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!