December 28, 2001

Dear Friends,

Well, here it is the end of the year and time to look back and see what we have accomplished for God. To see if we could have done more or if we could have done things differently and have done things better. I don't think there would be any one of us that would say that we could not have done more or that we could not have done it better. But what God wants from us is that we have done all for the glory of Him. As you know we are in Portuguese classes and God has given us a unique opportunity. Our Portuguese teacher also teaches English and one of his students is from Israel. As our teacher is a Christian he was concerned about this student and asked us if he could bring him out to the farm to get to know us for us to be able to eventually witness to him. You see, though he grew up in Israel with Jewish parents, he is a professed atheist. So we invited the two of them to spend one Saturday with us here on the farm. We tried to show a Godly example and pave the way to eventually talk to him about our Lord and Savior and his need for this Savior in his life. What we need from you there in the States is much prayer because this will be a hard task. He is a learned man and the Devil has a strong hold on him. He enjoyed our American hospitality and food and I think we have an open door to have him in our home again. So please keep this in your prayers. He is working in the next town and he has hardly any immediate friends. So I think God is opening an opportunity for us in this area.

The work here is going well but the pace of the paper work is extremely slow. But we are learning the saying "everything in its time." However, this pace is giving us time to study the language and work more with the neighborhood people. The mission is going well. We have baptized four and there are three more waiting baptism. How AWESOME is the God we serve. Also this week, our young people came to us and asked if we could begin a youth ministry here at the Mission. We were elated that they took the initiative to start this work. We will begin with seven young people but we think that is great because we remember our work with the youth there in Garca. It began with only eight young people and grew to more than fifty. So this is another opportunity to serve God. We are enjoying the Holidays more this year because God has permitted us to have our daughter Mary Katherine here with us this year. Here in a foreign country you value family and friends much more because of the distance that separates you from them.

Speaking of friends and family, Barbara and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their love and support of us here in Brazil. We are only here in Brazil serving as missionaries because of the support you give to Baptist Faith Missions. Without this support we would not be able to stay here and work for the Lord. You will know the harvest that was reaped here, because of you, only when we get to heaven. We are looking forward to the challenges of the New Year and looking back at the accomplishments of the old year and thanking God for the blessings He has bestowed and the blessings He is going to bestow. With the thought of the New Year we would like to wish you and yours health, happiness, and a prosperous New Year for the Lord.

In His service,

AJ and Barbara