Prayer Letter 1
Joshua 1v9: "Have I not commanded thee?
Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid,
neither br thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God
is with thee whithersoever thou goest".
The Trip!
We will be leaving Northern Ireland on Thursday 17th March at 5.30pm to initially fly to Heathrow, and then on to Sao Paulo, Brazil. We will arrive in Sao Paulo at 6.40am, from there we will fly to Natal and arrive at 1.50pm. The team will return from Brazil on Saturday 2nd April at 6.50pm.
The Work!
The team will be working alongside Billy & Agnes Jones helping with children's outreach. Our main task in the afternoons will be helping with the local children in the form of children's meetings and youth meetings. In the evenings, Billy plans that we will be assisting in the normal weekly meetings in the new church. Also we will be doing open-air outreach and a market witness similar to that which takes place in the Fairhill!! On Sundays we will be taking part through speaking, singing and members of the team giving their testimony, in both morning and evening church meetings. We also hope to have some fun and games as well as craft time with the children and young poeple.
Praise The Lord for:
Billy & Agnes and the love they have for the people of Brazil.
The work that Billy & Agnes carry out in and around Santa Cruz.
The opportunity the team have to serve God by going to Brazil.
How the Lord has united the team at this time.
The support of Pastor Kennedy and the oversight at Ballee Baptist Church in this venture.
Please Pray for:
Each team member as they receive vaccinations fort the trip.
The team as they prepare to leave family and loved ones at home.
All members of the team that they will be able to use their talents and skills to the glory of God.
The language barrier and that it will not be a hindrance in our work for the Master.
The team as we study God's Word in the book of Joshua, so that God will teach us to rely wholly on Him.
2 Thessalonians 3v1: "Finally brethren, pray for us,
that the word of the Lord may have free course,
and be glorified, even as it is with you."
E-mail Diary
13/03/05
Our
final team meeting is on Wednesday at
Remember
Pray
for the safe arrival of all our luggage.
Pray
for safe travel for the team.
As
this is the first time away for some members of the team from family and
Also
pray for the families of the team members that are going out, as this
17/03/05
The
team left this evening from
Please
pray for safe journey for the team, and their luggage and that they will have a
good sleep on the plane so they will be rested.
Please
also pray that the Lord will draw near and strengthen them, as they miss their
families and loved ones.
I'll
keep you updated on any other news, as we receive it.
Once
again if you know anyone wanting added to the contact list, or having
difficulties please feel free to ring me on 07834377047.
18/03/05
Just
a note to say that the team has arrived with Billy and Agnes this evening in
Please
pray for the team as they get acclimatised to the heat and conditions.
also
pray at this time for a good nights rest, and that the Lord will be with them,
and their families, as they embark on His work in the week ahead.
also
to pray and thank God for his faithfullness and grace in delivering the team to
23/03/05
Just
a short note to all to bring you up to date with things in
All
the meetings on Sunday went very well. Both Stephen's spoke at the
Linda
took the children's church in the Pariso in the evening where approx 35
attended. Laura helped Linda and the pastor's son Miro translated as Billy was
in the main church and Agnes was translating for Stephen Irons in the pariso.
The
two Stephens had an eye opening time in the afternoon when they went with Billy
and some men from the church on outreach in the streets near the church.
The
entire team is adapting well to the very hot climate. Praise God for no sickness
so far and no one missing home.
Some
of the team went to a school at 8a.me. this morning and in true Brazilian style
no one had told the teachers that the painters were coming and so had to send
the pupils home. This meant that Stephen law, Jude, cherith and Laura were only
able to speak to one class of children and some of the teachers as well.
The
team have had their first children's outreach where between 65 and 70 attended.
With all the teachers in the public schools currently on strike it is
anticipated that the numbers will increase during the week. Cherith faithfully
told the story of the birth of Jesus and we all had a blessed time.
Stephen
I is due to speak at the prayer meeting tonight after which we are going to
Radio Santa Cruz to record some singing and Stephen Law's testimony for future
use by Pastor Soaries.
Please
pray that God will continue to bless the team with good health and that we will
be able to cope with the heat (only 32 degrees today)
Pray
that God will be glorified in the salvation of precious souls, backsliders
restored, and the saints blessed.
