Clyde was raised in a Christian home and rebelled at a young age. He partied and drank and had fun with drugs until he was 18 and hit a breaking point... discontentment. All the things his Dad quoted from the Bible began to replay in his mind. The scriptures had power and he started to read his Bible in the midst of roommates who were practicing witchcraft and drugs and living for themselves in the thick of darkness. Clyde found Jesus! He was brighter and more powerful than anything and it began his romance with the King of Kings.
I, Kelsie was raised by a single mom and was bounced from town to town, school to school never really feeling an attachment to anywhere. I had a strong relationship with my mother who was my only sense of stability. Mom partied and was searching for love in all the wrong places. Although Mom knew what was right, she clung to what she could to raise me right. God had ahold of us and provided. We went to church and I enjoyed worship and music the most. I was never really for the sunday school thing. During middle school, my mom re- married and had instant family and that began the long journey of trials.
The Lord carried me through and I clung to my love for the Lord. He had a plan for me that far surpassed my every dream.
In Sept 1995, Clyde and I began to date and were married in June 1997.
In Sept 1998, we joined a short term mission team from the Grants Pass Vineyard and traveled to the Xingu River. There we met Rick and Deanna Bergen and began a divine relationship with them.
Six years, 2 children and a house later, the Lord opened up the door for us to make the move full time to the Xingu. In May 2004,we began our journey and went to serve with the Bergen's and other missionaries with Xingu Mission. We began to learn the language, hosted the guest house and started building relationships.
In July 2006, we moved to Porto de Moz with the Vanhulle's. Going to primarily help base leader, Richie Bouthillier, from the pressures of being the only missionary doing the work alone, Clyde had an undiscovered passion brewing in his spirit. Managing the water filter project and traveling on filter trips was a great experience for river life and ministry. Clyde put his heart into it and enjoyed it. In Jan 2007, Clyde found himself pastoring the church Richie had planted that was right next door. It was a challenge to be put in a pastoring position as a foreign missionary and to have a flock of mainly youth. But God's hand was in it all and preparing Clyde to be a better leader.
In July 2008, Clyde and I headed home for furlough for 6 months to seek the Lord's will and find some direction. Clyde's heart was being tugged for another region.
In February 2008, we headed to the Altamira base to await the birth of our 4th baby. During that time, Clyde found himself in a meeting with missionaries and Brazilian pastor, Clenildo. Pastor Clenildo shared about this region Clyde had already been dreaming about. He shared how remote it is and how the people are without churches and have no medical treatment out there and so much more. It hit Clyde so hard he could hardly keep quiet. It was a start to a spark.
In June 2008, Clyde took an exploritory trip with a Brazilian friend. They headed to the town of Sao Felix do Xingu. It is at the south end of the Xingu in relation to Altamira.
There they ran into some divine paths and met some remarkable people. Clyde felt fired up inside and yet not sure how it would all come to play.
In July we headed home to the States for six months to seek the Lord for direction. Clyde's heart was tugging for a new region, a new vision.
We are currently here til Jan 29th and at this point we feel led to leave the Porto de Moz base and move closer to the Sao Felix region. We are praying and seeking to raise support for our upcoming move.
Leaving Porto de Moz will be hard as it always is when your sowing into people and relationships. To say good bye will hurt alot, but we are trusting God for the transition for the kids sake and ours.
Please continue to watch for new blogs as we draw closer to our return to Brazil.
Thank you! The Bergquist Family
