We Are Staying in Brazil

As most of you already know Ivan and I have decided to stay in Brazil. 

Our Home in Brazil

  It wasn't an easy decision. It was a decision that took many mornings and nights of prayer and having our accountabilities pray with us. Ivan and I wanted to make sure we were in God's will and not our own. Although I missed family and friends I needed to make sure I wasn't putting them in front of God's will for our family.
 One night Ivan and I talked together and really shared what God was telling us. It was hard for me to admit, but I kinda knew God was telling us to stay. Ivan felt no peace about going to Hawaii and I felt the same way. I asked him however if we could just wait till God gives me the confidence that we are to stay.
 
  We serve a God that knows the desires of our heart. It was hard for me to grasp not giving birth with out my family and friends who I grew up with around me. I didn't want to just have His peace but I needed the strength and reassurance to know, so I could tell people in confidence instead of pity. I know God's plans are not to harm us and I wanted to share the joy of Lord when being apart of His plans.
  I finished our newsletter and God through writing our newsletter revealed all He had in store for us and simply asked, "Would you like to be a part of what I want to do here in Brazil?" Isn't that amazing He didn't just say, "Look how selfish your being" instead He simply asked me if I wanted to be apart of what He was going to do in Brazil. Now if most of you know me... you know I don't like missing out on what God has in store especially when He wants me to be apart of it. It was then I became excited and knew,"Yes it's going to be hard, but I wouldn't miss out on working with Christ in Brazil for anything."
 

preaching at churches

  I began to tell Ivan and some friends and family members. We both have so much joy for what God is doing here in Brazil. Yes finances are hard, Yes we still need to finalize documents but Nothing can compare to the peace Christ has given us with knowing we are in His will.

encouraging families in Brazil

Please we ask that you continue to pray for our family. Our documents are not cheap, nor is everything else we need to survive, but we always say God's will God's Bill.
I ask if you would like to be God's hands in this time we are here and help us Financially, that would be great. We would also love a team of prayer warriors as we are here fighting for God's glory. Please comment or email me and I will send you the links in how you can  support financially as well as the prayer request we have.  PacificSuga@gmail.com

Thank you again for all your love and support. Love the Freitas Family!

BUSY BUSY BUSY

The Freitas Family Has Been Busy... Dancing!... Sharing Food!...and... Preaching all to share the Good News of Jesus Christ!


   Ivan and I has been helping our friend lead his dance classes for the past three weeks. Ivan has been teaching Hip Hop, Rhythm and Samba. Many ladies and men have been having a great time exercising and dancing. I have been able to teach Hula and Tahitian. The ladies love it for I have been working them hard, but being able to teach them REAL Hula and Tahitian. We are so thankful to have been given this opportunity.

   Ivan and I have also been opening our home to sharing our love and appreciation to those who are close. We're still not done with our list for there are many people who have been helping us in this time that we would like to serve for a night. We have been able to invite our Pastor, friends and our family. We love being able to serve, laugh, talk and have them leave here completely full.

   February has and will continue to be a busy month for us. Ivan and I have been given many opportunities for us to share at churches and even a school. We have already ministered at a church together. Ivan preached while I danced to Palehua. The people were so blessed. The Pastor's wife came up to me and asked if I would like to share and do another number at their ladies conference. What a blessing!? Ivan was able to give an encouraging message to High School and Middle Schoolers in Minas Gerais. Over one thousand students got to experience God's love through Ivan's dance and message.

   We have been so blessed here in Brazil and is excited to see how God will continue to use us here. More to post soon. Love you all..... FREITAS FAMILY

IT's A GIRL!!!

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL!!

KEALOHA EKEKELA FELIPPE DE FREITAS

  Ivan and I had our second ultrasound. Kealoha is a healthy baby girl and is 7oz. We are excited to be parents and can't wait to hold her in our arms. I am 18 weeks pregnant. 

Recent Photo of my Belly

   The Meaning of her name... Kealoha means The Breath of Life or Beloved One. We felt that our daughter would be a girl who would only speak life to everyone. Girls are known to gossip and criticize and we didn't want our daughter to be like that. Ekekela means Esther. Queen Esther is a beautiful Queen who when challenges came her way spoke only when the Lord told her. We felt that our daughter would be a Women after God's Heart and a Women that would speak for the Lord. So as parents we asked God to give us the names He found fit for His Queen.   
   We are hoping to give birth in Hawai'i but if it's God's will to give birth in Brazil,  He will continue to provide for us here.  Kealoha should come out around June 11th.
  
