AmyN
11-03-2004, 12:44 PM
"People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives…and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted."-- Nate Saint, missionary martyr
Praise the Lord! It is with a grateful heart for all that the Lord has done that I write to you today. It is hard to imagine how some manage to live without the precious hand of God in their lives. Without His guidance, without His touch, I know that my life would be vain and all of the work that we busy ourselves with daily would be of no avail. I thank God for great mercy and His wonderful truth that He as allowed me to come know. What a privilege!
God is continuing to work in Northeast Brazil. I thank God for the health and the opportunity to be able to have returned in August. I realize more than ever that it is by God’s strength and by His hand that I am in this place. As I travel to different cities and villages in the country of Brazil. I am reminded of God’s command to go into the entire world and preach the gospel. If the gospel is hid, it is hid to those who are lost. As I see crosses, idol statues, candles burning at funeral wakes, and spiritist symbols, they remind me of the great religious darkness that covers the land of Brazil. In Matt. 4:16, it says, "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." I cannot help but think that the Lord has sent us here as missionaries to shine the light of His Word into a land of spiritual ignorance and sinful darkness.
Pray for me as I have an opportunity to travel to the city of São Miguel to help in the church there. We recently traveled there to ordain a minister, pastor over the small church that is in that area. This pastor has asked me to come about once a month to help with the services there. Please bind together in prayer with us as we ask the Lord to supply means to purchase a dependable vehicle. Traveling to São Miguel will consist of me going by bus to the bus station downtown and then taking another bus about an hour’s trip to the city. The busses are not always dependable and can be very dangerous. In a car, more people would be able to travel with me and we would be able to be of a greater help. It would also open other ministry opportunities. Much time is spent at bus stops waiting; this time could be better spent reaching for souls. I know that there are many of you who already help on a consistent basis and without this faithful help, the work would without doubt be hindered. I ask those of you who possibly could and feel led of the Lord, to give, as you are able to this cause. A reliable, used car here in Brazil, would cost me about $800 for a down payment and monthly payments of about $100 dollars. If there would be any who could pledge as little as $10/month, it would be a blessing for the work here. Please pray about this need and ask the Lord if He would have you to give to this cause.
The work in Tabuleiro continues steadily on, since the rains have stopped flooding the church. Each Friday, we spend several hours going door-to-door inviting others to the services. Our regular services are on Tuesday and Friday nights. The church and I are praying for revival in that village. Please join us with your prayers that God will loose the chains that Satan has over that village. On October 30, we are making a trip to Arapiraca to help Missionary Ryan Thompson dedicate his new headquarters church for that city. Brother Raul Jr and his wife will be coming to preach the services.
On Sunday nights, Sister Lucia and I are working with the adolescents. Since October 12 was children’s day here in Brazil. We planned a special day for the kids. We had Bible games, swimming (thanks to our next-door neighbor), and pie in your face, gift exchange, and various other activities. The children also have been working on a play that they performed this past Sunday. This coming Sunday, Elaine (one of our young people) and I will begin a Sunday school class for the little ones in our village. It is such a pleasure to work with the children, watching them grow physically as well as spiritually. Jonas (right), one of our adolescents has brought to us various "Bible studies" during service. Our young people have been actively helping with evangelism, puppet shows, singing, and even preaching.
On October 16 and 17, we had a bazaar for the church in Tabuleiro, selling used clothing, hand-made crafts, and hotdogs to help raise money to reform the bathroom of the church. God blessed and made it well worth our effort. Our primary purpose in the bazaar was to make more contacts with the neighbors of the church, which was successful as we made many such contacts. We handed out tracts to all participants, inviting them to church. In the afternoon, we had our first puppet show using our new puppet stand made out of PVC piping. We invited all the children who lived close by the church; the Lord blessed us with over 25 children, none of which was evangelical. The children laughed as the puppets told Bible stories and sang songs of Jesus love for them. Thank you, Sister Melissa Foster for your help in designing the plans for the puppet stand and Brother Bair’s church in Niles, Michigan for the puppets that were donated. Sunday night, we repeated our performance for the church members. Continue to pray for this ministry to the children that we might reach their souls. We desire to use the puppet ministry in many of our churches for various events to reach the children in these villages. We are new at the puppet ministry; if any would have any suggestions or perhaps some simple skits with puppets that could be translated into Portuguese, please write to me. I am also looking for some simple Sunday School Curriculum that could be easily translated into Portuguese for kids ages 2-7. It would be greatly appreciated.
God often answers our prayers when we least expect Him to. I was working in my office translating One God and Jesus Name Baptism tracts for our ministers’ use and Bible Study tools. After finishing two of them, Brother Alvear took them to our Bible College class on Monday night to be given to the ministers. We had a Trinitarian couple visiting the class that week. As one of our church members read the tracts aloud, the couple saw their need to be baptized in Jesus name, which we promptly baptized the next week.
We all desire to see results of our labors as we work for the Lord. Sometimes they are not so forthcoming and other times it seems the windows of heaven have been opened. Either way we know that our labor is not in vain when we are working for the Lord. One plants, another waters, but God gives us the increase. So as we are planting and watering the Word of the Lord, let’s keep our eyes focused on our Master and Leader, Jesus Christ “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…” (Heb.12:2) Expecting the fruits of our labors which may be revealed while we live or perhaps only in eternity, let us go forth weeping bearing precious seed knowing that we will “…doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing [our] sheaves with [us]” (Psalms 126:6).
