video 2007

DECEMBER 2007

CAMPO LIMPO PAULISTA – SÃO PAULO – BRAZIL

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11.6NVI).

DEAR PRAYER PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ from your co-workers to the Portuguese-Speaking world!

HERE ARE SOME REASONS FOR PRAISING OUR LORD:

Mozambique: Thanks for praying for our Brazilian missionary Kleber, who had malaria. He and his wife Juracema and 4 national workers are in Brazil. They will be staying with us before they go back to Mozambique in February 2008.

9 Baptized: Sunday Sept. 16, four were baptized from CLP (Campo Limpo Paulista) Church.

Oct. 27, three were baptized from Carraozinho Church.

Oct. 28, two more were baptized from CLP Church.

Youth Outreach Programs:
At Carraozinho Church (Sept. 22). We went by bus, 1 1/2 hour long trip. The music was led by the youth from the Carraozinho, Pirituba and CLP Churches. Roger (our 14 year old) brought the message (Roger has preached many times now and he does a great job, this is my boy!).

At CLP Church (Oct. 27). The youth from the RLM churches led the worship. Zelia Lopes, missionary at Urucara, Amazonas (who works with Earl Haubner) spoke.

At Guarulhos Church (Nov. 24). This was the 25th wedding anniversary of Brother David Lopes, minister at Guarulhos Church. We were invited to be part of this special occasion. This church is under Earl Haubner's ministry. The youth led the worship; David had invited a guest speaker. We went by bus, 2 1/2 hours long trip.

Women’s Tea: The ladies at CLP Church promoted two more women’s teas. Sept. 29, Monica spoke on “Love”; Dec. 1, Monica spoke on “Forgiveness”.

Leadership Meeting: The first Saturday of each month, we meet at CLP church, with leaders from the RLM (River of Life Ministries) churches in the state of Sao Paulo. Oct. 6, I (Jeff) started a 6-part series of studies on eldership. Nov. 3, I continue the series on eldership studies. Dec. 1, our last meeting for this year, we meditated on Ezekiel 34 and had communion. We will meet again in Feb. 2008 and continue the studies on eldership.

Children’s Ministry: Monica met with the Children's Ministry Leaders and workers from the RLM churches in Sao Paulo, during the time we met with the leaders of the churches.

Children’s Day (Oct 13): This was a great outreach; we had about 230 children and about 70 adults. When we started to plan this outreach we planned to have about 150 children. Monica and her team worked many hours, over several days, for this event, and it was worth every minute.

Men’s Breakfast (Oct 28): At CLP Church; I spoke on “Man’s Obligations to His Wife”

Brazil National Convention (Nov 9-11): At the convention, they recognized the missionary families that have worked in Brazil since Lloyd David Sanders came to Brazil 60 years ago. Actually, the Sanders' arrived in Brazil in the first semester of 1948, but the Brazilians are already celebrating. During this 60 years, many missionary families came to Brazil, but the convention decided to recognize those families that worked longer in Brazil, and those present at the convention. Lloyd and Ruth Sanders, Gerald Holmquist, Philip MacAfee and I received a small button made of pure gold with the Brazilian Flag, inscribed "Igreja de Cristo 60" (Church of Christ 60). Our family has been working in Brazil since 1965.

Visit to North Goiania Church (Nov 11, 15, 17 & 18): We were invited to speak at the church where my parents (Tom & Libby), & my brother (Robert) ministered from back in the 60’s up to the end of the 80’s. I was raised at this church and was an active member there until I moved to Sao Paulo in 1988. It was great to see the old friends - and more important to see that church growing. They now have close to 400 members, and it is a very alive, mission-minded church.

Vacation (Nov 12, 13, 16): During the time we were at Goiania, between the convention and speaking at North Goiania Church, we took some time off. We visited Monica’s relatives and my brother Tchico’s family. It was a great refreshing time. The only bad thing was, I got a stomach "bug" and suffered a lot for the first four days that we were in Goiania; other than that the trip was great.

End of the School Year (Dec 7): Roger finished the 9th grade and Isaac the 5th grade. The new school year will start in the end of January, 2008. They are enjoying their well-deserved summer vacation.

MBA: My last class this year was on Saturday Dec, 15. Monica and the boys were very happy! I have two more classes (6 Saturdays in Feb. and Mar., 2008) in Brazil. And in the end of Nov., beginning of Dec., I’ll need to come to Florida for two weeks to finish my MBA studies. Now I’m working on my dissertation.

Christmas Cantata (Dec 16): Monica worked hard preparing this year's Christmas Cantata; she'd involved every age group from the church in CLP. After 3 months of preparation, and many rehearsals, finally the presentation date arrived this past Sunday. Everything went just fine; it was a great presentation and the church was packed.

HERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUESTS & UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Church Plant: On Sept. 1, RLM started a new church plant in Parnamirim, RN. This new church plant doesn't yet have a supporting church. We have purchased, by faith, chairs, sound equipment and etc. on the credit card. The church in Parnamirim purchased the lot and built the building, so this church pays no rent. If your church, Sunday School Class, or any individual, would like to sponsor this new church plant, we need a commitment of US$ 300 per month for only one year.

The Dollar Value: The exchange rate has gone even lower in the last few months now is R$1.80 per dollar. The devaluation of the dollar, along with rising prices, makes it hard for us to keep the work going! Just so you can have an idea what this mean, in January of this year, 2007 our car payment was $380 US Dollar, now in December we paid $460 US Dollar. In Brazilian money, the car payment doesn't go up; this 21% increase is only due to the devaluation of the US dollar. Please pray for the dollar value to go up, or for God to send us more support!

More Prayer Requests: Pray that God will give us the opportunity to reach people for HIS Kingdom! Pray that the Lord will give us good health! Pray that the Lord will provide all the funds needed. Please pray that the Lord will keep giving us wisdom and discernment, so we can accomplish what He has called us to do. To Him be all honor and glory!

Annual Reports: Our RLM 2007 Annual Missionary Report, RLM 2007 Audit Financial Report and RLM 2008 Budget are attached to the report. Thanks for readying them and for praying for us!

Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2008!

Your prayers and financial support are vital for our lives and ministry! Thanks for your prayers and support!

God is good all the time and all the time God is Good!
In HIS Love and Service,

Jeff, Monica, Roger, and Isaac Fife