October 11, 2018
Dear Faithful Co-laborers in the Ministry,
We have good news to share with you so that you can praise the Lord with us.
On Sunday, September 30, we had a special “Blue Sunday” to commemorate Deaf Awareness during the month of September. We had seven first-time visitors, and four other visitors that had come some time ago. There were 67 people in attendance, and one hearing eleven-year-old girl named Emily, that comes with her deaf grandmother, made a profession of faith. It was a, “Glory, Hallelujah,” kind of day!
A couple of months ago, a young family started attending our church because they found us by doing a search on the internet. Alan is a very nice hearing man, married to Danielle, a precious deaf lady. This sweet couple has a three-year-old boy named Miguel. I had been trying to schedule a time when Becky and I could go and make a visit with them, but for one reason or another, we hadn’t been able to schedule anything until October 2. At church, Alan told me that they liked our church, and they were interested in becoming members. When I asked about their salvation, they assured me that they were saved. When we arrived at their house, we were graciously received, had some small talk, and then began talking of spiritual matters. Alan gave a clear testimony of salvation, but Danielle was unclear regarding why Jesus came, and how to be saved. When Becky explained to Danielle that Jesus suffered and died in her place, it was as if the “light” came on, and Danielle began weeping when she understood that Jesus took her sin upon Himself. With tears running down her face, Danielle repented of her sin, confessed her sins to God, and asked for God’s forgiveness.
On Saturday evening, October 6, we visited in the home of Ewerton, a single deaf man that lives with his hearing parents. Ewerton has been coming to our church for months, is saved, intelligent, and has a hunger for God’s Word. However, his parents are Catholic, and Ewerton has a burden to see his family saved. On that night, we went over and spent four and a half hours at their apartment, and much of it was spent talking about spiritual things. We showed them Bible verses, but their Catholic teachings were hindering them from receiving the Truth. We left without seeing them saved, but we made a friendship with them, and were invited to go back next month. Please pray for the salvation of Luiz and Magali.
On October 7, the presidential election was held in Brazil. A person is declared the winner only if he/she receives 51% of the votes. Since no one received 51%, there will be a runoff vote for only the top 2 candidates on October 28. Your continued prayers would be greatly appreciated.
On October 21, 2018, a new church plant will begin in Arujá! This will be a daughter church of our church in São Paulo. Our co-workers, Jon and Hannah Speights, will begin holding Sunday services in their home each week. Please pray for the Speights as they teach, preach, evangelize, and disciple the Deaf in this new church in Arujá.
The harvest among the Deaf is plenteous, but the laborers are VERY few. We need some EXPERIENCED people that are surrendered, and that have a burden to teach, win, and disciple deaf people. We ask that you continue to pray with us regarding the need for more laborers among the Deaf of São Paulo.
Thank you for partnering with us, and for allowing us to be your representatives in Brazil.
That all may “hear,”
Dan & Becky Bennett