Bits from Brazil June 2025

Reunite, rest, and recuperate. Some of our goals for our trip to the US have already been reached. We have seen a lot of family! It has been wonderful. The girl’s cousins have been busy growing! When we booked our tickets to the US, we had no idea that Sarah’s great aunt would have a graveside service the following day, just a couple of hours down the road in Huntsville, AL area. Her Aunt Becky had visited us in Brazil in 2009 and had been a faithful supporter. Sarah was able to see her on a girls’ trip in 2023. 

From there we drove to Hilton Head with Sarah’s family to spend the week in celebration of her parent’s 50th anniversary! That was one of the main reasons to be in the States. We had a great time with them and then flew up to Michigan to hang out with my family for a week. 

While we were there, we had scheduled a marriage seminar to put on at our sending church. We had 11 couples there and had a great time. So great a time that we didn’t even take photos! We hope to be able to do this marriage seminar more often! We had a lot of fun with my family as well, and I was able to spend a good amount of time with my brothers there. We then drove through Knoxville, close to North Carolina, to see my sister Kim for an afternoon.

We are now at the farm in North Georgia. Needless to say, we hadn’t gotten much rest up to that point. But here on the farm we are working on some more rest. Sunday, we were able to get some spiritual revival and renewal when we spent the day with our friends Jeremiah and Cindy Cook and Silverdale Baptist Church. The service really was a blessing, as well as seeing a good bit of friends. Later that day, we participated in their small group, and they asked us on the spot to share some about Brazil. We figured out how to put some pictures on the TV and even looked at the church security cameras as the church service in Arcoverde was due to start. 

We are reading some good books, helping
out on the farm, and excited about some Fourth of July partying with friends and family. The girls are reconnecting with some friends as well. We will be sharing about Brazil in a couple of churches while we are here. On the 21st of this month we have an ABWE conference to participate in. 

We have had good reports of the churches in Brazil, but they do want us back, evidently. haha. Thanks for your prayers and many blessings in our lives!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, and our swimmer, reader, and podcast listener Evie (she was excited to get her library card renewed so she can use her library app, and she is also studying to get her driver’s permit); and Anna Claire, who has been excited to see several different friends

Bits May 2025

On Saturday, Stenyo made a decision for Christ after going through the Story of Hope evangelistic book. He didn’t think his name was written in the book of life because he hadn’t been good enough yet. After reviewing all that we have learned and talking about salvation by grace, he happily prayed to receive Christ. The next day in church he asked Pastor Douglas to come up to the stage and pray for him. 

Stefan with the owner of the property

Our church has long been involved in the community of Batalha, and when Stefan arrived we started trying to have a regular study. Recently, three women were saved there, and this week we have been working on closing on a property there. Nothing has worked out since we started trying over a year ago, but this month we discovered a house under construction that never finished. It is right close to where we usually meet, and after taking an engineer and an architect there, we decided it would work. Pray now as we put in a better structure and decide how to best remodel it to work as a meeting place for Bible studies. 

Sarah continues to counsel different ladies. One young lady finished a book study and eagerly asked what the next book would be. Praise the Lord that she is willing to do these studies. She has enjoyed going to the youth group as well. Speaking of which, Anna Claire is now in youth group and enjoying it. She has several friends her age who are entering as well. 

On June 5, we head to the airport to leave on a jet plane! We are going to the states for two months to 1) celebrate Sarah’s parents 50th anniversary; 2) attend ABWE’s Missionary Enrichment conference; 3) give a marriage seminar at our sending church, Heritage Baptist Church (June 14); and 4) just be in the US and have some vacation time with family. We haven’t been home as a family for two years now and are excited to see some family and friends.  

You all are a blessing to us! Thank you!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, our teacher Evelyn, and our artsy Anna Claire

Bits April 2025

We celebrated our 7th church anniversary this month. On Saturday, the 5th, we had a concert, inviting other churches to participate in worship. It was a packed house and very encouraging. One goal we have here is to help unite churches in a town where they stay pretty divided. We had several pastors present and other churches represented. The next day, the 6th, we had a special service with extra music as well. 

Easter service was also a blessing! Besides the service, we had four different groups hear about the importance of the Resurrection. Two schools came to the church and one foster care home, and then our group went to Batalha and presented there as well. Evelyn did a great job leading the kids’ songs a couple of times. Stefan is already thinking about next year and what we can do.

