Sharing life’s story to a bunch of teenagers…

Kevin has been asked to share his life’s story (aka testimony) at the next High School chapel service at the school, which is next Tuesday, February 8.  I’m not sure why I agreed to do this, since I find it easier to stand in front of people and ask for donations than to talk to the high school kids.   But I’ve felt God leading me to share my life’s story with them, since long time ago I used to be a PACA High School student.  So I’ll be sharing what I learned about God’s love, the impact of my choices on my life (good and bad), and how God’s grace and mercy are incredible tangible blessings that you can count on.

Many of my high school students come from Christian homes, but some of them are just going through the motions about being a Christian.  And about 25% of my student don’t have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  I know what many are going through since I was one who only went through the motions.  At one time I thought Christianity was a list of do’s and don’ts.  It wasn’t until I went on my prodigal son walk during my college days that I realized what an amazing statement Romans 5:8 is “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Christian Journey is not about rules and trying to win favor with God (by doing this or that, God will bless me more).  He loved me when I was still stuck in the middle of my filth and that’s amazing love.  He reached down and told me that a new life, one that is abundantly full of peace and joy despite the troubles life brings, is only found through his son Jesus.  But to get this life, I needed to take his hand, let him pull me out of my crud, and then learn to surrender my life to him on a daily basis.

And I’ve been learning that God is a very patient, loving, holy God.  His rules and principles are there for my protection and provision.  I’ve still made mistakes, I still make wrong decisions, and I still wrestle with what I think is more important to and for me.  But along the way,  I’ve discovered that God wants to journey life with me, He wants to help me make better decisions, and He has a grand plan for my life that includes bringing joy and peace beyond what I could imagine.   He wants my thoughts to be captured and held captive for Him so that our relationship can be profound and grounded in His truth and love.

So, pray for me as I share my life’s journey with the high school students.   If you are lead to specifically pray for me during the event, I will be sharing at 2:20 am California time (5:20 am New York time) on Tuesday, February 8, 2011.  I’m only a clay vessel and He is the potter.  I just want to be a messenger for God.

Blessings and thank you for praying over the Flurry’s.

Abraço,

Kevin

PS  I’ve posted a summary of 2010 and the challenges for 2011 on our blog:  theflurrys.wordpress.com.

Holding your breath…

How long can a nation hold its breath?  How long can you hold your breath?

This past Sunday, the entire country of Brazil and Brazilians all over the world held their breath until the 39^th minute of the second half (basically 85 minutes), when the national Brazilian soccer team scored the 3^rd and winning goal over the US national soccer team for the finals in the Confederation Cup in South Africa.  The unthinkable was happening because the USA had scored two goals in the first half and were playing great defensive soccer, shutting out Brazil – the only 5 time World Cup Champions!  My house was divided for in one corner Vanessa cheered the USA, Samuel cheered for both teams, and I cheered for Brazil.  For a long time Vanessa kept gloating that the Americans were going to take the victory…  But, Brazil kept pounding and finally took home the victory.  And then you could hear the collective sigh of relief from the four corners of the country!

Soccer is Brazil’s number one passion.  It brings delight or despair depending on how your team performs.   When the national team plays, the entire country stops to watch and cheer their team on to victory or to criticize them for not playing so well (can you imagine having to deal with over 170 million coaches?).  Brazilians expect their national team to win every world cup and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is no different.

Kaka - stud soccer player and man of Christian faith

God has placed some very high profile Christians on the national team, especially Kaka – a 27 year old midfield who wears “I belong to Jesus” t-shirts under his team jersey.  By my count, there are five Christian players on the national team.  So, God is at work through many lives, using soccer to bring His Good News around the planet.  A family from my school is going to a Middle Eastern country this summer break to become a long-term coach at a prestigious soccer clinic.  Being a Brazilian soccer coach opens doors to use the game of soccer as a means to share God’s love in that country that sits in the 10-40 window.

That’s why PACA is so vital because we are preparing the next generation of young people who will transform the world for God or we are giving educational support to families going or returning from the field.  The school gives a great academic education and, with lots of prayer and Biblical truths, hearts are spiritually transformed to want to serve God, wherever He places them.   We still are a missionary school, meaning we serve the missionary community in São Paulo who need an American education for their children and we prepare future missionaries for God’s Kingdom through the lives of our students.

So, please continue to pray over us and over our ministry – Pan American Christian Academy.  We finished the school year very well under the grace of God.  Academically our seniors got into great colleges and our students performed well in the standardized tests.  Spiritually we saw many students dedicate their lives to God’s service and show their commitment through baptism at their local churches. Financially the school is stable and thinking about growth opportunities in the future.  And, God has continued to bless the school with full enrollment and a growing waiting list, despite the economic tough times and highly competitive market.

During this break, please pray over our family so that we would find rest and quality time together.  Samuel will be turning 8 and he is growing so fast.  He’s excited about going into 2^nd grade.  Ysabel is 7 months old, starting to eat solid foods (avocado, pear, mango, papaya, rice cereal) and just had earrings placed in her ears.  Vanessa loves being a mother of two, including all the challenges.  Here’s a family photo:

Photo of the Flurry Family

Please include my teachers in your prayers because they have worked hard this year and need to recover their energies – several of my teachers need to increase their financial support (just like us) but you know how complicated it is in the US economic market.  Currently the dollar is losing value here in Brazil, increasing the cost of living to missionaries.

We thank you for being part of our ministry team – through your prayers, friendship, and financial giving.  You are investing into God’s Kingdom when you partner with us.

