Alan & Kathy Hart -
Baptist Missionaries in Portugal
September 2004
Dear Praying Friends,
This summer has brought a number of changes to our work in Aveiro, most of them
very good. Throughout the summer we enjoyed our highest attendance numbers for
the last year, averaging 18 in our services. This won't seem like much to many
of our supporting churches that have more people than that in their choirs! But
to the fledgling mission work in Aveiro it is cause for rejoicing. "For who hath
despised the day of small things?", saith the prophet by the Word of God. We are
seeing the faithfulness of a small group of people that are beginning to take
the first steps to become an Independent Baptist Church.
Until now, we have considered the work here only as a mission work but, as we
said during our furlough meetings, it has been our intention to take steps to
organize the church. We have begun that process and the people are excited about
becoming a church. I had been teaching and looking for some move on the part of
the people to indicate some desire to move ahead; this came about in one week
during September. No less than four people came to me asking questions about
becoming a church. We believe that it is God's timing and the people are ready
to make the move. I see this as important in that it is not us imposing our will
but the people's desire led, I believe, by the Spirit of God. Please pray for
souls to be saved and for growth in our people as they move towards becoming a
local church.
In August we lost our coworkers, the David Loop family, to furlough. We miss
them as they were very faithful in the work. They will not be returning to work
with us after furlough but will be starting a new work in a needy area of the
country. Once again we have no musicians for the church services which does
change the atmosphere somewhat. We are working on some options that might be
within our possibilities. Please pray for us in this matter also.
Our support is holding up and we are thankful to all our supporters for their
faithfulness. The situation with the European currency, the Euro, hasn't really
changed much but the Lord is helping us to stretch what we have coming in to
meet the need. We still need to see an increase of about 15 new supporting
churches. We are preparing to start a Bible Institute and the costs of doing the
Lord's work continue to increase. Gasoline is now 1.084 euros per liter which is
$5.10 a gallon in Portugal.
Please pray for our children, especially our son, Michael, as he is serving in
the US Army in South Korea. Rebekah survived hurricane Ivan down in Florida; she
is in the senior year of her art degree. Dawne is working in Ohio and helping in
our home church by teaching and through her music.
We are yours for souls in Portugal.
Alan & Kathy Hart
Would you prayerfully consider helping our work in Portugal through the mission
program of your church? Even a "small" offering may go a long way to reaching
souls. Please send me an email or mail a request to our mission office address
if you would like to receive our September, 2004 ministry update DVD.