Going Away Party

I just bawled all the way home from the going away party thrown for Karla (missionary to Venezuela) and I.

I really can't write more because there are not words to express how overwhelmingly loved and privileged I feel. I told the Lord on the way home..."I am in over my head, but I trust You to accomplish what You've started." Simple. He will do it.

Many are promising to pray...and I know they will. I need them to!

• The food spread was unreal! Coconut shrimp, 7-layer dip, brownies, lemon bars, chips w/mango salsa, trail mix, cream cheese covered in raspberry chipoltle sauce, chicken on skewers, bowls and bowls of gummy bears (my favorite!)...displayed beautifully on tables downstairs and upstairs...an over the top gift from Miss Sims.


• Several gals from my college small group were there. We prayed and sang together in an empty room, like old times!


• People wrote goodbye notes in a journal for me to take and read!


• Casey and Roxy, the beautiful young ladies that I moved to Houston in 2004 to "nanny" came with tons of individually decorated cupcakes to share!


• Several were moved by God to contribute financially...each a generous gift.


• Lots of hugs, lots of almost tears, lots of "remember when?"'s, lots of excitement about what is to come and deep encouragement...and honestly, lots of stomach churning.

Living Out of Two Suitcases

This weekend my parents drove to H-Town to pick up all my belongings except for what fits in two 50 lb. bags! Friends joined us at 8am (on a Saturday!) to knock the trailer loading task out in no time. It was a precious and humbling gift that they shared their time, effort, and hearts in serving me as unto the Lord.

God is giving me the grace to:

• keep my focus as many sad goodbyes are said
• receive people's sacrifice of time and money with a glad heart (instead of a faithless heart that longs to be self sufficient)
• have more time with my best friend/roommate, family, and old friends than I expected before leaving
• testify to our Lord's glorious grace as waiters, nurses, bank personnel, random strangers, and more ask about what I'm up to. (I love to tell the story! It shall be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love! --a hymn)

SO Excited

I am SO eager to get started in Brazil! The Jefferson's (whom I'll be working with) call or email almost every day, so I feel very informed and supported from their end too!

Prayer Request

Please thank the Lord with me that He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him! He is also a shield, my glory, and the lifter of my head (Psalm 3:3). This truth will bring me courage when the discomfort of a new culture, and lonliness, etc. hit very soon. Please ask the Lord to so strongly support me that I will be surprised by an unexplainably smooth transition and love for the culture and people! Muito Obrigada!

My Life: Nothing to Me? Oh, to Complete the Task!

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

This passage speaks for itself and has become my theme.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will you be in Brazil? My intension is to serve in Brazil for a year. I anticipate that my vision trip from Aug. through Nov. will confirm that. I will return to the States for December to share pictures, stories, and the actual needs that I have discovered there, and head back to Brazil in January.

What organization are you going through? I am going to Brazil as an "independent" missionary. This simply means that I will be funded by friends and family who want to invest in the spreading of the gospel to unreached people groups through me. My home church and parents serve as my spiritual authority, shelter, and accountability.

Do you know Portugues? I have begun teaching myself in the evenings, but I will hit it hard when I get there!

What will your living situation be? I'll live with the Jefferson's for the first 6 weeks and then get an apartment and Brazilian roommate from their church or local university. We believe this will help me learn the language and culture faster! I'll live in the large city of Salvador, but travel into the jungles to work with the Quilombolas for a week at a time.

Can I get updates from you? Yes, of course!! I LOVE getting monthly newsletters from my friends who serve in other countries, and usually rip the envelope open with anticipation of what the Lord has done that month. You can keep up with me by 1) signing up for a monthly e-newsletter 2) periodically checking this blog, or 3) sending me a personal email, to which I will happily reply!

Ways You Can Help

Prayer: I'm asking every believer that reads this to pray for the spreading of God's truth in Brazil! If you would like to join the team that receives specific prayer requests from time to time, please let me know. I would also like to give you a prayer card for your fridge or Bible!

Funding: My home church, Houston's First Baptist, wants to bless us by providing an account for the tax-deductible gifts given.

Checks can be made out to Houston's First Baptist Church and sent to:

HFBC--Missions Office
7401 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77024.

Please indicate that the gift is for "Sarah Williams' Year in Brazil" on a seperate sheet of paper rather than in the memo section of your check (for tax reasons).

(Keith and Deborah just returned to Brazil last week and are researching what my actual costs will be for the year. They were not sure since the US dollar has significantly weakened during the time they've been state-side. We're starting with a Peace Corp member's monthly expenses in Brazil (found online) and eliminating line items like cable tv, and perscription drugs, etc.)

Encouragement: I would really love to hear from ya! My email address is sarah.ellen.williams@gmail.com.

My Job There

When I first arrive in Salvador my job will be to start learning the basics of culture and language. The immediate ways that I will assist the Jefferson's will be communicating with the 5 mission teams that are coming from the US, documenting the trips with camera and journal in hand, singing/playing guitar, keeping fresh material on the website (www.thefogottenafrica.org), and enlisting more prayer warriors and interpretors to partner with us.

As time goes on I/we will discover more of what the Lord has pre-planned for me to do. The Jefferson's have asked for a list of my past work experience, and strengths so they can be intentional about utilizing them in the ministry.

I am most looking forward to sharing the great gospel of Jesus Christ with Quilombolas and other Brazilians that I meet in the city. Please pray for many open hearts!

"Quilombolas"

Quilombolas are decendants of fugitive African slaves who live in "Quilombos" (villages) in the country's interior. These spiritists, who rely on Witch Doctors for connection with the dead and physical healing, have never heard about the true God, or how they can receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Christ Jesus. Since a written Bible would serve as nothing more than toilet paper to a people group that doesn't read, we will teach them the facinating truth of God in one continuous story that they can tell and retell to generations to come!