From Sodom to Ephesus

            I traveled to Cubati and spent three nights and one morning teaching the church about: the Lord's Supper, Fasting, Baptism, the Church.  A total of four visitors showed up to hear the classes.  They seemed to understand but later I heard one of the Christians wanted to hear about fasting again.  Overall, I think the time was well spent and on another visit I will be able to better help.  Please pray for this city which is kind of what I would imagine being a modern day Sodom, because of rampant drug use, prostituition, and Friday night gay night.

            I received a call from Afonso and Vânia before sending out this article.  They are very excited and have begun visiting people and offering for them to study the Bible through a correspondence course.  There are around 60 people interested.  I will be traveling to Campina Grande on June 14^th, and staying through the 17^th.  I will head off to give the correspondence courses to those excited about studying in Cubati.  I will also give an introduction to the course and set-up dates to go back and visit once a month to answer any questions and take them a little deeper in their studies.  Please pray for the church and their excitement and efforts to evangelize this sinful city.

            After the church service in Cubati, Afonso, Vânia and I traveled to Areial.  You may remember that there are only three Christian women in this town and they have a program on the radio.  We participated on the program and had cake and juice for our celebration of three people who finished a correspondence course and received certificates.  There are five more who are studying.  Please pray for this congregation and its efforts to evangelize this small town.

            After Areial, I headed off to Campina Grande, a city that reminds me of what I would imagine Ephesus being.  It is the gateway to Paraíba.  To travel through the state of Paraíba you most likely will pass through Campina Grande.  I went to visit and meet with the church and to share a spiritual blessing.  There were around 25 people present at the church meeting.  I was encouraged and uplifted.  Please pray that God may open up the hearts of these visitors and others with which they may come in contact.

Please pray:

• that God will open doors and hearts
• that the Christians will speak boldly and truthfully about God's Word
• that the church may grow spiritually, as well as, numerically
  

Family Day

           

            I was invited to spend the day and speak in Emas and Catingueira, I'm sure you've been there before, at their Family Day.  Catingueira is about 6 miles from Emas.  Both congregations have about 10 members each.  We spent the day in a house just outside of Emas, the owner, who is not a Christian, was there the whole time but did not participate in any of the church's activities.  Interestingly, he was very excited to receive us and enjoyed the meal we ate together and sure did like to talk to everyone.

            After spending time in prayer and singing, I asked the group what was one of the problems that families faced now and caused some type of fear for the future.  They almost unanimously responded: finances.  So, we spent time talking about the dangers of debt and how God's Word teaches us how to handle the money He has entrusted us.  Quite a few of them seemed surprised that the Bible spoke so directly and correctly about the smartest way to manage finances. 

    Please pray for these two congregations and their evangelists.  Both of the evangelists are thinking about going into politics.  It is a dangerous game to play, spiritually, and I talked with them both about the possible pit falls.  They already knew.  I also suggested a support and accountability group for them in their Christian lives. 

Please pray that God may guide their steps to the path that will bring the greatest glory to His Kingdom.