In June, our church celebrated its 10th anniversary! (6-20-10)

Our 10th birthday cake. (6-20-10)

We had a big party with kids games, typical foods, and more... (6-20-10)

A member of our LST team (Marcia) helps paint faces on our 10th anniversary. (6-20-10)

Alan was baptized during the special service! He is engaged to my friend Deborah, a long-time member of our church. Praise God! (6-20-10)

Our church breezeway, after the kids had already started popping the baloon archway... (6-20-10)

We ended our party by watching Brazil beat the Ivory Coast on the big screen! (6-20-10)

Lunch time on our 10th anniversary. (6-20-10)

Our 10th anniversary worship service. (6-20-10)

Rodrigo and I are working together in the children's ministry. I really like our World Cup attendance bulletin board! (6-06-10)

I'm preparing all of the kids' materials and classes now. Here, Kirsty Baird sings with the kids during kids' worship time. (6-06-10)

Our first men's retreat! (6-03-10)

About a dozen men participated in sports, study, prayer and fellowship at the retreat. (6-03-10)

Some of our men's ministry members at the men's retreat. (6-03-10)

We look forward to having many more retreats in the men's ministry in future years! (6-03-10)

More baptisms! (5-02-10)

More baptisms! (5-02-10)

More baptisms! (5-02-10)

More baptisms! (5-02-10)

Youth worship time, with Igor leading singing. (4-24-10)

Hilton (our youth group leader and evangelist) shared a special message at the Youth Worship. (4-24-10)

Prayer time at youth worship. (4-24-10)

Beach Luau at the Praia do Recreio! (3-27-10)

The youth group organized and hosted the luau this year. (3-27-10)

Devotional time at the luau. (3-27-10)

Devotional at the luau. (3-27-10)

In March we started a new round of small groups. This is Hilton's group that meets in Maria's house. (3-27-10)

Participants in "Workshop 1" at our church. (3-07-10)

"Workshop 1" is for new members and those wanting to know more about our congregation. (3-07-10)

Jefferson teaching at "Workshop 1". (3-07-10)

Annual youth retreat in Belo Horizonte. (2-12-10)

The retreat lasts for 4 days and is held during the week of Carnival in Brazil. (2-12-10)

We had a big group that went this year! (2-12-10)

Our youth group being silly at the Carnival retreat. (2-12-10)

We had two teenagers from our congregation that were baptized at the retreat this year - Thauã and Wuller! (2-12-10)

Our kids getting ready to leave for the Carnival retreat in B.H. (2-12-10)

Some of our girls at the Carnival retreat. (2-12-10)

Decorating for Christmas! (12-11-09)

Decorating for Christmas! (12-11-09)

Decorating for Christmas! (12-11-09)

In December, we took the four top students from Bible class bowling as a reward. (12-05-09)

Students were evaluated based on the presence, behavior, and participation in class. (12-05-09)

Here, Milena is teaching me the "correct" way to put my fingers in the ball. :) (12-05-09)

Bowling with the kids ministry. (12-05-09)

Our annual ladies' bazaar happens every December. (12-05-09)

Aurea (leader of the women's ministry) works at the ladies' bazaar. (12-05-09)

People come from all over to shop at the bazaar. (12-05-10)

Our "Viver em Cristo" event at the church. Kind of like a Christian talent show!...(11-29-09)

A theater group at "Viver em Cristo". (11-29-09)

I played in a band (first time ever!) at "Viver em Cristo". (11-29-09)

Our Christmas chorus performing at "Viver em Cristo". (11-29-09)

Three of our kiddos singing at "Viver em Cristo". (11-29-09)

Some of our youth group performing at "Viver em Cristo". (11-29-09)

Missionary Dan Baird playing the violin at "Viver em Cristo". (11-29-09)

Bruno sings at "Viver em Cristo". (11-29-09)

The 15th birthday party of my friend Taynara. Taynara and I have been studying the Bible together for a while now, and we've become close...(11-28-09)

The 15th birthday party of my friend Taynara. Taynara and I have been studying the Bible together for a while now, and we've become close...(11-28-09)

The 15th birthday party of my friend Taynara. Taynara and I have been studying the Bible together for a while now, and we've become close...(11-28-09)

The 15th birthday party of my friend Taynara. Taynara and I have been studying the Bible together for a while now, and we've become close...(11-28-09)

The 15th birthday party of my friend Taynara. Taynara and I have been studying the Bible together for a while now, and we've become close...(11-28-09)

The 15th birthday party of my friend Taynara. Taynara and I have been studying the Bible together for a while now, and we've become close...(11-28-09)

In November, we adopted a new puppy - Maggie!...(11-27-09)

In November, we adopted a new puppy - Maggie!...(11-27-09)

On November 21, we threw a pre-wedding reception for my brother-in-law, Rafael, and his fiancé, Lorena...(11-21-09)

Showing a video at Rafael and Lorena's party (11-21-09)

Lorena and Rafael listening to a surprise phone call from Lorena's parents in the north of Brazil! (11-21-09)

Rafael, Lorena, Adrienne, and Rodrigo with family members at Rafa and Lorena's party (11-21-09)

Gládis flips through the workbook we made for the Leadership Seminar (11-20-09)

Gládis and Zeca (one of our elders) with Dan (missionary) (11-20-09)

We opened the day with worship and a short devotional about God's calling (11-20-09)

The participants in our third annual leadership seminar - everyone who works in ministry leadership was invited to attend. (11-20-09)

Rodrigo opened the day with a devotional (11-20-09)

Our seminar planning notes! (11-20-09)

Leaders spent time in fellowship over breakfast and lunch (11-20-09)

Rafael and Lorena talk with Dani before the seminar (11-20-09)

Claudia and Neuzete talk before the seminar (11-20-09)

Me (in the striped shirt in the middle!) at our annual Ladies' Tea on November 7... (11-07-09)

Dan and Rodrigo work on our new staircase at home!

Rodrigo and Adrienne camping out on the beach for an all-night fishing expedition...

Fishing at sunrise...

More fishing at sunrise...

A gorgeous place to wake up...

Sunrise at Praia do Perigoso

Rodrigo at Praia do Perigoso

Lorena - Going home after fishing all night

Lorena (my brother-in-law's fiancee)

Dan and Rodrigo work on the landing for our new staircase.

Rodrigo and Rafael on the trail to the beach for fishing

Rodrigo and Rafael fishing at Praia do Perigoso

Rafael helps Andrew (our intern!) bait his hook

Adrienne and Rodrigo get ready for night fishing

Lorena snuggles up on the rocks during the fishing trip

Lorena, Rafael, and Edna try to get warm at our all-night fishing trip

On the trail to Praia do Perigoso

Last month, our youth group had a car wash to raise funds for a Carnaval Retreat.

Lots of members stayed to support the youth group. Good work, guys!

Last month, we had a retreat for our elders and evangelists and their spouses.

Jerry and Gail Heiderich (from Itú, São Paulo) came to help us work on leadership skills and team dynamics.

Chinese take-out! Yum!

Elders and evangelists retreat...

Elders and evangelists retreat...

Elders and evangelists retreat...

Elders and evangelists retreat...

Elders and evangelists retreat...

In Ocober, the Children's Ministry had a workshop to help new volunteers get to know the ministry...

Rodrigo and his ministry partner, Érica, presented to the group at the Children's Ministry Workshop

Children's Ministry Workshop