July/August 2020 Update

Our work must not stop!
Dear Praying Friends,                                                                                                       
 
The mission field is still white already to harvest, Covid-19 or not. There is really no time to waste and no reason not to be seeking out anyone and everyone in order to witness to someone, encourage a saint, or bless someone in need. Brazil has upwards of 98,000 deaths from Covid right now and cases are still soaring.  Here in Lages we have gone back into lockdown with fines being imposed if you are caught in the street without a mask.  Our hospitals are at max capacity. Churches have closed their doors once again and no public gatherings are allowed. But did the devil suddenly stop prowling around like a roaring lion? Did Calvary stop being the cure for sin? Did the Bible get any less powerful? NO, a resounding NO! So, can missionaries stop working? ABSOLUTELY NOT! We must press on, we must continue fighting the good fight, and we must tell others the Good News of Salvation.  Here is what we are doing:
 
Sheri and I are holding online services with our current church as well as recording and sending out weekly Bible studies.  I am even finding myself being invited to preach in churches for larger congregations online in order to reach more people with the Gospel as well as meeting with individuals on a one on one basis to answer questions, discuss theology and why God is allowing this change in our current world.  Sheri was also able to talk at length with our elderly neighbor today.  He lost his wife about a year ago after 40 years of marriage. He said he was at home today reading a book about prayer when something told him to come see about his farm next door to ours.  Sheri saw him and struck up a conversation about the Lord.  He is such a kind person and we sure would love to see him come to know the Savior. He agreed to come to lunch next week, so would you please pray for Mr. Branco?  Also, in just a few months I am scheduled to preach at a Bible conference in the Amazon Region on a brand new (to me) river system.  A young man reached years ago during our ministry in the Amazon has since been called to preach and finished Bible school.  He has been pastoring for a while now and invited me to come for his annual Bible conference.  We are waiting to see where the virus lockdown leaves us, but we plan on holding services in any format we can in order to get the Gospel out to his community.  In other words, The Edwards are staying busy at our task of reaching Brazil.  Virus or no virus.  We don’t know how to sit still for very long anyways, so we actively seek new ways of doing our job. And praise the Lord He has protected our health thus far.

On the home front, we are now officially an empty nest.  Amelia moved to Texas two weeks ago and we are so grateful for all her hard work in getting us settled back here on the farm.  We couldn't have accomplished so much without the extra set of hands working with us. It's kind of sad not seeing her at the table for lunch or sitting beside me at night discussing the Bible together though. Sheri hasn't even been able to go upstairs and look at her room. It is quiet around here but we know Amelia will do great in whatever God has for her.  Pray for her as she seeks God's will.  She is working at a new job right now and praying for God to open doors to what He has for her.  Sam moved to Japan last month and after quarantine time ended he started his new job in the Marines as an admin.  His girlfriend, Destiny also just graduated Boot Camp.  She has a fractured tibia but is tough as nails and pressing onward. Wyatt is gassing Marines in Hawaii and instructing courses in his job as a Chemical Specialist. Katie started her 4th year of teaching grade school yesterday.  Her husband Justin was accepted into the Police Academy last week and starts in September.  We are so proud of all of them and covet your prayers for their individual lives. We sure do miss them.
 
Keep praying for us and keep spreading the Gospel!  Sheri and I are thankful for all of you and your constant support of our ministry here in Brazil.  We love each of you.