Over due update!

I must apologize that it has been so long since we've updated you all via this blog. The semester is well underway here at the Baptist seminary in São Paulo. I have a total of approximately 90 students in the four classes I am teaching. Since I am teaching one class that is totally new to me (Systematic Theology 1)there is a significant amount of reading (and learning!) for me as I prepare. Its been fun! This week, Sarah has her Spring break from PBU, and was able to fly down on frequent flier miles. It is a blessing to have our family together again, at least for these few days. On another matter, I appreciate your prayers with respect to the administration of my dad's estate. Since his death in July things have moved at a snail's pace, and the situation in TN is still a mess. We are thankful for your prayers and support. We can carry on this ministry only because God has made it possible through his people. We appreciate the notes and e-mails we receive, and your comments are always welcome in this forum!
your brother and co-worker,
Steve

Unpacking out bags, saying hello...

Saying goodbye to family and friends in the US was tough, but we are enjoying seeing friends and co-workers here in Brazil after a year and half away. Today I (Steve) had a faculty meeting at the seminary downtown, talking about the final steps to completing our accreditation process. Things at home are pretty much in order: our bags and boxes are unpacked, and we are pretty well settled in. We were able to buy a good, late model car for our use this term, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. One automotive prayer request: our car in the US is still for sale (a 2005 Toyota Corolla). Its a good car, but the weather and general economic malaise in the Northeast is not helping with the sale. If you know of someone who is interested, Mary Ann's brother John is handling the sale for us, his number is: 732-698-7576. We appreciate your prayers also as we are "empty nesters", with Sarah back in the US continuing her studies at PBU. A lot of emotions!
Steve

Packing our bags, saying goodbyes...

The days are passing quickly. Each time we see a friend or family member we know it may be our last "face to face" contact for months or even years. I expect my brother to come by today, this afternoon we drive out to pick up Sarah and visit our cousin in PA, Sunday we go to Old Bridge to visit Mary Ann's sister... you get the idea. We still have some things to resolve before we leave: selling our car and getting the probate process moving (finally!) in TN are among the most pressing. We appreciate your prayers for our emotional, physical, and spiritual strength over these next days and weeks.

Two weeks to our return to the field!

Dear friends,
Happy New Year! We are two short weeks away from our return to Brazil. It seems like it has been a long time since our arrival here in the US, and the time has come to return to the field. We appreciate your prayers as we have a couple of last minute meetings, and a lot of packing and logistical details to work through. We need to sell our car here (a 2005 Toyota Corolla if you are interested!), get Sarah settled back into her classes at PBU, pack for our trip (a challenge, since I have accumulated a few more books over the last 18 months!), and then, upon our arrival in São Paulo, we will need to quickly locate and purchase a reliable car. One church has helped us tremendously by giving a special gift for our plane tickets, within $1.50 of the price we finally paid for a direct flight from Newark to São Paulo. Another church had a "special project" to help us buy a new car, and collected $5,000! We believe that if we can get a market price for our car we will be able to get a good late model car when we get back to Brazil. Many new individual supporters, a Sunday School faith promise, and several increases from our churches will have our support at near 100% by the time of our departure, praise God for this miracle (we were at 78% just a few months ago)! Our biggest challenge will be leaving Sarah here to continue her studies at College while we are 5.000 miles away. We appreciate your prayers for her and for us as we take this big step as a family.
your missionary,
Steve Nash

We have our tickets!

God is in control! Our posts over the months reflected some despair as to whether or not we would be able to return to Brazil. We went on home assignment with about 80% support, and a year later we were down to 78%. The falling dollar was the culprit. A few months ago we had the idea of asking those interested in our ministries to prayerfully consider a 50 cent a day commitment for our next term--$15 a month for up to four years. The response has been humbling. Through contributions large and small, and the strengthening of US dollar over the last 3 months, our support level is approaching 99% and we have our airline tickets for our return to Brazil on January 16th. We do appreciate your prayers-there are a lot of logistical matters to take care of, especially Sarah's situation as she continues with her studies at PBU. Do pray as we return to the field as "empty nesters" for a season, and that we will be able to finish some responsibilities here over the next few weeks.

The "home drive!" (or, the drive home?)

We have been quiet in terms of posting for the last six weeks, but busy behind the scenes making the need known and challenging friends and acquaintances to consider becoming involved in this ministry. We have been encouraged. We put forth a challenge of "100 supporters in 100 days" who could contribute $15 monthly. God quickly showed us that he knows our need and that he can supply that need in the way he determines. For example we have two new supporters who are contributing $100 a month! Also, about twenty individuals have expressed their intention to join our support team at the $15 monthly level. It is humbling to see people willing to sacrifice in this difficult economic environment so that we can return to Brazil and the work God has given us there. The Lord knows our need, and we will still need to see a significant increase in pledges in order to buy our tickets and return to the field by the end of the year. Does God want us back in Brazil? Let's see what he will do over the next month to make our return possible!

September 2008 Prayer letter online!

Our newest prayer letter is now online at:
http://www.worldventure.com/Missionaries/Missionary-Directory/Missionary/Nash_Steven_Mary_Ann/Links/Downloads/Nash_Steven_PL_09_08.pdf
The link should work, but if it doesn't, copy and paste the address to your browser. The main theme is announcing our new challenge to discover 100 individual supports over the next 100 days. Actually we need about 90 more, since ten families have verbally indicated their intention to join our support team, praise the Lord! We appreciate your prayers as we seek to serve God. If he wants us back in Brazil we know that he will bring in the needed support. Let's see what God will do!