Coincidence or Providence

Sometimes there are coincidences so amazing that they confirm our certainty: we have a divine Hand working with us.

Colinas do Sul is a neighborhood on the outskirts of João Pessoa. Brother Naldo moved there and began a congregation in his house after a couple of months of concentrated doorknocking in the vicinity. A lady called Dalva said she wanted to study the Bible. She got excited about what she was learning and called her sister to tell her. Her sister, who lives in Mangabeira, another part of town, said that she too was participating in a Bible study and was learning a lot. They wondered if it was the same church. Dalva told her sister how the study was conducted, then her sister related her experiences. They came to the conclusion that it probably was since both studies always had a prayer at the end. Her sister is Severina who was recently baptized in the midst of a storm.

The church is beginning in Mangabeira too, but Severina was contacted through her neighbor who works at the Chinese restaurant on the other side of the city. Two sisters, completely different parts of the city being reached by the same Good News at the same time. Coincidence, providence - whatever it is, praise God! Dalva followed her sister's example, giving her life to Christ, being baptized for remission of her sins. She is the first convert of the new Colinas do Sul congregation.

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Consecration

We know that God can do anything. The question is what will He do? What will the Lord do in the lives of His people when they consecrate themselves to Him? We hope to find out. Friday, May 22 nd , the Luna congregation had an all night vigil of consecration. We went from 9 pm to 5:30 am, and over 50 people participated, from the ages of 10 to 75 years. In the prayer corner, brothers and sisters signed up for time slots so that we would have prayer without ceasing. The vigil focused on Consecrating our Lives, in Gratitude, in Unity, in Service, and in Sharing . Each part consisted of prayer, singing, Bible Reading and Reflection, and practical activities, like in Service, we washed everyone’s feet, and then everybody joined in making breakfast for the group: homemade bread, fruit, tapioca and eggs, juice, and coffee. In Sharing, we ended with a wonderful meal together in family, talking about people with whom we want to share the gospel. Spend

Luna Men

The men of the Luna church of Christ have a weekly meeting for the purpose of edification and planning God's work in the congregation. Some are going strong, others have family problems, and we all want to grew in God's purpose for our lives. Last night's meeting included a discussion of what really happened on the cross, on resting in Lord in the Psalms. We made plans about the upcoming Carnaval (Mardi Gras) retreat, and talked about the need to do some manual labor on our building. Though the group was smaller this week, there is a hunger to serve. Five out of the six committed spending Wednesday ripping up a big wall that needs to be redone. Whether leading, studying, admonishing, evangelizing, or tearing up a wall, let God use us to His glory!

Pentecost in Paraíba

"This is Pentecost in Cajazeiras," Rivaldo Café said, "Almost three thousand were baptized in Jerusalem, almost ten in Cajazeiras." A wild comparison, of course, but the excitement that produced it was legitimate. Six young men gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized on Saturday. I was blessed to be there: the sixteen hours on a bus, going and coming, was worth it. I went to teach a weekend couples' seminar on the theme "God Gave Me You". The couples (around 12) were mostly parents of kids in the Right Step Program. The changes in these boys' lives have made an impression on the families, many of which have started Bible studies too. Saturday morning, after the soccer practice, three of the boys asked to be baptized. We headed to the building. Café began filling the portable swimming pool while I talked to the boys about what it means to come into the Family of God. Franze (15 yrs), Luam (14 yrs), Jorcelam (17 yrs)

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