SOUTH AMERICAN FOREIGN MISSIONS
Rev Raul and Janice Alvear
CP 204, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil, South America 57020-970
Raul & Janice Alvear
P.O. Box 797
Jonesville, La. 71343
Janalvear@aol.com
bisporaul@uol.com.br
Greetings in Jesus Name:
“Woe is me if I preach not the gospel” (Paul)
This finds us in the far backlands of the state of Maranhao. Who would have ever dreamed that we would see churches and house meetings begin to sprout this far into the interior land? From a very humble beginning God is raising up a strong work. A place that was once so filled and dark with idolatry now has little candles of light here and there. Although, it may still seem dark to others, I remember when there was not a single light to be found… there was only a prayer, as I stood on a bridge watching Indians sail down the Corda river… once they were out of sight I wiped away my tears and tucked the words of my prayer in the secret chambers of my heart… but prayers that are prayed according to His, will never go unanswered. As humans, we often want a direct response and visible answers… but in the course of 20 years the answer to my prayer came to fruition. It was our son, Arlei that heard the “Go Ye” call and was sensitive to God’s request. Today… several years have passed since he first moved to this once desolate location.
God wills that the world be saved, but do we? He sacrificed His life on Calvary that the supreme price be paid. However earthly messengers have a tendency to be slow and unwilling to pay the price tag that is attached to reach the lost.
Unfortunately, in a world of outrageous prices, it was a necessity for our son to purchase tires for his truck. It may be a far too tattered and worn out truck but it is their only way of getting back into many areas, to reach the lost. So, yesterday I called and borrowed the money for 4 new tires. No they were not the best brand tires. In fact they were a mock brand that I had never heard of before. Yet I paid $1,600 USD for 4 tires… I have the bill of sale if anyone would like to see it… My heart smote me when I seen the tires they had been traveling on. The last time they went back into a remote village, their truck skid and almost hit an embankment. Now, I would have to make a choice by faith… I bought tires believing that God’s voice would speak to a receptive vessel that would heed and help pay off the tires, which were $400 USD, a tire… Thinking of all the trips they will make into the unknown to reach souls, with this gospel they’ve never heard of, was worth a step of faith.
I recently met their last group baptized in a little Indian village. Oh, how my heart did burn within me! I wish I could set the whole world aflame with the love that blazes in my heart for lost souls. Arlei and Gilene are in essence pioneers to this area. They have take a grip on the “Go Ye” message and have cared only for one thing- that which is supreme; that Christ should be known and served. They possess an indomitable courage despite their lack of many things.
I wish I was rich. I would go buy them a couch, a new stove, a better bed, and certainly a better mattress. I would have a closet made for them, so they would have a nice place to hang their clothes and most of all a washer and dryer… Sadly, I am unable to do these things, but possibly you can be the helping hand for this sacrificing family. It has been 4 years that they have lived on the barest of necessities. I don’t think I can adequately describe their sacrifice. However, I know some of you have already helped and blessed them in many ways. I just feel so minuscule in comparison to the sacrifice our children are making. I am a blessed mother! Thank you for anything you do to help us and our children, here on the mission field.
I have watched my grandchildren come to grips with the fact they live in the middle of nowhere…Sabrina, who at first was so lost in this “new world” has now come to feel a burden for these backland people. She is a beautiful inside and out 15 year old hero! She has taught herself to play the guitar so she could be a blessing in the services and is doing remarkable.
This week, while we are staying with our son and his family, they have given their best! Their little abode is clean even though water is scarce. They willing gave their bed to us and Sabrina’s bed to Sister Kathryn. We know we are beyond blessed… never fear, that we take this all for granted!
Our Lord of the harvest will never cease to beckon to the generous souls and lead them to the distant fields that are always white to the harvest.
Many thanks to those that help us in Missions
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