From Florida to Niger to Florida to Brazil and back to Florida (by Jared Macolm)

(Holding the Ropes at Jared's Commissioning service)

Another year has now passed, and I begin to look forward to what is ahead for the new year. 2010 was very interesting for me. I began the year in Florida then found my self in Niger. I then returned to Florida. Six months in Brazil and then back to Florida once again. I would have never dreamed that I would be doing all this traveling. As I look to this new year, My main goal is to be useful wherever God puts me. I have learned that I might not always end up where I wish to be, but God has a plan for me wherever God has for me to go. The other goal for me is to get throught this whole visa process for my permanent visa for Brazil. This has been a long process and it will be great to finally have all this behind me.


Other Posts in our "Goals" Series:

• Set Goals for the Coming Year (by Stephen Simpson)
• My Goals for 2011 (by Jonita Barram)
• Resolutions (by Lou Gentry)
• My Goals for this New Year (by Lee Dusing)
• Here's What I Hope to Accomplish in 2011 (by Stephen Simpson)
• From Florida to Niger to Florida to Brazil and back to Florida (by Jared Malcolm) 
• How About Goals for 2011? (by Gerry Hill)
• Bleed Bible Like John Bunyan (by Matthew DelValle)

Still Waiting... (Jared Malcolm)

This past month has really flown by for me here in Brazil. There is still no news as of yet on the camp sale. We should be hearing some things very soon now that the elections are upon us now. We are praying that the final paperwork will come quickly, and then we can really begin the search for new property. We had a successful retreat at the camp a few saturdays ago. The next scheduled event is a get together for everyone as a final day at the camp once we get the final paperwork.

As far as I go I am doing just fine. I learn something new everyday here in Brazil. From things to buy and also where to buy things for the best price. There is so much for me to learn here that I take for granted while in Florida. It is so much easier to get things done in Florida than it is here in Joao Pessoa. This has been one of the hardest things to adjust to for me.

I am still continuing to run everyday. The other day while out on the streets someone pulled up and asked for directions. I was able to tell them to drive ahead and then make a right turn and continue on ahead. Now I know that you all are really proud of me right now because I was able to tell someone in Portuguese some directions. However, I had no idea what the place was they were going and no idea of the directions to get there. I made sure I walked away fast. I did tell them my name though Pr. Pedro from Florida (Portuguese for Pastor Peter). They are probably still talking about that Pastor from Florida that gave them some directions.

I also had an adventure at an indoor go-kart track. The first was the driving suit they wanted everyone to wear was too small. Then when I got to the car they moved the seat all the way back. The steering wheel was still between my knees. The steering wheel was also egged shaped so everytime I turned it would stuck on my legs. I would have to fight to just get the kart straight again. The last problem was with the seat all the way back I was litterally on top of the engine. I have heard of the saying "The roof is on fire" well the roof wasn't on fire that night, but I can sure tell you that the BACK PORCH really got warm.   I still had fun though representing the USA and came in second. I guess that tells you I watch too much NASCAR.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

In His service,

Jared

News from Brazil (Jared Malcolm)

(Jared's new car!)

I was hoping to have some great news about the sale of the camp, but the process has been delayed. The contract for the sale of the camp was signed a month ago. The buyer then took the contract to the town council for their approval. They have approved the contract for the sale of the property. We then thought that everything was on go and the sale would be finalized. There was and is just one holdup in the works. It is election time here and the mayor of the city must sign off on the documents to make them official. The current mayor is running for governor and is too busy to sign anything as of right now. We have to wait until elections are over and then the document will get signed and Lord willing the contract will be finalized. Elections are scheduled for the first of October. That is the news at present on the camp property. We have held off in looking for new property until the contract is official.

The current camp is still there and going. There are not too many activities scheduled at this time. We have an event there the end of this week and one scheduled in October. It has been hard to plan much for the camp because of the pending sale of the property. Once the sale is final we will then plan on taking everything from the camp we wish to save as soon as possible. We really are hoping to do this before I leave to return to Florida in November. We believe we can get this done, but it will be a lot of work to finish.

The church here that is sponsoring me to come to Brazil has been working on the documents they need for my visa. The pastor is to go to a town council meeting and have the council vote to recognize the church as a corporation and doing business as a church. Once this has been done the church will be able to get the rest of the paperwork needed for me to bring to the consulate in Miami. The process can take some time to get the paperwork so please be in prayer that this process goes smoothly.

I decided a couple of months ago to start running. The first few days wasn't very far, but I have stuck with it and kept running. You should see the looks on people when they see me run by for the first time. I do believe they are speechless at first. They probably spend the next hour calling all of their friends and telling them what they just saw. I don't think that they have ever seen an American like me and running also. I have enjoyed running very much. It has helped me get into shape and somewhat relax. I will have to say that there was this one incident I had with a dog. I will have to tell you that this was not just any dog. This dog was ................... (You are going to have to wait til I get home to hear the rest) Just a little something to keep you interested.

Thank you for all your prayers. I sure need them. In HIS Service, Jared

Jared Malcolm is a Faith's 100 missionary.  He currently serves at a camp ministry in Brazil.