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If you were wondering what a visa photo should look like, here is a great example. Notice the neutral expression and innocent look.
Billy Becker

Visa, Visa, Visa

I vaguely remember a meeting I went to for a Brazil trip in 2007. It was the first meeting we had for this trip and in our packet there was an information sheet to fill out that asked for our mother and father's full names, place of employment, permanent address, and the city I was born in. "Why in the world do they need this stuff," was probably my reaction. Then, I had to go get my picture taken. None of this has made sense until yesterday. After some issues with our Visas, I called our travel agent and she suggested that I send our apps directly to the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta. "No problem," I thought, "I'll just fill out the paper work and mail it myself." Ha! Boy was I mistaken. So far our students have had to come to the church twice and after much reading and hair pulling, I think I am almost ready to go to the post office. So, folks, lesson is to get all this meaningless paper work, pictures, and passports at the very beginning of the preparation process and if anyone complains, tell them to get their own visa.

As for the team meetings, they are going great. We have met three times and will meet once a week until the trip. Yesterday, we watched Brazil's Deadliest Animals on the Discover channel. I think the guys are ready to play Crocodile Dundee and the girls are scared to death. We are learning that we will be visiting a very beautiful part of this planet. Oh yeah, and we'll be 3 degrees below the equator.

Continue to pray for our team as we prepare. This group is a good one and ready to be used by God. peace

It's Official

As of yesterday, our plane tickets have been purchased and we are officially going to Tefe, BA July 11-24. We also found out that we will be staying in a hotel instead of a boat! Most everyone has their passport and we anxiously await the trip. Our weekly meetings begin this Friday. Continue to pray for our team and the people we will engage. peace

Billy Becker