Gearing Up or Winding Down

Dear Friends and Family,

It's been six weeks since I last sent an update.  We've been busy but it's been with our day to day, normal busyness of ministry and life.  Michaela went to get her "roboboot" taken off and has been doing physical therapy on her leg.  She isn't even limping anymore.  We praise the Lord for her complete recovery.  We're in week eight of school and have been doing well, getting our work done and still having a little time at the end of the afternoon to relax before our evening ministries. 

A lot of people ask, what do you do every week?  Well, I'll share this week's schedule with you.  On Sundays we do Sunday School in the morning, then Christmas Program singing practice afterward.  In the evening we have our main service.  Todd spends most of the afternoon finishing up his sermon preparations.  Monday is technically our day off, but we still do school and often we have meetings in the evening.  This week we had a Pastors get-together with all the Pastors from the Baptist and Christian Evangelical churches on the Serra Grande (3 cities up on the mountain that we are close to).  It's a good time of fellowship and prayer we have every couple of months. 

Tuesday evening we went out visiting--though unfortunately this week no one was available to talk of the three families we went to visit.  Wednesday is now Princesses of the King.  The girls arrive around 5:30 and stayed until 9 pm.  Tonight Todd will be working with puppets preparing the stage and backdrops for Children's Day and Christmas programs.  Friday, Todd will be teaching his English class.  Saturday we have Evangelistic Kid's Club (like a Good news club) that we do every month.  And through all of this we homeschool, do physical therapy, do our necessary shopping (and that's never run in and buy--you always sit and talk with someone for awhile along the way), and sit out on the sidewalk with your neighbors, besides maintaining our contacts with friends, family and supporters in the States. And during the day, Todd is busy preparing for what's going on at night and he does Bible studies and visiting with various people.  It's busy but we are so grateful for the opportunity we have to be a light here.

We've been really wanting to start some new programs with ladies, couples and youth.  But after MUCH prayer and seeking advice and counsel, we believe the Lord is leading us away from starting new programs.  We're coming to realize that is an American way of thinking that isn't working here and we're realizing that we need to concentrate more on going out and spending time with people.  We only have four months left until we go on Home Assignment so we've set some goals of visitation and evangelization and have some ideas of how we're going to spend the last few months sowing some Gospel seeds.

We are preparing some Bibles that will be marked with key verses for evangelization and plan to systematically go door to door with these Bibles searching for people that are searching and want to know more.  We are also preparing a Children's Day Festival for October 12th as an outreach, and our Christmas program as well.  And Todd is still trying to get the basketball goals done to be able to use Basketball as an outreach to young boys and men.  The man who is supposed to be fixing the goals has had them for a month and still hasn't started.  And we are still thinking about doing one Ladies' Meeting and perhaps one Couples' get together before we leave.  But the truth is that so often we've prepared these programs and even though many say they're coming, none or very few do.  So we feel led by the Lord to spend our time in "going" instead. 

We are getting excited about our home assignment as well as a little nervous.  We plan to arrive there the beginning of February.  We want to make sure we make the most of the time we have in the U.S. and that we're able to see as many people as possible.  We will be getting in contact with our churches and supporters over the next few months to find out when each one is available for a visit. We also are trying to decide on housing in the St. Charles County, Missouri area, and for wisdom about transportation.  Please pray with us about these things and if you have any ideas for housing and/or transportation, please let us know. 

Todd has been working the last few weeks on a video update on our ministry.  He's sending the DVD's to our supporting churches this week.  You can see our 2013 update on the Youtube link on the sidebar.  There are also some other fun little videos Todd enjoys putting together on our Youtube channel. 

Thank you for your prayers and support.  We are enjoying the Goodness of God's presence.  We are continually in prayer for the lost here in Croata, and ask that you continually pray for the people of the Croata.  It saddens us to see how hard the people here are to the Gospel.  We wonder how effective we are being.  But the Lord knows our hearts and it is He who does the work of calling and saving.  We pray that we are faithful in the sharing of His Word, and being available to those who are interested. 

Serving together with You,


Todd and Julie Hendry

And here's a photo just for fun--Lily gets into the Cocoa Powder

The Lord Provides...

