Dear prayer partners and supporters,
I am so excited to report that the Brazilian team returned this week from the deep jungle following a fruit filled 10 days trip of ministry with the Apurina people. This was their second solo trip following my departure from Brazil and I am so excited to pass on details about the faithfulness of God to call these men at this time to the ones so dear to my heart in the middle of the jungle. Here are their personal notes, I translated, in regards to their first trip back in September:
On September 16th we, Pastor Anibal and I, Nei, took our first solo mission trip to the Villages. Our first challenge was the overcrowded public transportation boat leaving Manaus, but we viewed it as an opportunity to preach the gospel.
The journey up the River takes over 40 hours to reach the mouth of Lake of Itaboca. Then we took the mission boat to the Villa Nova village where the mission house is located. In earlier trips, the River was full, the water levels high. This time the water level was about 13 meters lower which made our access to the village and the mission house difficult. We got lost, but by the grace of God, we arrived safely in the village. We understand that it is part of the privilege of serving God!
We finally arrived in the village and noticed that the mission house needed some repairs, so we took care of it. Then we went to visit the people to let them know that we were there and that we were going to have a service that night.
The next day we held a meeting and presented our work plan, which in principle is one-on-one discipleship with the leadership. We continued by visiting the Macauã and Villa Nova communities where we were well received. They were very happy because they felt remembered by us and by God.
It was a very precious time. We felt like we were experiencing the fellowship of the early church described in Acts 2:42-47, because in addition to the spiritual food we were sharing, they were giving food to our physical body.
I would like to ask for prayers that God will strengthen us and give us grace as we go again Dec 7-17 to share the love of Christ.
Please pray for our health as Pastor Aníbal caught malaria, and we both had an intestinal infection.
Please pray that the people’s hearts will be broken and they will accept God’s love and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Peace be with all.
Amen!
Nei and Pastor Anibal
We did receive donations that enabled Nei to purchase two canoe motors for our traveling ministry leaders in the jungle. Praise God for His faithful provision! Please keep Raimunda in prayer as she continues to wait to be scheduled to receive a needed hernia repair surgery. Also pray specifically for Oscar who has struggled with blood loss and anemia. I continue to get messages or calls on occasion from the people when they are in the city for business or medical treatment. What a joy that fills my heart whenever I have the privilege to personally hear from them!
I will attempt to pass their next update to you regarding this December trip in a more timely fashion. Keep Nei, Rachel, Pr. Annibal, and Gilherme in your prayers. Also consider supporting them. Their current cost for a ministry trip is approximately $900. We have set a ministry budget goal to raise $2300/month to support theses 3 men and their families to enable them to prepare for all God is calling them to and devote more time and possible duration to their ministry trips. Please contact me if you want to be a part of this provision.
As for the kids and I… God continues to pour out His abundant mercies in our lives. I was able to get my active nursing license in Nebraska and start working again in November as a Registered Nurse. I accepted a position at a Rehab and long term care facility as a night nurse working 6pm-6am three nights a week. These times enable me to continue to take kids to school and pick them up. They just have to get themselves to bed on the days I work.
All the kids are doing well in school and their very American activities. Josiah is busy with swim and diving this season and Benjamin is learning 5th grade basketball. Andrea is now living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She has plans to further her career in cosmetology there. Unfortunately, shortly after moving into her new apartment, she suffered a fall, fracturing her right hand and requiring surgery. We are so thankful for finding a good surgeon and have hopes in a complete recovery. She continues in rehab and has shown much improvement at 7 weeks post-op. She is also working to renew her residency visa status. These interactions with the Federal police can be very stressful and uncertain. Please pray with me for God’s will and comfort in all the details in Andrea’s life.
Merry Christmas to you all! May the reason for the season, our Lord Jesus Christ, reign in your hearts and minds as you celebrate with loved ones and spread His love in this world.
- Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things?'”
Love in Christ,
Melissa Miller