update on our trip....

[Sister Alvear]

Dear friends in the Homeland:
(Up-date on our trip)



"I have seen at different times, the smoke of a thousand villages- villages whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in the world...Oh, that I had a thousand lives, and a thousand bodies! All of them should be devoted to no other employment but to preach Christ to these degraded, despised, yet beloved mortals."
 - Robert Moffat -

Sweetest greetings in the precious Name of Jesus. This finds us on our seventh day traveling, by faith, headed toward the jungle area. We will away from home for a little over a month, traveling in many states preaching the gospel. Once we arrive in south Brazil we plan to leave our car there and fly back to Maceió for the rest of the month of February. Sometime in March we will be back in São Paulo for special services.

I know some are concerned about my health on these long journeys but like I told Brother Alvear, heaven is the same distance from where ever I happen to be, so my nature says “work on” until I hear the come up higher call. Actually the irregular heartbeat has not bothered me in over two weeks and I seem to be doing better with my blood pressure. I know prayers sustain us as we work full speed ahead.

One day sister Kathryn (whom is traveling with us) took a picture of the replica of a priest that had once lived in North Brazil. He became famous, according to the people, for answering prayers after his death... little chalk and sometimes stone images are seen all over the northeastern states of Brazil. My heart is heavy for all those that live and die in idolatry. Sometimes the church seems slow in taking the life changing message to the lost. May we feel a holy haste to GO into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Also, along the Road are many little Catholic shrines. We have stopped by many for Kathryn to see... the burning candles, the wooden body parts that people have brought to lay at the feet of some idol hoping for their miracle, and the flowers... all reveal even idolatry has its own smell...

We met our son in a little interior place called Codó. We loaded up and headed for a place where farmers are clearing thousands of acres of jungle land. There we held service at a family’s home that had moved from our home state. Oh, how glorious it was to see this precious family once again, all new Christians that know so little. We spent the day with them in their home and then once it was dark around 50 or more backland souls arrived, piled in the back of a truck, ready to hear the word of God.

They continually told us to be very careful, because we were on freshly cleared land. We had been warned of aggressive snakes and the people that came to service, that night, killed a rattler that was over 6 feet long! They had also told us of huge panthers and how some living there had been recently attacked, so needless to say we did not venture off alone...

I think it was the enormous and awfully ugly frogs that seemed to take a liking to us; bothering us the most along with the throng of bugs...

Scientist would have adored looking at all the wildlife, I am sure, but we were there for a different reason... a heavenly cause...We did our best to plant gospel seeds among the people. This kind of missions work is often slow drudgery task. Although, it may not be the thrilling kind where there are immediate and tremendous visible results; planting seeds is exceedingly imperative ... we have learned over the years that this kind of labor often brings a great harvest over a period of time.

It is a proven fact that slow, steady, and tedious work, in time, produces a great and fruitful crop... We have been missionaries long enough to know that the realities that come with permanence and commitment include all aspects of planting spiritual seeds. The cleaning of the land, the planting, the caring and then and only then can we reap a harvest... There is no secret formula to be unlocked ... it is and always will be the Law of the harvest when it comes to mission work.

We are so honored to have Sister Kathryn Thomas with us and she is proving to be a great help to us. We are thankful that the Lord dealt with her heart to spend a time in Brazil. We are thankful for those that are sensitive to the voice of God and our sincere thanks to Pastor Booker for giving her permission to come!

You cannot imagine how hot the climate is here in Brazil. The places we have stayed in as well have been extremely hot... yet we desire not earthly comforts or ease in light of some of the last words of our Master, “You shall be witnesses to Me- to the ends of the earth.” His commission must always be urgent; that no lapse of time should make outdated.

With that in mind we will continue to press on... We want to express our deepest and most sincere gratefulness for all the prayers that go up in our behalf. Your support is the difference that makes these trips possible. Thank you for joining us in helping plant gospel seeds.

Your Missionary Friends:

Brother and Sister Raul Alvear and Family

[Sherri]

Except for the snakes, I wish I was right there with you!! I don't know Sister Kathryn, but she is one blessed lady to get to travel around with you all. I bet she's seeing things that will affect her for the rest of her days.

[Sister Alvear]

Just got in from a little church...how awesome...4 brand new people repented and Brother Alvear ordained 2 preachers...
Yes, Sherri...you would love it!

[Jay]

The snakes and frogs would not bother me. However, I have a problem with heat, humidity, bugs, and spiders all of which are found in abundance in Brazil.

I love good reports. God bless you.

By the way, are there any notable miracles that you have seen God perform recently?

[Sister Alvear]

just me making this trip is a real miracle....the doctors told me my heart was too tired...am working full spead ahead....
last night 4 repented and Brother Alvear ordained 2 more preachers....ONward Christians Soldiers....

[Jay]

I keep praying about your blood pressure.

[Sister Alvear]

Thank you so much....I had a bad headache yesterday but had no place to check my blood pressure...Prayers work....

[Sister Alvear]

We are running behind time...we should have traveled more yesterday but it rained for hours and there were lots of accidents...we finally stopped in the middle of no where ...a little room...but we do not have water...lol...charged us 60 dollars anyway....

[Jay]

Wow!!

[Sister Alvear]

Brazil unlike many third world countries that are cheap Brazil is a very expensive place to live...we had service last night in the state of Goais...and making visits here in just a little while...