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. 

Bits November

Happy Thanksgiving! We are grateful for you all! God is good and has blessed us with great people around us. Tis the season for decorating. We are in full swing of decorating the house and two churches! 

Our member training continues as we schedule modules for next year. In Arcoverde, we are going to try to get through our Systematic Theology course! It is a big one, so pray for perseverance! In Tupanatinga, we finished the Old Testament Survey and started Christian Family. We really had a good time sitting down, conversing, and getting through this solid material.

Not everything we do is mainly pastoral. This month is Christmas prep. I have picked up woodworking as a hobby. It has been useful for some things, like spending our money and trying different wood projects. I also have been working on a much-needed paint job of the whole Arcoverde church. This has been a steady project for the last few months as I paint when I have an afternoon or morning free. There are two big buildings and an outside wall with aluminum fencing. Talk about a lot of manual labor! But we all know that missions is about painting buildings! haha. 

Arcoverde had an administrative meeting in which we dealt with some people who have stopped attending and also read a letter from a couple who left our church. This month has been hard on church conflict. Please pray for unity in the church and for people to prioritize their walk with Christ! We all depend on Christ for our everyday growth and sanctification.   

We are organizing our calendar for the next year and are excited about what God has in store for us. Pray for focus and momentum through the New Year! Both churches constantly have visitors. We still have plenty to work on as far as having healthy churches. Thankfully the leadership has strengthened. When scheduling the preaching for Arcoverde for next year I had six guys I could put in the rotation! Very cool. Now we need to continue in the vision of planting more churches. Batalha has been slow, but we see some progress. Pray for understanding of the gospel there! 

Have a great Thanksgiving and holiday season. Merry Christmas (as I probably won’t send another update before Christmas). We love you all and are thankful for you all! 

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah and our big girl learning to drive, and our little organizer

Bits October 2024

We started off the month with a Biblical Counseling module taught by our regional administrators of Brazil, Randy, and Cindy Richner. He also effectively taught some of Sarah’s master’s classes. He went over several topics, such as marriage, trials, suffering, and how to be an effective counselor. Pray for wisdom for us as we decide on next year’s modules! 

The following week was kid’s day on Saturday. The Arcoverde church puts on an event each year; this year we had a lot of volunteers. Evelyn was up front leading music, jumping, and dancing away after which she led a group of kids around to different activities. David ended up with a virus and he and Sarah had to be substituted! 

The following weekend Sarah took a discipleship group to the beach. They had a great time getting to know each other more and bonding as a group. The trip was a reward for reading the book “Pride to Humility.” David sent the challenge to the discipleship groups and Sarah’s 3 groups all read it within a couple of days of the challenge. For more lessons on positive peer pressure, talk to Sarah. We are big believers in good books! 

A couple of days after Sarah returned, I (David) flew to the US to hang out with my brothers for a weekend. They annually get together to hike, and do different activities, but mainly talk. I only get to go when I am in the states every few years, but this year I was encouraged to go after a conversation we had regarding things we miss out on in being missionaries. It ended up working out and we had a good time. 

Next week we should finish Old Testament Survey in Tupanatinga. We go on Thursdays usually and this has seemed to work for our local church leadership training. There is so much to do and I am excited about a time to slowly make it through the material we have available. 

We have been blessed so much by friend’s and family’s giving, enough so that is has been a while since we have made any financial requests on this email. Thank you for those gifts to ABWE that allow us to live and minister in Brasil (or wherever we are). 

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, and our hardworking girls, whether it is teaching English or making play vending machines or different types of art.

Bits September 2024

 “Get to know Koinonia” We had a new class before church for people new to our church. The turnout was great; we answered questions and discussed how our church works. We went through our doctrinal statement and told how our practice reflects our doctrine. Praise the Lord for visitors and new members being a constant at the church. After one of the services, Heitor asked Jesus to be his Savior. He adds to a list of several more for the baptism service we will have in November. 

The Tupanatinga church had a baptismal service last week. Four people were baptized. One of our first families saved in Tupanatinga is Rodryggo and Danielly. Danielly has held Bible studies, prayed, talked, and invited, etc… her three sisters to attend church. Dayse has been in and out of church for several years but really picked up this past year. She had several reasons to not be baptized including a doctor’s order after her eye surgery the previous week. But she bandaged it up, put on goggles, and insisted on being baptized. Her sister Dani was in the water baptizing her together with me. It was an emotional moment! Also, Chico and Bia’s daughter decided to be baptized almost ten years after her parents made their decision. It was a long time coming, but we are glad she could decide on her own to follow Christ.  

