April 10, 2007

Dear Brethren,

The trip home was good and long. We left Lexington Saturday, March 31st at 3:00 a.m. and arrived at home on Sunday April 1st at 3:00p.m., thirty-six long hours. We spent just over $1,100.00 in excess baggage and customs, but got our stuff here. We thank God that all went well.

When we got off the plane in Cruzeiro do Sul there was a group of our folks out on the ramp holding a welcome home banner. Then as we walked out of baggage claim there were over one hundred of our members clapping and cheering. They gave Beverly a dozen red roses. It took us as long to hug everybody as it did to get our baggage from the airline. That takes about an hour here!

We got to church that night just minutes before time to begin. The building was already full, with people standing, and others not able to get in. We had over twelve hundred present. As we walked in they stood and gave us a very long ovation. All of this love was a little overwhelming, but certainly appreciated. What a wonderful church.

The song service was just phenomenal. Pastor Ernesto preached. There were thirteen professions of faith. Boy, is it good to be home!

On Thursday they had a cookout for us and we had over two hundred members for that activity.

I preached for the first time this past Sunday night. We had a big rain all afternoon and into the night. We still had over seven hundred in services. That is a really great change that has been happening over the past few years. Years ago, if it rained, nobody came to church. There were three more saved in that service.

Yesterday we had a team of eighteen at the theater to hold special Easter services for the local high school. The theater seats 450. We had two services in the morning, one in the afternoon and one more at night. Over 1500 teens heard the gospel. We also have several international Gideons in our church. They gave New Testaments to all the students. I prepared an on-screen presentation of the Passover and then went right into the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. It was a very busy day. I preached the first three messages then Pastor Pedro preached the last one. One teenager was saved.

Easter Gospel presentation to Teens

We were able to raise enough money while in the States to buy our satellite phone and most of the money for the mud motor. We already have enough for a smaller version, but still do not have money for freight and customs. We are trying to get the paperwork started for the importation, though.

This week I filled my S-10 pickup truck with gas for the first time. It still had about a quarter of a tank of gas, but even so, took $90.00. Gas here is now $6.05 a gallon. Please remember us.

Thanks to all the churches who had Beverly and I to present the work. Thanks for all the generous love offerings. Thanks, too, for the great offerings toward the equipment. Most of all, thanks for the faithful love and support.

May God bless all of you.

In Christ,

Mike Creiglow