Tom and Linda Gilmer: July 2019 Prayer Letter

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

July 2019
Dear Friends of Zion:

Thank the Lord for His provision another month—and thank you for praying and giving for our ministries.

Praise God the cataract and retina surgeries on my right eye were successful. I can see better from my right eye now without a lens than I could see with a lens previously. Removal of the cataract in my left eye had to be rescheduled for September 2. I was looking over a piece of property near our main church and accidentally fell flat on my face, breaking my nose. This also required surgery! But I am now back to my normal activities.

Linda is recuperating well from her broken femur. The physical therapist is very pleased with her progress. Her mobility has been restored, but due to osteoporosis, the doctor prohibits any standing on her left leg until the next appointment on July 16. Depending on X-rays at that time, she will be released to begin using a walker. We are very grateful that our daughter, Ruth Hammond, from Mississippi who came for three weeks to help in Linda’s care, relieving our daughter, Rachel Ribeiro and granddaughter Rochelle, temporarily. (Ruth was able to continue her ministry of teaching English online to children in China!) We also had a surprise visit from our son Thomas, Jr., director of BBN Radio in Portuguese, who had to come to Brazil because of his work. Our four children were in our home for one evening—only the second time together in Brazil in the last 30 years!

Our multiple hospital visits this past month produced some interesting results. As Harold Ralph and I were preparing to leave the hospital after my broken nose surgery, a nurse came rushing into the room. Earlier we had given her a tract, inviting her to church. We had pointed out the APP to hear BBN Radio in Portuguese and another to read online the Bible we publish and to consult our concordance online, as well. She was so interested that Harold Ralph also gave her a New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs. “Could you give New Testaments to my colleagues, too?” she asked, excitedly. “They want one like mine!” We did! In the parking lot when I offered a tract to Jackson, a man who parks cars, he said, “Don’t you remember me? You gave me a tract and an invitation to go to the church near my house in Ingá. I’m attending services there now!” Praise the Lord! May God richly bless you all.

Yours for the Messiah,
Tom and Linda Gilmer

PRAISE:
1. Professions of faith: 3.
2. Successful kidney transplant surgery for son of Lourinaldo, Brazilian missionary to East Timor.
3. Tom sees better with right eye after surgery.
4. Linda doing well but still confined for now.

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. Healing for Tom and Linda.