Dear Pastors, Supporters, and Praying Friends,

Psalm 19:8 says, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” There is no greater joy than to see the clarity of God’s Word through our hands into the eyes of the deaf and seeing the enlightenment in their eyes.

Bible Baptist Church of Aruja, an hour away from Sao Paulo, Brazil’s capital, invited me to speak at their married couples’ banquet. We traveled 12 hours south during our winter break last July. I preached the difference between a house and a home. Many deaf understood the difference between a house and a home. Many responded that they needed the Lord Jesus Christ in their home. Praise the Lord.

The next day on Sunday, I taught Sunday School and preached Sunday morning service at the same church, in the series of 1 John. After the morning service, a man who had been attending for about 2 months understood his need for Jesus Christ as his Savior. He came up to the front and told Bro. Dan that he wanted to be saved now. I gladly brought him to a room to explain to him again to make sure he understood. He professed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it was such a blessing to see his eyes light up with joy.

We traveled to the capital city, São Paulo, to preach in deaf church that afternoon. It was a joy to see the deaf there who were still faithful to the Lord after the Lord led me to a different city. I preached there and encouraged them to be faithful to the One who never breaks His promises, even though there is no pastor in their church. Please pray that the Lord will send a pastor who will love to feed the deaf flock there in the largest city of Brazil.

We traveled about 5 hours north the following day on Monday to Ribeirao Preto. Our co-worker, brother Carl Johnson, is pastor for the deaf there. Carl started a Bible Institute for the deaf and asked my wife and me to teach a class there. I taught homiletics to deaf men, and my wife taught women of the Bible to the deaf women. We love to interact with the students and train them with hands-on experience for both classes. I preached there on Sunday as well, on the series of 1 John. Bro Carl Johnson asked me to oversee the deaf in his city while he is gone for furlough. When I returned the following month in August, I preached to the deaf again with the continued series of 1 John.

A deaf man, Aceny, came to me and told me that he was never saved, even though he has been faithful to church for many years. He understood the book of 1 John, and I had the opportunity to lead him to Christ. What a glorious moment when we are able to lead the lost sheep to the Shepherd. I will return in November to Ribeirao Preto for five days to minister to the deaf there, as well as following up with Aceny. Brother Carl Johnson will return at the end of November.

I am greatly blessed to have Wesley and Salomao, two hearing men who are willing to preach at our deaf church in Goiania when I am absent. Both men know Brazilian sign language, and both have different skills. It's a blessing to see the Lord use both men in different ways in the deaf church. Please pray with me for wisdom about what the Lord wants for this deaf church and that the Lord may send a Brazilian whom I may disciple to be the pastor of this deaf church..

In November, a deaf church in São Paulo will be having its 30th anniversary, and they invited me to their anniversary weekend, along with other former pastors of that church. Brother David Bennett will be the main speaker for the anniversary. I am honored to celebrate with the church. I will be traveling to Sao Paulo after visiting Ribeirão Preto in November. Please pray that the Lord will give me wisdom and much strength for upcoming travels. We love and appreciate you for faithfully supporting our work in Brazil!

In Christ Alone,
Michael, Ruth, Giovanna, and Roniya