Monthly Archives: November 2011

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Church Planters

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This week I heard two stories that remind me of our work in Brazil. City Life Church just celebrated their 50th birthday. Pastor Dave shared how for a long time the church just had 9 people. Other’s councilled him, “Just persevere!” Over and over he received this council. Now they are a community of 800 plus people pressing in to know and serve God. I was telling this story to my Uncle, who attends another really great church which already has two services and a growing community outreach. “I have been going here since before we had indoor plumbing. There was an outhouse out back.” These stories make me wonder if some of the leaders in the churches we are planting will ever tell stories like this when they are seniors, and if they will seem just as incredible. 
Elba and Steve were just in Marabá and spoke and encouraged the team. Here is a photo of a small group of leaders in the Marabá Church. I wonder if any will be around in 50 years, and if so, what will this church look like?

There is a lot of power in faithfulness and just “hanging in there” with God.

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Seniors

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Last Sunday we spoke at a Senior’s Home chapel. Their pastor, Rudy Willms, was the pastor of the church where I attended with my family all through my childhood. About 70 seniors parked their strollers or walked in or rolled in on wheelchairs to participate. They want to know what God is doing in Brazil. Later we had to stay for coffee and snacks. There are so many interesting stories. This fellow in the photo below is 92 or 94 years old. He was a farmer in Saskatchewan until his wife died. Finally he moved to this home to be close to some family. What should he do with his time, now that he was off the farm? At 88 years old he started playing the violin. Now he often plays in the chapel services, and everyone says he plays really well. He started learning at 88! He also knits hats for poor people in the North Country, for MCC!

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Joy in the Journey

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Our family is in a type of “wilderness” zone. This has given me a whole new appreciation of the stories of another family on their journey to the Promised Land.
1. The wilderness is a very rich time for some. 
a. God was tangibly close: a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day.
b. They had more luxuries than ever: the Egyptians loaded them down with jewelry.
c. God was doing great miracles among them.
d. They had time with family, friends and God.
2. There was a strong temptation to complain.
a. Egypt had some good memories involving food. Those times were never coming back in just the same way.
b. Egypt felt safe. They knew what to expect when they woke up every morning.
c. The future felt uncertain. Was there really a promised land?
d. Even if it existed, how could they possibly own it?
3. God wanted to care for His children as a loving Father.
a. God initiated the relationship.
b. God disciplined complaining because it has no good end.
c. God disciplined Moses for misrepresenting Him in anger instead of simply speaking to the rock to give water.
d. God longs to hear and see our trust, and rewards this as only He can.
My conclusion: God designs wilderness times to draw us closer to Himself. What do you think?
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First Advent

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The four Advent Sundays are the start of the church calendar year for many churches. These are the four Sundays before Christmas day. This is a time of anticipating the celebration of God sending Jesus to be born a man and a time of anticipating the time when He will restore all things.
Here is a part of a written prayer for the First Advent Sunday which I copied from:
Lord God,
I sense your power, your might
and I stand in awe, painfully aware
of how poor and weak I am before you.
As I begin this Advent journey,
teach me to turn to you in my fear and sorrow.
I don’t want to keep making my heart hard against you
turning a deaf ear to your invitation.
Only you can help me to soften,
to be like the clay in your gentle potter’s hands.

We love painting our own Christmas cards. It is a Bergen family tradition…some Christmas carols, some cups of tea and painting. Here are the first two paintings in a set of 8 this year.

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MK (Missionary Kid) Video

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We were advised to extend our home assignment to allow us to spend one full school year with our girls in Canada. “The transition will be huge. Your family together in the evening and week-ends will be helpful.” We had no idea how important this advice would be.

This video says it all. If you have missionary children or love anyone who does, you need to watch this video.

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First Snowflakes

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Rain mixed with snowflakes today!
By 4:30 it is dark outside.
We played Rummicube, drank tea and listened to Christmas carols with Dad and Mom.
I think in all the months of living here this is the first time we have spent a quiet hour in the evening like this. It was really nice.
The long winter evenings are starting and it feels luxurious.

Posted on

First Snowflakes

by

Rain mixed with snowflakes today!
By 4:30 it is dark outside.
We played Rummicube, drank tea and listened to Christmas carols with Dad and Mom.
I think in all the months of living here this is the first time we have spent a quiet hour in the evening like this. It was really nice.
The long winter evenings are starting and it feels luxurious.

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Dienes and Andre Get Married!

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We are so grateful to God for the great work Elba and Steve and the Leadership Team have done at the Mirante Church in Altamira. Thank you Lord Jesus.
…………………………………..
October 23, 2011
Rick and Dee, last night we celebrated Dienes and Andre wedding. I wish you
guys were here, you would be so proud of her, but also proud of yourselves
for the amazing work you did in those kids lives, that are continuously
serving the Lord as a result of your faithful work. 
Here are some pictures! I thought you would enjoy!
Love,
Elba
Dienes and her dad.