(thought some of you might want to read this, I wrote it sevearl days ago)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof….
“There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge…. He maketh wars to cease” (
Psalm 46:1-7, 9).
I had these scriptures running through my mind today. Yesterday Brother Alvear was in great pain and as I was sitting up about all night putting ice packs on his knee and leg I had much time to pray and seek the Lord.
I did not ask the Lord why Brother Alvear had such a terrible wreck and all the things we are facing but just sitting there praying the above scriptures brought me so much comfort. Knowing people care and are praying means much to us at this moment. I told Brother Alvear it is in times like these that we find out who really cares. We are so thankful for those that have called and those that have prayed. We know the devil would like to destroy us because for the last 40 years we have stormed into his dark world and brought souls into this marvelous light.
This has been a great time of need for us. We have felt the vale of suffering and at times a little emotionally, physically and spiritually the devil has tried to get us down however we know his workings so we are looking up and we know that according to
Romans 8:28 all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
God’s promise is to assist us and He fulfills his promises. He has sent people into our life and showed His love to us. There are many people I would like to thank but I hate to mention names as I might leave someone out so I just want to say a big thank you for all that have come and are coming to our rescue.
No wonder the devil is fighting so hard, churches are going up in so many places in Brazil. We have had our first baptism in the jungle area. Pastor Hugo is on his way to the country of Paraguay with a group of ministers where we are in two building programs. Our son Edinei is overseeing the building of two churches in our area and one will be dedicated the Lord willing next month. Raul Jr is building down south in his area in several places. We just got the dorms covered behind our headquarters church so the second floor will be ready by our April convention, we are also building a wing on our dining area as we need more room. It is awesome the way we have built we use the dining area also for Sunday school purposes.
Pastor Joao is waiting on just 1000 dollars to finish the church he is building in the city of Fronteiras up to this point they have bought all their material but they do not have the money for the roof. Vargen Grande church needs about 500 dollars to completely finish their new building. The reform in the Valinhos church and holding wall the city is making us build still lacks around 3000 dollars, the new Belem church needs around 1500 to buy tiles to cover it, we need about 1000 more for the church in Navirai to get started. Brother Arlei needs about 2000 for his building projects. The leper pastor called me and they still need 300 to finish rebuilding their church that the storm tore down. We need to by doors and windows for the Benedito Bentes church. We got the foundation in for the Murici church and the walls are about halfway up. On and on I could report to you many more projects we are involved with. At times the financial load becomes almost more that we can carry but at this times we are driven to are knees as we ask God to speak to our home land supporters. Please pray that God would speak to different ones to help us on these and other projects.
Building is only the natural part of it the most glorious part is I can report never a week goes by that somewhere in Brazil baptismal services are taking place; people are being filled with God’s spirit. People are being healed and lives are changing forever. Oh what a difference the gospel makes in such a darkened world!
Brother Alvear’s wreck happened on the same day that robbers came into our home exactly 2 years ago.
Yes we have been through great trials the last couple years but with great trials come great victories. God has given us grace to face and overcome every mountain of opposition that has come up. We know that even trials can be a source of joy!
Thanks once again for your prayers and your giving. As Brother Alvear gets able we may try to visit a few more churches but at this point he has been able to visit few places due to severe pain and swelling. Michael and I are thinking about taking him back to Brazil. We really don’t know what to do and hate to be a burden to people. Please remember our strength in your prayers. If you can give to any of these projects it would be deeply appreciated. We so desperately depend on you.
Brother Raul and Sister Janice Alvear and mission team
PS last Sunday 5 more were baptized and a a catholic woman that had been brought to our service that walked on crutches was healed by the power of God. No wonder the devil in his anger tries to stir up everything he can against us.
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