Ready for the next level
Rachel Ueland still gets chills when she sees bugs in her house that measure larger than one centimeter.
After almost a year of culture and language study in Brazil, Rachel says she still struggles with anything in language that’s not simple past, present or future tense. She still gets homesick sometimes. She says her Brazilian cooking still leaves a little to be desired. She still depends on friends to help her get to new places in her city of several million people.
But Rachel is counting her blessings of this past year. She has made progress on the language. She has new friends and a new family in Christ. She’s learned to cook a few local dishes. She hasn’t caught dengue or malaria.
And one blessing stands out above them all.
Rachel shares, “I’ve been lonely at times, but God has filled me in a new way and has become so much more precious to me. I don’t know yet what plans the Lord has for me after I learn Portuguese, but I’ve learned more about the exciting work the Lord is doing in growing His church in Brazil and look forward to seeing His plan in it for me.”
Rachel has recently turned in her application to obtain the required new visa. Although she has been immersed in culture and language study her entire time in Brazil, Rachel says that immersion “will soon be taken to a new level.” She will be taking a six-week trip to visit several tribes. Rachel will be traveling with a Brazilian and will be around no English speakers for six weeks. “Not only will my Portuguese get a good work-out on this trip, but I’ll get to see places where NTM works and will experience tribal life.”
Rachel asks for prayer for this upcoming trip, which is scheduled to begin the first week of April. She asks for prayer, for good communication, safe travels “and for the Lord’s glory in this trip.”