January always provides an opportunity to reflect and praise God for His work and faithfulness during the previous year. Mountain tops and valleys marked the year 2024 for our family and ministry, and many times it seemed that His primary work was what He was doing IN us as He was preparing for what He would do THROUGH us.
As the year 2024 started, we were so grateful for the provision of a tent which we anticipated being a temporary solution for our meeting space. As the year ended, the church was still meeting in the tent and still waiting on the building permit. Even with the challenges, this stage of waiting is teaching patience, contentment, and trust.
We also rejoiced in 2024 as this young church called its first Brazilian lead pastor. Pastor Ronie continues to be mentored by Tim during these first years of pastoral ministry.
God blessed the church with at least 6 new families that started attending and many of whom became members. Several of these new families have spouses or relatives that are not believers and are now hearing the Gospel through church events. The church has also grown through salvations, and one family had several people baptized from the same family. Through training, members are now better equipped, and all of church's ministries have seen growth and maturity (Sunday service, Wednesday prayer service, men's groups, women's group, youth group, children's classes, missions, neighborhood outreach, and our first daughter church plant).
Gratitude fills our hearts as we reflect on all that God has done in each of these and for the Brazilian leaders He is raising up.
Furlough Ministry
Tim and Andrea have traveled to over half of our partner churches and visited with many supporting families as well. We are honored and encouraged with each visit as we hear words of affirmation, love, and support from so many. Our prayer is that those who hear of God's work in Brazil will be challenged and spurred on to greater Kingdom work in whatever role He has prepared for them.
During this year, both Moriah and Julea were married; Robert is moving to Colombia to start his missionary service; Tim is also finishing his Doctoral program through Liberty University while still teaching a class through a Brazilian seminary online and one in person in January.
Eagerly Anticipating 2025
The first half of the year will be spent finishing our furlough travels, completing Tim's doctoral program, sending our youngest, Levi, off to college, and preparing to return to Brazil. However, we are already anticipating and preparing for what God has in store during the second half of 2025. Andrea will be involved with mentoring Brazilian pastors' wives, expanding the orphanage ministry, working with the women on the daughter church planting team, and assisting Tim more as she transitions to the reality of an empty nest. Tim will be returning to his teaching responsibilities with our two local seminaries, expanding his partnership with other seminaries including the one in Mozambique, further developing the church planting training center, working with the daughter church planting team, continuing to mentor Pastor Ronie, and overseeing the building project for our young church. We are so excited.
Praise God, "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Phil. 2:13. May He receive all the praise and honor and glory.
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