Hello from the United States. After an adventurous trip, we made it back to Chicago safe and sound. We praise the Lord for his mercies as we traveled back and for you all praying for us! It has been a sweet time seeing family, church family, and friends since we’ve been here.
July was certainly a busy month for us. While we were making preparations to come back for furlough we were also busy making plans for our church’s second anniversary. This year was a bit scaled back but the Lord was good to us and we had several new families with us on our Sunday evening service of our anniversary. It was a bitter-sweet time as it was also our last service before we left for furlough. I preached from Philippians 1 “I have you in my heart…” and we rejoiced in the 2 years the Lord has given us together. After the service, we enjoyed a time of fellowship and then got home to get ready for the trip the next day.
Pr. Jonathan and Ciro were able to take us to the airport. This was a big deal for Ciro as he has yet to accept Christ and has been fairly closed to the Gospel. We’ve been praying for this man for nearly a year already and it’s amazing to see how the Holy Spirit is working in his heart. He was sick with a severe mosquito-borne illness and we had the chance to witness to him again during this time. Still, he has not made a decision. Pr. Jonathan told me that he was in church for Brazilian Fathers’ Day and once again heard the Gospel. Please continue to pray for Ciro to accept Christ.
Another exciting development was Joelinton’s decision to be saved. We have been praying for him for several months and Damion has been witnessing to his brother-in-law for quite some time. Just a few days again Damion texted me saying that Joelinton finally accepted Christ. Please pray for this 19-year-old young man to follow the Lord in baptism and to grow. The family he comes from is staunchly Catholic and growth has been slow in many cases.
A few weeks back we were out soulwinning in an area just on the other side of the shopping mall from the church. It is a needy area and it’s also home to Ana Flavia’s parents. Ana went with us for soulwinning and we were able to park in front of her folks’ home. Pr. Jonathan began witnessing to her family while Damion and I were on another street. Here we had the chance to witness to Luis Henrique (31) and his brother Alexandre (27). Neither of them had ever heard the Gospel nor made a decision, but it was a joy to share the Gospel with them. Please pray for them and their family that they would trust Christ as their Saviour. When we got back to Ana’s parent’s house, we learned that Ana’s younger brother John (12) had trusted Christ! He was with us the next day in church and has been growing since. Please pray for his obedience in baptism and for his parents (Fernando and Penha) to be saved. It has not been an easy path for Ana but it’s amazing the difference the Gospel is making in this family!
Another highlight in July was that Julia (12) was baptized. July is our winter and she bravely was baptized in some chilly water as she followed the Lord in public testimony to her salvation. Also, we were able to participate in a pastors’ conference in Taubaté. The Lord really used these brief days to challenge and refresh my heart.
Thank you so much for your continued prayer and financial sacrifice. It was a busy time in July as you can see and now on this furlough, it’s shaping up to be as busy as ever. I will begin traveling in September and look forward to reporting to many of you over the coming months. I could take a whole other page just relating God’s goodness to us as we’ve come on furlough. We love you all dearly and are excited for the work in the days ahead. May the Lord continue to do His work in and through us for His honor and glory!