This month, we had another man, Thiaggo, in the church preach. He had preached elsewhere, but not in our church. He has been a blessing to the church, and it is great to see him growing. He signed up for a master’s degree with our ABWE seminary in São Paulo and has been working hard on his classes. Thiaggo sees a future in the pastorate. Another young man in our church has also been wrestling with this decision about ministry. This month, he said that he felt God’s call for ministry and has started looking into how he can go to a seminary. Praise the Lord for raising up new leaders. 

As a family, we were able to take some days off last week after Easter, after several grueling weeks of ministry. We are grateful to be at a place where we can afford to do that. One of the new pastors, Douglas, has experience with burnout and frequently encourages us to make sure we are taking time off when necessary. 

We have another month of ministry before we go to the states for two months. It has been two years since we have been back to the states as a family. Before we go we are working on structuring the church better so that is can run more efficiently. Pray we can get all of our kinks worked out! We appreciate your love and prayers.

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah our reader and teacher Evelyn and our 12 year old AC who is learning all things hair and make up. 

Bits March 2025

For years now, our churches have done a women’s tea. This year for the Arcoverde we put Luma in charge of the tea. Her organizational skills helped her to do a wonderful job. Sarah and Luma were the speakers for the event and Evelyn took photos. We encouraged our people to invite and pay for unchurched women they knew. There were a lot of visitors and it was a very special moment for the women. 

For the second year in a row, Evelyn and I went to Recife for English Camp. A group from Michigan has been coming down and running a weekend of immersion in English. There are several services during the weekend, small group time, and lots of fun. I went as a counselor and was glad to connect with some students. 

For the second month in a row, the teens put on a service. This Saturday night the youth entirely led the worship time. They also do a skit, have a reception team and media team. The youth group has grown so much that we now have a separate group for young adults (college and career age). 

Service with new flooring! 

We have several new families in the church that we are excited about and this past Sunday we had a time called “Get to know Koinonia” where we could talk about the church and why we do what we do. In a couple weeks, we will officially be adding 3 families to the membership. This weekend is the 7th anniversary of the church and we are celebrating with a mini-concert on Saturday night and then continue celebrating Sunday night. 

In Tupanatinga we finished up a study on raising children, did one on conflict resolution and this month will start up New Testament survey. The services have been consistent, but pray that we will be able to break some barriers in the city. Tupanatinga has more ramifications for being evangelical; it has been rigid catholic for a long time and families look down on those who are converted. Pray for courage for those who might face this persecution in order to come to church. This month Sarah was invited to speak at a school to the students’ parents about spending time with their kids. It seemed well received! What a great opportunity. 

Thank you for your sustaining prayers and support! 

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, teacher and photographer Evelyn, and artist Anna Claire (who turns 12 on Sunday) 

Women's tea!

Bits February 2025

Systematic theology. There was interest last year when I did a survey of our leaders. This month, we did a module, and now we are going to teach it every week on Sunday mornings, with an option for Thursday nights as well. The year starts this month in Brasil. Carnival is the mark of the New Year according to the Brazilian mind. Carnival starts March 1 and goes until next Wednesday, the 5th. For the most part, everything stops. 

Sarah made little boats with the nursery kids

On Saturday (tomorrow), we are having a baptism and cookout. We have a good group that will be there. It is also a time to complete house projects. I plan to help paint the house of one member who has been working on building his own house. It is a long-term project as he also works three jobs. His wife fell and fractured a vertebra and is supposed to rest for three months. Sarah is hoping to visit her once a week for encouragement. 

I am doing a couple of discipleships with people at the church. Philippe, who I mentioned in the last update just got saved, is supposed to get baptized tomorrow. He and I are going through a discipleship book. He is also doing the theology class, so he is getting some milk and meat at the same time. haha.

Talking about getting saved! 

Philippe’s brother Thiaggo was a big influence in his salvation. He has been accepting preaching invitations and will preach at our church in April. He also helps teach the youth. He started an online missions post-graduation degree through our mission’s seminary in South Brazil. I am excited for him and all he will learn. He is a young police officer who has climbed the ranks quickly and was just transferred to the station in our city, which means he has more time for his family and serving at church. 

