Tom and Linda Gilmer: December 2018 Prayer Letter

Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Linda Gilmer
Church Planter, Bible Translation in São Paulo, Brazil

Dear Friends of Zion:

With thanks to all who have prayed and given, Linda and I wish you a Happy Chanukah, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

In August we mentioned the desire of the pastor of our third church (Aracati) to begin a new church and our desire to give an offering to help them start a fund for church planting. In October I preached there, challenging the church to launch out and begin a new congregation in another location, and offered the pastor a check to open a fund for that purpose. The church voted, officially, to receive the offering. The pastor then opened his heart, telling the people he felt GOD was leading them to start a church in Itapecerica, a neighboring town, and asked if they would be willing to follow him, as their pastor, in that objective. Again the church agreed. About a week later, a couple who lives in Itapecerica called me, frustrated because they could not find a Biblical church in their area, and offered their home as a meeting place to start one. I put them in touch with the pastor from Aracati. Twenty-eight people attended their first service!

This letter covers two months, because we left Brazil on October 29 and returned on November 28, fulfilling a long overdue promise to participate in a missionary conference in the USA. GOD provided round-trip passages at less than half the normal price. We spoke in seven churches and had meetings with Bearing Precious Seed-type ministries, some educational institutions, and IBJM, our original missionary sending organization, and made valuable contacts for present and future projects. The LORD even blessed with a meeting for potential support in the church where our granddaughter, Michelle Hammond, was married to Michael Huston on November 10. Our congratulations to the happy couple!

Those of our contributors who have requested a meeting when we were in their area have not been forgotten. We look forward to being with you when the LORD opens the way for us to be in your area or when you specifically request a meeting. We want to be a blessing to you as needed. May GOD richly bless you all.

Yours for the Messiah,
Tom and Linda Gilmer

PRAISE:
1. Professions of faith: 4.
2. Runoff in the Brazilian presidential election was won by the most upright candidate, Jair Bolsonaro.
3. Direct telephone number now working: (803)579-7166.
4. Aracati church starting a new church with our help.

PRAYER:
1. Salvation of Jews and Gentiles.
2. Ongoing projects (Bible study helps, media outlets, and warehouse for Bibles).
3. Editorial work on the History of the Portuguese Bible (A História de a Bíblia Sagrada em Português).
4. Restructuring of missions program at Cajuru church and plans for revival meeting.