Bobby and Charlene Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.

July 3, 2019

Dear Friends,

Our winter weather has arrived here south of the equator. We aren’t having snowstorms, but the upper 20s without indoor heat or insulation feels frigid for almost anyone. Fortunately, I thrive in cooler weather and this is my favorite time of year. One of our ministry efforts during this time of year is to take teams hiking in the nearby mountain range. The cooler weather makes the physical exertion more invigorating and that makes it easier for us to invite unsaved friends to go with us. The hikes give us opportunities to get to know new friends better and show them the love of Christ through our actions and words. We have had several people come to our church services for the first time after having participated with us on a mountain hike. Just recently there were 36 of us who climbed a local peak and one of our members had 2 workmates and their wives go also. We always have prayer before we begin the hike and, during it, we intentionally point out God’s greatness in the creation of the natural beauty around us. When we stop to eat our packed lunches, we give thanks for His provision. I have spent time teaching our people how to use opportunities like these to find open doors for sharing the gospel with their friends and family members who accompany us. We also teach the entire group to consider how they behave and treat our guests so as to reinforce what the one sharing the gospel has to say. These hikes are also a great way to get some physical exercise while being distracted by the beautiful scenery around us.

Our outreach team went to three interior towns this month sharing the gospel. We were amazed at how many teens and children are being abused, both sexually and physically. Sadly, many times it is the very family members that should be loving and protecting them that are doing the abuse. It is enough to break your heart hearing 8 to 18 year-olds tell about suicide attempts and feelings of being unloved by their parents. Most of them live in fatherless homes and often the stepfathers and step-uncles are the sexual abusers and aunts often abuse them physically when they are called upon to “babysit” their nieces and nephews. On the one hand, these youth are distrusting of nearly everyone, but on the other they are very hungry for the good news that God loves them. Our teams are almost overwhelmed with sadness for their situations, but often are thrilled with joy when these youth come to Christ as their Lord and Savior! Our team was privileged to share the gospel in public parks and schools to over 2,000 students, teachers and adults this month. Only eternity will reveal how many of these truly surrendered their lives to Christ, but dozens openly confessed that they are now trusting in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We are grateful for the opportunity to take the good news to them and we want be faithful in doing it while we still can.

Next Sunday we will begin worship and Bible study in English for the first time in our church services. We don’t know what kind of attendance to expect, but we are hoping that it will be a ministry that will only increase our outreach in the community. Many Brazilians want and some need English for their jobs and education, so there are quite a few who, we believe, will come to improve their language skills. It is our hope that God will use this strategy to communicate His word to them even if their aim is only secular. Please pray that God will save many through us.

In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser

Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279
Sobrado 1, Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR. Brasil
Phone: 55-41-99899-2333
bobbymichael_1[at]hotmail.com

For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online