An Example of Faith & God’s Faithfulness in Trying Times

Bobby and Charlene Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.

December 2, 2020

Dear Friends,

You may be experiencing similar circumstances in your area, but I did want to inform you of what is happening here in southern Brazil. A new wave of COVID cases has arrived and several of our members have been infected. Thanks to the Lord, no one has died because of it and most have recovered quite rapidly. Charlene and I have been blessed by not getting it, so far, and we pray that it will stay that way. 

Our youth minister went through some tough experiences recently that helped us see that we are truly in a spiritual battle in this world as we seek to serve the Lord in a fallen society. Cledson and his wife, Fabiane, are very dedicated to teaching the youth God’s word and demonstrating its principles in their daily lives. They go the extra mile in showing love and faithfulness to Lord and to the youth under their leadership. There is a young man who had struggles in his home life and they took him into their own home to mentor him, even though he often pushes the limits of their patience. In one three-week time frame, he caused several accidental damages, though his carelessness was the main factor. They already live on a very tight budget and these damages were sorely stretching them. Last week, Cledson and Fabiane were pushed near to the end of their faith. Cledson makes his living as an Uber driver and this young man, without Cledson’s permission, took his car keys, started the engine and accidently popped the transmission into reverse while the car was parked next to the church’s brick wall. The car rammed backward, crushing the rear of the car and crashing through the wall. All together, the cost was more than 3 months of Cledson’s earnings, plus he would have to put his car in the shop for 3 weeks without further income from Uber services. He and his wife broke down crying. They know that “all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord…”, but on the emotional level they were nearly spent. They dried their tears and went before the youth to teach them that God is still in control and that they are trusting in Him. 

They had no idea how they were going to pay for their daily needs, much less the repairs to the car and the church property. But the Lord amazingly showed His gracious mercy and love. The church members, though none are wealthy, pitched in together to cover their expenses for the month and the Lord answered a several months’ old prayer request of Cledson and his wife by having a company call him to work where he won’t even need his car. In the midst of their trial, the Lord showed Himself strong and attentive to their needs. They were super encouraged by the apparent turn in events and were strengthened in their faith. Also, the youth under their leadership learned a tremendous lesson on how to live out their faith in a very real and practical way through the example of their leaders. I am very grateful to God for the strong leaders that He has placed over our youth and I trust that we will have a new generation of faithful servants as a result of their teaching and example. 

Another couple of amazing volunteers are Emmanuel and Maria. They are both retired from their secular jobs. As they contemplated retirement and what they believed the Lord wanted them to do with their lives, they felt led to be a part of our gospel outreach team. Emmanuel and Maria are just the kind of people that I want to always be and hope to teach and inspire the people under my leadership to be – selfless! As I write, they are together with our outreach team on a trip to a town in the interior of our state where they will share the love of Christ in public squares and parks. They’ll be sleeping on very thin pads and traveling in a crowded van, but they do this joyfully because of their love for the Lord. I am so thankful for them! 

I mentioned in my last correspondence that I got an invitation to preach the gospel in English in a neighboring state. Well, that opportunity led to a re-invitation. Charlene and will be returning there in a couple of weeks and we pray that the Lord will use us to get the gospel out to the listeners present and online and that we will be an encouragement to the team who invited us. 

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support so that we may continue to be useful in the Lord’s service.

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




Read more

Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher in Brazil [December 2014]

Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Paul pastors Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus, Brazil. Their main ministry is church planting.

Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Paul pastors Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus, Brazil. Their main ministry is church planting.

December 03, 2014

Dear Friends,

Blessed be the one and only true God and father, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” It is reassuring to know our Heavenly father is aware of our every need and has made provision on our behalf. The Word is forever reminding us that: Yes, we can trust God, for He is looking out for us.

The beginning of the month was focused on the Missions Conference in Dearborn Heights – hosted by the New Hope Baptist Church and Pastor Terry Adkins. We — my parents, mother-in-law, Wanda and I — left Florida for Michigan looking forward to a great conference. We divided the trip in small increments so as not to wear everyone out. We stopped to visit our great friends in Georgia, Curtis and Katie Samples; and, as usual, had a wonderful visit. We then went to Mayfield in western Kentucky and visited with my wife’s family and attended Wednesday evening service at Trace Creek Baptist Church, where my mom-in-law is a member. From there we took a longer two-day break in Lexington.

Sunday we were blessed to be at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Pastor Darrel Messer. Dad spoke in the Sunday School hour and I spoke in the morning worship. We are so blessed to be with Pastor Messer and his wife and are so grateful for their kindness and supportiveness. On Sunday evening we visited Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Mark Pyles. We had a great opportunity to share what God is doing in Brazil. We saw pastor emeritus, Paul Kirkman, a friend of many years, who also served faithfully as director of Baptist Faith Missions.

The Missions Conference was blessed. All the messages in song and the preaching were uplifting and an encouragement to take the gospel across our street and around the world. The beautiful and wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord – God in the flesh – died, was buried and on the third day arose from the dead, and is life eternal to all who believe. This Salvation is graciously given by the loving God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be the Lord throughout all eternity.

We pray for you that your remembrance and knowledge of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase in wisdom and discernment, that your trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ may be steadfast always, and that the love of his Holy Spirit may fill and overflow in your every word and action, with thanksgiving to God though Jesus Christ our only Lord and Life.

Love,
Paul and Wanda

Paul and Wanda Hatcher
rphatcher[at]gmail.com
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont, FL 34714
(239)227-6551
Click here to give.


Read more
^