Off to a great start in Brazil...

We arrived safely in Brazil Saturday morning after an overnight flight. We were blessed to have all of our luggage arrive along with us, and we were greeted by Pastor Timothy and a dear brother in the Lord who loaded us up along with our luggage into two cars and took us to Pastor Timothy’s home. We spent our first day in fellowship, rest and unpacking all the gifts we brought to bless their beautiful family. Virginia, his dear wife, has displayed the gift of hospitality as she caters to our every need. Little Timothy Joshua (2 ½ years old) is a delight and loves all the activity in the house.

Sunday morning we joined Evangelist Tim Sutton and Pastor Basilio at Evangelical Community Pillar of Faith Church as they wrapped up a 3-day School of Evangelism with pastors and church leaders. After a delicious lunch we walked to a nearby park where some set up the sound system and others began a prayer walk around the park. After Evangelist Tim sang some worship songs and played his trumpet, Pastor Timothy shared his testimony. People from the community surfaced from their homes and those passing by stopped to listen as a short gospel message was preached. Then those that participated in the School of Evangelism began to walk through the park and down the streets and talked with many about Jesus and His love for them. It was an excellent opportunity for them to put into practice what they learned over the last 3 days.

Matthew and Pastor Timothy joined some young men that were playing soccer nearby while the Gospel was being declared in the park. God opened the door for Matthew to share with them through the interpretation of Pastor Timothy. He gave Matthew an illustration using soccer in order to relate the gospel of Jesus to them. We believe that God’s Word planted in their heart will not return void and that He will watch over that Word and draw them to conviction of their sins and the need of a Savior! Amen, so be it!

We regrouped in the afternoon and headed across town for an evening worship service with Pastor Rose at Jesus Bread of Life Church. What an awesome time of worship, which included dance, special singing, and celebration of the results of an outreach the church had done on Saturday in an Indian village. God has truly given them a heart to reach the “unreached” with the Gospel. Alissa was given an opportunity to sing and share her testimony, which prepared the soil for the message that was preached by Debbie. God moved during the altar and prayer time as the entire team ministered to the saints declaring the benefits of the Kingdom into their lives bringing healing, wholeness, and blessing. We arrived back at the house after midnight tired, hungry, and cold (the temperature dropping into the 40’s overnight) and totally humbled that God would choose us to declare and demonstrate His Word to the people of Brazil.