Financial Struggles in Brazil but God Provides
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
June 4, 2017
Dear Friends,
Next week Projeto Vida will begin its 18th Missions Training School. There will be around 30 new students coming to study the biblical theology of missions in the classroom first. Then they will travel with our veteran missionary teams into some interior towns and villages to carry out practical evangelism and church planting. We have seen God use this type of training to lead many young men and women into vocational mission careers and, at the same time, many people have been led to Christ through their outreach efforts. Please pray for our teachers and for the teams as they head out with the Gospel.
As I mentioned in my last letter, a young lady from Brandon, Florida will be going to work with Projeto Vida during the summer break before she goes off to college. She will be participating in the Missions Training School herself almost immediately upon her arrival in Brazil. She will have the added difficulty of the language barrier. All the classes will be in Portuguese and Zoe (the young lady) has only a beginner’s level of the language. Charlene and I remember vividly how challenging those first few weeks and months are, but we also know that God used us, even with our limitations, and we know that He’ll use Zoe too.
Many of our Brazilian brothers and sisters in Christ are struggling financially as a result of the political and economic mess in Brazil right now. The jobless rate is very high and that is making it difficult for some of the churches to meet their financial obligations; some as simple as paying their utility bills. Please remember your brothers and sisters in Christ in Brazil as you pray.
Despite the financial struggles, the Lord provided enough for one of our teams to get out into the interior of the state of Paraná throughout the month of May. They had the opportunity to be in more than 9 public schools where they shared the gospel with over 8000 students. Many students and school staff members made public professions of faith in Christ at these outreach events. We are thankful that God’s grace is not completely held back by material shortfalls.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and financial support.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Stateside Address:
3912 Casaba Loop
Valrico, FL 33596
Field Address:
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
Phone: (813) 481-7007
Cell Phone: (813) 727-6405
Email: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
Give: Click here to give.
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Missionary Update: The Creiglows in Brazil [May 2016]
Mike and Beverly Creiglow have served the Lord in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil together since 1971. In addition to pastoring First Baptist of Cruzeiro do Sul, Mike builds his own boats and frequently travels up and down rivers to share the Gospel with those who have never heard.
May 9, 2016
Dear Brethren,
One of our chapel pastors, Rondisson, went with me to visit one our newest works on the upper Juruá River. The congregation at Triunfo started this new work. It is further upstream. It is over 250Km (156 miles) up river from Cruzeiro do Sul. My motor was pretty cranky and kept us on pins and needles the whole trip, but we made it. It was really hot, but we didn’t get into any rain and the river cooperated with us. The water level was stable, which is very rare. We spent 3 days with them. They also dedicated their building while we were with them. We spent three days there and held 4 services. Two young women were saved and there were some requests for baptism. They already have 8 Christians in the village of over 150 people. There are 28 households. This new work is a great-granddaughter of First Baptist Church. The name of the village is Boa Vista.
Bev and I visited the chapel at Cruzeirinho. They are doing very well. They have a really big new building close to being ready to move in. They are still in their little wooden building up on the hillside. They have used the new building, which is already under roof, for a couple of events. They can’t move in just yet because they don’t have it under lock and key. The neighborhood has a history of drugs, robbery and vandalism, so I don’t blame them for waiting the right time. Anyway we had a good visit with the house packed out and a few decisions.
The new work at Boa Vista, a great-granddaughter of First Baptist Cruzeiro do Sul.
I have spent quite a few hours working on my boats and motors. All of them are 7 years old and starting to give me a little trouble. I did manage to solve the problem with the engine that we ran to Triunfo.
All is going well at First Baptist Church. We started an evening service for the children from 3 through 11 (multiple classes), which has helped free up space in the auditorium. It is usually packed and this has helped a little. Needless to say the kids are really excited that they have their own service on Sunday night.
There have been a number of retreats at our camp – Acampamento Salém. Most of these were training retreats. One, however, was for the older folks in our church. Pastor Pedro leads the ministry that takes care of the folks with gray hair. He took over 60 up to Salém. They had a great time. Bev and I were only able to go up for lunch on Saturday, but we still had a great time with them.
We really need you to pray for Brazil. The economy has been in a recession for over 2 years. We need to send out 2 new missionaries, but giving has dropped off as our people struggle to get by. The political turmoil right now is as bad or worse than ’63 when the military regime took over power. I realize that the US is in a big political mess, also. Brazil has reverted back to a banana republic in just a few short months. We are praying for you. Please pray for Brazil.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God bless you as much as He has us.
