TEFL Certification/Target Date

The time spent with Pastor Antonio Figueira has truly created such an eagerness to move forward! There are two steps within reach that need to be completed as part of the process of going to Portugal. They are explained below:

First, I have found the specific TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification course that will open the doors to work in Portugal. The course is Oxford Seminars and is offered at the University of Virginia, which is about one hour from our home. It is taught over three weekends, starting this coming September 11. The cost of this course is more than what I listed in a previous post, $1095. This price includes all course materials, TEFL teaching resources, full access to the English Language Schools directory, and six months free teacher placement service. We are praying that the Lord will provide the funds to take this course in the form of sponsors who would like to invest in this ministry with a one time gift. Would you prayerfully consider becoming a sponsor? If so, please send a check to the BILD International address (located in the April 3 post), and please include "Jeff Darling, TEFL Certification" in the memo line of your check.

Second, BILD International is holding their annual summit in Ames, Iowa, November 1-5. The purpose of this summit is to learn the curriculum and discipleship program used to train up leaders within the local church. I will also have the opportunity to interact with church leaders from all over the world who are already implementing this curriculum in their churches. Pastor Antonio wants me to attend this summit as a part of my preparation in joining his church. All I need to do is purchase the plane ticket to Iowa, as BILD takes care of all the rest. The cost of a ticket to Des Moines, Iowa is between $300-$350 round trip. Would you consider sponsoring me for this trip? Please include "Jeff Darling, plane ticket" in the memo line of your check.

We have set a target date to be in Portugal: August/September 2011. We can't wait to see how the Lord will accomplish his plan for us, as it is truly only Him who will accomplish these things. Thank you so much for joining with us!

Briefly in Connecticut

Here is myself and my family with Pastor Antonio Figueira. This was taken at my parents home Sunday, May 2.

We're Back

We arrived back in Lynchburg earlier this week from a long but productive and enjoyable trip for both myself and my wife and children. Caryne and the girls departed April 23 to Philadelphia, PA and then on to upstate New York. Caryne's main purpose of the trip was to help her mother during the recovery process following chemotherapy. Please keep her parents in your prayers. From there they traveled to North Haven, CT, to spend some time with my parents.

Meanwhile, Pastor Antonio Figueira arrived in the United States. I picked him up on Wednesday, April 28 in Madison, VA. From there we embarked on a journey, meeting with pastors and old friends, discussing our ministry vision and looking for partners to join us in that vision. The Lord truly blessed and it was an experience I will not soon forget. We began with a brief meeting Wednesday night with my pastor, Pastor Marvin Suitt of Living Word Baptist Church. The purpose of this meeting was to receive Pastor Suitt's blessing on me in joining and ministering at the church in Porto, Portugal. From there we headed north and made stops in York, Harrisburg, and Telford, PA, before reuniting with my wife and kids in North Haven, CT.

Sunday morning, May 2, Pastor To' and myself had the privilege of sharing in Sunday school at my father's (Pastor Dan Darling) church. We had a tremendous time with the congregation there, and I praise the Lord that he is doing an awesome work through my father there. It was also a great time of catching up, as Pastor Antonio and my parents were in ministry together for many years in Portugal during the 1980s.

I learned much more about the ministry of Pastor Antonio through the many hours on the road together. The Lord is accomplishing much through the work of Antioch Baptist Church in Portugal, and we are anxious to join with them in ministry.

Thank you for your continued prayers as we take steps toward this goal!