September 2020

Dear Praying Friends,                                                                                                                                       
It is with GREAT joy that we share with you two items concerning our participation in our individual missionary ministry as well as our church plant here in Lages!

• First, Sheri and I are going to be traveling to a new area of the Amazon next month October 7-13th on a mission’s trip to help a young pastor that we met years ago during our time as missionaries in that region.  He is currently on a tributary of the main Amazon river and has planted a small church in the remote community of Beruri. I will be preaching and soul winning during our few days there. Sheri will be accompanying me, taking along a large bag full of clothing that the ladies at Teays Valley Baptist (our sending church) sewed for the children. We are excited to help this national pastor and his community and are praying about this becoming a regular outreach that we personally support.

• Secondly, we are starting our own missions’ program here at Igreja Batista Biblica Internacional in Lages. I have scheduled a long time, faithful, national missionary, Pastor Valcides and his wife to come share about their ministry in the Amazon with our church in February. This dear friend was the missionary that took me up the tributaries back in the late 90’s when I first arrived in Brazil. He has faithfully preached the Gospel, planted churches, and consistently trained nationals for many years, and I am thrilled our people here will be able to have the pleasure of meeting him and learning about Faith Promise Giving.

Currently our church is looking for a new building to rent. The men and I are searching in a neighborhood centrally located to our members.  I have been so encouraged by the participation in the services online during this pandemic. Everyone has remained faithful and we praise the Lord for that! Now that our restrictions are being lifted locally, we need a permanent place to meet that not only holds our membership, but a place where we can grow. Pray with us as we search that we will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading as we evaluate different locations.

One last bit of exciting news, Sheri’s children’s book, “I Want To Be A Missionary” has been published! Get your copy today at www.delightinhim.net/edwards. Sheri wrote and illustrated this book and we hope to see children have a desire to serve the Lord on the mission field after reading it. The Gospel is in the back of each book so that children can share Christ with their friends.
Sheri and I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for how you have maintained our support during this time of Covid-19.  We commend you and your churches on your faithfulness even when your doors had to close, and attendance had to be restricted.  You continued to send your financial support, and this amazed us personally. Thank you for being faithful. May God bless your churches and families
In the Service of the Savior,
Mark and Sheri Edwards