Dear Friends and Family,

Lately we've been pondering about this very fact...the Lord provides.  And that's not only a provision of goods or finances but help, encouragement, friendship and so much more.   A few weeks ago we had a movie night with our Brazilian kids and we showed one on Abraham and Isaac.  I had tears streaming down my face as I saw Abraham boldly obey God with his sacrifice, I'm sure he had tears streaming down his face himself when he loved God through giving his most beloved son and trusted him completely.  Such a picture of our heavenly Father's sacrifice, giving Jesus out of love.

From Bible Gateway it says about Genesis 22:13-14, where this passage takes place, "The name “Yahweh Yireh” (or “Jehovah Jireh”) is from the verb “to see”, and means “The Lord foresees” or “The Lord will see to it”.  And that is just what we need to always remember--We can put everything in His hands because the Lord will see to it. 

So many ways the last two months we have seen the Lord "seeing to it" as we have faced struggles and crises.  But always the Lord has provided.  Here are just some of them:

• Protection: The last time I sent an update we were on our way to Fortaleza at a busy time of protests and construction chaos.  God protected us completely.  Our air conditioner burnt up (read: smoke billowing) but Todd was alone in the car but the fire went out before it damaged much else. 
• Todd's Visa, Lily's Brazilian Passport--The next day, Todd, Lily and I were running around doing our in-town errands waiting for our two o'clock appointment with the federal police for applying for Lily's passport application.  (The two olders were with their best friends for the day.) We were in the area of that office and didn't feel like staying in the heat any longer so decided to go to our appointment a little early.  Well, we praise the Lord we did that.  It was the day of a big Brazil game and, even though I had confirmed our appointment the day before, the federal police was unexpectedly closing at 2:00 so their employees could make it home in time for the game.  We got there early, were able to apply for Lily's passport, and received Todd's permanent visa in less than 15 minutes!    This is after 5 years of going to the offices many times at 6 in the morning with the whole family, waiting for hours, like all missionaries do.  It was almost anti-climatic to be in and out, accomplishing two very important tasks, in less than 15 minutes.  Isn't God amazing!  It was a reminder of God's hand in our lives here in Brazil, a confirmation and encouragement.
• English Classes--Todd's classes are continuing with the faithful 4-5 students.  We were surprised at the high amount of excitement there was for us to teach English and the few who actually are committed to coming.  But Todd is very thankful for the group that the Lord provided and the opportunity to witness at this level and develop relationships with them.  Just this weekend one of the students asked Todd if they could talk more after class.
• School Books--I started ordering this years' school books in March and saw them in July.  The Lord provided not only the money to buy books for our children's educations, but also missionary friends that allowed us to use up a precious suitcase space to bring down our books. 
• Michaela's broken leg--on the 4th of July, we were setting up for a weekly movie night we were planning to hold during vacation month, and Michaela slipped on wet tile, landing on the corner of a step on the top of her right leg.  This is a story of God's provision from start to finish.  God provided an x-ray technician at our barely-equipped and ill-staffed hospital to be there from Ipu (a city an hour away) who was about to leave.  He stayed to take care of her.  They immobilized her leg and Todd took her to Fortaleza where they did a catscan that revealed a more complex break that required surgery and the placement of two screws in her ankle.  God provided a wonderful doctor, a specialist of ankles and feet,  that has been very helpful in many ways for us.  God provided the money Todd needed (all told, Todd spent R$12,000 up front in two days) through so many of you who generously gave.  It's amazing but we just received our medical insurance reimbursements and, along with your generosity, we broke even.  THANK YOU!  There's so much more that God provided during this difficult time and we thank Him for His loving care.  Michaela is doing very well now and will be doing physical therapy and have her "robo-boot" off beginning of next month.
• VBS--Even though we don't have an official partnership with Ebenezer church in Fortaleza, we had a deep bond of friendship with them and they have helped us here in Croata before.  Once again they came this year and not only put on a wonderful VBS for our kids but also prepared a drama performance with preaching that they did at three different public squares.  It was a wonderful time with them and we truly enjoyed having them here.  There were several new contacts made that we are following up on and five boys recommitted their lives to Christ.  Please pray that the thorns will not grow up around these precious seeds and cause them to wither and die. (Matthew 13)
• Michaela's Passport Renewal--We took our third trip to Fortaleza in 6 weeks (something we try to avoid traveling so much with a baby and no air conditioning) at the beginning of August for Michaela's return to the doctor about her leg.  He said it is healing well.  The day before we left we received an e-mail saying that the American Consulate would be having office hours on the 8th, one of the days we were in Fortaleza.  We had only one document left in order to be ready to come on furlough next year, Michaela's passport needed to be renewed.  The consulate stopped having regular weekly hours last year, so we were up in the air not knowing when we'd be able to get this done.  Well, we found out in time, they had one more slot available which we took, and again we were in and out with in 15 minutes.  So much better than other trips!
• Air-Conditioner--Todd was able to find a part for the air conditioner of our Toyota pickup there in the States and it is in the mail as we speak.  Please pray that it makes it here okay, we've had quite some trouble with the post-office charging very high fees for packages.  But this should be a much cheaper fix than with the imported parts at the mechanics.
• Julie's Pneumonia--Just this last week our whole family came down with a cold, but mine developed into something more serious.  The doctor believes it was pneumonia or on it's way, though he couldn't determine it for certain with out an x-ray which was not available.  So I've been doing the treatment for pneumonia, which included an inhaled steroid through a nebulizer. It was so long ago that some kind soul thought about us needing a nebulizer in Brazil and gave it to us to bring down.  We apologize that we don't remember the details and can't thank you personally.  Your reward is already waiting for you in heaven.  But, just when we needed it, the Lord had already provided it long before. 
• Our house--We cannot forgot how the Lord has provided us a nice place to call home.  It's our haven of rest even when it's ransacked by the baby and busy-ness of homeschool and ministry.  The Lord provided through savings, personal gifts and a good tax return for us to build an upstairs addition on the house.  It's turned into a longer project than we anticipated (doesn't it always :)), but we are looking forward to having an office for Todd, a meeting area and a guest room. 
• Our Support--And we cannot forget the faithfulness of our prayer and financial supporters.  We know we are being upheld in prayer at several churches on a weekly basis and through our prayer partners, and you have no idea how many times that has comforted us.  We thank you for not forgetting us even though we are far away.   We have also been pretty steadily supported in the four and a half years we have been on the field, never dipping below 88% and now we are at about 95%.  We are so grateful to each of you who give selflessly, who are generous and faithful.  We are humbled by your trust and motivated by your service.  We are truly not alone though Satan tempts us to feel that way.  You are with us and for that we will always be grateful.

