Dear faithful ministry partners,
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37,38) This is our prayer, our theme, our motivation this furlough as we long to see God stir up people and call them to the ministry of seeing deaf people saved! Oh, how we need laborers among the deaf in Brazil!
Since our last prayer letter, it seems as if little has changed, and at the same time, much has changed. Isn’t it interesting to see how God works even through what seems to be “tribulations?” The coronavirus has thrown everything out of order and shut everything down. Plans were changed, flights cancelled, borders closed, stay-at-home orders given, businesses shut down. “Order” has been turned into “chaos”, or, so it seems. And, yet, we know that God never changes! Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” While the virus certainly changed our plans, and seemed to turn our lives upside down, we take great comfort in in the fact that, God, who is All-Knowing, was NOT taken by surprise! He still accomplishes His will through us if we are willing vessels. As of March of this year, 12 deaf people have been saved through video conference calls in spite of the COVID -19 shutdown!! My friends, God’s plans were not hindered. His plans were not cancelled! He is still God. He still works and He still saves! He will not be deterred! We hope this encourages you to remember that God is still in control and knows exactly what is happening.
After having been shut down for four and a half months, we returned to have our last church service in person before our furlough. However, after just two Sundays, the mayor of São Paulo closed the churches once more as the Covid-19 cases rose again. On September 6, our church opened again, but only two people were present as the media has caused great fear among the Brazilian people. Please pray for these Christians, that God would give them courage to be faithful and to not be afraid.
We thank God for our colleagues, Michael and Ruth Douglas, who are doing a great job in our absence. God is using them, and they have personally won several of the 12 people to Christ.
As I mentioned in our last prayer letter, we have come to the end of our fourth term in Brazil. We are now in the United States for our furlough. If you are interested in having us to stop in and give a report of the work and ministry among the Deaf in Brazil, please contact me as soon as possible. My stateside phone number is (803)448-2127. I have many open dates in 2021, so, if you could use us, please let us know.
Again, thank you for faithfully standing with us financially, and kneeling for us prayerfully.
That all may “hear,”
Dan and Becky Bennett