During March and April, a national worker, Sr Roberto Ploia and I, had six weeks Gospel Meetings with the small assembly in Rio Pardo. Despite the fact that the assembly has now only five in fellowship, we had nights when around 25 people were present to listen to the Gospel. One lady professed faith in Christ, and we trust will prove to have reality. We value prayer especially for a man in his forties called Sr Vanderlei. His father has been in fellowship for many years, but recently his son of 15 years was taken into eternity. Ever since this sad death, Sr Vanderlei has attended meetings consistently and has told us that he wants to be saved. The Rio Pardo believers hold a weekly Gospel Meeting on a Wednesday night, and it is encouraging to see this man at almost every meeting.
Here in Santa Maria, brother Roberto and I, had a number of weeks of Gospel Meetings, in the home of a man who professed salvation this past year. None of his family had shown any interest in the Gospel, and he especially is concerned that his wife who has a severe heart problem had never heard of her need of salvation. Although we continued these meetings for six weeks, in a room at the rear of his home, this lady never attended one night. However, we believe that she did hear us preach and pray that something of God's word may yet be used in her heart. Towards the end of the series, a son and daughter in law of this man began to attend, and after the series finished, we carried on a weekly Gospel Meeting in the same room on a Monday night. This couple attended well, and we long to hear of their awakening and salvation. Another young man called Caetano from Mozambique who is studying at the local University, attended these meetings, and continues to attend the weekly meetings in the hall. Some weeks ago, we had five nights of Bible Readings on the Levitical Offerings, in the Gospel Hall in Santa Maria, and Caetano attended each meeting. He has been asking intelligent questions since, and we are planning to have another six nights using a chart of the Tabernacle, during the next two weeks. Sadly his Master's Degree course finishes in a few weeks' time, and he will be returning to Africa in mid-September. We long to hear of his salvation before he leaves.
Sunday School in Santa Maria
God willing, brother Roberto Ploia and I plan to start a series of Gospel Meetings early in September, with the assembly in Sao Gabriel which is 170 kms from here. During the past 18 months, the assembly there has lost six older believers, who were taken home to heaven. Some other older believers also are unable to attend meetings as once they did. We are especially exercised about the unsaved families of some of the Lords People, and would value prayer for the planned meetings, that God will work in the salvation of precious souls. “Brethren pray for us” 1 Thess 5: 25.
Summer 2015
Written by John and Christine McCann - Brazil