May/June 2021 Update

Dear Praying Friends, 

The past month and a half have been busy for us here in Brazil.  We praise the Lord for all He has done and the doors He continues to open for us to minister and help people understand who He is and what He offers through His gift of Jesus Christ!

Be sure to check out our webpage where Sheri has posted a story about one of our recent contacts.  I think you'll enjoy her perspective and get a close up look at what God is doing here even in the midst of Covid restrictions. 

The hunt for a church building and/or property continues.  I literally have nothing to report on this except that our people are in prayer about it and actively searching for the right spot.  Keep praying with us that we can be patient until God shows us where it is that He wants us here in Lages as far as a permanent location for Igreja Batista Bíblica Internacional.
I have had the opportunity to hold Bible studies and church services weekly both in person and online as the pandemic has had highs and lows recently.  As of today, our Covid Intensive Care is completely full again in our hospitals.  It was just over a week ago that my family was exposed but we are all in good health and I thank the Lord for His protection. I know it could be quite another story, and I am glad we all remain free from this virus.  We have lost too many friends from it, and I don’t want to be added to that list.  Keep praying for our church and family that we stay healthy during this time.
We recently scheduled for me to meet with other national pastors and missionaries in our Capital city of Florianopolis.  I will be leaving in a few days to attend this meeting to encourage others and talk about ideas for reaching this area of the Southern Cone of Brazil.  We are happy to see Brazilians wanting to reach their own country with the Gospel!  After this meeting I will be flying to Atlanta for an important meeting of our Mission Agency, the Gospel Preacher Association.  I will only be gone for the weekend, but please pray for Sheri and Amelia as they will stay here in Brazil.  Our youngest son, Sam, will be arriving on the 11th to visit us on leave from the Marine Corps.  He will be flying from Japan, and I don’t have to tell you how excited we are to be able to see him again after such a long time.  His next duty station is the Pentagon, so pray for him to remain healthy and safe while here visiting for the month of June.  We are proud of both of our sons and their service to our Country.  Wyatt deploys this month and will be gone for 6 months. Please pray for him as well.  Our oldest daughter and her husband are moving to Florida where Katie has accepted a teaching position at a Christian School there.  Amelia is taking final exams this week in some of her theology courses and is really moving forward with her Bible degree.  We have enjoyed having her help in the ministry and can’t wait to see what God does with her life as a missionary.  She is already actively involved in her personal visitation and ministry with others here in Lages.  She hopes to finish up her degree by Spring and then pursue coming on board with the GPA as a full time missionary to Brazil.  Keep her in your prayers!
We have been blessed through funds to be able to help our missionaries in the Amazon with their projects and Pastor Valcides is about to take a very important trip to a remote region in the northern Amazon.  We have supplied him with monies for gas and medicines for this trip through a personal supporter and are praying that God will open the doors for the Gospel among these indigenous people who have no missionary or pastor in their areas.  Please pray with us for a miracle to happen!

We have seen sickness, injury, and setbacks the past couple of months, but each and every time God has taken care of us and used so many of you to encourage us through messages, phone calls and support.  We are so very thankful for each of you and your care for our family.  It helps keep us going on the hard days!  We love you and thank God for you.


In the Service of the Savior,
Mark and Sheri Edwards