Our Mission, our Vision, by Jeremy Newlin

          The last time I wrote you about the Christian Congresso, which unites brethren from all nine states in the Northeast of Brazil, was in 2012.  At that event, a lot of people got sick from food poisoning.  This time that did not happen.  At this Congresso, the 30th,, there were two baptisms, 340 people stayed the four days, and close to 600 came for the Sunday meeting. Mateus (from Maceió) and Lucas McKinney, both 13 years old, were baptized.

          The theme was “Our Mission, Our Vision”.  The idea was to focus on gratitude and evangelism.  I left the event excited to tell others about Jesus and edified by the joy in the atmosphere, where I felt I was with family.  I do not remember hearing anyone complain about anything.  What a great time we had together.  Heaven is going to be better than we could ever imagine. 

          One a side note, Dylan, my youngest son is learning to ask for discounts when he buys things.  He asked for a discount at the Congresso’s snack bar, but came to me telling me that they would not give him a discount.  I explained to him that we should not ask for a discount at a church event from our brothers and sisters who are volunteering, and that we should gladly pay what they are charging. He was using his own money, so he didn’t buy anything.  I talked to the brothers at the snack bar later on, and they laughed and said how they were impressed with his determination.  One the last day, I suggested that he buy something at full price, even though they were wanting to give him a discount.  He did buy something, but I do not know if he got his discount.  I will have to ask him.

Please pray for Mateus and Lucas, that they will be light among their friends; for our vision, that it will continue to be God’s vision to reconcile the World to Him through His Son Jesus.