The
timetable for the next few days is very hectic with events morning, afternoon,
and evening. Pray for energy for the team and especially Billy and Agnes
as they translate for us.
Stephen
& I had a super time with the elite groupe at the police station this
morning. I was playing football with them at
24/03/05
Hello
from
Tuesday
As
we said on our previous email the schools are still on strike and there is no
sign of them going back before we finish here. This means that some
planned visits have been cancelled giving us free time that we were not
expecting. Today (Tue) has been the hottest so far it was 37 degrees in
the shade this afternoon. Some of us including Billy and myself ended up
with splitting headaches due to the heat.
The
afternoon outreach with the children went well - Laura spoke with around 80
attending - some unsaved mothers also attending. Pedro arrived at the end
of the meeting and both Stephen's challenged him about his walk with God.
He admitted that he is no longer walking well. Pray for him that he will
turn from his sinful ways and return to his first love.
Tea
at Pastor Soaries was a delight with Filomena cooking. We presented them
with some beautiful wooden items which were made and given to us by David
Houston. They now have pride of place on the Soaries household.
Stephen Law spoke at the men's meeting while Linda spoke at the ladies in the
main church - Cherith gave her testimony and did very well. After the
meetings the ladies prepared a snack of cake, cake and more cake for us.
Wednesday
The
alarm went off at
This
afternoon approx 110 attended the children's outreach - Alison spoke and the
children listened really well today.
So
far there has been no breakthrough but keep praying as "His word will not
return unto Him void"
This
evening Jude is speaking to the children in the Paraiso.
There
will be a 'live link' between us in
Tomorrow
is another early start with some going to the Santa Cruz Radio for
Please
continue to pray that soon we will see fruit for our labour and that God will be
glorified in the salvation of precious souls.
Much
prayer much blessing - little prayer little blessing.
26/03/05
Greetings
in our Saviours wonderful name from a very very sunny
The
hot hot weather has continued apart from a thunder storm on Friday from around
Thank
you all for your continued support in prayer - KEEP PRAYING
Thursday
This
was an early start (
he
called at the radio station even before we had finished!!
All
the girls went to the Pariaso and met up with some of the girls from the church.
They went around the houses visiting and getting to know the local people.
Seeing an new born baby who was 2 months premature was one of the highlights.
While the girls were doing this the two Stephen's with Billy went to meet the
manager of the local
In
the afternoon we had approx 120 at the children's meeting - we thought this
might be the biggest day as Friday was a holy day. Jude spoke and again
the children listened with much interest. The children are so beautiful
and some of the girls want to bring some of them home.
This
evening was a special 'Breaking of Bread' service due to it being good Friday.
Many believers gathered form all the local Baptist churches i.e. Sao Bento,
Coronel, as well as folk from the main church and also believers from the
Pariaso. it was good for Linda and I to renew fellowship with some of
these people that we met last year and even the first time we came to
The
heat by now is starting to make us quite weary and 3/4 showers each per day is
normal.
Friday
Yet
another early start! The past few days have made up for the first few when
we had some free time due to the school visits being cancelled. The reason
for the early start today was that the young people had organised sports from
Last
day at the children's outreach was attended by more than we expected.
Again approx 120 attended and it was Linda's turn to speak. When she
finished the children applauded her. Billy said that in 3 years here he
has never had this and was wandering what it was Linda said!!!!!!! Just as
the meeting was about to start the was a serious thunder storm. The
children had just got in on time and the rain was unbelievable. It just
faired enough for the children to get home but continued to rain for most of
the
evening we all thought we were at home. We had just enough time to race
home and grab a piece of bread and a drink before rushing out to the evening
meetings.
The
evening meeting saw Alison speak with the children while Pastor Renatos son Miro
translated. The two Stephen's spoke at the men's meeting and linda &
Jude spoke with the ladies as well as some craft work. This was a long day
but worthwhile. A young girl (approx 18yrs) who came to the children's
meeting came and spoke to Billy at the end of the ladies meeting as she was
interested in the things of Christ. She left not having decided for Christ
but 'near to the Kingdom' please pray for her and the girlfriend of Adriano who
is also very close to putting her trust in the Master.
