A Breath of Fresh Air

I first traveled to Alagoinha, over 15 years ago. I have been going back every once in a while to visit the church that began in the year 2001. Antônio Germano is a very zealous man for God's Word and His Will. His zeal for others to do God's Will causes him to overreact in some situations and ends up pushing people away. He is a very decent and good person that has a hard time getting along with others. He is also 75 years old and has Parkinson's disease.

I went to visit the church again last night. This was the first time that I remember meeting with the church without Antônio. Antônio was in João Pessoa taking care of his sister who had surgery. I was able to see the church in a new light. I do not believe that it is a good thing for Antônio not to be at the worship but it did allow me to talk with the members in a way that I had not been able to before. I saw the other man in the congregation, Zezito, stepping up for the first time and taking on responsibility, not just in the worship service but being active over the last couple of weeks and planning for the future of the church.

Please pray:

· That Antônio and the church will be able to get along better with one another;

· That God may continue to work with Zezito, who some of us have been praying for off and on for years, to assume more responsibilities;

· That God will mature all five members of this congregation, who at one time had 15 and growing, years ago.

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