Cactus Flower

Yesterday the sand rail started sputtering up a big hill as we came into Abreus. Byron adjusted something or another before we left, but just outside of the community it started up again. The poor little car lost all its get-up-and-go.  It was already dark and we were way behind schedule. Years ago, I would have asked a million questions and began to worry about what in the world we were gonna do and if we would have to sleep in the bushes. Last night I didn't have a care at all. I trust my driver and I had just had a great cup of coffee and a few crackers at house where we have a small group Bible study. Faith is just like that - no cares in the world, just trusting in God to take care of the matter, even if it's big or small.  Often over the past year, trust has been hard.  Many times, it seemed that all of our hopes and dreams for the ministry had been thrown to the wind.  I began to feel that I was asking the same question every week, What are we going to do now?...

The sky folds into paper thin,  each crease a trace of storms within.  Roots beneath the ground arise,  whispering of forests to the skies. A lantern sways, its flame will chase, turning shadows into paths of lace. Constellations sing and guide, echoing dreams where hopes reside. You are the tide’s unseen hand, building bridges from salt and sand. Though footprints fade, You will stay. May I remember Your grace each day. [AI guided poem]

There is a new video letter up on my silly, little YouTube channel.  These are made for my grandchildren, but anyone is free to watch.  They are meant to tell a little of my life in Brazil and what has happened over the month. January was an usually warm month in our part of Bahia with the threat of thunderstorms from time to time, but little to no rain.  Northeast Brazilians know that if no rain comes in January, it is a bad sign of more drought to come.  We pray for rain to come soon.

January of 2025 found us leaving a light snow in North Carolina, and arriving in Brazil to start a fresh new year of ministry.  Our hopes were high with two missionary couples all set to begin assisting in the interior work of church planting and evangelism. The new rented space for our church meetings in Lage dos Negros was full on many Sundays and people seemed excited for the possibility of seeing a Baptist church established with a list of members and leaders. Byron and I did something we had never done in Brazil - we bought a motorcycle.  Our oldest son and his wife were all set to travel overland from the USA to Brazil by motorcycle.  We wanted to meet them along their route sometime in the summer.  We started getting ready. In May our regular summer visitor, Phillip Layne came with a fellow named Alex.  Their time with us was actually rather brief.  On this trip Phillip spent half of his time with one of our national missionaries and quite a bit of t...

  Wishing all our loved ones and friends a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  We hope that 2026 brings much peace and joy to you and yours.   We plan to keep on keeping on and taking the Word of God to people living down the dirt roads of the Salitre Valley of Bahia. Remember that these video letters are made for my grandchildren, but you can enjoy them as well.  Take care!

The last of our long run of Bible institute students from the church in Sobradinho has graduated - Adrielly Santos.  She is on the far right in a yellow dress.  Pray as she considers what God would have of her for the new phase of her life. If you would like to have a PDF copy of this letter for your church missions bulletin board, just send me a message or comment on this post.