Class of 2020, by David McKinney

Our young missionaries, in the AME program, have just completed their nine-month training in Joao Pessoa. This class started with nine students but only eight finished this first part of the program. They had to deal with the Covid-19 protocols and social contact restrictions. They responded well to the situation, although the pandemic limited certain training activities, such as, visitation and campaigns.

The church had an all-night prayer vigil for them. This meeting is done in a dynamic way, using singing, small groups, coffee and snacks to help keep the participants awake. In one of the activities, we divided up into three groups. The students would rotate among the groups as we prayed over them and expressed to them our appreciation.

I ended up in the same group with Ayane, AME secretary, and Raniere, AME director. The three of us spent a lot time with the students on a weekly basis. As we spoke to each student, the word that kept being repeated over and over was GROWTH. Each one had grown in so many ways. It is amazing to see what Christ can do in a person’s life in so little time. Although the growth was visible, significant and points to the glory of God, we also expressed that Jesus had much more to do in their lives and motivated them to continue to let Him transform them into His likeness.

The purpose of this vigil is to send them off asking God’s blessings on them in all their endeavors on the field. The meeting ended around 4:00am with a nice breakfast. To top things off, several of us went to the beach to behold the sunrise, catching a glimpse of God’s glory in nature. They are all going home for the holidays and in January, they will join their teams and travel to their mission spots. Keep them in your prayers!

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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)

McKinney Report

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