age of five die every day as a result of malnutrition or starvation, and there are at least one million children currently suffering under the oppression of forced prostitution. At least 100 million children are involved in child labor, and 1.5 million children are currently affected by AIDS."

Did you know that Scripture mentions the importance of caring for these children more than 60 times? Much of what the author shares about his experience matches exactly how Mike and I felt during our time in Brazil. I look forward to sharing more about the book in my next post. Thanks Kendra for this special gift!

The Missions Festival

Last night was our missions festival at church--and we had such a wonderful time! Hundreds of people attended and by the looks of it, everyone enjoyed themselves. There were lots of booths with games and activities to call attention to the work God is doing around the world. (And, as always, the free homemade ice cream was a hit!) We were blessed by the number of people that stopped by our booth to ask about CLM and "our kids" in Brazil. The children had fun beading bracelets in the colors of the Brazilian flag--although we had a few mishaps while trying to tie some of them! We asked them to remember to pray specifically for salvation, restoration, and an abundance of hope to be poured out over each child in the CLM family.

A Divine Appointment

On October 18th, our church is having a missions festival to bring awareness to the various outreaches that we support. Mike and I thought it would be fun to have the children that visit our booth make bracelets with beads in the colors of the Brazilian flag. Each color would be a reminder of how they could pray for the children at CLM. Well, we were at Wal-mart today and another customer asked us what we were looking for. I told her that we were looking for some type of twine or elastic to make bracelets. She suggested that we try Pat Catan's, a local craft store. I went on to say that we were making prayer bracelets for our missions festival at church. She immediately said that she wanted to support our cause! She explained that she lost her 20-year-old daughter to congestive heart failure and each year tried to do something in her memory. We talked for the next 15 minutes about the orphanage in Brazil, the tragic losses that she had experienced, and the grace that Jesus gives us each day. She shared with me that she is on a donor list for a heart transplant. We exchanged hugs and email addresses, knowing that God's hand had brought us together. Please join with us as we pray for Nancy. May you also encounter God in a unique and surprising way today!