February was a very busy month. It started with a meeting in Chicago and then our home church’s missions conference which we were a part of this year. It was a great opportunity to not only be presenting our ministry but also to see the missionaries that we’ve been supporting report on what the Lord is doing in their lives. The Matt Stensaas family stayed with us in 1999 when they were on deputation. It was great to see them all these years later again and see how God has blessed their family and ministry in Uganda. It served as a challenge to me to be faithful for many decades to come as people, especially young people, are watching. After we concluded the conference, I said goodbye to the girls for a few weeks as I had meetings in Indiana, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. I was on the road for about 3.5 weeks by myself. Praise the Lord it was a very profitable time. I was able to see fruit from my labor even while on the road and God blessed with a new supporting church. (While I missed the girls terribly, it didn’t hurt that the temperature was up in the 70s-80s the whole time I was gone.)
As I said, the Lord was so good to us, even while we were apart. During one of the times I went out soulwinning, I met a lady named Ute. We began to talk and I gave her the Gospel. She had lived a hard and difficult life, and had recently gone through some deep loss and trouble. Initially, she had asked some questions that I feared would hinder our conversation. But, as we talked, she really softened up to the Word of God. She did not get saved but promised to come to church the next morning. Sure enough, I called her Sunday morning and she was already up and ready for church! That morning I preached the Gospel very plainly. Again, she heard it as clear as could be but did not trust Christ. I was burdened for her and in talking to her it became apparent that God has really been working on her heart. About a week and a half after being at the church, the pastor called me and told me that she had been back for a few services. Would you join me in praying that Ute will be saved soon? She has her daughter and 2 grandkids living with her as well. Please pray that the Lord would save her and her whole family.
The Lord provided for our needs through various churches and pastors, even ones that we were not planning on being with. Several churches graciously allowed me to stay in homes or their mission’s housing during the weeks which was a huge relief and blessing financially and logistically. Praise the Lord.
Another huge blessing was passing the 60% mark of support coming in. Several other churches we’ve been at recently indicated that they would be taking us on. As I’ve been working on scheduling the rest of this year’s and even some into 2020, I have been praying that our goal of finishing this year would be made a reality. It is truly in God’s timing, but our desire is to be fully supported and on the field near the start of 2020. I’ve been working on my Portuguese as well and hope that will equip us even more when we first arrive.
This has been an incredibly busy time. Through it all, I praise the Lord for the opportunity to present our work, go out soulwinning, and make new friends along the way. While I was gone, Jamie had several doctor’s visits. Praise the Lord the baby is healthy and so is Jamie. Lainey had the flu for a few days, but thankfully, she is back to being her normal, crazy self. March will be a month of change and challenge. We’re praying that our baby boy comes earlier than expected and that the logistics of getting everyone where we need to be will be worked out. This time has taught me to again trust fully in the Lord and wait on His timing. It’s not always easy, but it’s always best. I will be home with Jamie for about 2 weeks after the baby comes, with a few meetings along the way, before heading out for a few weeks to Texas.
Saying “thank you” seems hardly sufficient for your care, prayer, and sacrifice so that we can take the Gospel to Brazil. We love you dearly and are debtors to you all and are so thankful for your fellowship in our labors together with Christ.
Keith, Jamie, Lainey, and Baby Putnam
Keith, Jamie, Lainey, and Baby Putnam
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