 

Well, I think this update is long enough.  For each one who has made it this far, thank you for caring so much for us.  We look forward to a good time of ministry here in Brazil for the next 6 months before we head to the U.S. for our home assignment from January to November.  We thank you so much for your prayers. 

Please continue to pray for three families to come to know the Lord.  Please pray that we would take the opportunities the Spirit leads us to.  Please pray  for our ongoing ministries of Sunday School and church service, Princesses of the King, English Classes, Bible Studies and preparation for our Christmas program.  Please also pray that Todd will be able to start a more organized time with young men either through basketball or some other means.  Please pray also as we consider a couples ministry using the book Love and Respect.  Please pray for our children's development as godly men and women.  And please pray for our health--it has been a struggle lately.  Thank you!

Serving together with you,
Todd and Julie Hendry

A Quick update and ask for prayer

Dear Friends and Family,

We have planned this visit to Fortaleza for about two months and now that we are here, we are asking you to pray for protection and success in getting the things done that we need to.  There are two big reasons for this.

First, we've already told you that traffic here in Fortaleza is very dangerous.  Well, now with the international soccer games going on, the city has decided to work on the roads and it's even crazier.  The already-full streets are even fuller because of the soccer championship, and the road construction with little signalization means confusion and chaos.  Please pray as we go from place to place--doctor's appointments, passport pictures, purchases we make here in Fortaleza because we can't get them in Croatá, etc.--that the Lord will make our paths straight.

The second reason is the civil unrest.  Some of you may have heard about the protests that are happening here in Brazil.  Well, we were just informed that there is a protest going on that may pass the road (Washington Soares) two blocks away from us.  We don't know for sure if it will reach our part of town, but the news said it was planned to come this far (all the way to Aquiraz).  So please pray that we will be able to avoid these areas of town as we go about our business.  They are scaled to be peaceful but some have been getting violent.  The good thing is that we aren't right on the road and there is a way to avoid that road and get into town.

