Life Is Short, Death Is Sure, Eternity Awaits—Facts of the Matter

This a devotional that I just wanted to share with all of you. If you like share it with someone else. Take care and God Bless!
Pascal and Amy

"We have finished our years like a sigh."

As I write, an Asia-Pacific-wide economic conference is in progress in this City. Red carpets are rolled out, the press stands at the ready, police sirens blare, and people gawk as the influential and powerful confer over economic policies affecting tens of millions of lives.

Impressive. Daunting.

Recently the founder of a FORTUNE 500 company passed into eternity. I had the privilege of knowing this man and his family. He was impressive! Daunting!

Shortly after his death, his son dined in our home and told of his father's waning months, as cancer slowly took its toll. This once powerful giant of American industry withered into a shell, finding the most basic functions a chore.

He had, as the Psalmist forewarned, "finished [his] years like a sigh" (or " whisper").

And that will be the inevitable conclusion of these powerful leaders attending this Asia-Pacific economic conference… As it will also be with us.

PERSPECTIVE is what is needed here: Life is short. Death is sure. Eternity awaits us.

Just walk through a cemetery and observe the infamous and the unknowns, along with the rich and powerful. All share the same piece of real estate.

There is no status in a cemetery.

Just as men share a common place of burial, men apart from Christ—regardless of "standing," will meet God in a common judgment:

"And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened… and they were judged, every one of them… " (Revelation 20:12, 13a)

The Psalmist's wise words speak to our soul,

"So teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom."

QUESTION: As you contemplate the inescapable reality that your life is moving toward death's conclusion, are you presently applying your heart to wisdom?

—Facts of the Matter

Back to Blogging and FBC Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Hello to all! We want to apologize for not posting for quite some time. These past 5 months have been a challenge for our family and ministry. We believe that during this time God has taught us quite a few things. Patience is at the top of the list followed closely by forgiveness. We want to ask all of our prayer warriors to please forgive us for not posting and letting you know what was going on. We will promise to update better in the coming months. Now, on to something that is very special to us.



Earlier his month, a group of three men from FBC Ocean Springs, MS, came to Brazil to do a vision trip. Dr. Mike Barnett, Darryl and Larry made up the team. Let me first say what a true blessing it was to have them here! It was a breath of badly needed fresh air! We had a wonderful time and our family fell in love with these men. I want to explain why they came and why they are coming back. When we were home on stateside, I was able to go to their church, meet with their mission committee, and present to the church what we are doing here in Brazil. It was soon after that FBC of Ocean Springs decided to form a partnership with our missions team here in Brazil for three years. They will help us plant churches in the northern zone of the Campinas area. While these men were here, we traveled all over, visiting cities, meeting pastors, and let them experience the culture of Brazil.



On Wednesday of their visit, we visited the city of Sao Jose do Rio Pardo. This city is located about 1 hour north of Mogi Guacu. The population there is around 51,000 and there are a few other cities located close by. We do know that FBC Ocean Springs will be staying in Rio Pardo at a local hotel. We will be talking with Pastor Messias soon about which city in which he would like for this group to work. So, please keep this in your prayers. Here is a list of the cities and populations in which they could work:

São José do Rio Pardo-51,100
Divinolândia-11,300
Itobi-8,000
Caconde-18,600
Tapiratiba-12,300
São Sebastião da Grama-12,510

We really do appreciate all of you praying for this endeavor. We truly believe that God is in this and that there will be great success in bringing in the harvest. Thank you to all of you for your prayers and we look forward to getting back on track with our blog and sharing stories about what is going on here in the Metro Campinas Area.
God Bless all of you!
Pascal, Amy, Micah, Matthew and Miles.

I would like to post a picture for Dr. Mike and Darryl. While they were here they fell in love with the Beef Triangle(Esfiha Fechado). I look forward to getting some more Beef Triangles for you guys!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!
The Stowell's

Who was Lottie Moon?

This was taken from "The M Blog", thanks to Guy Muse! We hope that all of you really have a great Christmas and New Year!
Merry Christmas!
The Stowell's

How many there are who imagine
that because Jesus paid it all,
they need pay nothing.
Lottie Moon, Tungchow, China, Sept. 15, 1887.

How do you define significance?



Thanks to Rick Boyne for posting this on his blog.

Locust in Brazil

I want to share a short video with all of you of the noise that this locust makes. We remember when we got to Brazil we heard this loud noise and thought the power was fixing to go out. We really did not know what to think. A locust in Brazil is called a Cigarra. I filmed this in a town called Sao Sebastao da Gramma. Currently there are no Baptist churches in this town. Please pray that we will find that person of peace. We love all of you!
Pascal and Amy