Summer 2011

Brazil is a country known for its love of soccer. They have won the World Cup five times and have given the world some of the best soccer players in the history of the sport including Pel and Ronaldinho. In light of this, it is rather ironic that someone as athletically inept as myself would be called to serve as a missionary in the country of Brazil. Yet, despite my incompetence at the game, I have been developing an interest in the sport over the past few years. I enjoy both watching and playing soccer, though to say that Im not very good is a terrible understatement. Regina and I had the opportunity this summer to travel to the Anchorage Christian Camp in Lake Waccamaw, NC with the teens from Maranatha Baptist Church (our sending church). We enjoyed some challenging preaching, fun games, and beautiful scenery. Of all the activities in which we participated, I particularly enjoyed playing soccer with some of the campers and counselors during the week. However, I was reminded once again of my lack of soccer ability when our informal team lost severely. It would be easy for me to let my lack of soccer skills discourage me from ever playing the game again. Yet, if I were to give into this thinking, it is certain that I would never get any better. In order to improve, it is essential that I keep trying. This principle carries over to the Christian life. Though we may get discouraged at our inability and shortcomings, the Bible continually exhorts us to continue on. In the book of Acts, we see that Barnabas encouraged the believers at Antioch to continue on in their walk with the Lord, with purpose of heart(Acts 11:23). Of course, there are many times when we seem to lack the strength to keep going, however it is at these times we must depend on the Lord for His strength. This is true also for those of us on deputation, preparing to go to the mission field. Though the path may seem long, we know that we must continue on with diligence, trusting the Lord to get us to the field in His time. As always, we are very thankful for the Lords goodness to us as we continue on in the deputation process. It seems that much has happened since our last update. We spent several weeks in Indiana in May and were very appreciative of the hospitality we experienced at each of the four churches that we were able to visit while there. We have spent the last few weeks back home in North Carolina, but we have continued to stay busy with several meetings locally as well as a week at camp. Further, we are now at just below 20% of our support. By far the biggest news since our last update is that Regina is pregnant and due on December 31st! We are very excited about this new addition to our family and ask that you continue to pray for Regina and the baby during this pregnancy. We will be embarking on another trip on July 6th that will take us to churches in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri. Please continue to pray for safety during our travels and that we would be an encouragement to the churches in which we present this ministry. As always, thank you for all of your prayers and support.

Current Percentage of Monthly Support: 18 % Praise We had a great week at

the Anchorage Christian Camp in Lake Waccamaw, NC with the teens from Maranatha Baptist Church. Regina is pregnant and due Dec. 31!

Prayer. Please pray for

additional meetings and contacts for ourselves and for each of our team members. Adam and Jodi Pittman, one of the couples on our team, as they prepare to join the mission in July.

Up-Coming Meetings July 6th Salem Bible

Church; Salem, OH July 10th First Baptist; St. Johns, MI July 13th-Calvary Baptist; Midland, MI July 17th Alaska Baptist; Caledonia, MI (morning service) July 17th Byron Baptist; Byron, MI (evening service) July 31st Emmanuel Baptist; Naperville, IL August 7th First Regular Baptist; Kansas City, MO.

Looking to HIM, Brandon and Regina Bell Heb. 12:1-3 www.teambrazil.org

Contact Info: 4960 Hunt Club Rd. Apt. H Winston-Salem NC, 27104 Phone: (336) 684-2496 E-mail: Bells2Brazil@gmail.com Sending Church: Maranatha Baptist Church 3501 Thomasville Rd. Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Email: maranatha.1cor1.10@gmail.com Mission Board: Baptist Mid-Missions 7749 Webster Road PO Box 308011 Cleveland, OH 44130 Phone: (440) 826-3930