Pre-field on Brazilian soil (August-September '23 prayer UPDATE 🇺🇸)

Most pre-field missionaries live near their sending church, and in the meantime visit other churches to present their minitry. I am no different, but because my sending church is in Brazil, I present a few bereaucratic and logistical differences for ABWE. I received special permission for my pre-field ministry in Brazil, close to my home church, where I will be able to continue raising funds and challenging others to participate more directly in missions. Please be praying for me, during this time on pre-field ministry. 

Our Journey back to Brazil

Three weary travellers try to push four luggage carts filled to the brim, without blocking the hallway of the Brazilian customs department. Thank God, besides making sure that all our suitcases were within the weight allowance, this was the largest obstacule during our trip coming back to Brazil. By God's grace we were able to make it into the country with all 15 suitcases filled with personal items, ministry items, and some family members's items that had been left behind previously. 

We arrived on a Sunday morning, with the afternoon to rest. Since the Brazilian church service is in the evening, we still had time to visit my home church and worship with the body of believers there. After 20 sundays being away from my church, I was grateful to be back.

Praises

1. for the time in the US, presenting the ministry.

2. for the prayer Partners that God has multiplied

3. for the time (learning experience and encouragement) at ABWE

4. for a safe and uneventful trip back to Brazil

Pre-field Activities

As usual, our ever growing church's calendar is filled with many celebrations and events. During the next few weeks there are several weddings and wedding showers, many baby showers, as well as conferences, retreats, and birthday celebrations, all of which are excellent moments to remember and meditate on God's faithful and good hand on His people.

Getting together for coffee with a friend or two, talking on the phone or messaging to encourage long-distance friends, counseling and helping some past disciplees with some present issues, or simply being available to help and serve friends at my church, have all been ways that the Lord has provided for me to minister in these past weeks.

One of such times, was the opportunity to help clean and get the house ready for one of the newlyweds. What a blessing it has been to see Mirna and Juan begin their married relationship, serve the Lord in the local church plant and be trained and readied to be sent out by our church as local missionaries to church plant in Capistrano.

Future Plans

In the following weeks I will be beginning some formal counseling and discipleship relationships, as well as serving once again in the church plant in the rural community of Capistrano (near Fortaleza in NE Brazil). I had been involved in this church plant at the beginning of 2022, and have been able to see it slowly grow over these past few months.

During every month of October, my home church emphasizes missions. This year, Lord willing, I will have several opportunities to share my testimony with small groups and give reports of many of the ways that the Lord has been working in South Brazil. Please be praying for the Lord to challenge the people to be more actively involved in missions.

After meeting with my pastor, my goal date is to be back in the south of Brazil by mid March. For this to happen, however, my ministry must be fully funded. I am confident that the Lord's timing in everything will be made clear, and I trust that He will provide the necessary committed support at the time that He desires. 

What can you do?

• Sign up to receive prayer updates like this one! This already is so important!

• If you would like to participate financially with my ministry, you can click here. When you get involved, you help fund my living expenses and the ministries that I am involved in such as: local outreach events, Bible study materials, children’s outreach events and resources, ESL outreach materials, etc.

• Prayer is the most important thing you can do to participate in the ministry that the Lord has entrusted to me.

Prayer Requests

1. That God would provide the right partners to be generously committed to funding the ministry I am presenting.

2. That my heart would be able to fully trust in God’s perfect timing and in His gracious provision.

3. For this time that I will be presenting my ministry in Brazilian churches - that it will be a blessing for both sides.

4. For wisdom in redeeming my time well, while I am in Fortaleza, Brazil.