Alpha Chi Induction

Maikon joined Alpha Chi on November 2

I feel very honored to have been selected to be a part of, this time, Alpha Chi. I have to make it clear, though, that I have so many people that have helped me along the way and, without them, none of such accomplishments would have been possible: first and foremost, our Lord God, but also my special wife Tati, my wonderful professors and awesome colleagues in the BMIN Program at HU, and my church family. Thank you all! ??

Family with us

Tati’s mom and best friend

Tati’s mom, Mara, and best friend from high school, Marluza, arrived on October 21. We are so happy that they will be here with us for some time. This is their very time in the USA and they are very happy and excited to be here and to spend time with us and Joanna.

Marluza will be here until December 8 and Mara will return to Brazil on January 12.

Joanna is here!!

Our precious Joanna Machado Borba

• Joanna was due November 9 but decided to come 4 weeks earlier!
• Tati’s water broke on the night of October 13 and we rushed to the hospital here in Searcy. We got there around 11:30 pm and the procedures for Tati’s labor started right away. After long 22 hours and lots of different methods and experiences (epidural, inducing, and several hours pushing), the doctor decided it would be safer and less painful to do a C-Section. Tati’s birth canal was too tight, and Joanna was not in the ideal position for natural delivery.
• Joanna was born at 7:59 pm on Monday, October 14. She 6lb 7oz and 19.5 inches. She is healthy and pretty special! We know we are the parents and therefore are bias, but she is gorgeous and we love her to pieces!
• After a couple of days in the hospital, Tati and Joanna were authorized to go home. We have enjoyed learning to be parents and loving Joanna with all our hearts. You know that we have prayed really hard for her and now that she’s finally here we couldn’t be more thankful to our Lord for this amazing blessing!!
• We have had so many people (our friends and church family in Searcy) who have called, dropped by and offered so much help. Our Cloverdale brothers and sisters have even set up a meal train for us. Y’all are amazing and we are so grateful.

Ruta Christian Camp

For this past week, Tati and I — alongside a team of 8 other adults (and 3 kids) from Harding University Global Outreach Program, Matt Bell and Dee Was from Florida, and many Lithuanian counselors — worked at Ruta Christian Camp in Lithuania. It was an amazing experience working with all these 6-13 year-olds! Our team from HU planned and taught the daily Bible lessons and we also worked as counselors/chaperones. The Vilnius CoC does an amazing job reaching out to these kids and their families. We’re so thankful that the Lord has allowed us to come here and be used by Him! ❤?

Group Picture
The American Team
Maikon and his cabin