Dear Praying Friends and Supporting Churches,

Thank you for taking time to read and to continue in prayer for the work here. Although a month has not passed since our last report, we are trying to keep on schedule for sending it on or around the 10th of each month.  The summer break is passing by quickly and we are thankful to be serving the Lord in Belém do Parà.  We just celebrated Sarah’s birthday.  I thank the Lord for her and am amazed at how quickly she has become a young lady.  Preparations are already being made for her last year of high school.  Thank you for praying for our children.

We continue to see some progress with the two regular Bible Studies.  Please pray for growth in understanding and obedience to the Word of God for the people attending. Also, please pray with us that we would be able to organize at least one more Bible study that meets weekly.  We have surveyed another area of the city to evangelize and plan to start distributing literature soon.

I have good news to report on the Mendoza family’s visas.  After praying and waiting, all of their visas have been approved.  They have completed the necessary visit to the immigration office to have their pictures taken and all of the other relevant information processed.  They still have to wait for the new identification cards to arrive but even if they are delayed it will not impact their status.  

I asked for prayer in the last report concerning our moving houses.  There have been some delays, but everything is coming along.  The new landlord seems excited that missionaries are moving into the house.  From what we gather, he is very involved in a church that we would not agree with doctrinally.  I have not ascertained how open he might be to studying the Bible with us.  Please pray that we will have opportunities to speak the truth to him.  

May the Lord richly bless you in His work.

For the Glory of God,

Chris Bell

Brenda’s Bailiwick

Bad news, kind readers: the more rewrites I get on each Bailiwick, the shorter it gets—and this month I am getting only one. You have my sympathy, although I realize it is a poor substitute for brevity…

June has been a festive month thus far, with Elizabeth Mendoza’s birthday on the 3^rd, Sarah’s on the 4^th, and a jiu-jitsu graduation on the 7^th.  We believe in multiple celebrations, so we participated in five last week, and I have met my hospitality goals through August.

 Just kidding! I anticipate inviting folks to our new home by month’s end. Despite some delays, we hope to get the keys next week. Our landlord seems very excited about getting the house ready and has even planted a new fruit tree for us.  He has also invited us to a thanksgiving service/potluck there on Friday to honor his mom (the actual owner) and introduce us to his family and our new neighbors. Please pray that we can be a blessing; the church that he belongs to is not doctrinally sound and we want to be both good guests and good witnesses.

It seems incredible that Sarah is 17!  Do all parents say that for every child on every birthday, or is it only we?  Her crochet adventures having led to an interest in sewing, she’s now the proud owner of a sewing machine.  On Saturday, she also got promoted to a purple belt in jiu-jitsu. All in all, I think she’s had a good week!

Caleb was also promoted, receiving his green-black belt. He’s started packing up for our move and expressing surprise at just how much stuff he has. I’m tempted to say I feel his pain, but I think what I really feel is his privilege. Moving is a reminder of just how blessed we are.

Elijah had a good week at camp. Several campers made professions of faith, including one visitor from our church. Elijah is currently in Houston, staying with his girlfriend’s family. Please continue to pray for him and for them.

Please also pray for my sisters in Texas, who, amid multiple challenges, continue to demonstrate what “patient continuance in well doing” looks like.

On Monday, Amanda and I are meeting with one of the English teachers from the Saturday Bible study; she’ll be practicing her English and Amanda her Portuguese. Please pray for open doors.

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