Dear Prayer Partners, February 2018
Thank you for praying of for all the kind notes regarding our application for adoption of a child. So far, we have not been contacted and it seems that Aura’s citizenship will not be an issue, but we would ask you to continue to pray regarding this process as we should hear from them soon.
[Click here for PDF version of this letter]
We have had more first-time visitors to our church services and some people returning after their first visit. Aura was commenting about how she had a hard time finding a place to sit after briefly leaving the ongoing service. Most of these visitors are unsaved, so please pray. The Gospel has been presented in all of our services and we trust in God’s power to save.
In just a few days we will be having our Winter Teen Retreat. This three-day event is hosted at the Mount of Olives property and involves young people from all over Portugal, pastors and missionaries that come to help, and volunteers from our church in Castelo Branco. This year’s theme is “Dare to Prepare Your Heart” and is about how the Lord is willing and able to work in our hearts so that we are the right kind of soil for His service and glory. We will have about 40 people total at the camp and we ask you to pray that the Spirit of God will move in our hearts. We have been having this winter retreat since before the days there was a camp property. Many of the 20-year olds that will be attending have been coming since they were 12. It is exciting to hear the testimonies about how this particular retreat has been used of God to impact their lives.
We have put in place in the church in Castelo Branco an extended discipleship and mentorship program. Last year I started reading books with some of the men in the church. I meet individually with each of them and we pray and discuss one chapter of the book. I would like to do this for about a year and a half with each one of them and then encourage them to do it with someone else. So far it has been a huge blessing and I’m preparing to start it with a few other men. Also, Aura will be starting to read a book with the ladies in the church. They will be meeting as a group to pray and go over the chapter, but the principle is the same. We are praying that the Lord will use this for Spiritual growth and to strengthen the bonds that unite us in Christ.
In June we will be having the second edition of the Reach Portugal Offering, if you would like to start praying about being involved in this ministry. This year’s offering will go towards developing our Training Center / Camp Property. More information on that to come soon.
Thank you for praying for Aura’s mom, Mrs. Barb Newton. We ask you to continue to pray as she is responding well to her treatments but is still very weak. We are thankful, hopeful and trusting in Him who is worthy.
Thank you for your love and support for the ministry in Portugal.
In His Service, Mark and Aura Pereira