First Conversions

Our co-workers Raniere Menezes and Raniere Vieira are establishing a congregation in the Mangabeira neighborhood. Read the following, translated from http://missaomangabeira.blogspot.com/ :

Mangabeira Mission

First Conversions: Taking the Good News

by Raniere Vieira

In the most populated neighborhood of João Pessoa, the news is very edifying; the baptisms have started and we don't expect them to stop! Our LORD has fortified our spirit, making it possible to participate in the harvest. We recognize that it is God who gives the growth; therefore we want to share what He has done with the work in Mangabeira.

We had asked for prayers for Silvania and Rafael and the prayers were answered. When we started to study the Bible with this couple, they were living together and as soon as they were presented with the Truth, they decided to live in separate houses and have a relationship approved by Christ. It is didn't stop there... Silvania decided to turn over her life to Christ.

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

And Rafael thought a few more days about the decision, and when we were studying the Bible he decided to turn his life over to Christ. It was already past 9 pm, but... there was water (cold) and nothing that stood in the way of him being baptized!

I am certain that we will have more "good news" to share with everyone soon. There is little that stands in the way of us starting to meet as a church in Mangabeira. We are growing and the work will not stop.

Pray for this work, pray for the workers that God will continue to bless us.

Comments

"What About Baptism?"

Edda and I went to a nearby city to study the Bible with a family, Genilda (who is already a Christian), Ana, Mariana, Luiza, and Jefferson. While we were reading God's Word, Ana's husband, Silva, came in and sat down, and then blurted out: "What about baptism?" It took me by surprise because he has barely studied with us, but, most certainly, is already thinking about spiritual matters. Our Bible study then took a lot of detours, answering this question or that. Silva said he still has a lot of questions, and we pray that the Lord will use us to answer them, bringing him to understand the Good News!

One More Goodbye

This year has been rough for Borges's family. They lost a pillar in their family, his wife's mother in February. Now her brother has passed, buried today. He was diagnosed with prostrate cancer 18 months ago. A policeman, used to taking care of the family, he had to settle with being taken care of by the family as his body gradually shut down when the cancer metastasized to his bones. Borges and Geilza have spent every free moment taking care of Demilson's needs, and it has been torture watching him slowly wear away. His colleagues in the Military Police carried his casket, played taps on a trumpet, presented his family with a Paraiba flag, and thanked his family for supporting him in defending society for nearly thirty years. It was a nice gesture, but the event that gives us believers hope in the face of death is Jesus winning over the grave. He is our certainty that a grave is not the end.

The Planting, the Watering, and the Increase

Emesson started coming to Bible Club over a year ago, when Neil Schultz and Cait Beckloff, our AIM team, were teaching it. For several months, they planted the seed in his and his sister's hearts. Unfortunately Neil and Cait's time in João Pessoa ended. In 2014 Bible Club received a boon when Erick and Jenny Paddy, former AIMers, returned to the field and picked up teaching the Bible Study for English speakers. They watered the sprouting seed in Emesson's life until God's Word became more important for him than just practicing his English. Last Wednesday night, God gave the increase, adding Emesson to the Family of Christ. Sometimes things don't happen when we think they should, but God is in control; His time is best, and we must thank Him for playing a small part in His plan.

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