Wednesday we will go to the Policia Federal to apply for Lilyanne's Brazilian passport.  We will also be asking if Todd's permanent visa card has arrived or not.  This is a really big deal! So please, PLEASE, pray for success in both of these endeavors.

We will update you on how this week went and how English classes are going after this crazy week of running around.  God is good and we are in His powerful hands!  Thank you for being prayer warriors on our behalf!

Serving together with you,
Todd and Julie Hendry

English classes, couples and Bible Studies

Dear Friends and Family, 
The kids are growing so big, getting adjusted to living here in Brazil and loving it.  They have a weekly Portuguese class and are really growing in their command of the language, especially Michaela. Next week they finish school for the year and will have  7 weeks of summer vacation.  We are all ready for a change of pace.
They have friends here, both Brazilian and American.  The Brazilian kids are not such great examples and we constantly work against the learning of the terrible behavior they see.  But the children we work with have no Christian influence in their lives.  So we work on our kids and pray that they will come out as shining lights here in their behavior and love for the people.  They play well with their Brazilian friends, nonetheless, and we enjoy showing love to the kids here in Croata.  The American kids live far away, so we don’t see them often, but when we do they enjoy it so much and we hardly see them the whole time they are together. 

Lily is starting to walk, slowly, step by step.  She’s a tiny little thing, only weighs about 19lbs at a year and almost 2 months, but she’s feisty and sweet.  We always say she’s either hot or cold, laughing, hugging and snuggling being sweet, or screaming, growling and showing her general displeasure at things. But now that she's starting to say some words and is understanding communication a little better, she seems to be less frustrated. Maybe it is just us finally figuring what she has been trying to tell us. :)  She really is a joy to the whole family, most of the time. 
Todd and I are doing pretty well.  We're participating in an online Love and Respect seminar and are really enjoying.  There is always room for improvement in communication, etc., in marriage.  Since we don't have many outside sources of being fed by the Word (not having Christian radio in our listening range has been a big disappointment to us--our missions Radio Seara just misses us here in the city) we have looked to other means of receiving exhortation--through podcasts,  our personal reading and study, and this Love and Respect class.  
We still get quite discouraged with the lack of repentance and willingness to change in the people here.  The children come but most without consistency.  The adults only come if we are doing a program where they will get something in return.  We’ve learned that the hard way.  We just pray for strength and faithfulness on our part, boldness and love for the people. 
We’re learning cultural things that really bother us, but explain a lot about why people are so accepting and friendly to your face, but many don't really mean what they say.  My understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong or am misguided in my understanding)  is that  you really never say “no” to people in this culture, because you would never want to shame the person by disagreeing with or denying them.  So we have people say all the time that they are coming, responding to invitations, even saying that they want to accept Christ, but then we learn that they were just saying it “da boca pra fora” or “from the mouth out”.  It’s not a heartfelt or conscious decision they want to make, they just say it to please you. 
We've also learned that the people from this area, the "Serra" or mountain range, are known for being idolatrous, superstitious and very closed to change. Just this week a little boy told us that if you change religions, you will have an accident and die.  The people here are imprisoned by Satan and his lies.  And we are determined to be a light boldly displaying Christ who is the only One who can dispel these lies and free them from their slavery to sin. 
But we also hear encouraging stories of children that led their family to Christ through their insistence on listening to the radio, or that come to church despite persecution at home.  One young lady we have talked with said that she never heard that Jesus loves her and died for her and when she heard she just had to believe.  We know that it is God's work and He is the one who convicts of sin, and draws people to Himself, to an understanding of His saving grace and loving sacrifice.  We just want to be used as vessels of communicating and testifying of that truth in our daily lives. 

Princesses of the King

Prayer Requests:

• We asked prayer a while back for Todd as he prepares a "Teaching English with the Bible" class.  The posters have been put out and the class will start this Friday, the 31st.  Please pray for the Lord to bring people that have shown some spiritual interest but are reluctant to do Bible studies or enter a church. 
• We are praying about starting a couples class based off the book "Love and Respect" as well.
•   And Todd wants to develop a Basketball night for boys.  The boys have been asking for something like the Princesses of the King class that I teach on Mondays.  So we're praying about that too. 
• And something exciting happened this afternoon.  A while back I asked for prayer for a friend of mine who seemed so close to accepting Christ.  But then when her sister passed away, she became very closed and cold toward us.  I have just kept reaching out to her and gone to visit her at least weekly. And today SHE ASKED ME IF I WOULD CONTINUE OUR BIBLE STUDY TOGETHER!  Please keep praying for Souzinha to continue to be interested and to accept Christ as her Savior soon!
• We are starting to talk more about our furlough starting in January sometime.  We will be looking for housing in the St. Charles county area of Missouri and will be looking for a van for traveling.  The Lord knows and will provide in His time.

