February 2022 Update

Dear Praying Friends,                                                                                      February 9, 2022

We love to bring glad tidings from afar, so rejoice with us as we share this bit of wonderful news!  This past week we went through the arduous process of renewing our permanent residence cards here in Brazil.  It was not an easy task to get this scheduled and processed, but we did it.  We are approved and good to stay until 2031 until we need to repeat the process.  We are praising God for His goodness and happy today that He helped us through the paperwork and approval.  Praise the LORD I was also able to renew my driver’s license! Hallelujah!

Our church has had visitors almost every Sunday this past month.  We have been able to preach the Word of God with liberty and you can’t beat that!  This coming Sunday we are meeting in the home of one of our faithful couples who have invited all of their neighbors to come participate.  There are three individuals that have asked that we have Bible Studies in their homes, and they are supposed to be present at this church service on 2/13.  Please pray with us as we hope to see fruit from this meeting. 

We have been searching in a certain area of Lages to put our church and as you know, we have come up empty handed.  This past week while making visits my wife and I looked at a new neighborhood and have begun praying if this is where God wants us to search.  This is the same neighborhood we will be having services and studies this coming Sunday.  We desire your prayers for this because with more people attending the services, we really need to have a spot to meet and hang a sign so others will feel free to join us.  

Pastor Josivaldo and Pastor Valcides send their deepest gratitude to all of those who have contributed to their ministries.  Each of them has been busy in the work this month in the Amazon and God has been blessing them.  Pastor Josivaldo made a mission’s trip to a region further north in the Amazon and continues to work hard for the Lord.  Thank you for all you have done for these two Brazilian missionaries and please keep praying for their safety, health, and ministries as they spread the Gospel to their own people.

I have made progress with my neighbor, Mr. Alceu.  He and I have been extracting honey together for another neighbor who is allergic to bees. He finally told me that he stopped praying to Mary and is only going to direct his prayers to Jesus now.  He has not made a profession of faith, but this is a positive step and one I never thought I would see this man take.  Keep praying because I believe he is under conviction.  

I almost had the chance to share the full Gospel with my lumber guy yesterday.  Unfortunately, customers came in as soon as we got on the topic of the Lord, and he had to attend them.  Please pray for us as we constantly look for opportunities to share Jesus with people here.  The devil never stops interfering and it could be your prayers that help us in the battle against him and time.  

Sheri, Amelia, and I want to thank you for your support this month and last year.  Without your financial support and prayers, we would not have been able to do all that we did in the ministry here.  God gives us the strength and capacity to carry out His work and you guys give us the encouragement to stay the course for Him.  That means a lot to us, and we want you to know we love each of you.

In Christ,
​Mark, Sheri, and Amelia Edwards