It has been a very busy couple of months since our last letter, but I have good news for those who have patiently waited—I just saved 15% on my car insurance! No? Okay . . . I’ll move on to actual news then to get everyone caught up on what is going on at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Guarulhos, Brazil.
About two months ago, our church/personal vehicle was totaled in a flash flood. This was a pretty devastating event, because it left us without transportation and it left us without an effective means to get some of our people to church. Well, about a month ago, I mentioned in a couple of Facebook videos on our ministry page (The Pallas) that we needed to raise about US$15,000 to purchase a church van. We left it at that, and since that time, we have received just under US$13,000 towards that pressing need. Wow! An even greater blessing was seeing our church people here step up. We now have two men who are volunteering themselves and their cars to help pick folks up. And I think that it is no accident that we have seen a growth spurt in our attendance and in people’s involvement at the church. God reminded me yet again that He is the One Who gives the increase.
I am so excited to share with you that since the start of the year, we have had 3 adults baptized, we have had record attendances on “regular” Sundays, and we have had visitors every single Sunday night this year and all but two Wednesday nights. God is doing something in our midst, and we give Him all the glory. I am an unworthy vessel, but I get excited watching what the Lord is doing here. It makes me desire to see more done for His glory in the coming months. Please pray that God will continue to bless the work here and that He will draw many others with the preaching, teaching, and soul winning being done.
Please continue to pray about the vehicle needs. If there are any who wish to contribute to the church van need, you can designate your giving sent through our mission board towards “Church Van.” Also, pray for the growth of our new converts. We have 3 people needing to get baptized, but they have been hesitant to do so up to this point. As always, pray with us for souls to be saved and for our new converts to ground their lives in the Word of God.
Thank you for your love and support. God has been so very good to us, and we want to work hard in getting the Gospel to the lost here on your behalf.
Declaring His glory,
Wesley Palla
Psalm 96:3