He had once been a strong powerful preacher, an outstanding pastor but tonight He was Just a shadow of his former days...his hands trembled, his steps were very slow, his voice weak but his eyes told the story as they shinned watching his children and grandchildren taking care of the special service in his honor. The church was packed full of people giving honor to such a great man of God.
He could have fit the description of an apostle. He had spent the last 33 years telling the life saving story of Jesus. When he first appeared at a little rented building where Brother Alvear and I were pastoring he was a very sick man. He had been told by the doctors he could never work again due to a serious heart problem. He came from the darkest spiritual night. He was a witchdoctor and his wife a very devout catholic. However it was not long until the unseen presence of Jesus reached for him and with that idol gods were done away with and chains of pagan rituals were broken. He became one of our national evangelists and went into different areas establishing works. In 1987 he established the church where we were celebrating.
He might have been a diamond in the rough when he came to us but tonight he was a beautiful shinning diamond.
He did not know that Brother Alvear and I would be there as we live over 1500 hundred miles away…we waited for the service to start and then we walked in. We had brought him a suit and his wife flowers to show a gesture of our great love to them and their service to the work of God.
What a service and afterwards we went to his house to spend some time with the family. How great it is to know we have not labored in vain. “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalm 89:1
We enjoyed this month having Missionary Raul Jr preaching a week for us in the Maceio area. We had several to receive the Holy Ghost and that always excites us so much. This month we have also baptized 11 people.
Speaking of Maceio we were able though help to get the swings for the church children. We thank those who helped and since more than enough came in we bought a trampolim for the older children.
We are getting ready for our regional conference that begins April 29. We are looking for a great time in the Lord. Please join with us in prayer for God to meet the conference needs which are many.
At this writing Missionary Hugo is evangelizing in the states of Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, and over into Paraguay. Please pray for his protection and needs to be met.
Missionary Raul Jr and a group also went to a special youth retreat in Bahia. They reported over 30 receiving the Holy Ghost.
We rented a gym in the city of Muncie for a special singing event and a special service and LOTS of Assembly of God people showed up! We are thankful that God is moving in a very deep way.
In Maceio we also had a retreat that turned out so awesome. Whole families of Catholic people came! It is such an awesome privilege to help guide people to know the real way to heaven.
This month a new work was also opened in the state of Minas Gerias and we have a group from far south Brazil Rio Grande do Sul inviting us to come help them.
Brazil is a country full of unexplored jungles, endless rivers, thriving cities and enthusiastic people. It is the largest, most prominent country in South America AND SO RIPE FOR THE GOSPEL. Your faithful support is helping us and others to make inroads in this vast land. At the present we have so many doors that are wide open.
We thank all of you for your continued prayers and support. If it were not for people like you that faithfully give and sacrifice to support the work of missions, our job would be a lot more difficult. We trust that God will continue to bless all of you, as you are a blessing to us. Please continue to pray for us as we do for you, and I know that God will bless each of us as we faithfully proclaim His name and His message of salvation
And with your help we continue…Working For A Greater Harvest,
Bishop and Sister Raul Alvear and family
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