If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him."
C.T. Studd
Have you ever wondered what it is like for a missionary family in a third world country that live by faith?
The Lord has marvelously helped us. Traveling to the states just a couple days after my surgery against the doctor’s wishes was a little worrisome for me but I wanted to come. Brother Alvear prayed about it and he felt it would be ok. Of course he knows my nature more than some strange doctor that did an emergency surgery! No aspect of Christian mission is more puzzling than the call.
It was a fast trip and we really just visited a few churches to cover our fare and expenses here. We did not feel to push our bodies as we are going right back into our regional convention in Maceio, Alagoas Brazil and after the convention we plan to make a trip to the jungle land where our son Arlei is moving. That will be a very hard rough trip but I know just as God gave us strength to come to the states he will give us strength for our regional convention and our jungle trip. May through September will be very busy for us as was will have several conventions in different areas of Brazil and several long trips to visit some of our works in other states.
We would like to thank those that made our trip possible. We could have never made the trip if it were not for God speaking to His people. IT IS so amazing how God works. Going to the Nashville convention had been my dream but I had not mentioned it until this year to Brother Alvear because I did not want to ask him for something he could not do. For some reason this year I mentioned it and he told me write a letter and if it was God’s will He would provide funds.
The work needs so many things and I don’t want to be selfish just because my flesh would like to do something but God knows the desires of our heart and this year it was His present to Brother Alvear and me through you homeland friends.
Just the other day my sister asked me how we make it under so many pressures. I told her it is a way of life that we have learned to depend on God to meet our needs by speaking to his people and so it has been for 40 years. God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply,” said Hudson Taylor. Just as God has called us to do this work He has also chosen a number of people around the US who will become part of our support team. He knows their names — we don’t always know!
Of all of our Lord’s callings, being called to be a missionary is probably the most misunderstood. We become to feel like strangers in our own homeland!
Paul, writing to the oppressed church in Rome, said, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (
Romans 11:29). This means that God does not make mistakes. If He has called us to be faith missionaries He has not changed His mind.
As such, He will lead in the direction He wants us to go and He will provide as He guides. His promise is always before us: “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19.
I would not exchange the faith-expanding experiences I live everyday watching the Lord supply for all our needs and the needs of a very large work in Brazil. This faith life is one of the highlights of our missionary experience. The Greek word for witness is martys. This is the source of the word ‘martyr’, for in the early Church the Christian often had to seal his witness with his blood and so it is with those who step out by faith. We trust and are ready to seal our testimony with our blood.
Are missionaries beggars? I guess the answer really depends upon one’s perspective of God’s work and interpretation of His Word. At times I am made to feel like a beggar but the cause is noble and my feelings are not on my shoulders to listen to what people say. I hear a higher voice and march to a different drumbeat. He has called us for this faith walk and it is written: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.”
Psalm 37:4, 5.
It is our prayer that each one reading this simple letter will join us in this important work for the furthering of the kingdom.
We rely on the generosity of folks like you who have a passion for missions and missionaries. Ending I would like to include this quote: "Oh, that I had a thousand lives and a thousand bodies! All of them should be devoted to no other employment but to preach Christ to these degraded, despised, yet beloved mortals." - Robert Moffat
When you receive this letter we will be on our way back to the land of our calling. We do desire your prayers and thank you once again for your kindness to us.
Your servants called to Brazilian missions:
Brother Raul and Sister Janice Alvear and family
bisporaul@uol.com.br
Janalvear@aol.com
P.O. Box 797
Jonesville, La. 71343
C.P. 204
Maceio, 57020-970
Alagoas, Brazil S.A.
Hybrid Mode
