Sometimes, when we sit down to write updates, we have big news or exciting stories to share. Other times, we simply have been “plodding along”, doing what we normally do. This morning, Sarah worked on videos teaching the Bible in Portuguese Sign Language, and she followed up with church members who want to take a sign language course. Tonight, I will teach the church Bible study, just like I have every Thursday night for years. Tomorrow, we will answer calls, plan events, seek to evangelize those around us, and do whatever else is on the “To-Do List” for the day, plus whatever surprises pop up. Thankfully, God is the midst of these normal tasks. When they are led by Him and done for Him, the Lord uses these small, routine things for His glory and for the spread of the Gospel. And once in a while, He gives us a glimpse of what He has been doing.

For example, this past Sunday, we celebrated our church’s anniversary. This is always a meaningful and exciting day, but it seemed especially so this year. More than 170 people gathered to praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

• We had a church choir for the first time ever. It was beautiful to see so many different people singing praises to the Lord. 
• Paulo gave a moving testimony about how much the church means to him and his two boys. 
• Genilson, who is a founding member of the church, prayed earnestly for God’s continued blessing. 
• We heard a powerful message on proclaiming the gospel.

• We remember the first time meeting some of these people and hearing their desire to have a church in their town. We remember the Bible studies in our apartment, the kids’ clubs in the park, the conversations in each others’ homes, the tears and rejoicing, the prayers answered, the obstacles God moved; and 13 years of hours and moments flashed before our eyes. As people scurried about, dropping kids off at nursery, getting in place for choir, running the sound system, and finding their seats, we thought with awe, “Look! God made a church here!” Praise God with us for His goodness, and pray that He would guide our congregation forward. There is a great door open for us, but there are also many challenges and obstacles. Here are a few of them:

  Remember Catarina and Daniela, the two college students that began attending church this year? They have continued to come faithfully, read their Bibles, ask lots of questions, and grow in their desire to follow Jesus. They both asked to be baptized and are now being discipled by a lady in our church. Their conversion and growth are especially encouraging to us, because they both come from an unchurched background and had never been to a Bible-believing church before. 

  I am once again teaching Old Testament Survey at the seminary, and I have a group of students that is eager to learn God’s Word. Since this class is online, I have seventeen students scattered around the whole country, and even one student who joins us from Angola. Pray for me that I would impart a love for the Scriptures, and that I would have the clarity and zeal needed to teach a three-hour class online each week. 

  The renovation we hope to do on our building is coming along very slowly, but surely. While much of our project for the unusable Sunday School side is in the hands of architects and engineers, the usable side that is our sanctuary should see big improvements soon. This week, a team of five men from Iowa are coming to help us remodel and improve the sanctuary. There is much to do, but every bit makes a difference. 

• And what about Sunday School? We thought the repairs on the building would have made the Sunday School portion usable by now. Since the rest of the roof could collapse, it isn’t safe to use. However, the church people are eager to restart Sunday School, and we love their enthusiasm. We’ve prayed and brainstormed about how to fit four Sunday School classes in our sanctuary. Thankfully, a city outreach nearby will let us rent a room in their building, so we can have two classes in that room and two in the sanctuary. It will be noisy; it will be imperfect; but it will be wonderful to have God’s Word taught to all age groups again! We appreciate your prayers for unity and wisdom as we restart Sunday School on October 1^st.

  Thank you for your love, prayers, and support. God is using you to reach the people of Portugal!