Hi friends and family,
This month has been very exciting and busy one for us. We have had groups from two Churches and they came two days apart. The group from Warner Robbins Ga. did a vacation Bible School at the home of our member Gloria. The exciting thing about this is that some of these teenagers had helped in the construction of Gloria's house. They also participated in the Tuesday night meeting that is held in Gloria's home. In preparation for the Bible School we canvased the neighborhood , door to door to let the children know when we were going to be there. During this door to door visiting we were able to present the Gospel to various people. We were invited to do some work in one of the public schools and were fed by the kitchen workers and ate with the teachers and the principal. This group scraped the walls, sanded the walls and then painted in two class rooms.From there we went to the Vocational School where tile was laid and other jobs were done.The next group from Gardenside Baptist Church in Lexington Ky. was able to do a Bible School in the same public school where the others had painted. So one opened the doors for the other.Even though the students were on winter break the principal invited them back to participate and also their parents. The Principal is new to this school and she wanted to get the parents involved and get to know them and she used us as a tool. It worked for her and for us too.She also brought her twin boys. A great time was had by all!!! This group also painted in this public school.We went from the public school to the Vocational School where tile was laid and walls painted along with planning for a electrical class in the future. Opportunities are unlimited when you come to do whatever God has for you to do.
We made many new friends at the school and I have been invited to start an English class for the teachers and workers. Among the new friends we have made are the principals twin boys that are teenagers. The family is catholic and we were surprised when the boys began to attend our youth meetings on Saturday night. And then even more excited when they started to come the Church every Sunday. AWESOME what God does and lets you be apart of. This is a small miracle but it is a miracle.
To top off the month we had a baptism last Sunday and two were baptized. There are several attending new converts class and soon we will enter into the waters of baptism again. Praise be to God who gives the harvest. We are still deep in the planning for the Pastors conference here in November. Our Church in conjunction with Second Baptist Church in Warner Robbins Ga. will be sponsoring our first Pastors Conference. We will be inviting pastors from across Brasil to attend so that we can encourage them in their ministry. Pray for this conference with us as we desire to reach Brasil for Christ. And what better way than to encourage Brasilian pastors in the work.
As we are writing this letter our son Bryan called to tell us that our long time friend and brother in Christ, Fred Hearn has gone to be with the Lord. I remembered that when we were just coming to Brasil to help other missionaries Fred and Pat made the trip with us. Pray for this family in their loss.
Our vehicles are giving us good service but at the same time are costing much in the mechanic shop.It is imperative to keep the van running because it is our churches only means of transporting the people that don't have cars nor money to come by public transport. I have begun to have to make two trips on Sunday morning and on Sunday night as we are having many people coming. Praise the Lord for this. That brings me say that we need a bus. Please put this on your prayer list and if you can help with an offering to purchase a bus that would be AWESOME.
We have had many visitors this month but that does not mean that we are not looking for you. The bed is turned down and I can get new mints for the pillow as the other groups have eaten the last ones.
In His service,
Aj and Barbara
This month has been very exciting and busy one for us. We have had groups from two Churches and they came two days apart. The group from Warner Robbins Ga. did a vacation Bible School at the home of our member Gloria. The exciting thing about this is that some of these teenagers had helped in the construction of Gloria's house. They also participated in the Tuesday night meeting that is held in Gloria's home. In preparation for the Bible School we canvased the neighborhood , door to door to let the children know when we were going to be there. During this door to door visiting we were able to present the Gospel to various people. We were invited to do some work in one of the public schools and were fed by the kitchen workers and ate with the teachers and the principal. This group scraped the walls, sanded the walls and then painted in two class rooms.From there we went to the Vocational School where tile was laid and other jobs were done.The next group from Gardenside Baptist Church in Lexington Ky. was able to do a Bible School in the same public school where the others had painted. So one opened the doors for the other.Even though the students were on winter break the principal invited them back to participate and also their parents. The Principal is new to this school and she wanted to get the parents involved and get to know them and she used us as a tool. It worked for her and for us too.She also brought her twin boys. A great time was had by all!!! This group also painted in this public school.We went from the public school to the Vocational School where tile was laid and walls painted along with planning for a electrical class in the future. Opportunities are unlimited when you come to do whatever God has for you to do.
We made many new friends at the school and I have been invited to start an English class for the teachers and workers. Among the new friends we have made are the principals twin boys that are teenagers. The family is catholic and we were surprised when the boys began to attend our youth meetings on Saturday night. And then even more excited when they started to come the Church every Sunday. AWESOME what God does and lets you be apart of. This is a small miracle but it is a miracle.
To top off the month we had a baptism last Sunday and two were baptized. There are several attending new converts class and soon we will enter into the waters of baptism again. Praise be to God who gives the harvest. We are still deep in the planning for the Pastors conference here in November. Our Church in conjunction with Second Baptist Church in Warner Robbins Ga. will be sponsoring our first Pastors Conference. We will be inviting pastors from across Brasil to attend so that we can encourage them in their ministry. Pray for this conference with us as we desire to reach Brasil for Christ. And what better way than to encourage Brasilian pastors in the work.
As we are writing this letter our son Bryan called to tell us that our long time friend and brother in Christ, Fred Hearn has gone to be with the Lord. I remembered that when we were just coming to Brasil to help other missionaries Fred and Pat made the trip with us. Pray for this family in their loss.
Our vehicles are giving us good service but at the same time are costing much in the mechanic shop.It is imperative to keep the van running because it is our churches only means of transporting the people that don't have cars nor money to come by public transport. I have begun to have to make two trips on Sunday morning and on Sunday night as we are having many people coming. Praise the Lord for this. That brings me say that we need a bus. Please put this on your prayer list and if you can help with an offering to purchase a bus that would be AWESOME.
We have had many visitors this month but that does not mean that we are not looking for you. The bed is turned down and I can get new mints for the pillow as the other groups have eaten the last ones.
In His service,
Aj and Barbara