God bless,

Kevin

P.S.  We love to stay in touch with you.  Our home skype address is Vanessa.flurry and our home phone number is 323.230.7325.  Vanessa’s email is Vanessa.flurry@gmail.com and she can be found occasionally on Facebook.   My SKYPE address is Kevin Bruce Flurry, my personal email is Kevin.flurry@gmail.com, and my work email is Kevin.flurry@paca.com.br.  I sometimes find time to get on Facebook.

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If you are lead to support us prayerfully or financially, we are grateful for your prayer and financial support. Prayer is needed as we seek to stay focused on following Jesus direction for the school, to develop relationships with friends, to raise a family, and to expand God’s Kingdom here in Sao Paulo. Financial support is needed so we can focus on our ministry at PACA and not have to be anxious over money. God has been faithful to provide for our needs and has blessed us so much. We desire to be a blessing to each person God allows our lives to touch. From students at school to the little kid who comes begging for food at our door and to our neighbor next door…

Become a financial partner - make your gift today.

Financial support is processed by the PACA ALUMNI FOUNDATION. The Foundation is a non-profit, 501 (C)(3) organization dedicated to linking resources to develop PACA’s future. Every gift is tax-deductible.

Samuel made it through 1st grade

Samuel had a great 1st grade year.  We were very grateful for this teacher, Ms. Jane Meacham, a 38 year old PACA veteran!  She has the right amount of firmness and love.  Samuel loved her dry sense of humor and several times fell off his chair from laughing so hard at her comments, but she did not have the heart to reprimand him because she instigated his laughter.

At the end of the year, Ms. Meacham hands out character awards, of which Samuel received “A fun loving certificate” for his cheerfull heart is great medicine (Proverb by King Solomon).

Samuel flourished in Bible and Language Arts.  He is reading so well in English and in Portuguese.  He’s growing as a leader, assuming responsibility, and desiring for others to know his Jesus.  Next year he faces 2nd grade with another great teacher, Ms. Clarysa Tomaz.  Keep praying for his academic and spiritual development.

Summary of 2008

What an amazing year that God blessed us with and it flew by so quick.  Here’s a quick list of God’s blessings that happened to us this year (many of the items you prayed with us so we share these blessings with you in mind):

1.  Ysabel Marrie Flurry’s birth on December 2, 2008 is the ultimate highlight of the year, especially since we didn’t know if she was a she or a he during the pregnancy.  She was born at 6.6 pounds and 19.5 inches long.  She’s a little blond bundle of girliness…  Vanessa did so well – 100% without any drugs and all natural birth.  My wife rocks!

2.  Fantastic summer trip to the USA to visit family and friends.  The best part was showing off Vanessa’s belly…  Plenty of backyard barbecues, Starbuck runs, outlet shopping, Disneyland, swimming, Mexican food, trips to parks, birthday parties, catching up with ol’ friends, and lots of hugs.  Plus, unexpected hanging out time at Chicago with my sister’s family when Kevin got bumped 3 nights in a row!

3.  Lots of grandparent  visits to Brazil.  My parents in October and Vanessa’s parents November through Febraury of 2009.  They all came to our house and hung out, sharing hugs and loves with the family.  I would like to personally thank United Airlines for bumping me three nights in a row, allowing me to earn vouchers and money to bring my in-laws down to Brazil for Ysabel’s birth.

4.  PACA’s growth and successful fundraising with the Walkathon.  School enrollment is through the roof and there is a huge waiting list – God’s blessing of giving the school a good reputation, fantastic teachers, and great students.  The Walkathon raised more money than expected and Samuel won an iPod shuffle for raising the most money in the 1st grade class (thanks to all family and friends that pledged $$$ to the cause).  Next year’s challenges are going to be how to grow the school while keeping educational quality (academic and spiritual).

5.  Unexpected car upgrade due to a good friend.  Remember how we were blessed with a 2005 Honda Civic but it didn’t have an automatic transmission.  Well,  a buddy wanted to make things right and offered me a tremendous deal when I least expected it so now the Flurry’s have a 2008 Honda Accord with leather seats and it’s automatic.  God generously blessed us through this special friend of ours, when we least expected it.  God is good!

6.  Samuel’s asmtha – all good!  We had two asmtha crisis this year, treatable at home with our inhalation machine.  No emergency doctor visits this year.

7.  Family spiritual growth as we prayed and trusted God to provide for all our needs.  Samuel keeps telling me his two favorite things are holding Ysabel and worshipping Jesus.  He and his buddy Ethan want to someday grow up, make money, and help the poor with their money.  He’s very worried about which friends and family members are Christ followers…  He’ll probably be like his grandpa Flurry – soul winner for Jesus.

8.  Financial needs have been met, some quite unexpectadly…  God has done a great thing for us – brought some friends along that are financially committed to supporting our ministry with PACA.  And after the world financial crisis, the dollar has gained some strength making our USA support go a little farther.

9.  Vanessa’s Children’s Church ministry has experienced some tremendous growth by having an average of 35 kids, ages 4-9, attending faithfully.  Plus, Vanessa recruited some new teachers who are excited to engage these young hearts and minds for Jesus.

10.  Connecting with family and friends.  I’m grateful for the power of the internet and programs like email, Facebook, instant messaging, and others that make connecting with loved ones easier. Part of my job is what I label friendraising and both Vanessa and I enjoy making friends and staying connected with old friends.

Well, a quick summary of 2008.  We look forward to seeing God’s work through us in 2009!  And we look forward to hearing about your experiences in 2009.  A wonderful part of life is walking together, sharing joys and burdens as we seek God’s wisdom to living a life with Jesus here on earth.

May 2009 be more about marvelous than expected!