At the end of last month we had an evangelism module and this month we put it into practice. We went to the park during a parade day and were able to have some good conversations. Then we did a Saturday service at Batalha where we hope to plant a church. A couple from our church did the evangelism presentation (they are also teaching the youth this weekend). How cool to see people being trained for the ministry and having the courage to preach the gospel. We had a better turnout than we expected both from Koinonia and from the community of Batalha. Some women who had said they wouldn’t give up their night to drink to go to a church service showed up anyway. 

Evelyn volunteered to teach English at the children’s support home. Recently a missionary couple from South Brazil (the city where Evie was born) joined our church. At the same time, they were taking over a non-profit that serves higher risk kids in our city. They have around 25 kids that receive breakfast, teaching, and then lunch. Most of them wouldn’t otherwise be eating that many times a day. The church has come alongside them by supporting them, sending people to help in different areas, as well as being on their board and other involvement. Pray for Kaleb and Viviane as they get used to the new non-profit, raise support, and serve these children (their vision is actually much more than they are actually doing). One day Evie said she would like to help there and later in the day Kaleb asked for someone who could teach English. His other request was also provided by another member that same day! 

Evie turned 15 this month. We are very grateful for her. She is a freshman and so we talk more and more about her future. We are thankful to serve a sovereign God whom we know will direct her path as she continues to trust in Him.

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, our linguist Evie (she speaks Portuguese, English, does well in Spanish and has dabbled in French and sign language as well), and Anna Claire who beats us in Mancala pretty much every time. 

Bits Agosto

The ladies in Tupanatinga have enjoyed getting more involved in teaching the kid’s class. Here are Julia and Mary, new kid’s teachers in Tupanatinga. This month we had a time to call up the kids and pray for them as they head back to school. We have seen growth and excitement in them to learn the Bible. This month they will have a chance to say all the books of the Bible and earn a Bible; which will help them then be able to look up references in their class time. 

Stefan had a module on Evangelism he wanted to do and we were able to teach it this past month. We had a great group of people wanting to learn. He did a great job and had an interesting, illustrated way of teaching the gospel. We plan on putting it to use in town on the day of the Independence Day parade. We hope to have a good group from the church there. 

In a couple of weeks, we are doing a church service in Batalha and one of the couples from church is supposed to do the presentation of the gospel. We are excited about it! Pray for conversions; as we do not know of any in the community that are actually saved. They all have faith in God but don’t understand the gospel and do not really know much about the Bible. That is really common in the culture. High in faith in God, but low in Bible knowledge (unless they are in certain evangelical churches). 

This month we had another police training with Jeremiah Cook from Rescue 82. He is a full-time police officer in Chattanooga, but travels to several countries a year to do humanitarian relief and police/first aid/shooting training. If you know any first responder that is interested in trips like this, feel free to ask me how to get in contact with him. They have made trips to Ukraine, the Bahamas, and Central America and have others scheduled as well. 

We have a good group of guys in the church with varying skills. Jailson is a huge help to us in preaching and teaching, both in Arcoverde and Tupanatinga. He also welds and works on wood projects. He and a few other guys who like to do projects like this, worked on a sound booth for the church. We now have a nice-looking sound booth and the projector and a monitor in the rafters! It feels like a big upgrade. Soon we will finish the flooring at the church. We have challenged the church to raise the money for all of this and it is coming in, slowly but surely. 

Thank you for all your prayers and support! We feel so blessed to be ambassadors for the gospel in Northeast Brasil!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah and our soon-to-be 15-year-old Evelyn (Sept 20) and Anna Claire. Both were daring in our vacation/adventure/celebration of Evie’s 15th birthday- a trip to a water park. She chose to go on a trip rather than have a big party. 15 is the coming of age year in this culture and we are very proud of the young lady she is becoming. Right now she is on a language learning kick, trying to advance in her Spanish and now picking up French. 

Bits July

The youth group lock-in this month was a big success. Evelyn had a blast and all the teens seemed to love it. The Chosen was the theme and there were several messages on following Christ despite difficulty. We did a theological debate that at least some of the kids enjoyed. Earlier in the month we had the youth group over for a campfire where we grilled hot dogs and made smores. 

Sarah and Evelyn did a teacher’s training for the kid’s ministry in Tupanatinga. They have all been excited about the activities and learning there. This past month there were a couple of deaths of relatives of people going to our church and so we have had some opportunities to minister in the grieving process. Jailson, who is from Arcoverde, but helps pastor in Tupanatinga as well, was a big help during those times. He lost his wife to cancer when she was in her thirties and can better relate to the grieving process. 

This past weekend our friends and colleagues Roger and Marcy Smith visited us. We hadn’t seen them for a year. They recently retired but plan on coming back every once in a while for a visit. It was really good to see them. 

Some of the people from the church started a basketball pick-up time in a closed condominium with some nice facilities. We hope to reach out to some people through that time and get some exercise as well. 

