Meet the Goins family.  They have a heart for the lost in Japan so they packed up and moved to Brazil. Yes, you read that right.  To reach Japan the Goins family moved to Brazil.

I have known Chad and Regina since my youth.  They were both camp councilors at the summer camps I attended when I was a kid.  To be honest, I never got to know Chad that well but he must be a special guy if Regina is fond of him.  Regina has always held a special place in my heart and I have many memories of her praying with me, teaching me, guiding me, and just plain loving me during those summers at church camp.  Though we didn’t keep in contact after our summer camp days, we did eventually reconnect via Facebook.

Through our interactions online Regina and I became reacquainted.  I learned that she and Chad eventually tied the knot and they now have six children.  They have opened their home up to many foster children and have hosted several foreign exchange students.  Their family has also been involved in missionary work here in the States through Union Gospel Mission.

So you are probably wondering why the Goins family is in Brazil if they are trying to reach the Japanese, right?  Early in their relationship Chad and Regina chose together to make sending the Gospel to Japan part of their lives.  As they planned and trained to become missionaries they realized that moving a family of eight to Japan was too expensive.  The high monetary cost was not a door closing for this family, however, but a redirection by God.  Through their training Chad and Regina learned that the second largest Japanese population outside of Japan is in Brazil.  And so, in May of this year they announced that they would be setting their sites on Curitiba, Paranā with plans to partner with Youth With A Mission (YWAM).

It wasn’t until October that the Chad and Regina, along with their six children and their son’s fiancé, finally made it to Brazil.  This wasn’t an easy transition for them for several reasons.  They had to say good-bye to four foster children, whom they had come to love as their own, as well as many friends and family.  They had to practice patience while waiting for their home here in the States to sell.  They also suffered from doubt and discouragement along the way.  But instead of looking to their own strength to get them to Brazil, they relied on God, His strength, His wisdom, His timing, and His promises.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12 ESV)

Since they have arrived in Brazil they have already helped build a home, participated in a youth outreach, have been involved in a marriage conference, and more.  Can you believe they only arrived last month!?!  This family illustrates the amazing things that can be done when you simply make yourself available to God.  What faith!

As mentioned before, the Goins family is working with YWAM.  YWAM is an organization whose main goal is to train up missionaries and reach out to the communities of Brazil.  They live on a 10,000 square meter base (about 2.5 acres) with other missionaries but the organization does not support them financially. The Goins family relies on God to meet their financial needs.  And because God is love, that means they also rely on the love of others to help support them as they walk this missionary journey.

I’m not just talking money here.  Yes, supporting them in a financial way is practical and appreciated, but prayer support is the most valuable and practical thing that you can do for this family and the mission they are on.  Would you please take a moment and pray for them right now?  Please pray that doors would be opened to them as they go about the business for spreading the gospel.  Pray that The Lord softens and prepares the hearts of those this family will interact with.  Pray that the family is provided for financially, but most importantly, spiritually.  Pray that they see the fruits of their labor, but even if they don’t, pray that they have faith to believe their fruit is ripening somewhere (perhaps, Japan).

Would you be willing to take this one step further and pop on over to their blog, Goins to Brazil and let them know that the work they are doing is valued?  Will you commit to praying for them on a regular basis?  And, if you are being led by the Holy Spirit, will you consider supporting them financially?

In 2 Chronicles 2:11, Hiram king of Tyre said to King Solomon, “Because the LORD loved His people, He has made you king over them.”  While the Goins family are not kings and queens, I believe the same is true of them.  Because the Lord loves His people in Brazil and Japan, He has sent the Goins family to them.  I pray with all my heart that the people of Brazil, Japan, and especially the Goins family are blessed by the mission the Lord has sent them on.

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” (Romans 10:14-15 NKJV)

The Goins family would appreciate your support.  You can sign up to become prayer partner here.  You can also contribute finically using the same link.