We Love You All and are soo excited to share this beautiful moment with you guys.

Embracing a New Lifestyle

Hey everyone! It's Rayna. My husband gave me an advice to share how adapting to Brazil has been for me.

  Well let's begin! As you know I don't speak Portuguese and have never been to Brazil before coming with my husband. It's not always easy for me, but I'm trying. I have been here for about 3 months now and haven't fully learned Portuguese. Ivan's family and friends have taken the time to speak English to me, but there are still those moments where your in a room and everyone around you is speaking a language you don't know. I don't know about you but Portuguese is not an easy language to learn.
  My battle through out this time is not being able to walk around the city on my own or even have a solid conversation with everyone. It's hard and I felt that there have been times where I've put this face on like it doesn't bother me. In all reality it does. You don't want everyone to translate for you or speak English because you do. I've been ministering in a ministry that embraces people's culture and language yet when coming to a place where you really have to walk it out... It's hard.
  In this time though I have learned to make the best of it. I have embraced what I can and is still learning Portuguese. It's not as easy to learn another language while also aging, but it's worth a try. A friend of minds gave me great advice. He said, "When you really want to learn the language speak to them in Portuguese even tho their speaking in English to you. Surround yourself with people who can't speak English, so it forces you to try." Easier said then done, but it's the challenge I'm willing to take.
  My husband has been a great support. If your in this situation or your husband/wife is, the best advice is to understand that supporting each other through this time makes everything easier. It's hard for the person and simiply just communicating with them or being open with things around really helps. The greatest tho is to help them to learn your language before or even now. Oh and for those in my shoes... be willing to change or it will be hard and be willing to learn from your spouse and/or people around you.

 
  I have amazing friends and family here and love that they always make me feel welcome. SHOUT OUT TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN BRAZIL. Love you guys and thank you for embracing me in your lives and in your culture.

New Year New Site!!!

Yahhhh!!! Happy New Years Everyone!!!

WE Are In Brazil!!

 This is the Beautiful city Barueri

 

 Here is our Beautiful Aprtment

 I was teaching English at a school, but now I only do Private classes

Ivan's teaching Hip Hop and working at the Church

 

In this time Ivan and I have learned to embrace this time as husband and wife. We have been traveling non stop for years and God revealed that He wants to work on our family first before traveling. We are excited and nervous at the same time, but more excited in what God is going to do in us and through us. We love it here and is preparing to go back to Hawaii soon, but only if God allows it. Thank you for all your prayers and you will be hearing more from Ivan and I through out this lovely year. Love you all and God bless!

Victory in the Wilderness

2011 ended in a BANG. As you guys know I last went to North Dakota, Ohio and Scotland. In North Dakota and Scotland we were hit with some battles that to God we knew weren't impossible to conquer. Like always God comes at just the right time for us to see how magnificent He truly is. In North Dakota the ending of the tour we weren't able to share about our shows, but still thousands came hungry to know who Jesus is. And Like always Jesus showed up in such a great way that hundreds of people came surrendering their lives comletely to Him. Praise God for all His blessing.



Scotland we were hit with a huge bump from the media. I guess this is what celebrates go through... Things were spoken wrongly about us and so all our school assemblies and the place where we were suppose to have our big show said we couldn't. You know the funny thing is I was at peace about everything. When God calls us to some places He will ALWAYS provides everything in His timing. So at the last week Island Breeze was still able to minister at Nursing homes, two school assemblies and we had an even bigger venue to perform our big show. God is so amazing.


But that wasn't all God did for me in 2011. Amazingly I was able to go home and surprise my whole family. Ivan my boyfriend at the time came with an expectancy to ask my mom for my hand in marriage. Like some of you know my mom is not an easy person to go through and especially because I am her baby. Well, I knew that my mom was going to move in the timing of the Lord to say yes to Ivan and the timing was perfect. My mom announced on Christmas Eve her blessings to Ivan to have my hand in marriage. Not expecting anything else I turn to see Ivan come to his knees ready to ask my hand in marriage. Of course my family got up excited and all video taped the proposal. To me, it was honestly the best way to ask me... Being able to share the special day with all those who have been there for me was the best gift ever.