And please continue to pray for our main requests: 

1. 3 families to come to know the Lord this year--we continue to visit and witness
2. Todd's visa to be received before we go to the States in January
3. Someone to live in our home while we travel.  We have some good friends that have told us they can come for about 5 months of that time, and we're praying for another couple to come for part of the other 5 months.  

    Thank you to all who pray and encourage us in so many ways.  We received two packages this month that were such an encouragement.  Thank you for thinking of us!  We have had some real trouble with the post office price gouging us on import tax for the packages, so we have unfortunately decided that we won't be able to receive packages any more if they are bigger than a padded envelope.  But we so appreciate everyone wanting to encourage us and the kids in that way.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone but our hearts are still here with the work the Lord has called us to do.  We are already feeling the tear of separation before it has even occurred!  But we know the Lord is working and we trust in His sovereign guidance and strength.

Serving together with Him,
Todd and Julie Hendry 

God Answers Prayer

Dear Friends and Family,

We are overwhelmed by your show of support in prayer over the weekend!  It was a such an awesome time!  Thank you for praying for strength, for resolution of some problems, and for the people that came to the retreat!  We ended up having 67 people come!  What a wonderful turnout!

The first big problem was housing and food for so many people.  Thursday night, right after I sent out the e-mail update, our pastor friend from the Baptist church called and asked how we were doing. (Coincidence?  I think not!)   We told him that we had been looking all day for a place to house people and couldn't find anywhere.  He offered his house which would hold 20 people.  That was quite enough, so on Friday at 6 p.m. (people were arriving already), Todd was able to get the key for the Agricultural School right outside of town and they gave us a room that had bunk beds, mattresses and some hammock hooks.  We were able to purchase the extra food needed on Thursday night. 

Another problem was having enough water for so many baths (Brazilians take lots of baths--several per day) and bathroom needs, plus cooking, etc.  Todd was able to borrow an extra water box from the local construction store.  Then we needed a pump to pump the water from the borrowed water box on the ground to the water box on top of the house.  Our friend James Goossen has one, so we got that in Guaraciaba on Thursday night, only to find out it was broken.  Todd spent several hours on Thursday night trying to fix it, but it never worked.  Thankfully our friend Elwyn found one in Nova Russas (where the Radio station is) and brought it.  That solved the water issue. 

I'm going to share some pictures now of the wonderful time we all had. 


Prayer Torch was lit for the entire retreat called "36 Hours of Prayer"

People signed up for prayer times all through the night.

Great Devotional and Prayer Times as a Group Led by the AICEN Leadership and Pastors

 

We had quite a full house.  We found space wherever there was shade.

We had a wonderful time of fellowship with friends from all the different churches present



These were the bags used to hold everyone's plates and utensils.

Prayer Time at the "Pedra da Rede" (Hammock Rock) up on the mountain overlooking Croata

They presented the "Hosts" of this Prayer Retreat and thanked us, then decided on the where and when the next prayer retreat will be (November in Ararenda).



Part of the goal of the Prayer Retreat is to raise money for AICEN missionaries or church planters.  Here they are counting the money they were able to raise through churches and the attendees.



This year 5 different missionaries (including our co-worker Neuma) received the donation split 5 ways.

 Though Todd spent most of the time running around taking care of things, and I spent most of the time cooking, we were still able to have a good time of fellowship.  Lilyanne really had a hard time with all the commotion on Friday but seemed to calm down some on Saturday and was enjoying things by Sunday.  Michaela did a great job taking care of Lily for the most part, though she got quite stressed out on Friday when Lily wouldn't stop crying.  Michaela even had a break a couple times to be able to make some new friends.  And Sammy got to play with his MK friend, Jacob, almost the whole time. 

