Tom and Linda Gilmer: June 2019 Prayer Letter

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

Dear Friends of Zion:

Thank you for praying and giving. May was an eventful month! The Lord answered your prayers in a mighty way.

BIBLE MINISTRY: (1) Sr. Luiz, owner of a major secular publishing house in Brazil, called on the last day of May saying he is ready to sign the contract to publish the history of the Portuguese Bible entitled, THE PRESERVATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: FROM THE IBERIAN JEWS TO THE TRANSLATIONS OF THE REFORMATION AGE. The Brazilian author, Cristiano Lúcio de Souza, lives in Canada and is employed as a translator for the Canadian government. I have worked with him as an Editorial Consultant on this book. (2) Sr. Luiz also said that he would like to sign the contract to print the new edition of THE BIBLE WITH EVANGELISM NOTES by Rom Ribeiro and me, with an index of over 200 subjects, such as “Depression,” “How to be sure Heaven is your home,” etc.

JEWISH MINISTRY: (1) I was invited to the Jewish Museum for a session entitled “Conversing with Rabbi L.” on historical Haggadahs (guide books) for celebrating the Passover. Pastor Alexandre and I were able to give a good witness. (2) Pastor José Infante, executive secretary of our Brazilian Friends of Zion (AIMI) resigned from his 35-year pastoral ministry at one of the largest Baptist churches in Brazil. He did a conference in May at our first church, Templo Batista de Indianópolis, in São Paulo. He had a special session with pastors, announcing that he is now available full time for conferences promoting Jewish ministry. (3) Missionary Peter Ard, with International Board of Jewish Missions, blessed us with a visit to see the progress of the Jewish work here in Brazil.

MEDICAL NEWS: (1) On Mother’s Day, Linda fell at the Guacuri church and broke her left femur, requiring an ambulance ride to the hospital and surgery to insert a titanium plate and screws to reinforce her osteoporosis-affected leg bone. After 10 days in the hospital, she is home, totally prohibited from stepping on the floor with her left foot for two or three months. God has provided wonderful nursing care. (2) On Wednesday, May 7, I was diagnosed with a small tear in the retina of my right eye. On May 15, an ophthalmologist tried, unsuccessfully, to repair the tear with laser surgery, but a cataract interfered, making the procedure impossible. Today, June 10, I had surgery to remove the cataract in my right eye. In five days I should have laser surgery to repair the torn retina, and 20 days later, God willing, cataract surgery on my left eye. We covet your prayers.

May God richly bless you all.

Yours for the Messiah,

Tom and Linda Gilmer

PRAISE:

1. Professions of faith: (4)
2. Owner of major secular publishing house stated he desires to sign a contract to print the History of the Portuguese Bible and a new edition of The Bible with Evangelism Notes.

PRAYER:

1. Salvation decisions.
2. Ongoing projects (Bible study helps, media outlets, warehouse for Bibles, exportation to Portuguese-speaking countries).
3. East Timor Tetum Bible translation.
4. Kidney transplant for the son of Lourinaldo, Brazilian missionary to East Timor, involved in Bible translation.
5. Healing for Tom and Linda.