With the arrival of spring (fall here), we are mindful of the fact that there is life after frozen death, regardless of how long and tedious it may feel. We celebrate our Risen Saviour and are reminded that we have New Life in Christ! We rejoice in His saving grace and in another month serving Christ here in Pindamonhangaba.
March saw several new families that began attending the church. They come from diverse religious backgrounds, and seeing their excitement and growth is both encouraging and challenging, as we have been entrusted with His people and His church. Please pray for discernment and wisdom as we work to disciple these new families.
We celebrated the official start of Hope Baptist Temple and had over 60 people at the location. The building is barely big enough for 20, so we were out on the sidewalk and even in the public square. I had the opportunity to witness to Sebastiana, the aunt of one of our good men. She did not get saved at that time, but then just a few days later, I was able to visit her with Anderson, her nephew, and see her and her husband trust Christ. There really is no greater joy! They live over in the new area we are working in, and while they live relatively close, it’s still almost a 20-minute drive to the church building. Please pray for wisdom and fruit as we work in Moreira César. It’s a huge area in great need of a Gospel-preaching, doctrinally sound Baptist church.
While space at this location for Hope Baptist has been limited, we just learned that the landowner is interested in renting another portion of the building to us. While we are in the initial phases of negotiating this, we ask for your prayer and wisdom. The building is on a prime corner alongside the road connecting Moreira César with the rest of the city. The owner has also expressed interest in selling the property to us. While we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, please be in prayer for this exciting development and opportunity.
Just when you think you’ve reached far enough, God has a way of challenging us to remember that there is still a greater need here in the Valley of the Paraíba River. We had a man come on a Wednesday evening a few weeks ago. We quickly learned that he had been attending church in Taubaté, driving almost an hour to do so. That following Sunday, Paulo came with his wife, Leide, and their 3 young children. They come from an extremely Pentecostal background, and when we went to follow up with them, Leide got the assurance of her salvation. He asked me when we were opening a church in their city, Guaratinguetá. I told him to take a number. All jokes aside, please be in prayer for them and their spiritual growth, and certainly, the need for one more Baptist church here in the Valley. The problem is not the harvest. It never has been the issue. Jesus told us to pray for laborers. Once more, we ask that you’d join us in fervent prayer for more laborers for His harvest here in Brazil.
We know that you’ve been praying for the building situation at Victory Baptist. After deliberation with our lawyer and prayer, we have decided to move on from the property that we were looking at. The legal hurdles we were facing with it are common here in Brazil. Unfortunately, while it was a wonderful opportunity, the uncertainty of resolving them was too great a risk. We’ve looked at 2 other potential properties. Thank you to all those who have given and prayed. We have no doubt the Lord will bring us into the exact place at the exact time. The monies that have been received are now waiting for the right moment.
Thank you for praying for us as a family as well. This year has felt like a tidal wave of dental visits. Silas had 4 teeth removed the other day. He is recovering well. Also, a while ago, we discovered that Jamie has a cataract in her right eye. While it has not caused any physical pain, it has gotten worse over the last year. We met with an eye surgeon to determine the best course of action for her cataract. Lord willing, here in a few weeks she will be able to have the cataract removed. We are trusting the Lord that all will go well.
Thank you for your faithful prayer and partnership. We are honored to be a part of your missions family to get the Gospel to Brazil!