It’s hard to believe it’s nearly Thanksgiving! It has been a busy time here on furlough. I’ve had the opportunity to report in over 24 churches with a full schedule through the end of this month.
In the very first church that we stopped at we had the opportunity to go soulwinning on Saturday with a group from the church. We knocked on some apartments that our driver had spotted the day before. We had several good contacts in that complex and one of the last ladies we met was Karen. She had moved just about a year before and was looking for a church. Praise the Lord she was able to visit the church the next day. Please pray for her as she has a testimony of salvation but needs some discipleship for her growth.
We’ve covered well over 11,000 miles since we’ve been back and no doubt we have many more miles to go. One of our prayers is for safety on the roads, as well as for God to use us while we’re here to impact others for the fields white unto harvest. I had the opportunity to talk with a young man at a conference who told me he had surrendered to God’s call in missions last year. How we need a resounding “YES!” to the call of our Saviour to go and win the lost. In several of the meetings we’ve attended, young missionaries on deputation have been present. But still, more often than not, we encounter older missionaries who, while still desirous to be of His use, are struggling with health. We praise the Lord for the generations of missionaries before us, but it is time for younger men and women to take up the call and go to the fields.
One of the greatest encouragements has been seeing that the church is His, not ours. Since we’ve been back on furlough, we’ve had several baptisms, and many families that have visited the church in Brazil. One young man is Peter who had come several months ago but because of work was not able to come very often. Peter was saved and baptized in an Assembly of God. Just a few weeks ago he submitted himself for scriptural baptism. Pastor Jonathan mentioned to me recently that he is faithfully attending the church, is involved in discipleship, and has been a witness to his family and coworkers. That’s what it’s all about! Reaching others to reach others.
Ana Luiza was also baptized a few weeks ago. She has been coming with her mom, Raquel, and her 2 brothers for about a year. She was saved several years ago but had never followed the Lord in baptism. Continue to pray for her and her family, especially her dad, Ciro, who I’ve mentioned before but is still not saved.
We were honored to have Pastor Scott Hanks and a group from Heritage Baptist Church with us for an evening of fellowship and Missionary Charles Nichols and his family with us a few weeks back for a men’s fellowship. It’s exciting to know that the Lord continues to build His church and bless our feeble efforts in spite of us.
Please continue to pray for our building situation. Our landlord just informed us that the rent will be going up again this year. We are very eager to get out of the rent but want to ensure that we have the Lord’s timing on purchasing a property. We’re praying about buying the current location we are at. We ask that you make this a matter of prayer together with us.
We are all well and excited for all the Lord has allowed us to experience over these few months. We miss home and are anxious to get back but content where the Lord has us for the moment. We trust you have a wonderful Thanksgiving as we give thanks for you and your partnership!