| November 2, 2004
Dear Partners,
Your prayers are being answered! I, Lottie, am still breathing!
As a matter of fact, I am breathing better than I have for a long
time. But please don’t stop praying. My larynx is still
partially closed and my trachea and bronchial are still flaccid.
However, I have reduced my weight by 10 kilograms (22 pounds)
and I am trying hard to count my calories and increase my physical
activity enough to be able to loose another 40 or 50 pounds. My
physicians have explained that the less I weigh the less oxygen
I will require. And I believe them! The first 10 kilograms have
made a big improvement in how I feel and what I am able to do.
I hope I will never need surgical intervention! Surgery of the
larynx would probably mean that I would loose my voice, for that
reason it was ruled out for now. But surgery is still an option
for the malasia, if I should ever need it.
I do apologize for not letting everyone know sooner, how much
improvement there has been in my health. Accept for the days of
my grippe, we have not stopped our work. When people ask Henry
how he is doing, he typically answers, “I’m older
and balder, but I still love what I do!” And when someone
asks how the church is doing, he says, “Not withstanding
the pastor they have, the church is well.” So despite his
66 years, he still has his sense of humor. And there are many
exciting developments here in Rio Grande do Sul. I don’t
think one letter will be enough space to tell them all, but I
will try to hit the highlights.
In January of 2004 we held three vacation Bible schools in three
cities. In Farroupilha we had 125 children representing 71 families,
and in Caxias do Sul we had 76 children from 55 families. Many
had never before had an opportunity to hear stories about Jesus
or learn Bible songs and verses. All together we touched the lives
of about 270 children. When we went out in the neighborhood to
invite parents to send their children, we had some cold responses
and even a few rude ones. Most families are nominally Roman Catholic
in these two cities, which were settled mainly by Italian immigrants.
I think the neighbors of these two congregations now have a much
better perception of us. They know that we love their children
and that what we teach is straight from the Bible. Just this week
the women of the church had a meeting at which 14 women were visitors.
Please pray for continued outreach in these congregations.
Many of you have also prayed (and given!) so that we could purchase
land for a church building in Caxias do Sul. Well, even after
the funds were in hand, we could not seem to close on any property
that we looked at. But finally Henry took a Presbyterian elder
with considerable experience in real estate to Caxias. They found
two lots just three blocks from our present rented building and
negotiated a good price. Now pray that the members will give sacrificially
and that soon they can begin to plan for their first building.
(During our 15 years in ministry in Rio Grande do Sul, we have
learned that the Gauchos really are not going to come to your
church in any great numbers until you have your own building.
It is part of their culture to value owning land. “Quem
não tem casa própria é ninguém.”
Translated: “Whoever does not own a home is no one.”)
What else happened in 2004? We have had weddings and births.
We are seeing many children Henry baptized as infants become adolescents.
We have experienced the joy of seeing young Christians take on
new responsibilities and develop their gifts and leadership. We
began a radio program. Elder Wagner has learned to use his computer
to prerecord parts of the program. Professor Lucileide has joined
him as one of the “hosts” of this program. And this
week one of our adolescent girls joined for the children’s
story. Stay tuned (no pun intended) for more details on this outreach
effort. And pray that Gaucho listeners who are without a shepherd
will be attracted to join our flock.
Sadly, we have also experienced deep grief in 2004. One family
that have been with us from the beginning asked to be removed
from membership along with their three children. We love these
people and pray earnestly that they may be restored to our church
or find another church in which they can worship and serve.
On the personal level, we were thrilled when our son, Daniel,
decided to come down for a visit after graduating with a master’s
degree in business and finance from the University of Dallas.
He has been a tremendous blessing to us and to our church! Being
a Brazilian, it was easy for him to join the other young men in
our church as they each take their turn at preaching or teaching
when Pastor Henry is in one of the other congregations. This week
he has been a translator working with a group of Canadians who
came to Brazil with the Jesus film project. Now Daniel feels led
to return to United States to sell his car and close out his affairs.
He will be returning about November 18. He hopes to get a job
soon or he may try to start his own business. Pray that God will
lead him to the right situation.
So, as you can see it is not having perfect health or lots of
money or favorable political situations that enable us to do our
work. It is God’s grace in our lives. This grace is released
to us as we and you pray and trust the Lord. So calling you our
“partners” is truly descriptive. Thank you for partnering
with us!
Lottie
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 146 |
