Metamorfose

That's right... Metamorfose!

Metamorfose is the Portuguese word for metamorphosis and that's what this mission trip is all about... Metamorphosis: a tangible change! The definition means "involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change." It's just like what happens to a caterpillar... it changes into a butterfly or when a tadpole changes into a frog. The change is obvious! And it can be the same for people too. They can be sinful, lost, broken and fallen men who are turned into people who have actual relationships with a Holy God. That's what we're believing is going to happen in Brazil through our mission team.

We will be in Brazil from March 31st-April 11th. We're taking a group of 21 students and leaders from Revolution and Hope and Life. We're also partnering with a group of 13 from Crossroads of Walton County ministering to the people in Curitiba, Terra Boa and Campina Grande do Sul Brazil.

Please pray for us as we minister in the schools, orphanages and slums. We will be in places we haven't been before and we're actually staying in the jungle rather than in the hotel we normally stay at. Pray for boldness, wisdom, favor and most of all- that His presence will be so strong within our group as we lift up Jesus. We are going to try and post pictures and blogs each day so keep checking back. The internet in that part of Brazil is very sporadic so please be patient if we miss a post.

Thank you to everyone who made it possible for the students and leaders to be in Brazil.

Love Ya!

Jim and MJ

It's All About to Change

Hey Guys!

Well it's been a while since we've posted (sorry!). But it's time to get this thing rolling again. There are big changes taking place for the Dunn house so let me tell you about it.

I was able to visit our property in Brazil last October and I was really impacted deeply when I saw the hunger the people had for Jesus. The native people are so open to the Gospel and are literally “begging” for more. Also, while I was there, God spoke to me and I don’t say that lightly or flippantly either. So let me explain:

MJ and I have been on the pastoral staff at Hope and Life for the last 9 years. We love our church family and call Hope and Life home. Our children have grown-up at Hope and Life, they were all baptized at Hope and Life and all their friends are at Hope and Life. MJ and I have developed deep friendships and relationships at Hope and Life that we believe will last forever. But when I was in Brazil last October I felt such a strong call to go. That’s right, “go.” I truly believe that for me and my family, the place where God wants us right now is there in Terra Boa, Brazil so that we can spread the Gospel to thousands of people, most of which, have “never” heard about Jesus. I wish I could say that it was a difficult decision but it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, it’s going to be extremely difficult in the sense that we’re leaving a church that we’re comfortable at, with people that we know and love, that part is hard. And it’s going to be difficult because the place we’re going is... well, it’s in the jungle! There’s no A/C, no heat, sporadic electricity, it rains all the time, your water comes from a stream at the top of the mountain, there’s snakes, spiders, bats, pumas, there’s no fast food! The list could go on and on. If you look at all that stuff it would have been a difficult decision. But there are also people... people who want and need Jesus. And that’s why it wasn’t a difficult decision and that’s the reason why we’re going.

So we’re selling everything we own and moving to Brazil in September. This probably isn’t a shock to you though, huh? I mean, the writing has been on the wall ever since we were given the property in 09’. But the timing was unclear until now. We feel like now is the right time. I met with Pastor Tony back in October and we decided that we would wait 6 months and the 6 month timetable we set is rapidly approaching. We will be stepping down from our position at Hope and Life on April 17th. We have a lot of preparation to do before we can actually move our family. We have to sell everything we’re not taking with us and we have to get all of our paperwork in order, we need to raise support, etc., so there’s a lot to do.

It is going to cost $3,000 per month for our family to live in Brazil. It’s also going to cost us $23,000 to move our family there (plane tickets, container for ministry supplies and clothing, governmental fees). And it’s only going to happen by God providing for us. Just like with the adoption, back in 08', we feel like He's called us to do something that we don’t have the money for but we’re confident that He’s going to provide. When we felt like God was asking us to adopt we told Him we would do it if He would provide the money for it to happen. And He provided everything - through so many different people. Some people gave large amounts and some gave smaller amounts but together it added up to exactly what we needed. And, with what everyone did together, it enabled us to impact 5 orphans for the rest of their lives.

It’s the same with this next step of faith for our family. We told Him that we would sell everything we own and go if He would provide for us and make a way where there seems to be no way. So, will you commit to pray for us? Will you commit to support us financially? You can check out our website at www.HopeAndLifeBrazil.com to see how you can support us and to see what's happening in Brazil. We're going to miss everyone but our time on this planet is short and people need what we have... Jesus!

It's exciting times we're living in and it's all for His Glory!

Love Ya,

Jim and MJ