Saturday
(so far)
9am
and back to the market witness in the scorching sun - so much for the rain.
Alison gave her testimony and Stephen L spoke. It is hard to believe that
it is now just over a week since we arrived here in
Much
seed has been sown this week and we now looking for the harvest.
Everyone
has done so well and again the testimony of the team has been impeccable.
Two
different people last night said that it was the conduct, love and testimony of
the team that made them turn to Christ since we were last here. Praise God - to
Him be all the glory.
29/03/05
Greetings
in our Saviours Precious Name
As
I write this we are praising God for souls saved!! - 3 saved on Monday evening
after our farewell meeting.
Saturday
(Cont)
Saturday
afternoon off gave us the opportunity to do a little shopping. I also had
the opportunity to talk to Tonino Barbera who helped us with many contacts
during our first two years here in
The
evening meeting was at the main church and was mainly attended by the local
youth!! Cherith testified and spoke of how God is calling her to
Since
yesterday afternoon there has been a fair bit of rain and when it rains it
rains.
Sunday
Stephen
I spoke in the Paraiso and Stephen L spoke in the main church in the morning and
then changed over in the evening. Tonino came to the meeting in the main
church in the morning and the message couldn't have been more for him we can now
only leave him with the Lord to deal with. Pray that he will repent of his
sin and come back to that place he once was - walking close to the Master.
We brought Cadburys cream eggs with us and gave them out to everyone who
attended the morning meeting at the Paraiso - they went down a treat.
Parcels were also given to the children from money which had been sent to Billy
and Agnes.
Sunday
afternoon saw about 60/70 turn up at the meeting in the crèche. They must
have heard about the cream eggs!!! It was Cherith's turn to speak and
afterwards some of the blankets which we brought with us were given to some new
mothers.
Sunday
night was an emotional time at both services but the rain (again) meant that the
numbers were down.
Billy
said that during the week and also today he felt that God was speaking to some
people and he knew by their reaction that they were being convicted by the Holy
Spirit.
Monday
Time
to go to the local shops and buy gifts for the children as tonight is our last
official meeting and the last opportunity to see some of them. Time also
to get the Kleenex for tonight's meeting!!
We
were invited to Pastor Renatos house for tea and a time of fellowship.
Some of us had the chance to see photos of his time in the Amazon.
The
evening meeting was well attended and some children were at one of the members
house at
Another
man whose wife and son come to the church said to her on the way out that he was
going to speak to Pastor Billy but then slipped out. Pedro stated that he
was going to walk with God and he had changed his ways. Pray for these two
men and also Denise the girlfriend of Adraino who is so close to the Kingdom.
After
the evening meeting we all went to Coneicao's house for supper and Cherith,
Laura, and Alison stayed over.
Tuesday
The
two Stephen's, Jude and Billy went to see a Sito on the way to Coronel.
There we saw first hand where some of the poorest people we have ever met trying
to gather up some money to build a small church. God has now provided the
money for this project to be completed perhaps even before Billy & Agnes
come home.
To
God be the glory great things He hath done!!
01/04/05
Team
on route home. having been in natal for a day and a half.After a very hot day in
the sun yesterday the team are now on their way home.We leave sao palo at
praise
God for his hand upon the team and for the souls saved. we believe it will not
be long before we hear of others who are so near the kingdom. Keep praying for
them.
Stephen
Irons met one of the lads from
It
will be sad to leave Billy and Agnes and the girls after such a great time of
fellowship but we will see them again in six weeks when they return to
Thank-you
all for your prayers.
We
will send the last email when we return home.
02/04/05
Greetings
from Ballymena
The
team are home safe & sound including all baggage.
We
arrived home in
Praise
God that all our baggage and that of Billy & Agnes (7 cases) arrived all in
one piece. It wasn't too difficult to say goodbye to them at
Thanks
again for all your prayers for the team during the past 16 days.
"HE
NEVER FAILS" and we believe that the 3 souls saved is only the start of
many more who were very convicted - please continue to pray for them as we
commence our time of mission at home in Ballee