Time is flying…and so is 2022! It’s hard to believe that we’re completing one more year here in Brazil. I do apologize for the delay in corresponding. I attempt to send a monthly update but that has not happened as of late.
The work in Pinda is going well. We’re still living in Taubaté but commuting back and forth. Please continue to pray so that we can move ASAP to Pinda as this will facilitate much with ministry work. We’ve received dozens of visitors in our services through our door-to-door soulwinning and John and Romans distribution. One of our biggest opportunities came during Brazilian Children’s Day. We rented a banquet hall just up the street from the church and had over 70 people come for the service and time of fellowship afterwards. 4 trusted Christ that day and one family, André and his wife Larine have been coming with their 2 kids since then. She had texted me the week of the event and told me that though they were Catholic they were seeking a church to attend in Pinda. They came for the special service and have been coming since. A few weeks later I was able to follow up with them in their home and after a few hours they too trusted Christ as their Saviour. Please pray for this dear family. They face a lot of struggles and need to follow the Lord in baptism.
Giselle, the lady who owns the banquet hall, had been coming too on and off after receiving an invite at her door. She and her family belong to a large strict denomination but she was tired of the formalism and deadness of the church. She had been coming pretty faithfully and then in November all but disappeared. Finally, on a Wednesday night Giselle came and told me that she no longer wished to attend her old church but continue coming to Victory Baptist. Though this had greatly displeased her family, she was resolute. I was very excited to have her with us, but burdened by her need for salvation. We had conversed with her at length several times about the Gospel, and while it was evident that the Holy Ghost was working in her heart, she remained lost. Several weeks ago we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. She didn’t partake and messaged me after the service that she had many questions. Finally, that next Wednesday she and I talked during our time of discipleship. I began with the elements of the Lord’s Supper, then showed her the administration of it and finally I asked the question, “Giselle, who can participate?” This was an open door for the next hour as I showed her the real reason that we observe this ordinance – the blessed blood and body of Christ sacrificed for us! Time after time during our conversation she said “NOW it makes sense!” What a joy it was to see her repent of her sin and trust the perfect, sinless blood of Christ as her payment for her sin! Pray for her and her husband Luciano who is not saved.
We were able to distribute nearly 6,000 John and Romans at the public cemetery on the Day of the Dead – a time in which people go to remember their lost loved ones. It’s a day of incredible sadness for many but what a joy it was to be able to share the hope of the Gospel with many. We had 8 from the church that participated in the all-day event and almost 30 that came from New Life Baptist Church in Taubaté.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support. We honored to strive together on your behalf in Pinda!
For souls in Brazil,
The Putnam family
Philippians 2:16
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