January 26, 2004

Everyone, 

Well we have had an AWESOME year here in Brazil. We have found the place where we feel we are to serve God and have begun many things for the Lord. I guess two of the best things that we have done this year are the two training classes that we have been a part of here in the Church. We have had outside speakers come in and give classes in the Sunday School areas and in the areas of discipleship. In this area we have had many interested in learning how to disciple and for this we are grateful, but we need more to have the same interest. There are more people coming to the Lord than we have persons to disciple them. 

But you know that when there are good stories to be told there are also the down side. Our down side is this, we are back in the States at this moment because after 5 years trying to get the paper work done for our permanent visa, the Brazilian government has decided that we should just come home to the States and begin again. You see, there have been so many mistakes made in our process that the only alternative that we have is to begin again like we have never been in Brazil. So we arrived here in the States on the 12th of January and on the 14th we were in the Brazilian Embassy in Washington presenting our new paperwork. They told us that it seemed that we had all of the necessary paperwork and for us to go back to Kentucky and wait for their decision. They said that it would take about one month. Pray for this process to be approved rapidly and for our work there in Brazil to progress in our absence.

The week before we left Brazil we were blessed to have a group from the Cornerstone Baptist Church on Winchester Road here in Lexington come to visit with us. They came with ministry in mind and we did not disappoint them. Their pastor got to preach every night except one, their quartet got to sing each time that their pastor preached and during the day when they weren't preaching, they built 10 new church pews, thanks to all of the churches that sent money for this project.

Pastor Foy had e-mailed and asked what they could do for the Church on their visit and we told him about the need for more pews. He then called or wrote to some of our supporting Churches and they sent money for the materials for the pews and so, the pews are in place. Again, THANKS because without you this would not have been possible. Our seating problems are resolved for the time being. My prayer is this, that this problem re-occurs rapidly.

Also on this visit the ladies helped with the pews, but what they did that was so great was the painting of murals in one of our Sunday School class rooms and at one of our mission points. All of the children are now wanting Bible characters on their walls. So our Church, our pastor, Epitacio, and myself and all of our members want to say thanks to this group for all their hard work.

This just goes to show how the two classes have been put to good use in our Church and how God is adding to our Church daily. Now the new members that are attending Church have a place to sit.

I have just talked to one of our mission pastors and he reported that this past week there were 7 people saved on visitation and 7 people reunited with our Church. He also said that the building was full and the pews were put to good use. Isn't it wonderful to know that God does not need us to do his work but that He uses us to the fullest. 

After we turned our paperwork in there in Washington, we went down to Virginia Beach where we have a supporting Church. The Atlantic Shores Baptist Church there visits us every other year with a group of youth and they are always a blessing to us. We spent several days there with them and had the opportunity to thank Pastors Jim, Rob, Paul and Jerry for their faithful support.

As we are only planning to be here until the 13th of February, we apologize for not being able to see everyone or to speak personally to your Church. But maybe when we come in for more time and without any pressing business we can see you and you can hear personally what your mission giving is doing in Caraguatatuba, Brazil.

What we want to do is THANK everyone for supporting us with your prayers and your contributions throughout the past year. And also to ask you to continue praying and giving so we can be fruitful in the Lords work.

In His service,

Aj and Barbara