Preparing !!!

Teresa is prepping for her lesson she will share at the Ladies event they have planned at the Church. The idea is to invite as many lost women as they can. At this point we got word like so many times before the women are not inviting anybody. We can't exactly find out the problem. They just haven't gotten a hold of the fact that their friends and loved ones will be totally seperated from God eternal and will burn in hell forever...We are praying for something totally different...We are praying that the Holy Spirit will capture the hearts of many.
You might have noticed the can of spray on the desk. Well Teresa hates mosquitos, and normally in our office there are several. Like the Word of God she is always armed with the bug spray...

Garrett's Sixteenth!!!

Well we didn't have a big party. He doesn't have plans to go down to the court house and get his driving license. But he does dream of that day when we get back to the states.
Teresa says she remembers the day when she said after his 8th birthday that just in 8 years that he would be turning 16. I bet she didn't see him turning 16 in Uruguay. I sure didn't .
We have been really blessed with Garrett. Yes we have had some valleys but I wouldn't trade them for nothing. We all learned from those down times. We have had some good times that we will always remember. And I look forward to the times to come. Each day I'm amazed at Garrett's ability to make friends. Never meet a stranger and always wanting to help. I'm his biggest fan and proud to be his father.
Happy Birthday Garrett!!!
Your Dad.

An idea!!!

Well, most of you that drop by, I'm sure ask,"I wonder what kind of ministry things does the brownings do?" We we are building relationships. Share the Gospel every opportunity and work with new starts or NOGs (New Outreach Groups). We travel quiet a bit on the road due to where the groups are.
Last night my son had some of his cycling buddies over for an all nighter at a local cybernet playing games. Which sparked my thoughts to vision.
Sports in general but mostly football (soccer) and cycling are a way for the kids to dream or aspire to do something big here in Uruguay or just maybe make it big to be able to leave Uruguay for a better life. As I have been looking at my son's future in cycling (at the moment that is his main interest), and the possibility of attending a cycling camp when we go home on stateside. I got to thinking of how we could put on an cycling camp for the kids here. Man...my head starting spinning with ideas and how it could touch so many kids and tie it in to the spiritual side, sharing the Gospel and seeing some future leaders coming out of this group.
You might ask Michael why are you focusing on cyclist? Well there a few reasons...
With my limited experience but drawing off the experience of other missionaries here as well. Leadership is at a premium. If you can find a leader who thinks, plans and can visualize for the future. You have found a Gold mine. (side note...I feel like the Deaf Ministry has touched a little of that with an national girl here. Again only time will tell.)
Now if one of these cyclist would sell out to Christ. Let me show you what he could draw off of...
1. Endurance...cyclist knows that you don't win the race in the first 5 minutes.
2. Planning...Planning for your race season takes thought and not waiting till the last minute.
3. Training...They know what if takes to train and train consistently.
4. Finishing...They also know if they don't win that it is not the end of the world and there will be another day to race.
There is so much more but that is just a few thoughts.
Oh yea another reason is I love cycling the sport. It has took a hard hit this past year with doping scandals, to the point I was questioning weather or not I wanted to keep following it.
So now the idea...
I was think of how to put together a cycling camp. If you have any ideas please shoot me you thoughts. There isn't really time to do one before we go on stateside or maybe there is, whatever your thoughts please let me know.
I wanting it to first focus on the spiritual side but also good health, right training and all that encompasses a good athlete.

Mate!!!

Mate!!! Anyone? Well, it still amazes me how "Mate" plays such a big part of this culture. The guy in the black jacket was on the side of the road watching a cycling race go through our town. We we out to support some of our local riders participating in the "Vuelta de Uruguay". The Polocia pulled over and drank a few swiggs to get a boost. I would really like to see a study done on the true effects of "Mate" or the yerba that "we" drink, yes we. I have found that if I don't have my Mate for the day I have missed something. It really doesn't play a part of my social life like some of the Uruguayans but it does play a part of my daily life. Until next time...chao...