We praise the Lord for another wonderful and fruitful month of ministry here in Pindamonhangaba. What a joy it is to be back and serving among our dear people once again!
Shortly after our return, we took 10 of our teens to a youth revival at New Life Baptist Church in Taubaté. A group from First Baptist Church of Hammond, IN, came and ministered during the event. On the second evening, Rafael—a friend of one of our faithful teens—trusted Christ as his Savior. We praise the Lord for this decision! Please pray for his spiritual growth and for the salvation of his family.
Another exciting opportunity came in witnessing to Suellen and her boyfriend Daniel. Suellen’s family attended our church for the first time the Sunday before we returned from furlough. Soon after arriving back, I visited their home and had the privilege of leading Suellen’s mother, Valeria, to Christ. Please pray for this needy family. Her stepfather, Márcio, and younger siblings are not yet saved. They live in a district of Pindamonhangaba called Moreira César—a growing area with over 40,000 residents and no local church.
Through this family and others who live in that district, we’ve begun praying for the Lord’s leading about starting a work there. Not long after the youth revival, I had the opportunity to preach in a home in Moreira César. Around 25 people attended, and several expressed interest in having a regular service or eventually church plant. Please pray for clear direction and wisdom as we seek the Lord’s will for this opportunity.
It was a joy to labor alongside Jonathan and Karlene for the first three years of the church. The Lord truly blessed our friendship and partnership. With mixed emotions, we sent them off to begin deputation in the U.S. as they prepare to return to Brazil as church-planting missionaries. Please pray for them as they begin scheduling meetings, traveling, preaching, presenting their ministry, and serving in churches across the U.S. We are thrilled about what God has already done and confident He will continue to use them mightily. If your church is seeking a new missionary partnership, I cannot recommend Jonathan and Karlene highly enough.
Leading up to our church’s third anniversary, we had a week of prayer. Each night, we gathered in a different member’s home to pray for unsaved family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. It was a precious time of united intercession. That same week, we were also busy inviting others to our anniversary conference, which turned out to be a memorable event. Over the course of three services, we had a total of 16 visitors.
On Sunday morning during the preaching, an unexpected incident occurred—a 71-year-old man lost control of his motorcycle and ended up pinned under our car. Thankfully, he was unharmed and able to walk away from the accident. We also had the opportunity to witness to him. Please pray for Laérte. He has a strong background in the Jehovah’s Witnesses and is not saved. You just never know what might happen at church in Brazil!
Please keep Pastor Diego and New Life Baptist Church in Caçapava in your prayers. Their first services will be held this weekend, August 9–10. Our church will be sending groups throughout the week to help with soul winning and inviting the city to come. Please pray for every aspect of this new church plant.
Please continue to pray for us as we serve the Lord in Brazil. We are truly humbled and grateful for your faithful partnership in the Gospel!
Keith, Jamie, Lainey, Clayton, and Silas Putnam | Philippians 2:16