As we arrived in Joinville, Brazil, we immediately began noticing many changes in and about the city. But there's one thing that has stayed the same.
Thank you for your prayers as we transitioned from the US to Brazil. We didn't mind leaving winter behind and coming to summertime, amen. Although, it does tend to get extremely hot during the summer season here, requiring me (Scott) to take two, sometimes three, showers on some Sundays.
Seeing and greeting our people and other brothers and sisters as we disembarked at the Joinville airport was encouraging. We enjoyed an evening of fellowship and pizza with everyone on our first evening back! Throughout the following weeks, though, we were constantly engaged in the tedious procedures of reintegrating ourselves into our community. Our hearts were blessed to see some of our people still faithful to God in their personal spiritual walk with the Lord. However, one of our men has "fallen away" (Lk. 8:13), but God has already given us opportunities to visit him at his home, and he's already attended two of our mid-week meetings and one Sunday evening service. Please be praying with us for José Aparecido de Oliveira. José is saved but needs encouragement to return to church and serve the Lord as he once did.
Another family who often attends our services, the eldest son of a family in our church, is suffering the consequences of bad choices in life. The father and his three children were forced to move back in with his parents because the mother completely abandoned her husband and children. The young father's situation is even more complicated as one of the three children, a six-year-old girl is not his child but his wife's daughter from a previous relationship. And only recently, the mother was forced to take her daughter back in with her. Please pray with us for this young father-Thiago, the children, Anthony, Arthur, Stephany, and the mother, Luana.
Several things that had noticeably changed in Joinville during our absence here were that the city had finally painted some much-needed lines on many of the main streets throughout the city. Some new stores arrived in town, and several we often use have been remodeled and improved. Some government facilities had been relocated to better locations. However, something that continued unchanged was, "broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Mt. 7:13). Please pray for us as we are committed to reaching our "Jerusalem” and “every creature.” And pray with us that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers.
Your missionary representatives in Brazil
Scott and Donna Allen
Loving His Appearing 2Ti. 4:8
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