In Christ,
Mike Creiglow
Mike and Beverly Creiglow
Caixa Postal 24
Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil 69980
mdcreig [at] hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: The Wacasers Stateside from Brazil [May 2016]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
May 6, 2016
Dear Friends,
Charlene and I were blessed by our participation in the Spring Conference on behalf of Baptist Faith Missions missionaries which was graciously hosted by the Thompson Road Baptist Church. We were sumptuously fed both by spiritual and physical food. The meals were delicious and the Lord blessed our hearts through the gifted speakers. If you missed it, you really will want to make it to the next one.
I want to thank so many of you who continue to pray for my father and his health. Thankfully, he doesn’t suffer intense pain, but his strength does diminish visibly week by week. My siblings and I are glad that we have the privilege of spending time with him and sharing in his care.
Most of you have heard of Brazil’s political and economic woes due to corruption from the highest level. These issues are affecting our Christian brothers and sisters and partners in ministry greatly. Several of our close friends have lost their jobs and aren’t able to find new jobs in a shaky economy. Also, our churches are having to find creative ways to meet their financial obligations since the offerings have suffered due to unemployed church members.
Our evangelism and church-planting ministry partner, Projeto Vida, has been hit severely because of these economic challenges. The cost of fuel and mechanical parts has continued to rise while the revenue has dropped. The long-distance traveling aspect of our ministry has been very limited until we can obtain more efficient vehicles adapted for this purpose. We are seeking to raise funds sufficient to purchase at least two 18 passenger vans to replace the old expensive to operate buses. We have found that it takes 70% less money to use vans as it does to use the old motorhomes. We are hoping to sell a couple of the old buses and apply the revenue toward the cost of the vans along with any designated contributions to their purchase. We believe that the Lord is going to help them accomplish this goal for it will help them be more efficient with the limited resources available. Pray earnestly to this end, please.
Though not being able to travel great distances, the teams were able to get into a few towns not too distant from our home base and the Lord truly blessed. They were invited into 8 public schools where they shared the gospel with over 3000 students and faculty. Many of those who heard professed Jesus as their Savior publicly. We are humbled and encouraged by the opportunities that the Lord continues to give to make His name famous among the people. He is such a gracious God!
In Christ’s service,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Furlough Address:
3912 Casaba Loop
Valrico, FL 33596
Field Address:
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
Phone: (813) 481-7007
Cell Phone: (813) 727-6405
Email: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
Give: Click here to give.
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Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher in Brazil [April 2016]
Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Their main ministry is church planting.
April 01, 2016
Dear Friends and Co-laborers,
We greet each of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are so thankful for God’s goodness and grace. We do not cease to be reminded, and Praise God the Father for providing unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He so graciously supplies our every need and much more; we want to always be grateful and gracious to others even as God has been to us.
My last visit to Brazil was mainly to look after the legal affairs with the government. Since the economy has had a major downturn, the government tax collection agencies are working overtime to raise revenue. Churches must request the tax exemption each year. Several of the new churches needed help to get all the filing done correctly. It is a complicated system and churches can easily lose the tax exemption if all is not exactly right.
The good news is the fields are ripe for harvest and many are turning to Christ. Many times an economic crisis creates a situation of much uncertainty and many seek spiritual help – a great time to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I talked with Pastor Geraldo in the northeastern city of Natal and they are starting a second worship service on Sundays to make space for those God is adding to the body.
A new church was started, also in the city of Natal, led by Pastor Girlan. They are off to a great start. They would greatly appreciate your prayer in this new endeavor. They are having about thirty visitors in the Sunday services. God is blessing and it is great to see third and fourth generations of churches planted.
I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Spring Missions Conference in Lexington. All our family is doing well. Wanda’s mom, Willa, celebrated her ninety-first birthday in March and Dad, John Hatcher, will celebrate his ninety-first birthday on April 30. Wanda and I thank you for your remembrance in prayer.
We thank you for your prayers and financial support. Pray for the ministries in Brazil as they continue to take the gospel to the regions near and far. Pray to the Father of the harvest to send laborers into a very ripe field of harvest. We know that all the fields are not ready to harvest at the same time; however, it is always timely to sow the gospel abundantly, water generously, and God gives the increase.
We pray that our knowledge and remembrance of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase in wisdom and discernment, that our trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ may be steadfast always, and that the love of his Holy Spirit may fill and overflow in our every word and action, with thanksgiving to God though Jesus Christ our only Lord and Life. God bless each of you richly through Jesus Christ.
Thanks for your loving.
Love, Paul and Wanda
Paul and Wanda Hatcher
rphatcher[at]gmail.com
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont, FL 34714
(239)227-6551
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