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I look back over the last 2 years and there are so many moments where all I could think was, “Wow…it can’t get any better serving the Lord!” It seems that every time I feel this way, God shows Himself true and powerful again. Over the past weeks, we have been in several meetings and conferences where God showed Himself strong. We are humbled by the kindness of His people. October was a busy month with several conferences and a total of 11 meetings. Several churches we were in have already indicated that they would partner with us. How exciting to be in the most important work in the world!
I had the opportunity to go soulwinning during several of the meetings we were in. One visit in particular sticks out in my mind as I was in Nebraska. I had the opportunity to talk to a man named Abdul whose wife was struggling with health needs. As an older man who had grown up in Islam all his life, I gave him a Gospel tract and shared with him the wonderful news of Jesus Christ. He was busy working on something in his garage but did take the tract. As I left I wondered if anyone had ever witnessed to him before. He was in his mid-60’s. Was this the first time someone had taken the time to share the Gospel with him? I certainly don’t know. All I know is that there are people all around me who have never heard the Gospel and yet too many times I become complacent or even flippant with the joy and freedom that is found in Christ alone. At the same meeting I met a man named James who gave testimony to being saved while in prison. I showed him Scripture about baptism and he agreed that he had not yet been biblically baptized. He indicated he would come the next morning for this important step of obedience. The next morning when I called and texted him he told me he had been called into work and could not come. Pray that he would submit himself for baptism and continue to grow in the Lord.
Another great report is that we were able to purchase our plane tickets for Brazil. We had been watching flights on several sites but prices weren’t fluctuating as I had anticipated or lowering as I had hoped. We bought our tickets to depart O’Hare on February 12. We praise the Lord that we were able to find a good deal on flights and a carrier that will Lord willing work with our mountains of luggage we’ll undoubtedly have. As I have mentioned in several previous letters, we are working on our visas now. There is a lot of paperwork involved, but thankfully we are nearing the end of document preparation and will be headed to the Chicago consulate after our meetings this busy month. Please pray that the Lord would give us as smooth a process with our visas as possible. We have 7 meetings in November, plus travel up to Michigan to be with family for Thanksgiving. Please pray that the Lord will bring in our final percentage of support and that we’d continue to minister with the same excitement and surrender even as we near the end of the deputation trail. As we transition just before the holidays back to our home church for a few weeks before leaving, we’re excited to be back with family and friends as we pack, prepare, and say our goodbyes. Please pray for Jamie who’ll be packing, repacking, and most likely re-repacking leading up to our departure. We’re excited to be nearing what we have for so long been praying, planning, and working towards. Also, don’t forget to pray for our parents as this Thanksgiving and Christmas season will be likely difficult for them. Thank you for your faithful prayer on our behalf. We’re honored to have so many prayer warriors. We really can feel the difference you have as you intercede for us.
Love in Christ,
Keith, Jamie, Lainey, and Clayton Putnam | Philippians 2:16
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