Dear Pastors and Prayer Partners,
Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and faithful support. God has been so good to us, and His leading and timing have been evident over these last couple of months. As those of you who read our letters and updates know, our initial attempt at getting our visa did not result in us getting our visa. They requested additional documentation that had to come from Brazil as a notarized, hard-copy document. Initially, this was a very disappointing, frustrating blow that left us wondering what God was doing. We didn’t have to wait long to find out.
Just a few weeks later, I was given the opportunity to take a church-planting survey trip with several young men I used to teach in Bible college when we worked in Mexico City under Missionary Kevin Wynne. This trip covered nearly three weeks in three different countries in South America. And what a trip it was! We saw the Lord open door after door for places to begin churches, several of which were offered at no cost! Our group saw over 1,500 people trust Christ; and many, many were hungry for more biblical teaching and preaching. They are waiting for these young men to promptly return and start churches where they can hear truth given.
One such occasion was a lady named Gladys. I “knocked” on her door (which was wide open) and began chatting with her. I soon asked her if I could show her what the Bible said about knowing for sure that she was a child of God. She invited me in and brought the whole family into the living room to hear as well. They were all very attentive, asking questions from time to time if they were unsure of something or wanted a more thorough explanation, but after about forty minutes, they all bowed their heads and asked Christ to be their Saviour. What a great “job” I have! There are so many stories like this one that I could share if time would allow. Within a few months, Lord-willing, there will be 6 new churches going in these cities as a result of this trip. Now I can see why God had us wait a little before going on to Sao Paulo: for the sake of the Gospel in these places who are needy.
In closing, please continue to pray with us about the transition to Brazil. It looks like the bureaucratic hurdles are behind us—no more delays, and we anticipate being in Brazil within two weeks. We will have a few months of rent we have to pay up front, plus the cost of getting a container down there as quickly as possible. Just these two items alone mean that we will have to spend over $10,000 in the next few weeks, yet God has always paid the bills on time, so we are not worried. Pray for these 6 new churches that these young men will be starting, and please pray for the new converts that were reached. We thank God for each of you and the investment you have made in the Gospel ministry. Special thanks to Heritage Baptist Church in Jeanette, Valley Baptist Church in Mesa, New Horizon Baptist Church in Roanoke, and the Spanish Department of First Baptist in Hammond for others/love offerings that were given to help with the move. God is good! May He be glorified and your accounts be multiplied by the work He allows us to do.
Declaring His glory,
Wes Palla
Psalm 96:3
