day 1 - on the field in barra mansa

We began the day with an early meeting and devotion (7AM). I was asked to bring the devotion for the team and felt led to share from 2 Cor. 12:9-10 since we have so many team members who are on their first mission trip.

After breakfast, we went to our mission site. Let me just say that we have an INCREDIBLE group of nationals to work with. Their pastor, whom they greatly respect, is all about evangelism and missions, and he has trained them to be focused on winning the lost. The mission point we are operating from is a church that was planted by the mother church less than 2 weeks ago. The mother church has planted a total of 3 churches throughout the state of Rio de Janeiro while it continues to grow itself (It is possible to do both!).

Today, our team of 5 Americans, along with translators and nationals, divided up and began going door-to-door in the district of Vila Nova. At the end of the day, we shared the gospel with approximately 20 people. Out of that number, 16 of them placed their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation, realizing that what they were trusting in to get to heaven couldn´t get them there. Overall, our entire campaign team was party to approximately 50-60 people who were "born again" into the Kingdom of God! Not a bad first day, huh? All glory to God! At the evening meeting, there were about 32 people at the new church, and we had a great time of music, teaching, and fellowship.

Tomorrow, we´ll go back to Vila Nova and pick up where we left off. It´s extremely hot, but not nearly as humid as it was back in NC. Seeing the resolve of the nationals in reaching their countrymen and women is really inspiring and keeps us from focusing on our circumstances. One specific prayer request - we have a unique opportunity to share the gospel on Tuesday and Wednesday. Two of our translators are teachers, and they teach English to kids, teens, and adults. The translators/teachers have asked us to come to their classes and field questions from the students. We´ll also have an opportunity to tell them about ourselves and what we do (wink, wink). On Tuesday evening, 2 folks from my team are going to go to one of these classes, and on Wednesday, I´m going to go to the other (which will actually be 3 classes coming together). I´m pretty sure that we will get to use the Evangecube to share the gospel with them. Pray that all will work out for us to do so. Thanks so much for your prayers. Please lift up a special prayer for my brother-in-law, Martin, whose mother just passed away and for his family. PTL that she had a saving relationship with Christ.