"I can't wait
to get out of here and give testimony to God's grace!" Valmor
lay with tears streaming from his eyes as he choked out the words in his
hospital bed. The grisly, old ex-alcoholic had just been released temporarily
from intensive care, where the doctor had given him a 1% chance of leaving
alive. We prayed much for him in the ICU unit, for God's special grace and
for further opportunity to know he had truly believed and hear him freely give
verbal testimony to his faith in Christ. The Lord gave him 3 days of
crystal-clear thought and speech, though the brain aneurism had struck with
lightning speed and put him into a semi-coma only days before. The
previously excruciating pain was under control during those 3 days and Valmor
himself willingly testified to faith and trust in Christ's death, burial and
resurrection for his sin. The tough, self-reliant son of
Italian immigrants, expressed clear faith in God's forgiveness of his
many sins and life of wickedness and rebellion against a Holy and Righteous
God.
Valmor is now back in the
ICU in a deep coma, and probably shortly to be with the Lord. God extended His
grace just this once again to Valmor, who had heard the Gospel during almost a
year of Bible study with me. He was a lonely old man, difficult to be around and
quite explosive. In fact, it was his own "short fuse" that probably led to his
undoing! His quite extensive family (all unbelievers), had pretty much rejected
him, and it was our unconditional love and concern that had drawn him to listen
and believe in the message we spoke. Valmor said we were his only true friends
and the Christmas 2002 dinner he had with us had deeply touched
him.
Pray with us for the
family and acquaintances of this man. He had a small, quiet restaurant that
attracted many doctors and other professionals, so knew many of the "upper
echelon" of Chapecó society. His family has given us permission to speak at
the funeral service, which we agreed to on the conditon that no
priests or Roman Catholic items would be present (readily identifiable in
this country). Pray much for the wisdom of God as we share the reason
for the true hope Valmor expressed before his death. Many of the people that
will probably come to his funeral know something remarkable has happened in
his life, so we should have the attention of these people during
the funeral. A couple have already expressed interest in studying the Bible
with us, based solely on the changes they saw in Valmor these last
months.
Happenings:
- Our current Tuesday and
Thursday night Bible students (35 - 45 people, not including
children), are quickly coming to the part of the death, burial and
ressurection of Christ. Pray much for the salvation of these needy
people. God is preparing their hearts to hear and believe His Good News.
- The Enemy continues to try to
impede the preaching of God's Word. The young couple recently married in São Miguel do Oeste have
had some pretty heavy attacks from within their own family. The mother of the
son rejected the Gospel and has grown increasingly hostile to any and
everything connected to God. She has shown quite aggressive behaviour and
hatred to her own adult children, all three of which are believers. She has
spread her lies and poison wherever
she can,
and will probably continue to do so in the future. It has affected the
outreach in São Miguel, so please pray for God's wisdom in dealing with this
situation.
-
We had a marvelous four
day"Carnaval Retreat 2003" at
"Canaan" this year. Tim and Faith Brennan (MNTB missionaries, currently on
furlough in the USA) built a retreat center on their property near the
Kaingang Indian Reservation in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande
do Sul. This ministry is in addition to their outreach among the Kaingang
Indians. We had close to 300 believers at the Retreat, and many
opportunities to speak and serve. Sonia and our kids directed
and organized (mostly Cynthia) the whole children's part (40-50 pre-teens and
smaller children. Stefanie and Richie helped care for the kids and
I spoke for two sessions on "How to be free from bitterness and
why". Sonia and I both had opportunities to counsel and encourage a number of
couples and singles. The whole time was most uplifting and glorifying to
the Lord.
-
We are still carefully
watching the situation in the Middle East. If war breaks out, we will
probably wait to see how things develop before making final plans for a short
furlough to the USA. We'll keep you posted as things become clearer. We
have approximately 25% of the funds necessary for our
trip.
Prayer
Requests:
- 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...
- Keep praying for a way to
make this "Beyond the Veil" Bible lesson tape series more accessible to the
Brazilian people. I need to cut the cost in half to bring it within the range
of most Brazilian incomes. If I had the funds, I would subsidize it.
Reports continue to trickle in of good responses. Quite a number of new
believers have resulted and even in the African countries where this tape
series has gone, the response is quite
enthusiastic.
- For our
future plans, financial needs, a better vehicle for use in Brazil, etc.
We are seeking God's face for each day and for the ministry He desires
for us. Opportunities are unlimited, so we need wisdom to chose according to
God's perfect will.
- For the young married couple in
"Saint Michael of the West" and their mother. Pray God will block her
attempts to destroy and hurt their relationship and testimony in the
town. Pray for God to put fear of Himself in the heart of this wicked
woman. She has listened to the voice of the Enemy and probably given herself
over to him as a tool.
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)
