Phones: (49) 329-5598,
323-2356
Email: stephen@armours.com
Friday, Dec. 13, 2002
"Before me was a white
horse, whose Rider is called FAITHFUL and
TRUE." Rev.
19:11
Each breath hissed in
tortured gasps through the clenched, blood-stained teeth. Pedro's reddened eyes
sometimes rolled up as he fought to keep conscious. We knew he was dying and
tried to remind him of some of the verses he studied with us many months before.
The emphysema had destroyed his lungs and this shell of a man was soon to meet
his Maker. Our visits to the hospital these sunny December days went unnoticed
by the majority and few knew of, or cared for, the gaunt, dying figure on the
bed. We prayed for God's mercy upon him if he truly had believed and
trusted in Christ, and for death to take hiim quickly. Two hours later, he
was gone. A hollow, emaciated body remained behind and another lifestory ended
it's earthly chapter.
Is it morbid to tell a
story like this just before Christmas, with all the "feel-good,
heart-warming" news articles coming out in the media? Should
we have concentrated on having "good will to men" and a real "ho,
ho, ho!" time here? I think not. The true meaning of this period of
celebration is about birth...and death. The only Hope of mankind, is
knowing and trusting in the Author of this eternally important story about the
Promised One's birth, death and ressurection two thousand years
ago.
In our uncertain and
fear-filled world, in what quite possibly is the last generation of
Christian believers before our Master's glorious Return, we
are called to do battle. Not the high-tech war of satellite photos, robot
planes and "smart" bombs, but "The Great Battle for the souls of
men". My question: Is it appropriate
to celebrate the world's most important story without giving
acknowledgement to the REAL, MAIN reason for this story? I think
not.
Though our hearts are
heavy with the many needs surrounding us, we are honored and thrilled
to be soldiers in this battle. Each passing day, we are seeing victories and
hard-fought territory won from the twisted Dark One. The Light of God's
Word is shining into the dim corners of the enemy's turf, and new life in
Christ is ripping off the filthy rags of sin and self. Spiritual sight is
coming to blinded eyes, and once-dysfunctional familes look in
amazement at the wonderous things God is accomplishing in their
midst.
Share in our joy, you
who stand with us!
Happenings:
- Our Tuesday night Bible study has grown to near 50 (not including 12-15 children), so we started another on Thurday nights! Again we are using the "Além do Véu" tape series in Portuguese and interest is high. Pray much for these precious lives, and for God's holy angels to protect them as they hear the life-giving words on these 24 tapes and from our lips.
-
Sonia and Cynthia also have many individual smaller studies going throughout the week and on weekends. These are at different stages in teaching, and a number of new believers are joining our ranks as a result.
-
Cynthia and Richie have been learning "Brazilian Sign Language" (Libras) in a certified teacher's course for communicating with the deaf. This is a very useful tool for reaching out to the estimated 400,000+ deaf in this large country.
-
Through a faithful and dedicated supporter and dear friend, the Lord has provided a video projector, screens and an audio amplifier for using in our ministry. We believe this could be another powerful tool for reaching into different neighborhoods and smaller towns in the region. We are looking to the Lord for guidance at to His uses for this new equipment. God bless you!
-
The same dear friend supplying the projector, has promised to help with our air passages back to the USA early next summer! Praise for God's supply through His people! We plan to spend at least 60 days in the USA, so will be giving further news as things develop.
-
We have had numerous opportunities in counseling and "mediating between" some of the local believers. This is a necessary Body function and healthy example for their own future ministries. Praise the Lord for the liberty to do this. Fear seems to have crushed much of this function in the USA and other "1st World" countries.
-
Construction to try to finish our house is still an on-going, dirty, noisy process. Adding to the fun, work continues on grading many of the rough dirt/gravel roads in our neighborhood, with much of the traffic up and down the hill happening right in front of our house. At the same time, large storm drain pipes are being installed and buried, so the dump-trucks, backhoes, roadgraders and steamrollers are kicking up much dust. The plus side is the drainage improvements and asphalt that will be put in some day. Hopefully not too far in the future!
-
I'm making progress on the "digital tape-to-DVD disk" conversion of the tape masters and also made a successful test DVD master disk with 2 lessons on it. This should enable us to switch to 2 hr tapes and an overall reduction in number of tapes to only 12 for the whole series. Prices could fall to almost two thirds of their current levels, so the series will be even more accessible to new users. The low, low $3.50 (current) cost for each tape should fall to an even lower $2.50 or so! We could never do this if YOU folks didn't support us financially!
Prayer
Requests:
- For strength, health, perseverence and continuing wisdom in reaching out with the "Beyond the Veil - God Revealed" series, and for many decisions needing to be made concerning the future of this tape series and others to come. The second phase of the series is still on shaky ground, due to some unexpected barriers. Please pray for God's real work in hearts, if this is truly His will for our next project. We are laying our future solidly in God's hands, allowing Him to open and close the doors and guide us as He sees fit.
- For the salvation of many different people studying the Bible for the first time in this region and throughout Brazil. The Fire is spreading! Fan the Flames! Pray! In an age of unbelief and great sin, God is still calling out a people for Himself before He returns for His Church. We are certainly on the final dash to the finish line, so breath deeply and keep on running...
- Sonia's women's Bible study in the little German town called "Homesick" ("Saudades", about 75 km from Chapecó) is struggling. Pray for this small group of women, the Enemy is not happy to have his territory invaded! It was a major shock for most to study the 10 Commandments, especially the part about idols. The main religion of this country does NOT teach that commandment ! It was a major earthquake for these woman to see God's condemnation of their lifetime practices of idolatry. May God's Word bring freedom and Truth.
- I am still in need of some necessary equipment. The Lord knows all about it, so pray He will provide according to His perfect will.
- For the mother of the 26 year old woman living with us temporarily. This woman had heard the Word very clearly taught and had given lip service to Christ as her Lord and Saviour. Unfortunately, she decided she was tired of seeking God's way and has gone back to her old life and is living with an unbeliver just down the street.
- For the dishonest painter trying to force us to pay again for "work" he did. He was already paid for the last half, but in the heat of things, I forgot to get a signed receipt for the money given. He immediately went to a lawyer to try to force me to repay because he knew I had no proof. I had heard he was a very undesirable, dishonest and unsavory character (and very lousy painter!), but was trying to reach out to him with the Words of Life. Satan is wily and continually seeks to discourage us and take us down.
Thank you folks for your part in our ministry
here! Every day we are conscious of the fact that without those helping us by
giving and praying, we could not do what we are doing. We give thanks
continually for those standing with us in this battle. Praise the Lord for His
goodness and for the work He is doing in the hearts of men, women and children
in Brazil! God bless you as you serve our soon-returning
King.
Steve and Sonia Armour
(Stefanie, Cynthia, Richie)
"...we give
thanks to God upon every remembrance of you..."
I Tim 1:3
(NIV)