Christmas Update

I am enjoying a snowy Christmas at home in Victoria! It's great, because even though there is snow and slush, there's not much of a windchill, so I've been able to get some fresh air walking around the neighbourhood :)

I wanted to post another update because First Baptist in Orillia has pledged $500, and with new donations from family and friends, my latest total is $3255! With a couple weeks still to go before I head off, I am hopeful that $1745 or close to it will accumulate before too long. I am still having lots of fun getting a head start on learning Portuguese and having a very relaxing time at home.

Merry Christmas!!

Fundraising Update

Hi everyone - just a quick update about fundraising since my initial prayer letter:
So far my total is $2600 - just over half way to my goal of $5000!

I have been really encouraged to hear from people who are supporting me financially and in their prayers, and I know that God will meet all of my needs: emotional, physical and financial! It is less than a month before I go, and I am so excited for the things God will teach me and how he will use me in Brazil!

If you would like information for how to donate to my semester, just click here.

Praising God from whom all blessings flow,
Alyssa

My Visa has Arrived!

Good news! I was just telling my roommate Jo how much I hoped my visa would come this week so I wouldn't have to be stressed, and then when she left for class there it was in the door! The visa I applied for was 90 days, and then I would have had to extend it after I arrived, but the visa I was given is good for 5 years! I am praising God that things worked out very smoothly in what I was warned could be a complicated process.

My orientation with CBM is tomorrow, and then it will be only two weeks before I fly home for Christmas! Apart from the prospect of packing I am really looking forward to everything... If only I could trade packing for writing four exams - then it would be worth it!! :)

The Big Kickoff - My Prayer Letter

I have set up this blog to easily post updates throughout my semester in Brazil. I'm obviously not there yet, so updates will be minimal as I get ready to go (mostly to procrastinate all the packing ahead of me!) - but I figured I would start by posting my prayer letter for easy access :)