We began to serve the Lord in Brazil in 1997 through the support of various Churches there in the States. That year was one full of many trials, the main one being the lack of finances. When we returned home after 6 months, we approached BFM about being supported by them. We were interviewed, accepted and back on the field by May 1998. Though 4 years does not seem like many compared to the number of years other missionaries have spent on the field, we feel as much a part of Brazil as does one who has been here for many more years.
When we came to Brazil our plans were to help build the Alpha and Omega Children's Home and to assist Odali and Kathy Barros in any way needed. Now things have taken another direction. The need to build the Lord took care of. He put in front of us a building larger than we could have ever hoped to build, and we are purchasing that building a piece at a time. Isn't it amazing how when you say "Lord, what is it you want me to do" He will show to you His plans for your life. Now not only do we help with the maintenance of the building but we have a family of 17 boys to care for and work in the carpentry shop. But the other work He has given for me to do is an everlasting one, Soul Winning.
Presently I lead the ladies visitation group on Monday nights, the men's visitation on Thursday nights and Church-wide visitation on Saturday mornings. I also have discipleship classes with the new converts on the other free nights. Also another member of our central Church and I have begun another type of visitation on Saturday afternoons. We are doing evangelism on the farms in our surrounding area. This has been a longtime goal of mine, and I have found another man who has the same goal. We hope to visit all the farms here in this area and present the gospel to all the workers there. You see, the farms here are large and there are many workers on each one of them. I feel that our work has been concentrated on the city and we have overlooked the farms. We started the farm visitation four weeks ago and have only begun to see all of the people on this farm. This gives you an idea of how large these farms are. I hope to complete this farm in two more Saturdays. This will only finish the visitation part, then we will have the discipleship part to begin after that. There have been 14 of those farm workers who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior and will need discipleship. This work is turning into a real blessing and the future for it is unbelievable. One of the farm owners has asked us to come one Saturday and have a full day of services there. This is a first as the farm owners are Catholic and usually won't let you on their farms to evangelize. Pray for us as we try to arrange this day to praise our Lord.
When someone accepts Christ we try to leave a Bible with them; this is different from the other religions as they try to sell something. We also use this as an illustration for receiving eternal life. The gift of the Bible costs nothing and the gift of eternal life also costs them nothing. The cost was paid on the Cross by our Lord and Savior. We are in constant need of Bibles in Portuguese and also the Book of John and Romans in Portuguese. Both of these, when we leave them at the homes where we visit, leaves them with something to study for better understanding and growth.
Here our goals are simple: (1) Purchase, maintain, and give a good Godly home to the street children; (2) Educate and train our Church members to be evangelistic; (3) Reach our community for Jesus Christ.
It is simply amazing how our work here with the Children's Home helps to encourage our evangelism efforts. Because the people know of the work we are doing with the street kids, we are welcomed into more homes. When we are received into the homes we can tell them about Christ and how they can have eternal life.
The words "Thank You" never seem enough, but they are all we have to show our appreciation to all of you who support us through Baptist Faith Missions. Please continue to pray for the work here and for us as we work to do the will of the One who sent us. Because of you we are able to serve more effectively here in Brazil.
In His service,
A.J. and Barbara Hensley
Friends:
When A.J. told me he was called to Brazil to work with Odali and Kathy Barros I was ready to go. But to tell you the truth, if he had asked me a month or so before, I would have been very reluctant to comply. You see, God's timing is perfect. I cannot tell you what happened to change my mind, I can only say God did it.
I have told you before about my job here as mother; well, this has not changed. The only thing that changes about that is the number we have. We have 17 boys now, but today another came. He went to another corridor, but first, pastor thought about putting him into our corridor. He decided to put him in the corridor that had only 12.
One of the other things that I do is take care of the clothes that are given for the children. We have two rooms with shelves, and we try to keep the clothes sorted according to the size, and one room is for boys and the other is for girls. There are two young ladies that help me one or two days per week, sorting and arranging. When someone needs clothes we go to the rooms and get what is needed with little effort because they are in order.
My greatest joy is working with my boys. When you can sit at the table and help with their homework or just talk about their day, or help with their problems, then you know that you are in the place where God wants you.
So, ladies, if your husband is retired and you are looking for the right place to spend your retirement, ask God where He wants you to serve. Because retirement is not a release from your work for God. It just gives you more time to serve God.
Also, if you are looking for a place to spend your vacations, here in Brazil we have the perfect weather, the perfect accommodations and the perfect way to relax, working for the Lord. So think about visiting us this year or next year and see what your mission dollars are doing here at the Alpha and Omega Children's Home.
Working for Him,
Barbara