Tom Gilmer: April 2017 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends of Zion:

Thank you so much for your response to our request for URGENT PRAYER during our medical crisis here in Brazil. Thanks to all who have written, called, or given an offering. God has provided every need.

Tom had a second spinal surgery on March 22 to repair the damage done to the first surgery as he was getting up for breakfast on January 28. Every known test was done to be sure that breakage of two vertebrae was the only cause of his debilitating pains. He now sports a titanium “bridge” in his back. The spasms of pain that left him agonizing in bed are basically gone. After 10 days in ICU, Tom is now in a regular room and should be released to come home very soon. He can sit, walk, and stand without assistance! But he must be accompanied by a nurse or therapist because of the risk of falling. He is rejoicing in the freedom of movement he is regaining day by day. The doctor calls it a miracle! He warns Tom, however, that it will take many months for his body to heal completely. He will need to follow established physical therapy procedures, balanced with exercise and rest. To God be the glory!

In the meantime, from his hospital bed, Tom ministers to pastor friends who call or visit him, seeking counsel regarding their current ministries or new ones they want to start. Tom also witnesses to everybody possible and is mentoring the two young Bible school students who help with his care. Everyone that enters his hospital room receives a Gospel tract and/or a Gospel of John or New Testament with an invitation to church and to listen to BBN radio online. A pack of 48 New Testaments was gone in only three or four days, given to individual hospital workers that helped in his care: Doctors, nurses, nurses’ aids; X-ray, C-scan, and MRI technicians; physical therapists, “fonoaudiólogas”, nutritionists, food service employees, and maintenance workers. A few months ago, we didn’t know so many specialized areas were necessary for hospital care! We pray for a harvest of souls in heaven.

Please continue to pray for our safety. On a recent Saturday morning, Linda heard a loud commotion on the street in front of our house. Greeting her from our front window was a real life cops and robbers episode! Four motorcycle policemen were entering a neighbor’s garage, yelling and carrying machine guns. At the same time, four police cars drove up, and the street was filled with policemen. Within minutes, they had captured three thieves that had jumped the garden wall and hidden in the garage, waiting for the unsuspecting family to open their door. A dog’s bark alerted the wife, who looked out, saw one of the thieves crouching between their cars, and called the police. Thank God for His deliverance once again! May God bless you for your faithfulness in praying for us!

Yours for the Messiah,
Tom and Linda Gilmer

PRAISE:

Professions of faith: 1.
Successful second surgery on Tom’s spine..
Opportunities to witness and minister in hospital..
Congregation in São Miguel Paulista now functioning on Saturday afternoons, giving young Christians opportunities to witness and grow..

PRAYER:

Salvation of Jews and Gentiles.
Ongoing projects (church planting, Bible study helps, media outlets, and warehouse for Bibles).
Tom’s recuperation from second spinal surgery.

4. Official opening service for Guacuri congregation set for the last Saturday of April.