Prayer letter from Joel and Joanie Troester – Mozambique – July 30, 2012

Please forgive my update from last week… We had written this letter and then I got distracted and left it day after day after day and then, finally, in haste selected an old one. These days we are studying “confessing sin and asking for forgiveness”. I didn’t know that I would get the opportunity in such an interesting way.

We rejoice in Helios’s spontaneous announcement, in front of everybody, that he trusted Christ as Savior. He went home after men’s Bible study and was burdened that he’d been trying to add religion to his life without Christ. He’s been a faithful participant in many activities for the past two years.

We also rejoice with Pastor Martinásio, our Mozambican pastor friend, who has been dealing with cancer. By the grace of God, he was able to have a very delicate surgery and have it all paid for through the generous gifts of many of you. After his surgery, he and his family came to our church to share a testimony of God’s amazing grace through this situation. He is now doing chemotherapy and having a very tough time of it and needs our prayers.

During a two week break from school, we had a week of VBS for children in the church in town and a one day club in another neighborhood. Zuleide, a Brazilian co- worker, did some excellent planning and directing of these projects which have resulted in several new children coming out to our Saturday kid’s club and Sunday activities.

Our Brazilian co-workers, Pastor Odenilson and Luiza, flew out early July 4th. We moved into their house and are pretty much settled. Once again we will be assuming their ministry, with Zuleide’s help, until their return.

At the same time, we are making new in-roads into the lives of those in our neighborhood where we plan to plant our church. We’re studying through Acts in our Sunday night Bible study, Joanie is teaching English and starting a Bible club for kids. Individual mentoring has also begun with several of our teens and adults. Steps are being taken to secure land for our building… we hope to have some specific news on that soon.

Thanks for your faithful participation in what God is doing here. Together in the Harvest,
Joel and Joanie Troester