The Longest River Now

Hi everyone,

I hope you are well. I did something really cool today. I went to the Amazon River with one of the missionary families and we had lunch on the port. The missionaries informed me that the Amazon River is now the longest river in the world because about a year ago the scientists found another tributary that makes it the longest river in the world. Isn't that cool? Sorry to all my students who I taught that thought the Nile River was the longest! I sampled some of the local foods here--pineapple pudding with a flan type bread, crab, and fried fish. It was so good and of course I had rice.

Updates on my prayer requests:

My leg is healed and I am able to wear my prosthetic leg again. Praise the Lord. It helps so much when I can teach on two legs instead of just one leg. But please be in prayer for my class still and for the daily language barriers that we face. I think that I found a local church here that I can be a part of, so pray that I can get involved and find my second ministry outside of school.

Once I have a full class with no students absent, I will post pictures of my class too.

Thank-you, Lord for your answered prayers!

Nova

Lingering Blisters and a Great Class

Hi everyone,
Let's see...this week has been long but a fruitful one. I started teaching this week. I have a wonderful class. Most of my students are Brazilians. I have a great challenge facing me with ESL but I know that the Lord will enable me to do it and that He is going to give me wisdom. He will give me strength in all areas of my life-spiritually, mentally, and physically. My students have helped pass out papers, clean my erasers, open and close windows, etc. I have 9 students. Their names are Marcos, Lydia, Adria, Giordano, George, Ana Luisa, Rodrigo, Vitoria, and Leonardo.

My infection...
I finished my medication and the doctor told me that I could wear my prosthetic leg on Wednesday after a week of having it off. So I wore it on Wednesday but on Thursday morning I had a large blister on it. I had to go and see a dermotologist again to see what the problem was. She drained it and gave me some creams to put on it. I also had blood tests run but they showed no signs of infection. Praise the Lord for that! I go back to the doctor to discuss the results and to discuss further care for my leg while living in this climate. I will not be able to wear my leg for at least another week because of the blisters.

Please pray for:

• My whole class especially those who do not speak any English
• My ability to get around
• My complete healing
• My adjustment to this climate

Thank-you for your continued support and prayers!

Looking to the Great Physician,

Nova

School is starting tomorrow!

Hi everyone,
The day has finally arrived! I am going to teach my precious first graders tomorrow! Please pray for a new student who doesn't speak any English or if she does it is very limited. I have 4 ESL students. Pray that God will give me wisdom in helping these students. But also I have students in my class who are reading beyond grade level and I want to balance my instruction so that everyone learns to their fullest potential. My classroom looks great! I will post pictures of my classroom and students soon! Thank-you all for your prayers all these months. May God be glorified as I begin new ministries outside of school too.

In His Wisdom,
Nova

Prayer Request

Hi everyone,

I pray that everyone is doing good. My mom's surgery went well. Praise the Lord!! Also, in early December, I had a minor staph infection on my leg but now it has returned. Please pray that I will heal and for strength. Also, I am not supposed to wear my prosthetic leg for about a week. I thank-you for your continued prayers. Know that I am lifting you up in prayer as well! May the Lord bless your 2010!


I love these verses! These verses always put my circumstances into perspective.

Romans 5:1-11: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perserverance, and perserverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; through perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation."

Convicting! Isn't it?
I exult You, O LORD! You are worthy of my praise! Ele e exaltado!
Amen!
Nova

Back to the Classroom

Hi everyone,
Tudo bem? How are you? I am good. I started working in my classroom this week. It is weird because I haven't had my own class in 18 months. I have been busy preparing lessons and cleaning the termite trails! Yes, I said termite trails. They love my wooden door. Everyone has been so nice and helping me out since I just brought the clothes on my back. I did not bring any school supplies. I received some bulletin board supplies, classroom calender, pens, books, etc. I am learning that truly less is more. I am so blessed with so much! I can't wait to teach my 9 first graders! Praise the Lord for a small class! Class begins on January 12th!

Humbled by His Provisions,
Nova