Knocked Down But Definitely Not Out

I’m using the blog today for something that I’ve never used it for in the 4 years that we’ve been here in Brazil. And that’s to ask for your help. 

Last Friday afternoon we were all on our way to church when suddenly our van started making a strange sound. I immediately pulled to the side of the road and Matthew and I got out to investigate what it was. We couldn't figure it out but we knew that we probably shouldn't drive it until we knew. We just so happened to be at the same exit where the mechanic that we use lives- so we called him and asked him to please come help us.

He got there pretty quick and, after looking at the van, he came to the conclusion that something in the engine was blown and that he needed to get it towed back to his house to work on it and that it shouldn't be driven.

Our van being loaded onto a tow truck Friday

The tow truck came and picked up the van and we all walked up the highway to the closest truck stop and waited for someone to come pick us up. We couldn't believe that we were stranded but we were actually all handling it pretty good, considering the fact that our van was broken (we absolutely LOVE our van).

Our van after the mechanic took the engine out: (

The next day the mechanic called us and said that after he took the engine apart it looked like the turbo had broken which in turn caused some kind of problem in one of the cylinders which caused a rod to break which caused a piston to turn sideways which caused the head to get jacked-up… I know, I didn't really understand it either. All I knew is that it was making my stomach hurt just thinking about having to get it repaired. 

We met with him this afternoon and the cost for repairing our van is going to be $3,857.00US. 

And that’s the reason for the blog today. We need your help. We absolutely don’t have the money for this repair. I’ve never made any pleas for money since we’ve been here in Brazil. If we’ve ever needed anything we just prayed and waited for God to make it happen. But I really felt like this time I needed to make you, our faithful supporters, aware of this situation. 

We’re basically shut-down from any of our scheduled ministry events (away from the camp) until the van is repaired. We were actually scheduled to take all the house moms from Lar Herminia out to eat a week from tomorrow while a group of us stayed at the orphanage with the kids- but now that’s impossible. We need our van. 

So, there it is. Not gonna try and ‘pretty-up’ what we’re trying to accomplish with today's blog or stretch this thing out- so, "can you help us?" If you can, please click HERE to give through Paypal. Or you can mail donations to PO Box 231 Loganville, GA 30052. 

Thanks in advance for your continued support of the ministry here in Brazil. We definitely couldn't do it without you: )

Love Ya!

Jim, MJ and the rest of the Dunn Clan