Bits March 2026

 We were privileged to have missionaries Shane and Erin Latham with us this month. On the Saturday morning, we went to a jiu-jitsu class in which Shane taught some techniques and integrated them with spiritual conversation. I grew up wrestling, and that was his platform, one that I didn’t realize I could have. I am not sure I want my body to go through that much, but maybe it would be a good opportunity to invest in people’s lives in that community. Pray that I would have wisdom regarding the open door they left in my lap. That night, Shane and Erin spoke for a couple’s dinner in which they gave tips to help their marriage. The next day, they taught a Sunday School group and then on Sunday night preached. It was a blessing to hear from them for the weekend. 

The girls and I also heard from them the following weekend as we went to Recife for English camp. This is our third year attending and helping out with our second-tier english abilities. We were able to have a good time while also hearing some good life lessons. 

Sarah’s big event this month was the Arcoverde women’s tea that we always do in March. She has handed over the official organization to Luma, who did a wonderful job, but somehow always stays busy in preparation for the tea. This year, Luma talked about how pearls come from irritations and how God is molding us. Sarah then interviewed Iana and Julia about their lives and how God has used different circumstances to mold them. 

As we look forward to this Easter weekend, we have a busy one planned. It is also the Arcoverde church anniversary. We are going to have a praise service Saturday night with several groups leading in worship. We are also putting on an Easter play. Evelyn has a main part. She is the daughter of an inventor, who goes back in time with the help of a time machine, to find out about the lamb of Easter. Stefan wrote the play, and it should be really good. Pray that we would have a good group of people to watch! 

Construction is starting in Batalha! We are excited for this as it has been a long time coming. For a long time, we couldn’t find land, then we couldn’t find a tractor to clear it, and then it took a while to find a builder! After another contractor told us it would be a while last week, we got a lead as a result of a prayer request. Now we will have two Koinonia buildings in construction, so pray we have the patience, finances, and good workers! 

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, and our diligent daughters,
who have worked ahead on their school work and are winding down the official classes and doing more unofficial learning. Also, AC turns 13 next Monday! 

Bits February 2026

Reading group!

Doesn’t it seem every year that February goes by quicker than the other months? (That was a joke, wasn’t it?) This month, I preached out of Colossians 3:12-17 and cast the vision of being the goal for our church. Look it up! The passage talks about how we are to treat others and live together in peace, being grateful for one another. We are grateful for you all.

We are grateful for a group of four women from Silverdale in Chattanooga who came down and did an evangelistic painting event in Arcoverde, Batalha, and Tupanatinga. The women heard the gospel presented through the three circles, as well as some testimonies. Plus, they left with a beautiful painting that they themselves painted. 

We are grateful for my brother’s church in New Hampshire that took on a project of raising 10,000 dollars for the building in Batalha. They exceeded that goal by over a thousand dollars! We had the land cleared and are now working on getting workers. Pray that we can get the right team to start working! 

We are grateful for extra gifts that have also enabled us to work on the second phase of the Tupanatinga church, an apartment above the classrooms. We are excited to be able to use it soon, as well as to have something for a future Pastor there. I was able to go work an afternoon there carrying bricks and sand. 

I am also grateful for the Arcoverde church giving more so that we can work on some of the building issues we are having. I have been able to do some physical labor on these projects and look forward to doing some more in the coming weeks. Working with people is great, and we do see progress, but sometimes, when working on building projects, you see more “progress.” 

Construction begins in Batalha

Yet, we are seeing progress in the churches. Just this last week, we had three conversations about membership in Arcoverde. In Tupanatinga, we visited a family that has been coming to our church. It seems like both churches have had new families that want to stay. Next Saturday we have a couple’s dinner, and later in the month the annual women’s tea in Arcoverde. We are excited about a lot of things that are happening here. Thank you so much for your prayers. We are grateful for the partnership in the gospel we have with all of you.

A bonus to a painter coming.
Our house!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, and our student Evelyn, who is figuring out how to get college credits early, and our artist Anna Claire, who really enjoyed the painting ministry that came through

Bits January 2026

A couple of months ago, I made an appeal for funds. Not only are our accounts back to a healthy level, but we now have enough to work on the apartment in Tupanatinga, as well as starting the project in Batalha. In Batalha, we have been trying to start for a while. We have been waiting for a bulldozer, and it is now scheduled to work on Tuesday. They are going to level off the land, and then we can get the building started. The apartment in Tupanatinga is scheduled to get started next weekend. We are planning a workday to take the roof off, clear out the property and the upstairs where the apartment is being built. We might also have time to carry all the bricks up the stairs to get them started. 

In Brazil, the year doesn’t start officially until after Carnaval, which is in February this year. January is the summer here, and so kids have just started back to school, or will go back next week. As a church, we take January off from a lot of different ministries as we get organized for the year. Pray for a good organization for the year! 

On January 8, our family had the privilege of going to a conference for leadership at ABWE. Sarah and I are at the lowest tier of leadership to be able to attend the event, but it was great to be able to participate! It was in Spain! We flew through Paris, and so we were able to spend some time there as well. The girls insisted on going, and it was a really fun family trip. The conference was focused on conflict resolution using “Peace Pursuit,” which is a simple way of resolving conflict (simple, not necessarily easy). Jesus told us that people will know we are His disciples by our love for our brothers. Resolving conflict takes honest self-reflection and humility. But God has called us to the ministry of reconciliation.

In January and February, Sarah has women over to the house to read a book. They are really enjoying their book this year, and a good number of women are showing up. Books can change your life. We try to encourage a good amount of reading at the church. 

In February, Cindy Cook is bringing a couple of women during Carnaval. They are doing three different painting events for women where they learn to paint something and hear about God. Pray that we can have a good amount of ladies who are interested in hearing more about the gospel!

Thank you all so much for reading, praying, and supporting. We have thought of you all suffering in the cold this month. Feel free to come down here sometime! God bless!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah and our student Evelyn, who is checking out college options, and our early riser AC, who is now feeding her cats in the morning cause she is up earlier than me