July 24 , 2002
Dear Prayer Partners,
We praise the Lord for all we have seem Him do in
Arembepe. We have been privileged to work alongside Frank and Darla
Brim. Since we arrived in 1998, we have seen many come to a saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ. We have seen nine surrender their lives to
full time service for the Lord.
Five of these are already attending seminary. We have
had the privilege to help in the construction of the church building
which is almost completed. Truly God has abundantly blessed us over
these last 4 years.
We believe that the time to leave this work has come. As
always we have been praying much for God’s will in our lives and our
work. God has opened doors for us in another city near Arembepe called
Monte Gordo. One family had been praying for many months for a
traditional Baptist Church to open in Monte Gordo. During the time this
family was praying, God was working in many ways to answer their
prayers. It was just about that time that God began working in our
hearts about the need in that city.
We are sure this new work is the response to prayer, our
prayers and the prayers of the family in Monte Gordo. We are aware Monte
Gordo will be a difficult place to start a Baptist church, because there
are so many other churches that have been teaching lies for a long time.
God’s power is still what does the work! We know Satan will do
everything in his power to discourage us, but we are sure God is with us
in this new work. That is why we have decided to call this new church
Immanuel Baptist Church (God with us)!!
Helen and I, Frank, and twelve people from the church in
Arembepe handed out invitations to the inauguration service on July 14,
2:30 p.m. We are now holding regular services. God has blessed! We have
eight that are attending. Three from the family that prayed, another 2
that are new converts, and several unsaved.
"Now I beseech you, brethren...that ye strive
together with me in your prayers to God for me."(Rom 15:30)
PRAY FOR US! Please pray for the salvation of Cristiana, Paulo, Elaine,
Ademario, and Tais. Pray that God will give us many open doors to share
the true gospel message. Thank you so much for your faithfulness. We
praise the Lord for each one of you who pray and give that we can go!!
In His Service,
Alton & Helen Smith
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