Dear Friends & Family,
Christmas Greetings…Joy to the World!! Composer Isaac Watts’ interpretation of Psalm 98 resulted in this Christmas carol we all enjoy singing. Verse 4 of Psalm 98 says, “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.” Watts rightfully concluded that the reason for shouting joyfully to the Lord was the coming of Messiah for our redemption! Amen and amen!!
In 2023, the Evangelism Explosion-Brazil (EE-Brazil) ministry has been busy equipping people to share the Good News of redemption through our Messiah, Jesus Christ! We exceeded our goal of thirty-six training events for the year, ending the year with forty-one events. There were twenty-seven Share Your Faith workshops, ten adult EE clinics and four Hope for Kids workshops. Through these forty-one events we saw more than 715 people trained and ninety-four people reached with the Gospel through the training clinic on-the-job contacts…conversations of EE teams with people who needed to hear the Good News. Local church EE ministries, of course, go on to win many more people to Christ during the year through their ongoing EE training ministries.
2023 is not over, and I have set a goal for myself, taking advantage of part of the holidays, to finish the review and correction of the translation of a training manual dealing with how to give a reasonable answer to an “honest skeptic.” This material has at its core the following verses: “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:14b,15) Thank you for praying for this project!
Thanksgiving and Christmas are special times of the year for us to celebrate with as many family members as possible. We enjoyed being together at Thanksgiving and are looking forward to Christmas! We are especially blessed to have four grandkids, ranging from fifth grade to second year in college. A fifth grader is easy to imagine…a sophomore in college seems impossible!
As 2023 comes to an end, we are especially encouraged by the faithful support team that the Lord has given us! During this last month of the year, we ask you once again to join with the Lord and those called by him to supply “seed to the sower and bread for food,” (2 Cor. 9:10), investing in our family and ministry in preparation for the coming year’s opportunities. We are looking forward to ministry opportunities in 2024 and believe EE-Brazil will grow again this year in its reach and influence upon the Brazilian churches by equipping their members to explain their faith and to train others! So, as we mention each year, historically about 20% of our annual support is given at years’ end, and we find ourselves praying for $10,000 in support gifts this month to finish 2023 and begin 2024. Everyone participating in some way will provide what is needed for our family and ministry, because the Lord is faithful to multiply those resources! Remember, we receive 100% of your support gifts! To invest in our ministry, please go to our secure online giving portal by clicking on the Online Giving image below. You may also mail a check (“Foster Support” on the memo line) to the address shown next to the image below. Thank you so much for your love, prayers and financial support! We pray God’s richest blessings and provision for you and your families at this time of the year!
Gratefully wishing you a Joyful Christmas,
Robert & Mary Jo Foster,
Serving Evangelism Explosion-Brazil
* Atualidades a Portuguese word that means news or up to date information. We want you to have the latest information in order to support us in prayer, as well as financially when the Lord leads/enables. Thank you!