Prayer Letters

March 13, 2025

Dear Friends and Supporters,

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:9)

I (Dan) just recently read the autobiography of Hudson Taylor. I learned that he first arrived in China in 1854, but due to failing health he had to return to England in 1865, after having spent just eleven years on the mission field. Hudson Taylor felt that it was a great calamity to have to leave China, “just when it was more fruitful than ever before.” He later learned that it was a “necessary step toward the formation of a work that God would bless as He has blessed the China Inland Mission.”

Our family moved to Brazil in May of 1999 and, although there were difficult times of testing and trials, God was always faithful to guide us and provide for us. For nearly twenty-six years, we have seen God work in wonderful ways in Brazil.

As we mentioned in our last letter, God miraculously provided a pastor for the Deaf church in Arujá. We ask that you continue to pray for a pastor for the Deaf church in São Paulo.

In 2023, God began to work in our hearts about returning to the USA. Just as Hudson Taylor had a love for the people of China, God had given us a love for the Deaf of Brazil. Leaving Brazil was not in my plans, but Proverbs 11:14 says that “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” When we sensed that God was leading us to leave Brazil, Dan talked with the pastor of our sending church, Pastor Tyler Donough, as well as talking with several other men of God to receive counsel from them. They confirmed what we have been taught and believe, that when God leads, we must obey. After much prayer and waiting on God, He opened the doors at the right time for us to leave Brazil on February 11, 2025.

Let me pause here and say that we are not retiring, but rather refocusing. We are still active missionaries in need of prayer and financial support.On March 1, 2025, we became part of the BIMI ARM (Assistance and Relief Missionaries) Personnel. We will live in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and will start helping the Deaf ministry in our sending church. We also want to help other churches to start or rejuvenate their Deaf ministries.

With our experience of working with both the Deaf and Hearing of Brazil and in the United States, we believe that we can help and assist church planters stateside and around the world. We can have a greater impact in mentoring, helping and encouraging local churches and Deaf ministries. We speak English, Portuguese, and can sign American Sign Language (ASL), as well as Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS).

As part of the ARM Personnel, we will be available to preach in Deaf camps and conferences, as well as to encourage and counsel missionaries and foreign nationals that work with the Deaf. We have witnessed “first hand” the tremendous need for laborers among the Deaf for many years. The Deaf population is an unreached people group that is white unto harvest, while the full-time laborers among the Deaf are very few.

After having worked with the Deaf in Brazil for many years, we believe that the Lord has called us to do more for the cause of reaching the Deaf of the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We would be happy to give a report in your church of our last four years in Brazil, and also to present what we believe that God is going to do to open up new opportunities for us in order to have a greater impact in the Deaf world. Another veteran missionary recently told Dan that, “God has greater things for you than you can even imagine.” We have already begun to schedule meetings. We want to visit as many of our supporting churches as possible, so please get in touch with us at pastordaniel.brasil@gmail.com, or you can call Dan at (839)235-7349.

Just as God moved Hudson Taylor back to England in order to do something even greater that what he had done for eleven years, we believe that God is moving us back to the USA for greater ministry opportunities.

Thank you for faithfully partnering with us prayerfully and financially these many years.

That all may “hear,”

Dan & Becky Bennett

Sent out by Southside Baptist Church, Rock Hill, SC – Pastor Tyler Donough

Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil!

I want to begin by saying, “THANK YOU” to those of you that partner with us in prayer and financial support. I know that we convey this sentiment in every prayer letter, but we want you to know that we don’t take you for granted. We appreciate so much your faithfulness to the Lord, and to us, in “holding the ropes” for us all these years.

On March 9^th, there was a Ladies Cookout at a member’s house of the church in Arujá. The purpose of this was for the Deaf to invite their deaf (and hearing) friends. There was a delicious Brazilian cookout, and Becky explained the Gospel to the women that attended. In all, there were 28 in attendance, and 7 first-time visitors. The Seed was planted, but no one responded to the Gospel that evening. Pray that these visitors would come to church to learn more of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Deaf church in Arujá is a daughter-church of the Deaf church in São Paulo. Most of the members there have been saved for a short period of time, and it’s wonderful to see the hunger for the Word of God. Dan is teaching from the book, Firm Foundations: Creation to Christ in Sunday School and going through the Book of First John in the morning service.

Please pray for us during the month of April as we are planning a Men’s Cookout, Friend Day, and even a baptismal service on April 28. We will also begin teaching a basic Brazilian Sign Language course in a church about an hour from our home that will last about 6 weeks. We are praying that God will use this to raise up workers, especially men, and pastors, among the deaf. At this moment, we are praying for AT LEAST two men/families to come and pick up the mantle of the leadership of these two deaf churches – that the Gospel Light would continue to shine to Deaf that are lost in the darkness, and in the silence. Thank you for helping us pray!

