As we drove down dark dirt roads, Will jerked our car to the right and then left to avoid the huge holes that could take the life out of any moving thing — automobile or animal.
When we finally arrived, we saw a building in disrepair. Walls were crumbling. Paint — where there was paint — chipped in huge pieces. Windows were missing; only open spaces remained. As we entered the building, the people greeted us with smiles and a love that could only come from God.
Engenho do Meio Igreja do Nazareno is one of the many Churches of the Nazarene in Recife, Brazil. This tiny church is in a very poor part of town, but jam-packed with more than 150 in attendance that night (more than 50 standing because of lack of space). The young pastor and his associate shared the love of Christ and the message of hope with people who really needed to hear. Several singing groups led praise to the Lord for nearly two hours. Will preached about missions and being willing to follow God anywhere. About a dozen people, including the pastor, Altair, came to the altar to indicate their willingness to go where God leads. What an extraordinary night!
Despite being in the poorest area, a recent monthly report indicated that the church gave the most money to the Alabaster offering in all of northern Brazil. They also sponsor a soup kitchen, offering hope to their community. They participated in a Work & Witness trip to help build a church building for another congregation in the Sertão (the desert interior of the northeast). Their willingness to sacrifice their scarce provisions to help others and to advance the kingdom of God in areas outside of their own church is amazing! What a vision for missions this church has!
As they wait for God to provide funds to buy and refurbish the building they are in now, they have decided not to sit back; they give faithfully and God will provide what they so desperately need.
We were privileged to attend the opening of a new congregation here in Recife — Ibura. This brand new congregation, which was started in an area of town that really needs a holiness church, had a kick-off service with around 100 in attendance. Pastor Roberto, the young man in charge of this congregation, has great vision. He wants to see God glorified in Ibura through the Church of the Nazarene. Oh, and one of the two sponsoring churches for this congregation is — you guessed it — Engenho do Meio! Please pray for Pastor Altair and Pastor Roberto as they work together to build the Kingdom of God in Northeast Brazil.
Submitted by Will and Cathy Haworth
Recent Missionaries — Recife — NE Brazil