Santa Maria, Brazil

Written by John & Christine McCann

John & Christine McCann Caixa Postal 508797105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil E-mail: mccannjohnjr@gmail.com

The first week of November, I finished seven weeks of Gospel meetings, preaching with a national worker, Sr. Roberto Ploia, in the town of Sao Gabriel.

Over the past twenty-five years that we have been labouring for the Lord here, I have had various spells of meetings and thank God for a number who are in the fellowship of the Sao Gabriel assembly, that we have had the joy of seeing saved. We also thank God that His Hand was opened to us again in these recent meetings, when three souls professed faith in Christ. The first was a lad of seventeen, whose grandmother is in fellowship. It was good to see his interest, after his profession, in bringing his unsaved father to the meetings.

The second was a lady who was a contact of the late Mr. Wilfred Glenn who died in 1987. She and her husband attended well from the first night and we could see she was seeking salvation. She professed during the sixth week of the meetings. Another married lady, showing an interest, was present as often as she could. She lives in a country area outside the town and her husband is a local policeman who often had to work at night. When visiting her, we offered to provide a lift to the meetings but she felt it best to come when he was able to bring her. This last week, she was present at three meetings and it was a joy to hear that she has trusted Christ as her Saviour in one of these final meetings.

On the 15th of November, we had our annual conference, here in Santa Maria. This date is a national holiday. Brother Tom Matthews had the responsibility of opening the Bible Reading in the morning, taking up the subject, "The Fruitful Life of Joseph." Many commented afterwards that the reading was most helpful. In the afternoon there was open ministry when five of our fellow labourers gave profitable ministry. At the Gospel meeting, a young brother from the Sao Jeronimo assembly related the story of his conversion and our brother, Noel Fleck, preached the Gospel. We were thankful to see around one-hundred-and-thirty people present, which filled the hall to capacity.

A few weeks ago, we had our annual Sunday School prize-giving. Sadly, numbers have fallen than in previous years. We have fifty-four children who have been present during the past year. I remember times when we had around ninety. Despite this, it is encouraging to remember that, apart from our own son, Thomas John, all the others are from ungodly homes where little is known of God's word. We were pleased to see around twenty parents present and brother Roberto Ploia held the attention of all, giving a very clear word on the Saviour as the Shepherd who is seeking the sheep.

Last week, brother Roberto and I started a series of Gospel meetings here. Each night we have had ten or more unsaved to listen to the Gospel. Each day, together we cover the area with tracts and invitations. I arrived at a door of a family that we have known over the past fifteen years. When one of the sons opened the door, he told me he was delighted to see me, that his mother was seriously ill in the hospital and she had asked the family to ask me to visit her. Sadly, we found her dying of cancer and got an opportunity to warn her of her need of salvation. Two days later she was called into eternity and I had the task of speaking at her funeral. Three of her sons have promised to come to the series in the Hall, during the incoming week. We value prayer that God might work in their salvation. Most of the family have heard the Gospel over these many years but have never taken it seriously.

During the week, 25th-28th of December, D.V., all the workers plan to give help in the end-of-the-year Conference Bible Readings hosted by the assembly in Porto Alegre. Normally around two-hundred-and-fifty believers gather and we thank God for many young people who have a thirst to learn the truths of God's word.

The four-night readings are planned to take up the last four chapters of Hebrews. I have been given the task of opening Chapter 10, Roberto Ploia - Chapter 11; Crawford Brown - Chapter 12 and Lindsay Carswell, the final chapter.

The three afternoon readings,"Future Events," are to be opened by brother Tom Matthews. We hope the Lord overrules that the heat is not too severe. In previous years we have had temperatures over forty degrees and, unfortunately, there is no air-conditioning in the Hall.