I walk some mornings with Pastor Douglas, who left his previous church at the end of 2023 because of burnout. He came back to Arcoverde and started attending our church. After a few months, he started preaching again but has been hesitant about pastoral ministry. Recently, he has been more open to it and is accepting more and more opportunities for ministry. His wife sells special brigadeiros in the street, and that is how they have survived since the pandemic. His previous church stopped paying him, so they had to figure out a way to make a living. We are excited to have him with us and see him more and more involved. Pray for our church to be more and more giving so that we can take him on in a greater capacity! He has started receiving something already as he helps me with the Tupanatinga church. Every week he writes a poem based on the week’s sermon. It is pretty amazing. 

Thanks for your prayers! Pray for Batalha as it has been slow going! Pray for a women’s tea at the end of March as they invite unbelievers and talk about contentment. Pray for our small groups starting back up along with the Theology class. 

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, and my ESL teacher and swimmer, Evie and our artist Anna Claire. Both are working on small business ideas. :) 

Headed to the study in Tupanatinga

Bits January 2025

New baby in our church family

 “This is the only way for the church to grow.” These words from our boss have started to make more and more sense. Tribulation in life is not fun. The last couple of months have been just that; we have had some major struggles; the worst in all our ministry life. But through all this time God has shown His sovereign hand and we understand that we must pass through difficulties. 

On the other side of it (for the most part), God is sending blessings. Last week Sarah sat down with a young boy who was struggling with doubts about having blasphemed the Holy Spirit. After Sarah explained more to him, he eagerly decided to place his faith in Jesus. She is continuing with him in discipleship. Then this week a friend and regular attendee came in for a membership interview. On his membership form he didn’t have anything down for conversion or baptism. After a gospel explanation, he beautifully prayed to ask Christ to be the Lord and Savior of his life. 

Early this morning a friend from the neighborhood wrote asking to talk. In the early morning, we were able to talk about God’s work in his life in the middle of his crisis. Tomorrow another meeting is scheduled with an unbeliever who has attended our church some. 

Water park fun with the church

I would like to say that this is normal life for us; we would love for it to be, but it has not been the norm for people to seek us out for counsel. For some reason, God has chosen to work in these lives at this moment of time. This has confirmed to us that God has us where He wants us despite our own weaknesses and failures. God is good! 

This
month we had a grill out for the men of the church that was evangelistic. We had a great time playing games and talking. 

The cows looked at me funny as I walked
by with my grilling accessories

Sarah started reading a book on contentment with the women of the church. Almost twenty have been attending and learning a great deal! 

February 8-9 we have a module for starting Systematic Theology in the church to be studied all year. I am really excited about this as it can really help grow those in the church! 

Thank you for your prayers! We have had some sickness hit us this month. Pray for our healing from colds. We feel very blessed to partner with you all to reach Brasil for Christ! God bless.

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah and our swimmer and English teacher Evie, and our artist Anna Claire

Baby iguana at the house

Bits December

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are having plenty of parties down here in Brazil. Now that we are connected to several church plants and a non-profit, we have attended several dinner parties. One that is going on its’ fifth year is the women’s Christmas tea in Tupanatinga. This year Sarah prayed for all the 60 chairs to be filled, which is exactly what happened. Sarah and Evelyn gave the devotional together and did a fabulous job. The women at the church in Tupanatinga look forward to this date all year and thoroughly enjoy themselves. They are great about inviting others. 

On December 1 we had a baptism for the Arcoverde church. It was neat baptizing a family together and several others. Ricardo and Camylla have plugged right into the church. They shared their testimony of a party life with another member. He later started coming to our church and told them they needed to as well. After coming for several weeks, Stefan sat down and shared the gospel with them and they said that is what they needed. They have been very faithful and helpful! 

On Friday we had a workday to start installation of the new flooring. We had a good turnout and got a lot done. There is still more to be done and money to be raised within the church. We are trying to get the church to be self-sustaining. For the most part it is but projects like this have been slow going. Pray the church would learn the importance of giving! 

Our supporters have been very generous. We appreciate you all. Our accounts are healthy (if we wanted to finish the flooring using our mission accounts, we could!, but we want to make sure our people are taking care of the church they belong to). Continue to pray for Batalha; we are hoping to soon make some moves with land there, but this has been a slow process. There is some land in view, but there are high-tension power lands close to it and we need to find out where we can actually build as well as a fair price. Batalha is a community where there is not a high demand for land and building and so it is difficult to find the actual worth of the land. 

We pray that you all have a great New Year and that Jesus will continue to grow in your hearts!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah and Evelyn, who spoke at the tea, and crafty Anna Claire who made several Christmas presents this year, including bracelets and then my peanut and skittle dispenser.