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