Dear Praying and Supporting Churches,

Thank you for taking the time to read our latest report.  I appreciate your interest in the work here in Belém.  It seems like just the other day I was composing the report for last month, but the calendar indicates it is time for another one.  The work continues to move steadily with some progress (though seemingly little) on several fronts.  The weekly Bible studies continue.  There have been some contacts through the website from tract distribution, but none have materialized into Bible studies.  I had an opportunity to fill the pulpit at the Igreja Batista Independente Cidade Nova.  We have also been involved in searching for a new place to live for both our family and the Mendoza family.  Our family is hoping to move during the Bell Academy’s summer break.  The last Sunday of March we invited our English- speaking students to a preaching service at our house.  Three of them came and listened attentively.  We had the opportunity to teach them how to use a hymnal and Sarah played some good hymns.  I enjoyed preaching in English.  The fellowship afterwards was very good.  Brenda invited the parents of the young lady that attended to come inside when they came to pick her up, and they stayed and visited for a while.

Thank you for praying for the man I mentioned last month.  He came to our English Bible study because we are native English speakers, and he is a serious English student.  He attended twice and then left on an international trip for two weeks.  The prayer request was for his spiritual condition and that he would return to our study.  We are still praying for his spiritual needs, and I am thankful to report he began attending the study as soon as he got back in town.  He listens carefully and hears things he has never heard before. Most of his questions are linguistic rather than spiritual, but I trust God is using His word to work in the man’s heart.

I also requested prayer regarding the visa renewal process for the Mendozas’ visas.  Please continue to pray.  There have been a couple of complications, but it seems that everything necessary is submitted.  We are now waiting to hear from the Immigration authorities.  We are attempting to secure Aaron a visa that will not need to be renewed for 8 years.  This would obviously save time and money down the road.

I continue to need God’s wisdom for moving forward.  I want to be working where God is working and investing time as He would have me to.  May God continue to bless you as you walk in His ways and labor in His field.

For the Glory of God,

Chris Bell

Brenda’s Bailiwick

As you may remember, Thursdays are my weekly “Yikes, ALREADY?” days, in that I invariably realize I am near the beginning of my “to-do” list but near the end of my week.  And starting this year, Chris and I purposed to have the report ready by the 10^th of each month—so, today, Thursday, April 10, 2025, is officially a “2 Yikes” day. Hmmm, now that I think about it, Thursday is also “squat day” in the Bell Academy gym. Might have to add another Yikes…

Not only are Sarah and Caleb gaining muscle at an impressive rate in P.E, but they are also on track to finish the academic year strong. Most major projects are done (the entire Bell Academy says, “Amen!”), and we hope to conclude on May the 9^th. Thanks for praying for school—it is a not-very-glamorous but very important part of our lives, and as all homeschooling moms and students know, it can be challenging (except for that one  lady on the internet whose children absolutely loved studying Leviticus verse-by-verse with her and made cunning replicas of all the tabernacle furnishings as part of their homeschool curriculum—my hat’s off to her!).

Thank you for praying for Elijah—his girlfriend’s father went home to be with the Lord on March 18th. We are thankful that Elijah was on spring break and able to be present with the family during that difficult week. He is back in Edmond and winding down his own school year. He has some decisions to make regarding summer work/plans; I know he would appreciate your continued prayers.

We have some unexpected summer plans of our own for you to pray over, as our landlords recently told us they want to sell our house. They don’t have a buyer and are in no hurry (nothing in Belém moves fast except for motorbikes and falling mangoes), but if we can find a suitable house in time, we’d prefer to make the transition during summer break.

I did contact Mary, whom I mentioned in the last Bailiwick. She wants to have us over for supper sometime soon. I may try to meet her for coffee before then. For those of you who have prayed for Anne, our former neighbor, I unexpectedly got a call from her a couple of weeks ago. She wasn’t interested in getting together, but I am glad that she wanted to chat. Maybe that door will open yet…

Thanks for reading, and for praying!

In Christ,

Brenda

Prayer Requests:

– Preparation of hearts in Belém to receive the Gospel – Following up with Contacts

– Language Acquisition – Outreach Efforts – Bell Academy