So as you can tell I AM ENGAGED and is preparing for my wedding in September of this year. I am excited to see how God will prepare us individually and together for this new season we are about to embark in. God knew at just the right time when it will be a perfect time for me to receive the Prince Charming He always had for me. I can not say it's all been joy, laughter and love in the air, but I can say that through each rough time God has always showed how He is in control of it all. God has proven in my relationship, minister, and family that He is more than able to shape and mold us to become the man/woman after His Heart.

I know some times we go through things that seems too hazy to see, but I can tell you from experience....just call on Jesus. Jesus will walk with you and be there right beside you when you can't seem to bare it. He will catch you when you fall, and if your not ready to get picked up He's waiting for the time your finally willing to tell Him, "I need Help".

Thank you again for all your prayers and support. You all have been a blessing. If there's a verse I could give you for when your in the wilderness it would be, "Jeremiah 29:11-13; "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans that will prosper you and not harm you, plans that will give you hope and a future. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." The Israelites were in the wilderness when God spoke these words. They knew God had a promise land for them to enter but couldn't enter because they weren't ready to receive the full blessing He had for them. Know that there is a reward for you at the end of the road. Trust and obey and know that He is God.
Love you all and bless you as you experience the beauty of Jesus Christ.

ALOHA... What's been happening this year...

Sorry I haven't kept updated with you all on how I have been. I was able to do a Principle of Redeeming Culture School, that taught me how to share the Gospel in a way that will bring understanding through ones culture. Learning how to champion a Nation in what God has called them to be and do. Also praying healing and blessings over myself, my family, America, Israel and the rest of the world.

After P.R.C.S was over I was able to put it all in action through our outreach to Alaska. Alaska was soo beautiful. I truly don't understand how people can question there is no God when looking at creation. (that's just my point of view) The mountains were so high and great and the water was so clear. As we were there we were able to do a camp for the Native Americans in Mentasa, Gakona and Copper. We got to teach basketball, jiu jitsu, aerobics and more of the Bible. All of the tribe took a stand to surrender their people completely to God and making a change in their reservations. After the camp we were able to encourage the churches around Alaska to be strong and courageous. We saw a mighty move in Alaska... all glory to God.

After Alaska we were in Hawaii for a week to train our team for tour. We have many new people and is very thankful. Some of our other team members felt to start and help other ministries. We bless them in what God is doing through them.



We then headed out to Minnesota for there is a girl name Kari who is praying about joining our team. We were able to share at churches and encourage the people's homes we stayed at. Then we left to Canada.

In Canada we have two Island Breeze teams starting. One in Steinbeck and another in Fiji but is in Morris preparing. It was a joy teaching the team the dances and training in basics for Hula, Tahitian and Samoan. We were also able to go out to Reservations to celebrate what God is doing through them. The Pastors there felt refreshed and renewed through the Lord using us to help them in the reservation. We miss the people there and bless the Nation of Canada.

We are now in North Dakota, Fargo with the rest of our Impact World Tour team. It is so good to see everyone, for it's been almost a year since we last had a tour together. We start our outreach on Wednesday. We have had many times of prayer and worship and sense the Lord wanting to heal the land of Fargo. We know now that we will contend for God's glory and victory.

I ask you today what is God asking you to contend for? Has he spoken a promise or word to you and/or your family? How bad do you want to see His glory manifest to the ends of the earth? Choose today to contend with us to see God's glory not just here in Fargo, but to the Nations and abroad. Choose today to take a stand for healing in your family. Choose today to see God's glory shine in you. Don't settle for less! If God really lives in you like you say He does, then walk in the Authority He has given you and be the Warrior He is called you to be. Let's see healing and victory everywhere.

Love you all and miss you heaps. After here we will be in Ohio then Scotland, coming back to Ohio for Thanksgiving and then on to California. I pray God is doing great works in your lives. Know that when we go through persecution our ending result will always be Victory. Praying for you all and contending for God's glory to shine in all of you. Love you and please update me with your lives too. Miss you guys.