SOUTH AMERICAN FOREIGN MISSIONS
Rev Raul and Janice Alvear
PO Box 797, Jonesville, LA 71343 – Phone 318-339-8628
CP 204, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil, South America 57020-970
Phone: 011558233222075 – E-mail:
JanAlvear@AOL.com
October, 2009
Greetings to all our homeland supporters and prayer warriors:
As we were traveling through one of our western states, it was so hot outside and all I could see beside barrenness was huge cactuses, rocks and hot dry desert sands at times. The area looked so barren and I thought: not even a horse could walk in this terrain - it was so rocky and steep and seemly desolate. The scorching sun was startling to me. All of a sudden the landscape changed…yes, still desert land but the ground was smooth once again and I saw desert flowers, colorful mineral soil, suddenly a palm filled oasis, then a breeze…
In my mind the scripture kept rolling over and over…
Isa 35:6 Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. (NIV)
Yes, our desert too, has been dry, the wilderness wild and the darkness deep, yet we are en route to the mountain of God as the pilgrims of old. Through a great miracle from God in what I now see as an oasis we were able to come to the states...for over one month so many people have received us with great joy. That is why God brought us here…He needed to speak to me! Our souls have been blessed and refreshed and by the time this letter arrives we will be back in the land of our calling.
Our desert experience has been so wearisome and so tiring…we have struggled to make ends meet with failing health and losing our cars to bandits, traveling now over a year on city buses that sometimes are so crowded you can hardly breath, and riding in taxis, rented cars and whatever. Sometimes we had to go long journeys on the old undependable church vans that are ever breaking down - sometimes in some of the most dangerous places at late hours of the night. Sometimes I have felt my faith stretched.
It just seems we cannot get ahead to buy a car for ourselves. We are making payments to help several younger preachers have cars for they have far more strength than we do and can do more. Even though knowing we are helping others, our personal desert winds have been blinding at times…I must confess I have sat wearily down and prayed many a night for more strength for this battle. Yet it is not for us who are travelers on life’s journey to meddle with the chart and with the compass. How easy it is to forget the well-known fact that our all-skilled ONE is with us in all circumstances.
As Sister A.O. Holmes penned the song, “We are not the one that is driving we are merely riding….” However this experience of the desert is first of all an experience of dependency…when we had a car I knew I could go certain places - now I depend on Him and pray He will help us get there. However, I am praying enough funds will come in for us to have a down payment on a car open our return to Brazil. Right now we want to thank all that are helping and will help on this project. Also a special thanks to those that have sent boxes to Brazil
He speaks to us foot-weary travelers along our road in the role of his servants. He has sent us a cool breeze by making it possible through this the trip to America to help some of our people. Brother Raul Jr and forty of his people visited the extreme far north part of the state of Sao Paulo, where many received the Holy Ghost, others repented and were renewed. Many, many of our church leaders in that region met to discuss plans for furthering the work in that area. No wonder we have fought all hell…we have marched into its very domain!
I can tell you why the devil hates us so… From the battle field of Bahia where we, with the help of our supporters just financed a trip for a group of our preachers, have been informed that more souls have received the Holy Ghost. The church in Cacule is beautiful, located right in the nest of witchcraft and devil worship. It is such a shining beacon in a dark weary land. We are building another church in a little city called Guajeru, Bahia. The pastor has let me know they can finish it for 1600 US dollars. Pastor Edimilson and Sister Rose have worked so hard getting the building up…Maybe the Lord would like to use YOU to be a stream of fresh water in their work
The Federal Border Police on the border of Paraquay seized pastor Hugo’s car alleging he needed some type document…costing us over 1200 dollars…However, the clothes and supplies he and the workers with him were taking to Paraguay went on by bus, taxis and whatever and got into Paraguay and did what they had intended to do. And then they had to ride a bus back to south Brazil, which is a long way – News Flash! I am happy to report that he was able to recover his car. Thank God!
Our son Arlei is completing the building of the church in Barrio Branco next to the jungle and in December we plan to dedicate phase one with Bro and Sis Lewis. Brother Arlei was just given a lot for a church in another village. Nineteen years ago I stood on a bridge in the city of Barra do Corda and asked God to send a missionary into this area - little did I know it would be one of our sons!
Our son Edinei that pastors the headquarters church in Maceio has informed us that the motor of the old diesel van went out and just to have it rebuilt is costing over 3000 US dollars…that is hard for Americans to believe…the cost of cars and car repair in Brazil…however for us it is a reality.
In the city of Belem, in extreme northern Brazil, we were able to help Pastor John and his wife finish their little tiny house behind the church. This little couple has been with us for many years. We also were able to send an offering to the city of Fronteiras to help buy some tiles for the church they are building by faith.
Our souls have been refreshed by a host of good brothers and sisters that have been so kind to us on during our stay in America. To all those we visited we want to say a big thank you and to our precious supporters another big thank you! We are always at your service to help promote missions. In February we plan to be in California, and March in Georgia and North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. If you would like for us to come by your church, please contact us. You may contact us at:
Janalvear@aol.com or
bisporaul@uol.com.br
Rev Raul, Sis Janice, and all the Alvear Family
If you would like be a part of this work of faith, please send your offerings to: PO Box 797, Jonesville, LA, 71343. Or if you prefer, you can send it to: APOSTOLIC INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS, PO Box 1009, Sulphur, LA, 70664-1009. May God bless everyone who has a part in this work of the Lord.
Also, thanks to Bro. And Sis. Josh Lewis, we are happy to let you know that Bro Alvear’s new CD, “How Great Thou Art” is now available. And if I may say it, it is really good! If you would like to order one, you may do so by contacting us at our home address – PO Box 797, Jonesville, LA, 71343, or you may call 318-339-8628. Please send and offering of $15.00.
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