Praise the Lord for His goodness once again to us through your prayers. June was a very busy month. We continue to ever-so-slowly reopen here in Taubaté. Thankfully, our mayor has permitted services again at 40% capacity for Sundays. Unfortunately, midweek services still are closed. We have been able to resume our soul winning and visitation program. It’s been my joy to be with Bro. Ed on visits both to new prospects and friends or family of those in the church. It’s awesome to see that the Word of God is not bound. He will build His Church.
One visit was with Barbara and her son John Victor. The first time we went, Barbara was not home at first and I gave an elderly man sitting in his doorway a tract and invited him to church. Bro. Ed began to talk with him more, was able to witness to him and he accepted Christ. Just moments after we were finished talking with him, Barbara arrived home with Wallace her 5 year old son. Though John Victor was not at the house that evening, Bro. Ed shared the Gospel with her and she was saved. Two weeks later we went back and John Victor was there. He’s had many personal issues the last few months. He too was saved and the family has made it to church on several occasions. Please continue to pray for this dear family and their spiritual growth.
Gabriel was saved a couple of months ago and I was so happy to be able to work with him and watch him growing. I was really praying that God would continue to work in his heart. This week, Bro. Ed told me that Gabriel had been in contact with him and said that though he really enjoyed his time in discipleship and in church, he would no longer be attending the church. Please pray for him and his spiritual life. Whether or not he decides to come back into our fellowship is not up to me. This only emphasizes the great need to be constantly reaching people with the Gospel and investing time and relationship into others.
Language school continues moving forward. More than that, our understanding and (I think?) our ability in Portuguese continues to grow as well. I had the opportunity to preach once again in Portuguese the last Sunday in June. It was definitely a challenge. I thank the Lord for His grace and for the patience of the Brazilians the Lord has put us with. It’s quite a task trying to think in English and preach in Portuguese. Thankfully, I was able to finish, the Lord helping me. One lesson I am certainly learning through all of this is just how weak I really am – physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I’m not sure I’d call language school and learning Portuguese a “thorn in the flesh”, but it’s certainly enough to be a stark reminder that I so desperately need God’s presence and power. Please continue to pray for us as we press on in the work of language learning and ministry. There is so much work to be done. The need for laborers is great. Thank you for your faithful prayer and sacrifice so that we can continue on in His calling here in Brazil. We love you dearly.
Keith, Jamie, Elaina, and Clayton
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