I have tried to keep things in my own hands, and I have lost them all. But what I have given into God's hands, that I still possess.” --Martin Luther
NOTE: NEW ADDRESS:
Sister Amy North, C.P. 2047 Maceió-AL, CEP: 57061-970, Brazil, South America
E-mail: Iwant2go2br@aol.com (Iwant2go2br@aol.com)
Praise the Lord! It is with a grateful heart for all that the Lord has done that I write to you today. It is hard to imagine how some manage to live without the precious hand of God in their lives. Without His guidance, without His touch, I know that my life would be vain and all of the work that we busy ourselves with daily would be of no avail. I thank God for great mercy and His wonderful truth that He as allowed me to come know. What a privilege!
God is continuing to work in Northeast Brazil. I thank God for the health and the opportunity to be able to have returned in August. I realize more than ever that it is by God’s strength and by His hand that I am in this place. As I travel to different cities and villages in the country of Brazil. I am reminded of God’s command to go into the entire world and preach the gospel. If the gospel is hid, it is hid to those who are lost. As I see crosses, idol statues, candles burning at funeral wakes, and spiritist symbols, they remind me of the great religious darkness that covers the land of Brazil. In Matt. 4:16, it says, "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." I cannot help but think that the Lord has sent us here as missionaries to shine the light of His Word into a land of spiritual ignorance and sinful darkness.
Pray for me as I have an opportunity to travel to the city of São Miguel to help in the church there. We recently traveled there to ordain a minister, pastor over the small church that is in that area. This pastor has asked me to come about once a month to help with the services there. Please bind together in prayer with us as we ask the Lord to supply means to purchase a dependable vehicle. Traveling to São Miguel will consist of me going by bus to the bus station downtown and then taking another bus about an hour’s trip to the city. The busses are not always dependable and can be very dangerous. In a car, more people would be able to travel with me and we would be able to be of a greater help. It would also open other ministry opportunities. Much time is spent at bus stops waiting; this time could be better spent reaching for souls. I know that there are many of you who already help on a consistent basis and without this faithful help, the work would without doubt be hindered. I ask those of you who possibly could and feel led of the Lord, to give, as you are able to this cause. A reliable, used car here in Brazil, would cost me about $800 for a down payment and monthly payments of about $100 dollars. If there would be any who could pledge as little as $10/month, it would be a blessing for the work here. Please pray about this need and ask the Lord if He would have you to give to this cause.
The work in Tabuleiro continues steadily on, since the rains have stopped flooding the church. Each Friday, we spend several hours going door-to-door inviting others to the services. Our regular services are on Tuesday and Friday nights. The church and I are praying for revival in that village. Please join us with your prayers that God will loose the chains that Satan has over that village. On October 30, we are making a trip to Arapiraca to help Missionary Ryan Thompson dedicate his new headquarters church for that city. Brother Raul Jr and his wife will be coming to preach the services.
On Sunday nights, Sister Lucia and I are working with the adolescents. Since October 12 was children’s day here in Brazil. We planned a special day for the kids. We had Bible games, swimming (thanks to our next-door neighbor), and pie in your face, gift exchange, and various other activities. The children also have been working on a play that they performed this past Sunday. This coming Sunday, Elaine (one of our young people) and I will begin a Sunday school class for the little ones in our village. It is such a pleasure to work with the children, watching them grow physically as well as spiritually. Jonas (right), one of our adolescents has brought to us various "Bible studies" during service. Our young people have been actively helping with evangelism, puppet shows, singing, and even preaching.
On October 16 and 17, we had a bazaar for the church in Tabuleiro, selling used clothing, hand-made crafts, and hotdogs to help raise money to reform the bathroom of the church. God blessed and made it well worth our effort. Our primary purpose in the bazaar was to make more contacts with the neighbors of the church, which was successful as we made many such contacts. We handed out tracts to all participants, inviting them to church. In the afternoon, we had our first puppet show using our new puppet stand made out of PVC piping. We invited all the children who lived close by the church; the Lord blessed us with over 25 children, none of which was evangelical. The children laughed as the puppets told Bible stories and sang songs of Jesus love for them. Thank you, Sister Melissa Foster for your help in designing the plans for the puppet stand and Brother Bair’s church in Niles, Michigan for the puppets that were donated. Sunday night, we repeated our performance for the church members. Continue to pray for this ministry to the children that we might reach their souls. We desire to use the puppet ministry in many of our churches for various events to reach the children in these villages. We are new at the puppet ministry; if any would have any suggestions or perhaps some simple skits with puppets that could be translated into Portuguese, please write to me. I am also looking for some simple Sunday School Curriculum that could be easily translated into Portuguese for kids ages 2-7. It would be greatly appreciated.
God often answers our prayers when we least expect Him to. I was working in my office translating One God and Jesus Name Baptism tracts for our ministers’ use and Bible Study tools. After finishing two of them, Brother Alvear took them to our Bible College class on Monday night to be given to the ministers. We had a Trinitarian couple visiting the class that week. As one of our church members read the tracts aloud, the couple saw their need to be baptized in Jesus name, which we promptly baptized the next week.
We all desire to see results of our labors as we work for the Lord. Sometimes they are not so forthcoming and other times it seems the windows of heaven have been opened. Either way we know that our labor is not in vain when we are working for the Lord. One plants, another waters, but God gives us the increase. So as we are planting and watering the Word of the Lord, let’s keep our eyes focused on our Master and Leader, Jesus Christ “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…” (Heb.12:2) Expecting the fruits of our labors which may be revealed while we live or perhaps only in eternity, let us go forth weeping bearing precious seed knowing that we will “…doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing [our] sheaves with [us]” (Psalms 126:6).
I have tried to keep things in my own hands, and I have lost them all. But what I have given into God's hands, that I still possess.” --Martin Luther
NOTE: NEW ADDRESS:
Sister Amy North, C.P. 2047 Maceió-AL, CEP: 57061-970, Brazil, South America
E-mail: Iwant2go2br@aol.com (Iwant2go2br@aol.com)