The Hensleys have spent nearly 15 years serving in Brazil. They run a vocational school and orphanage in Caraguatatuba and have also established a church and mission points throughout the city.

Dear Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from the beautiful country of Brasil. As you know there is some difference between the temperature here and there. Here we are in the 90% humidity and it is on the increase. How AWESOME is the God that we serve! There are many differences in our countries, cities, customs —-but only one Savior.

This month we are doing a lot of physical labor on the home where our Brazilian pastor is living, building closets, painting and whatever else needs to be done. I am being the handi-man for a while. If you have thought there is no physical labor on the mission field think again. Now for an advertisement, I think, and that is dangerous, that every missionary on the field needs a handi-man. So what I am saying is: “We need groups for construction projects.” Sometimes our need to do construction takes us away from the main thing, which is spreading the Gospel here in Caraguatatuba. So could you plan a mission trip with construction in mind? When planning this kind of trip you need to take into consideration that we not only need help with the construction but we need help with the financial part too.

We are working very hard on the things for the month of December. We have 40 or more children that we would like to give Christmas presents to and with your help we will be able to do this. We are asking our members to participate in this effort and we have had great response. If you would like to be a part of this just mark a contribution for children’s Christmas. Any and all help will be appreciated.

Our children are participating in the Christmas story for the Church. They are practicing the songs to sing and we will have a manger with Joseph and Mary and baby Jesus. Pray that the parents will come to see their children and hear the true Christmas story. Hearing their practice each week is putting the feel of Christmas in the air.

We have started two small groups on Friday nights. This is a time for studying the Bible for prayer and discussions about things from your daily life. Both are serving dual purposes as we have two women that are home bound and this also brings Church to their homes. One is in Gloria’s home. Her condition , for those of you who are praying for her, is progressing and I wish I could say the same about her treatment. We have been running from one Doctor to another and from one hospital to another for some months now. We finally got answers this past week. She does have cancer in the uterus and will have to have treatments. She will have to have chemo and radiation therapy starting on the 19th of the month. This will be for 30 days. Then they will do tests to see if she will still need surgery. Continue to pray for her to be strong and continue to rely on the Lord as she has done for so many months. Please pray for Gloria as she still has 3 children under age and one other living in her home. Pray for us as we are bending over backwards to do all we can for her and the family.

Throughout all this we have seen first hand again how the National Health program works. It is not a good thing!!! So, not trying to be political, but there in the States you are in for many issues and major problems with the health care that is being put into place there.

The second place that we are having the group is in the home of Jandira, another widow lady of our Church. She has had an infection in her leg for well over a year. This is the second time in this year that she has been put on total bed rest. The doctors are trying to take care of this problem with meds and rest but I am not seeing any progress. She does not have any children living with her so she is alone in this struggle except for her Church family and one adult son. Please pray for her and her financial needs. Her meds are very expensive and her income is very little.

I know that this sounds like lots of problems. But for our small Church it is a blessing. We are able to help financially, physically, and spiritually. God is AWESOME!!! Continue to pray for our Church and the many works that are being realized through her.

Thank you all for the many gifts and for the prayers that you say every day for us here. Without the help of many we would not be able to reach as many for the Lord. Again THANKS!!

As always, think about coming down and being a part of the work that is going on here in Caragua. We love to have groups come and help. You can see that your mission dollars are being utilized in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord.

Just say that you are coming and give us the date and we will put some more water in the beans and turn your bed down.

In His service,
Aj and Barbara Hensley
ajcaragua[at]gmail.com

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