October 31, 2008

Dear Friends,

By the time you read this letter you will already know the results of the November 4th elections. It is four days before those elections as I write, but one thing is certain; God will still be God despite the election results and His plan and purpose will still be on schedule. Our goal and work is follow His plan to take His word of grace and salvation to this lost world in which we live. And that is what we are doing by His grace.

In the beginning of October we had a tremendous opportunity to share the gospel in Manaus, Brazil to over 4000 people. Brother David Hatcher, Brother Paul Hatcher and I worked together with Project Life and evangelist Ken Hartley of Chattanooga, TN in six different neighborhoods. Actually, I didn't have too much to do besides a little translating, since Brother David Hatcher and his leadership teams took care of most of the groundwork. We were thrilled to learn that over two hundred people made professions of faith and now seek discipleship training. It was a tremendous privilege for me to be back in Manaus and fellowship and work with the Hatchers, even if for only a weekend.

The dorm construction project for the Project Life teams is nearing completion. Our teams are looking forward to being able to "inhabit" the dorms as soon as they are finished. The cramped and less-than-desirable-conditions of the rooms where they now stay will be renovated also after they've been vacated. Our hope and plan is to develop at least one team for each of the 26 Brazilian states. Some of these teams will need to be based in their respective states, but most certainly, there will always be an overflow of missionaries needing a place to stay while in training here at the home base.

We are still praying and working toward the date when the Department of Urban Development will put the property we want up for auction. Our mayoral elections have recently taken place and, from what we understand, those elections were the reason why the auction was postponed for several months. We will keep informed so that we're ready to act when the opportunity does arise. In the meantime, our main service has people standing in the back for lack of space and seating.

We have a unique privilege among our church membership. Guilherme, a boy of thirteen years of age is recognized by specialists to be “super gifted”. Other terms used are “child genius” or “child prodigy”. No matter what term is used, it is evident that Guilherme is blessed amazingly of the Lord. At age thirteen, he will be graduating with honors from high school in December. This month he will be taking his university entrance exams. Guilherme has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and wants to be used for God's glory. In fact, earlier this month, he preached his first sermon to our congregation. And he did a superb job.

I have been burdened by the fact that, at the secular university, his faith and beliefs will be attacked constantly. He appears to be gifted in all academic areas, but his interest is in the scientific fields. I have been thinking of what a help it would be for Guilherme to be more prepared for these assaults if he could be exposed to the scientists who are Christians at the Creation Museum, near Cincinnati, Ohio, or the Institute for Creation Research in Dallas, Texas early in his educational life. I can envision Guilherme being equipped to teach and defend the truths of God's Word both from a theological and from a scientific point of view if he gets the appropriate education. This boy comes from a family of very modest means. His father drives a delivery van for a construction supply company and his mother works as a house cleaner. The family's combined income is less than $900 per month. Guilherme has taught himself English so he would be able to understand what he could learn from his meetings with creation scientists. If you would like to have a part in providing this educational opportunity for Guilherme and to possibly contribute to preparing one of the next great creation scientists, please contact me.

In Christ's love,

Bobby, Charlene, Jessie and Brennen Wacaser