Nov/Dec 2015
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on
earth peace among those whom he favors!” Luke 2:14 (NRSV)
Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors,
Greetings from your coworkers
to the Portuguese-speaking world!
During this time of year when we stop to be grateful for God’s
perfect Gift, Jesus Christ our Savior, we would like to thank Him for you,
for your
prayers, and your support! Season's Blessings!
Here are some ministry
highlights since our last report:
Visit from Portugal
Robert (Jeff’s brother and missionary
to Portugal) came to Brazil the first week of September to take care of some
personal matters in Goiania. He also came through Sao Paulo so he could talk
about the HOBC (Hands On Bible College) in Portugal and get the materials to
launch the HOBC there. As he was in Sao Paulo he spoke at Piracicaba, Bom
Retiro and Pirituba Churches.
The HOBC inaugural class in
Portugal met on Sep 26th. They are meeting the fourth Saturday of the month,
for 6 hours.
Remodeling the Pirituba Church
In Sept we began remodeling the Pirituba church. Lots
of work has been done and there is still much more to be done. We started to
build this building in 1991 and it was finished in 1994. After 21 years it
needed lots of updating and fixing.
One of the highlights was to be
able to install air conditioning. We were blessed by Bethany Christian Church
with a gift that helped make this dream come true. Where we are located, we
cannot leave windows and doors open during the service, or we are fined by the city of Sao Paulo; thus AC was
very needed.
Pirituba Church 23rd Anniversary
Our first church plant
celebrated its 23rd anniversary in October.
At the celebration we were blessed
in baptizing four new converts. Marcelo
and Daniela started to come to church a year ago with their two boys. Marcelo’s
mom, Izilda, has been a member at the Pirituba church for about 20 years. This
was a big answer to lots of prayers. Rhaissa’s father Luis, has been a member
for 11 years; I (Jeff) baptized him in 2004. Rhaissa is 15 years old, and her
parents are divorced. Simone is a nurse and Luis' girlfriend. And now they are
all new creations!
Colonial Heights Christian Church in Brazil
We were
so blessed in receiving a team from CHCC in Oct.
CHCC Team (from left to right
on the back) Mark Haga, Sharon Hamilton, Mary Katherine Pool, David Roberts,
Ken Buchanan & Doug Strickland. (Front) Phil Roberts, Denise Strickland, Ashley
Roberts, Hillary Hughes & Andrew Haga.
The team arrived from Tennessee
on Saturday Oct 10, and started working right away. They were part of the
Anniversary Celebration at Pirituba, where they sang and Phil Roberts preached.
On Sunday Oct 11, they visited Bom Retiro, and Sao Mateus Churches and they
sang, did Communion meditation and preached at both churches. On Monday Oct 12,
Children's Day and a holiday in Brazil, they were part of two children's outreaches--
one at Varzea Paulista and the other at Campo Limpo Paulista. At both outreaches
they told stories and did a puppet show.
On Tuesday Oct 13, Monica’s birthday,
we spent the day together at our home. On Wednesday Oct 14, we left Sao Paulo
by airplane to Rio de Janeiro very early, and we enjoyed a beautiful day
touring and seeing all the magnificent sites of Rio, especially the statue of
Christ the Redeemer. Monica, Isaac and I were blessed by the team with the
opportunity to go to Rio with them. Thursday Oct 15, they visited Jundiai
church where they sang and preached, and on Friday Oct 16 they went back to the
USA. One of the highlights of the CHCC team was seeing my cousin Sharon
Hamilton, who came to Brasil back in 70’s and had the opportunity to come
again. We did a lot more during the time they were here. We enjoyed very nice
Brazilian meals, and if anyone wants to
know about this, come visit us and you
will try the best cuisine in the world!
Jundiai Church
On Nov 15 Jundiai Church
baptized 3!
Lukas Cancer Treatment
In our last report we asked you
to pray for Lukas who was baptized at the Recife Church and discovered a week
later that he had cancer. In Dec, Brother Bruno took him to visit the Recife
professional soccer team Sport Club--his favorite team. Lukas is very weak with
the treatment, thus he needs to use a wheelchair so he can move around.
Brazil Ministry Transportation Need
We are trying to raise funds to
purchase a van. Initially we were trying to raise $10,000 for 2010 van, however
we have been able to find a very well-kept 2008 van (that we used to transport the
CHCC team) for $8,000. The owner is holding the price and van for us until Dec
2015. We have raised $1,075 for this purpose and but still need to raise $6,925.
If you would like to help with this, please let us know!
Prayer Request
Brother Gilberto, preacher at
Sao Mateus Church, had some personal problems and left the church in August. We
worked and prayed with the elders at Sao Mateus Church during the last few
months-- seeking God’s will. In Nov Humberto, one of the elders of the church,
felt God’s call to become the new preacher; thus on Nov 21 we ordained him to
the ministry!
God is good, all the time; and He is
acting among us!
In HIS Love and Service,
Thanks for praying
for us!
Jeff & Monica Fife
GIFTS TO
REMEMBER
IN MEMORY
OF DONATED FROM
Dorothy Young Harry Young
Scott
Brand Joyce
Brand