That all may “hear,”

Dan & Becky Bennett

Dear faithful partners in the ministry,

During the last week of March, we had our annual BIMI South America Field Conference. This is a special time as the missionaries get together for a time of fun, fellowship, and spiritual refreshment. Our guest speaker was Pastor Scott Crabtree from LifeSigns Deaf Baptist Church in New Albany, Ohio. Brother Crabtree’s wife, Tricia, spoke to the ladies, and this couple was a special blessing and encouragement to us all. We are honored to be part of a great group of missionaries that serve the Lord with BIMI in South America.

On April 19^th, Dan was asked by a deaf lady to go and witness to her aunt that was dying with throat cancer. When Dan arrived, the lady was barely awake, so he quickly began to share the Gospel with her. Within minutes, the lady had closed her eyes, but Dan was not sure if she had gone to sleep, or not. Dan went through the whole Gospel presentation with two other family members standing nearby. This is a strong Catholic family, and many of the things Dan explained had never been heard by them before. Although no one made a profession of faith, the Gospel Seed was planted. Early the next morning, the lady with cancer passed away.

On April 22^nd, Dan was asked by a Christian deaf lady to make a visit about two hours away with her mother that practices spiritism. This woman is in her 90’s, and all through her house are idols and statues of various “saints.” She was a nice lady, and happily showed us around as we talked. We finally went into the house to sit and talk. She listened to some of the things Dan said but was easily distracted by other things. After about 45 minutes of talking about Jesus being the only way of salvation, she abruptly said, “Enough!” She didn’t want to hear any more, so Dan paused the conversation. After a while, lunch was served, and the deaf lady urged Dan to start the conversation again. For another thirty minutes Dan went over the Gospel message, but this lady’s heart is very hard. She thanked us for going, and even invited us back again. Please pray for the salvation of Mrs. Tica, that the Holy Spirit would soften her heart to the Gospel, and that she would trust Jesus as her personal Savior before it’s too late.

We are thankful for some recent visitors we’ve had in church. One deaf lady had been having family problems and was living on the streets. She went missing, and one of our faithful deaf church members reached out to try and help this homeless woman. The missing woman was found, and was in church the following Sunday, along with two of her friends. Please pray for the salvation of Rosemeire (Rosemary).

Dan returned to the USA for the high school graduation of our son, Matthew. He is now in Kentucky working at the Creation Museum with two of his sisters. Please pray for him as he adjusts to these changes in his life.

Finally, thank you for being faithful to pray and give toward the work among the Deaf in Brazil.

                                                                                                                        That all may “hear,”                                                                                                                         Dan & Becky Bennett

Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil!

“For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” (1Cor. 16:9)

Just as the Apostle Paul penned the above words to the church in Corinth, sometimes we feel that we could write the same thing. The Lord has been opening several doors of opportunity that have the potential to open more doors of ministry.

On February 4^th, Dan started teaching a sign language class in the city of Osasco. This is a city where we lived and ministered during our second term. Dan met the pastor of this church last year, and the invitation was given to teach a small group of people that want to reach the Deaf in their area. It’s a fun group, and they enjoy learning the Brazilian Sign Language.

Dan also visited another church nearby our house in the neighborhood called Guacuri. He had a good talk with the pastor, and the pastor is very interested in having us to go to his church and teach the Sign Language.

On Sunday evening, February 26^th, Dan was also asked to preach in the Indianapolis Baptist Temple. (This is a neighborhood in the city of São Paulo, not in Indiana.) This church has been a vital part in our church in that they allow us to meet in their building since we don’t own property or a building. Our church has been with them since the year 2,000.  There may be another door of opportunity opening in this church to teach Sign Language here, as well.

Although our church is still small, we have seen some slow numerical growth, as well as spiritual growth. Working with the Deaf is not a “sprint,” but a “marathon.” As the Lord opens doors of ministry, the adversary also takes notice, and so we must always stay “on guard.”

When Dan returned to Brazil after the wedding, Becky planned to stay for two more weeks. However, Becky’s mother had some serious health problems, and so Becky stayed to assist her mom. Becky’s mom, Mrs. Chris Walters, has made some slight improvements, but she is not back to “normal” yet, so Becky is still in South Carolina at the moment. Although many tests have been done, the doctors have not found the cause of her constant headaches. Please keep my mother-in-law in your prayers.

Finally, thank you for being faithful to pray and give toward the work among the Deaf in Brazil.

 That all may “hear,”

Dan & Becky Bennett