First week down!

One week down, forever to go!

    Thank you all so very much for ALL your prayers, kind words and for reaching out! I have heard from so so many of you that you are praying for me and so many who have reached out to see how I am doing. I am so incredible thankful for your friendship and encouragement! I am SO thankful to say that my moving day was incredibly uneventful! I did not have anything stolen, lost, broken or even taxed! Everything arrived when and how it should have. Praise the Lord! Thank you so much for all your prayers.

 This first week on the field has been absolutely amazing! It has been so surreal to be here and I have felt the summation of the last 11 years of my life. I was called to missions 11 years ago, and began serious preparation for missions in Brazil 9 years ago, at this point that feels like another lifetime ago. 

    This week, I have moved into a temporary living space, God provided me a FREE apartment for these first few months as I get settled.     

    I have attended my first week of church services, it has been so amazing to meet everyone at church, I have felt so loved already. 

    I have been able to use my Portuguese. This is something I have been increasingly thankful for. I can't imagine moving to the mission field with no understanding of the language, this first week has been incredibly overwhelming anyway and  I am so thankful for the opportunity God gave me to study the language prior to now. I will be continuing my language studies for the time being, but I am so glad to be conversational and understand 90-95% of what is said to me at all times. Pray for your new missionaries going to the field! Language acquisition is no small task. 

    I have also been attending the Deaf services at the church here. Please pray for me as I begin to learn Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) my understanding of it is probably around 25-30%. Not much at all. I will be working to learn by immersion as well as studying books and watching videos, there is no formal language school. 

    I have been working to acclimate myself to the area I am living in. I don't have a car yet so I am walking to the store and most anywhere else I want to go. Praise the Lord I am in a very walkable area with grocery stores, coffee shops within walking distance. I am a 12 minute walk to the other missionaries apartment so I have no issue getting there. Pray with me that God would make a way for me to acquire a vehicle as soon as possible. 

    A few things I would ask prayer for, I have already mentioned a vehicle. I am praying to find one within another week or two. I have several things happening in the next month that will be difficult if I don't have a car.  I have not been able to acquire my documents yet. I have two legal documents I need to live here and open a bank account. Until I have the documents and Brazilian bank account, I will be unable to purchase a vehicle or rent a long term apartment. Please pray with me that the Lord would move so I can get everything squared away quickly. 

Thank you so much for keeping up with me! You are such a blessing and encouragement!

- Beca (missing Ray <3)