Here, winter break is over and the kids are getting back to school. The next few months are a great time to get momentum going in the churches as the parties are over until the end of the year and people generally don’t travel as often. 

Family wise: Sarah had a great birthday; Evelyn started back at the English school today after a month break, and Anna Claire had a great time at camp earlier in the month!

Thanks for your prayers!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah and teacher Evelyn and camper of the week AC

Bits June 2024

June is a big party month in our city. People flood in from other cities to attend night concerts. We had a harvest party at the church where we played games and ate their traditional food. We had a few more people from the neighborhood this year and one family has started attending church. The neighborhood we are in is difficult to reach. We have known this family for many years now and so it is neat to see them participate.

We also met a family with two girls and a boy who grew up in Florida. They have been here for a couple of years and we just met them this past month. Thursday they plan on coming over for a Fourth of July party. 

Pray for our scheduling and time management. This month we hit a peak of working too hard and not taking enough time off. We are working on healthier working hours and taking more breaks. (Monday is our day off, so I am trying to finish this update Sunday night after church). I have scheduled myself to preach less in both churches! We have multiple preachers for both churches, praise the Lord! God has blessed us as we have both developed leadership and grown. 

Pastor Douglas preached for the first time this past month. After pastoring in several churches, his last church, near Arcoverde lasted for six years before he suffered from burnout. He and I walk some mornings and he has been helpful to me. They decided not to continue in ministry and have a sweets business that they had started when their previous church was not able to pay them much. Their lessons are good for us and their plan for now is to be at Koinonia. Pray for them as they recover. He is not ready to go to a non-healthy church situation, but they feel at home at Koinonia. 

Earlier in the month the Huegel family visited. They were friends of friends who were looking for an adventure. Jon and Sheldon have two daughters Shelby and Charlotte. We had a couple of English conversation nights, visited a school, and had them teach our youth. It was neat meeting them and seeing their willingness to serve. Shelby shared her testimony in front of over 100 kids in a school in a nearby city. It was a neat opportunity. 

Thanks for all you do, whether it is reading, praying, supporting, or sending encouragement. We understand that we have many partners in ministry in reaching out and growing God’s kingdom here in Brasil. 

All for HIS glory, 

David, Sarah and our ministry partner Evelyn and our headed to camp tomorrow Anna Claire  

Bits May

 “Have you ever heard the story of creation before?” Stefan had just taught the creation story and was curious about those in the new Batalha study. There was a 65-year-old woman, a couple in their forties, and a few other married adults present. No one had heard the story of creation. These are people who confess their need for God, how He is good and faithful and One in whom they have faith. But they hadn’t heard the first story in the Bible. It was amazing to see and exciting to have the privilege of working in this community. Pray for Batalha to understand God’s story of Hope! 

As Stefan and Julia have integrated into life here, we are now praying about how that will change our scheduling. I have asked the leadership of both churches to consider roles and responsibilities in our presence in each church. It certainly has not been ideal to lead two churches and we have not been overwhelmed (but we are tired). At this point, we have three preachers in Tupanatinga and 5-6 who can preach in Arcoverde, including Stefan who can take a greater role. I want to make sure that I lead well and have a healthy balance of pulpit time while also continuing to develop leaders. Please pray for wisdom in these decisions! 

Sarah added another discipleship group this past month and she is up to three groups and a few counselees. She has kept busy for sure! We had the idea for the discipleship groups to have a reading competition with a nice prize. It was neat to see the excitement, the seriousness of the task, and the unity of some groups to complete the task. The book to read is a short read with powerful truths, “From Pride to Humility” by Stuart Scott. Pray for wisdom as we lead these groups and as they grow, that we would be able to have the right leadership, right timing, and that each group would continue with great discussions. We have switched from the groups having separate studies to encouraging the reading of the sermon passage and to chew on questions from the Sunday message. This has led to some great discussions and growth. 

There is a book called “Trellis and the Vine” in which the author talks about having the right structure in place to be able to support growth. We feel like we are on the cusp of this and the last few weeks there has been some good signs. Please pray that God will be glorified here in Northeast Brazil! 

Our friends Jeremiah and Cindy Cook were here this month and this team some other SWAT guys came with him. We had a few training days and it was neat to make new contacts and to serve the police forces here. 

This last month Evelyn started coming to the church a couple afternoons a week to help organize and plan events. She is doing a great job helping at the church as well as working at the local English school. Next week we have an outreach event for English for a couple of nights and then the following week we have a Harvest Party. We always invite the community but rarely have people from our neighborhood show up. Pray that our neighbors will start coming to these events! 

Thank you all for your love, prayer, and support!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah and our hard-working Evelyn and grandmother to four little kittens, Anna Claire