December 2008

Dear Pastor and Friends,

It doesn't seem possible that I've been in the States for almost five months, I spent 13 months in Brazil from June 07 to July 08 with the hope of selling my house. This didn't happen in that time frame. Waitinf on God means things are dont in His time frame, which we discover is always best for us. Please pray about this.

As you know, I retired from Baptist Mid-Missions in July of 2007, after having served in Brazil for 47 years. I now reside in Akron, Ohio, my home town. I spent a few weeks with my daughter, Libby, and now live in a Senior Citizen apartment complex. I like it here and i am making new friends. My desire and request for prayer is that i many have the joy of being a blessing in the lives of others and a witness to those who do not know our Lord.

I still drive and am able to serve others by transporting them to church services or the grocery store, etc.

Before I left the Brazil field, the believers in our Barbalha chruch as well as other congregations in the surrounding area made me apromise to return to celebrate my 80th birthday with them, physical and financial conditions permitting, of course. We shall see! I would love to do so!

After many difficult years of short-term pastors at the Diadem Baptist Church in Barbalha, God is blessing and using a young, dedicated pastor through whom we are seeing great growth both spiritually and numberically. The three satellite churches are also growing! Praise His Name!

Many of our missionaries in Brazilare elderly and are, one by one, retiring from the field. We need new missionaries. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send others to take our place.

Thank you so much for standing by me in prayer and continued support. I am very greatful! Though times are difficult, our Lord who promised, "I will never leave thee or forsake thee," (Heb. 13:5) remains faithful.

His blessing on each one at this special time of year,

Doris Johnson