I am here tonight...

[Sister Alvear]

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I WROTE THIS SOME TIME AGO BUT WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ONCE AGAIN. I STAND TONIGHT WHERE A GREAT WOMAN WAS JOINED THE HOST OF MARTYRED.

A TRIBUTE TO A LADY PREACHER:

Written by Sister Janice Alvear

In an unmarked grave on the Brazil-Paraguay boarder lays the remains of one of the most courageous ladies I have ever known. She was a modern day martyr of the gospel. Upon becoming a Christian her husband left her with 5 small children to raise. At one of our conventions Brother Alvear asked would any preacher feel called to go to the Paraguay boarder and help start a work. No hands were raised but after the services this little lady came to Brother Alvear and said if by my moving there will help someone I will go. To be honest that was not what Brother Alvear had in mind but she keep insisting she would go and be a light in a darken corner of our world here. And a light she was…it was not long until all her neighbors far and near knew the story of Jesus and conversions were taking place. The devil does not like losing power in his dark kingdom and he stirs up all he can to stop the messenger of God. Enemies of the gospel poisoned her and she lay on her deathbed, Brother Alvear, asked her, “was it worth it”? She whispered as life was leaving her body, “If I had it all to do over I would do the same.”

She left behind 5 small children that we took in and raised in our home…What the devil meant for a stab into the work of God only backfired because today 3 of her boys are grown and two pastor churches and the third one works in the music ministry here in Northeast Brazil. It has been said that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church. The oldest son, Brother Arlei has now been ordained as a missionary and works diligently right by our side. At this writing he is traveling with a group of ministers further up north Brazil taking light to new areas.
Brother Ednei is pastoring a church in a village called Ouro Preto and helping us in our day to day missionary running. Brother Dirlei is one of our ministers in music and works in my personal office. What the devil meant to over throughthe work of God only served to put the fire of God burning in many directions.
What happened to the fruits at the Brazil Paraguay boarder? Many go on serving God today in that region. A church is standing and some of the people are the people Sister Petrolina won to the Lord…the messenger now is a child of the resurrection awaiting that great day but the message lives on…and is powerful. Her sons are our right hand men in the work of the Lord.
Was it worth her sacrifice? Let Jesus answer for Himself:: "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." Tertullian said, "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church."
Would we be so willing to worship Christ if there was always the possibility of martyrdom? My friend, Christianity is a religion of martyrdom. Jesus willingly shed his blood for our sake and he calls us to be martyrs. It is interesting to note that the word martyr in Greek means witness. I am sure most of us will not die a martyr's death BUT we are expected to live a martyr's life.
Can a value be placed on an eternal soul? Is it worth it to spend ourselves day and night for the cause of the Gospel, strengthening the faith of the saints and workers? I say a million times over Yes it is worth it.
Prayers are deathless. The lips that uttered them may be closed in death, the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God. Prayers outlive those that utter them, outlive a generation, an age, and a world.
Let us all walk worthy in our callings.
Her boys are standing right beside me because I just read the letter to them. They said to tell you, “Her sacrifice was worth it and they will spend eternity with her.”
Paul told his young disciple in 2 Timothy 3:12 “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." And the words of the writer of Hebrews who wrote about men and women of that day, “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth”.

[Raven]

[QUOTE=Sister Alvear;487377]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prayers are deathless. The lips that uttered them may be closed in death, the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God. Prayers outlive those that utter them, outlive a generation, an age, and a world.
Awesome words Sister! I especially like the above quote.
Raven

[Hoovie]

What an incredible story!

[Cindy]

I have no words Sister Alvear. But oh what a great testimony.

[King's Child]

What a testimony. Makes a person do a little soul searching. Would I be willing to give my life for God?

[Sister Alvear]

P.O.Box 797
Jonesville, La.
71343

“You would believe in pioneer missions if your family were part of an unevangelized people group.”– Norm Lewis

I thought of this as we passed city after city in spiritual darkness...I watched some wild ostriches running through the fields today as we were traveling. I even seen a herd of cattle running yet I did not meet one other missionary or messenger from God on our journey. It seems His messengers are awful slow in getting this gospel to the whole world.
We have been gone from home 9 days now and will only get back home Tuesday. We have sat where the people sit, lived among them, ate with them, and studied the bible with them. We have witnessed firsthand a great hunger but without your help we cannot reach these needy people. We are workers together with Him, a part in His eternal plan for the saving of souls in this country. The hour is late. The messengers of Jehovah must work against the sitting sun. Shadows of eternal night are falling.
Shall we rest while the world hurriedly goes to hell? Does it even bother us that our earth brothers live in spiritual night?
Do I get tired and weary? Yes, of course. This trip has been a hard one. We came by faith for we did not want to disappoint the people that were waiting anxiously for us. Things have been so tight (moneywise) I did not want to mention that we needed a bar of soap to Brother Alvear. (We could have bought a bar of soap) We had used the last little bit for our baths yesterday. However today Brother Alvear said to me, *Janice, can you believe that I found a bar of soap?” Oh honey I said we do not have soap to bath tonight. We both wept at the goodness of God…a small matter? Yes. Would someone have given me a bar of soap? Yes. Could we have bought a bar of soap? Yes, but it was just like a love letter from Jesus saying I know what even your smallest needs are.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that." He continued, "The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. He will be like the brave fireman, who cares not for the scorch or the heat, so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity has set its heart. If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."



