Tom Gilmer: July 2018 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends of Zion:

Thank you for making our work possible by faithfully praying and giving.

We love to pray with a person who is accepting Christ, but we rejoice even more when those we have trained are winning others. That is our measure of success.

On our wedding anniversary (June 1), we visited Cláudio, the Jewish goldsmith I led to the Lord years ago, to get my wedding band resized. He now attends a church near his home–but also attends classes at a synagogue, where the Israeli teacher is trying to prove Jesus could not possibly be the prophesied Messiah! Cláudio cannot answer many of the assertions, but he says he has no doubts about who Jesus is and can never quit believing in Him after all He has done for him. We promised to give Cláudio some good, solid answers to the rabbi’s allegations. We try to train Jewish believers to be knowledgeable and strong enough to confront doubters and naysayers.

Jorge Oliveira, who leads the new congregation in Vila Jacuí, São Miguel Paulista, related the following testimony: “Last Sunday, June 10, I had the joy of seeing the salvation of a ten-year-old child, Gabriela. After the children’s service in our home, she sought out Ingrid (Jorge’s wife) and mentioned fears she had. Ingrid presented the Plan of Salvation to her, and Gabriela recognized she was a sinner and couldn’t save herself. She understood where she would spend eternity without Christ, repented of her sins, and confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior. When her mother came to get her after the service, Gabriela ran to tell her about her decision. Her mother looked worried, affirming that Gabriela had spent nights in much fear. Ingrid replied firmly: ‘Your daughter made the biggest and best decision of her life, and she has no reason to be afraid anymore!’ On Tuesday night, as I arrived home and was opening the gate to the garage, Gabriela came running in my direction with a big smile and saying: ‘Tio (‘Uncle’–a respectful way for a child to greet an adult man), I made the best decision of my life! I recognized that I am a sinner and Jesus is my Savior!’ We rejoiced together!”

The last week of July we must appear in person at a bank in Arlington, TX, with our son, Harold Ralph, and all who sign on that account, including a former financial secretary of Mt. Abarim Baptist Mission. Homeland security measures created this regulation, with which we must comply.

May God richly bless you all.

Yours for the Messiah,
Tom and Linda Gilmer

PRAISE:

Professions of faith: (12)
Guacuri congregation: Funds provided for chairs and improvements. See prayer letter of Harold Ralph and Lilian.
Third generation evangelization: Those we have won now winning others; churches we started now starting others.

PRAYER:

Salvation of Jews and Gentiles.
Ongoing projects (Bible study helps, media outlets, and warehouse for Bibles).
Editorial work on the History of the Portuguese Bible: A HISTÓRIA DE A BÍBLIA SAGRADA EM PORTUGUÊS.
Brazil – wise decisions by those in government now; upcoming elections, new officials needed.
Pastors’ Conference in July – All Brazilian this year!