We trust that you all had a stellar beginning to this year! Time has certainly been flying by! It’s hard that we celebrate our 1st anniversary here in Brazil in just a few short days! Without a doubt it has been a year of growth, change, and challenge.
I can see how the Lord has grown us – we still have a long way to go! In all the ups and downs it is awesome to see God’s Grace at work in our hearts and lives. There are so many instances where we can only look back and think, “How in the world did we make it through?” The only answer is His Grace! Certainly change was the watchword of 2020. From moving to a completely new country, to how COVID changed our perspective on everything, we were once again reminded how adapting to and overcoming what we’re dealing with is the only way forward humanly speaking. We are mindful that there is no challenge too great for our Father! It’s His Work and Church! The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Unfortunately, our state and city has seen a significant increase in the number of COVID cases. As a result the governor of São Paulo moved our reopening to the most restrictive phase. In spite of this we continue to have services and praise the Lord, people are still being saved and baptized. I was able to meet Vanderlei and Fran a few weeks ago. He told me how that they were looking for a church. They came the very next Sunday night. They are expecting their first baby in March and said they really enjoyed their visit but would likely not be back until after the baby is born. Please pray for this young couple. The following week I was visiting with Fernando on the same street just a few doors down from Vanderlei and Fran, and met Fabio. We talked for a quite a while, and every point we discussed about the Gospel, he had a question that seemed to derail our conversation. Please pray for the Lord to work in his heart. We know that only through the Holy Spirit will he see his need and accept the Gospel.
Another joy for us was to be able to start discipleship with Alessandra. She started coming in October and she was the first visit Jamie and I made on our own. It’s been a joy to watch her grow. Valdecir her partner and Augusto their son have yet to be baptized. Pray that God would work in these dear folks and in their hearts. It certainly has been a joy to spend time with them and invest in them.
When we arrived, one of our primary goals was to learn the language. Following that, I wanted to earnestly seek the Lord’s direction on where He would have us to start a church. My idea was to conduct survey trips after we had completed language school, both here in our valley and across Brazil. A couple of weeks ago I went with Bro. Ed Johnson and Jonata to São José dos Campos and a sister city, an area with about a million people. We were able to visit several realtor’s offices, a couple of families that we already had contacts with, and drive through these cities and pray. Please pray with us about this very needy area. We have spoken with dozens of people who live in this area that are seeking a Gospel-preaching church. Unfortunately there are many churches in this area we visited that have lost their purpose and mission in reaching people. This area is only about 45 minutes from where we currently live and work. Truly the need here in the Paraíba Valley is great. False doctrine and complacency has become a great enemy to His church. Please pray with us about the great need for more Gospel-preaching churches.
So much has happened with us personally. Thank you for your prayers for us. Two quick things I’d request – 1) My grandmother passed away on January 9th. Pray for salvation for my family through this and certainly comfort. 2) Our visas will expire on March 16th. Please pray with us as we work through a very bureaucratic process to have them extended for 2 more years.
We love and appreciate you all dearly in Christ!
Keith, Jamie, Lainey, and Clayton Putnam
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