Things have not been easy lately. In fact since Brother Alvear’s accident things have not been easy. Life has never been easy raising all the children we raised and always building churches but the last while we have walked some of the deepest valleys and have wondered several times if we were all alone.
These last few weeks we have not had money to buy even groceries for our home. I really mean it things have been tight. The load has been the heaviest it has ever been. A few times I have felt my knees buckle but I have held on to His word for needed strength and encouragement.
It is the burden that keeps us year after year on the mission field. The deep knowledge that men and women are perishing and we have the key to unlock the door where they are bound by pagan chains and rituals.
It is 4:05 in the morning and I am writing this letter with a burdened heart for the souls of mankind.
Our son Michael just got back to his home he has been in the state of Bahia preaching. Brother Arlei is working up in the jungle area, Brother Raul Jr in the populated state of Sao Paulo. Brother Ednei is taking care of the works in the state of Alagoas for us while we are in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and over in the country of Paraguay. Pastor Hugo and his family met us at the convention in this state.
Today we visited a lot where if we had the funds we could build a church…weeping I told them the purse is empty.
Because of the great burden I carry someone once told me to rest…rest I cannot as long as I hear the cries of souls…the Macedonian cry rings loud and clear. I need no alarm clock. Sleep had fled in fact I have slept very little on this ttrip the needs are astonishing.
Winning souls is not for weaklings and sissies it is real hard work! It is the commitment of a lifetime that brings results. We must look at the distant for reward and keep our eyes off trifle little things of life.
No money…I have thought all day about He who took 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed a multitude and had left over’s.
I know He has blessings and relief coming. I dare to trust Him!
Sister Alvear

[Sister Alvear]

P.O.Box 797
Jonesville, La.
71343

“You would believe in pioneer missions if your family were part of an unevangelized people group.”– Norm Lewis

I thought of this as we passed city after city in spiritual darkness...I watched some wild ostriches running through the fields today as we were traveling. I even seen a herd of cattle running yet I did not meet one other missionary or messenger from God on our journey. It seems His messengers are awful slow in getting this gospel to the whole world.
We have been gone from home 9 days now and will only get back home Tuesday. We have sat where the people sit, lived among them, ate with them, and studied the bible with them. We have witnessed firsthand a great hunger but without your help we cannot reach these needy people. We are workers together with Him, a part in His eternal plan for the saving of souls in this country. The hour is late. The messengers of Jehovah must work against the sitting sun. Shadows of eternal night are falling.
Shall we rest while the world hurriedly goes to hell? Does it even bother us that our earth brothers live in spiritual night?
Do I get tired and weary? Yes, of course. This trip has been a hard one. We came by faith for we did not want to disappoint the people that were waiting anxiously for us. Things have been so tight (moneywise) I did not want to mention that we needed a bar of soap to Brother Alvear. (We could have bought a bar of soap) We had used the last little bit for our baths yesterday. However today Brother Alvear said to me, *Janice, can you believe that I found a bar of soap?” Oh honey I said we do not have soap to bath tonight. We both wept at the goodness of God…a small matter? Yes. Would someone have given me a bar of soap? Yes. Could we have bought a bar of soap? Yes, but it was just like a love letter from Jesus saying I know what even your smallest needs are.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that." He continued, "The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. He will be like the brave fireman, who cares not for the scorch or the heat, so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity has set its heart. If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."



Things have not been easy lately. In fact since Brother Alvear’s accident things have not been easy. Life has never been easy raising all the children we raised and always building churches but the last while we have walked some of the deepest valleys and have wondered several times if we were all alone.
These last few weeks we have not had money to buy even groceries for our home. I really mean it things have been tight. The load has been the heaviest it has ever been. A few times I have felt my knees buckle but I have held on to His word for needed strength and encouragement.
It is the burden that keeps us year after year on the mission field. The deep knowledge that men and women are perishing and we have the key to unlock the door where they are bound by pagan chains and rituals.
It is 4:05 in the morning and I am writing this letter with a burdened heart for the souls of mankind.
Our son Michael just got back to his home he has been in the state of Bahia preaching. Brother Arlei is working up in the jungle area, Brother Raul Jr in the populated state of Sao Paulo. Brother Ednei is taking care of the works in the state of Alagoas for us while we are in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and over in the country of Paraguay. Pastor Hugo and his family met us at the convention in this state.
Today we visited a lot where if we had the funds we could build a church…weeping I told them the purse is empty.
Because of the great burden I carry someone once told me to rest…rest I cannot as long as I hear the cries of souls…the Macedonian cry rings loud and clear. I need no alarm clock. Sleep had fled in fact I have slept very little on this ttrip the needs are astonishing.
Winning souls is not for weaklings and sissies it is real hard work! It is the commitment of a lifetime that brings results. We must look at the distant for reward and keep our eyes off trifle little things of life.
No money…I have thought all day about He who took 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed a multitude and had left over’s.
I know He has blessings and relief coming. I dare to trust Him!
Sister Alvear