Faithfulness in Available Opportunities
In my last correspondence, I mentioned that there was a possibility that our governing authorities might extend the COVID lockdown for a longer period and that is what happened. In fact, we had to hold all the worship services during the month of March by live video rather than in person. There is an upside to this in that we are all getting more adept at using technology and social networking to further the cause of Christ. I know that I, myself, have gotten more adept at speaking to a camera with no one present, except Charlene, and I had never done that before. We have also seen a huge increase in the number of viewers of our services than what we were having in person. We improved the equipment we were using and plan to continue to minister with it even after returning to live services next week.
All of our outreach team members have been actively seeking opportunities to share the gospel in ways that differ from their usual public school presentations. The number of people that they have been able to reach was greatly reduced, but the Lord knows that and we know that what counts is faithfulness in the opportunities available. Nonetheless, they all are getting antsy to get back out on the highways and into the many towns where there are no evangelical churches. The Lord willing, the tight COVID restrictions will be lifted very soon and public presentations will be possible.
I ask that you remember us in your prayers, both for wisdom to know how to minister in these strange new times and that we’ll have increased opportunities to share the gospel in the coming weeks.
We are extremely grateful to you who have been faithful to pray for and support us in our labors.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Contact Info:
Bobby & Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279
Sobrado 1, Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR. Brasil
Phone: 55-41-99899-2333
bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
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Missionary Update: The Wacasers in Brazil [November 2013]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
November 4, 2013
I really do want to give my ministry trainees opportunities to practice what they are taught, but I wasn’t really planning that the need would be so soon and so personally connected to me. It was only a few days after I shared how I was working to prepare some young men for leadership service when I had to have reconstructive surgery done on one of my knees that will have me off my feet for several weeks. The young man, Alek, that I mentioned in my last letter preached in my place this past Sunday and did a great job. It was his first time of teaching and administering the Lord’s Supper. Another young man, Tony, who I mentioned last month will be performing the baptism of at least 3 new converts. I am grateful to the Lord for providing me with these men, even if my being sidelined is necessary for them to be placed into these ministry opportunities. I didn’t think it would be necessary to lay me aside to provide this training experience, but I’m sure that isn’t all the Lord is up to by doing it this way. I do know that I am not irreplaceable and I actually am happy to see these men embrace these ministry opportunities. I will be more attentive, though, to seek to involve the others on a practical level if it will help me avoid hospital and recuperation time.
On December 1st we will be holding what we hope to be a very fruitful marriage workshop. The breakdown of family values in our culture runs head-on against the innate knowledge that true love needs bounds and principles. This dilemma generates an openness to our efforts to provide the tools and teaching that will help couples find the Lord’s Word as their solution. We understand that they need Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, but we believe that this marriage workshop is a tool that He has provided for us to get that message across to people who wouldn’t ordinarily set foot inside a church building. We are not tricking anyone. They may come only to improve their marriage, but we seek to lead them to the One who will give them true life, and a better marriage as a side effect. Please pray for us as we invest our time, energy and resources into a God-blessed marriage workshop.
One of our outreach teams just returned from an evangelistic trip into the interior of the state we live in. They were ministering in some public schools and parks through gospel skits, testimonies and preaching. The team was blessed by the response they saw in each place of ministry and by seeing people surrender their lives to Christ. The church they were there to aid was blessed and the group returned home rejoicing. The very morning after their return to the home base, one of the leaders went to a local grocery store to get a few things for his and his wife’s breakfast. As he was leaving the grocery, three young men pulled a knife on him and forced him to give them his wallet and they tried to take his purchases also. He was able to get away without being injured, but they robbed him of his money and most of his breakfast. He was very distraught and especially because he had to return home to his wife with no money and little to eat. He called me while he was still unnerved by the incident and I assured him that we would make sure that he got some more groceries and that we will help them get through the month because of the loss of his money. Our city is getting more and more violent, but we are grateful for the Lord’s constant care and protection. We appreciate your prayers for us as we seek to make God’s word known here.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby, Charlene and Brennen Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
(813)436-9980
bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
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