Thank you for praying.  There was also an evangelistic time and a prayer walk through the town that I don't have pictures of.  Please continue to pray for our little town and for lives to be transformed.  We appreciate so much for all who prayed and know that the Lord is working through the prayers of His people. 

Thank you!

Todd and Julie Hendry

1 Easter Program, 2 Birthdays and 3 Conferences

Dear Friends and Family,
 

We pray that you were reminded of God's gracious love in dying and raising again for our good. 

Romans 4:25 "He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God." 

This is the message with shared at our little Easter Presentation which you see a picture of above.  The kids sang the songs we've learned that go along with our Sunday School lessons and tied right in with Easter.  Besides the 14 children that participated and our family, we had 6 other adults come.  Three people left in the middle of their daughter's solo, which was discouraging for her and us, but we pray that the seed of the truth has been planted in their hearts. 
 
One of the people that came to our presentation was a young man that we just recently met.  He accepted the Lord at a sister church in the big city of Sobral about 2 hours away, where he works.  Martins is from an outlying village of Croata and came to meet us with his pastor from Sobral a couple weeks ago.  We had a wonderful time getting to know him better and meeting his family (who have not yet accepted Christ). 
 
He invited Todd and the kids on a mountain climb behind their house.  And Neuma and I, with Lilyanne, spent time with his family at the house. We had a wonderful time getting to know him better and meeting his parents and brothers and sisters (who have not yet accepted Christ).  He is very excited to start a work with children and Bible studies there in his little town and asked for our help.  We don't yet know what this will look like since he only comes home for visits irregularly, but please pray for the Lord to direct and provide open doors.



Our little Lilyanne turned one year old last Wednesday.  Looking back, we see how the Lord protected this little one and her mommy many times.  God has a wonderful plan for her life and we are excited to be the ones chosen by God to help her grow in the knowledge and service of her Savior.  What a privilege! 

We had a little get together on her birthday, where she was the show of the party.  She ate her first piece of cake in high style with every one loving to watch her and she loved the attention.  We took it as an opportunity to share God's miraculous provision of this little one and how He protected her through mommy having 3 surgeries during the pregnancy and plenty of bed rest, then coming 5 weeks early.  Not to mention that we had been told by two different doctors that we would never have another baby.  God doesn't like it when humans say never, I think. :)

 Samuel turns 8 years old this month as well.  He is growing like a weed!  We  are having him tested for some constant pains he is experiencing.  So please pray for the results.  It's very possible it could be "just" growing pains, but he is having a really hard time with them.  But besides that, he is a happy boy who loves school and loves his sisters.  Anything they do, he wants to be right in the middle of it. 

And this month we have three conferences.  Todd participated in our church associations pastors' conference this past weekend.  In two weeks (April 19-21) we will be hosting a prayer retreat, called 36 Hours of Prayer, here in Croata with anywhere between 30 and 60 people.  We're not sure how many to expect.  Todd has been busy trying to get things ready for this: buying food (that Neuma and I will be preparing), installing hammock hooks in every possible location, and trying to figure out how to get enough water for everyone to take baths!  And at the end of the month we will be going to Fortaleza for our regional Field Conference.  It's a busy time, but we enjoy being busy!

We are asking you all to pray for some very specific things:
1.  Three Families:  We ask you to pray with us for Three Families (Father, Mother and Children) to come to know the Lord before we go on furlough.  With this group we pray there would be continuity and leadership to continue the work while we are gone, while giving accountability and encouragement to one another. 
2.  Some one to live in our home while we are gone:  This would be someone to provide the leadership for the work alongside of Neuma.  She doesn't feel ready to stay here alone while we are gone.  It would also give us peace of mind to know someone is staying here as well. 
3.  Todd's permanent visa and God's timing for our furlough:  This has been an issue for so long.  But we pray that we are near the end of this long battle.  The last time we went in to the Federal Police we were told that it should be here in June.  If it is, then we will be able to set a date for our home assignment for the end of the year and be able to start making appointments with our churches and supporters in the U.S.  And the grandparents and relatives can meet Lilyanne for the first time.  But we are willing to accept God's timing for our furlough might be a little later.  Though truthfully, we will be in Brazil for 5 years in December and have only had 3 months in the U.S. during this time.   We are looking forward to going back.  But in the meantime, we do not want to "grow weary in doing good".

If you would be willing to commit with us to daily prayer over these three requests, would you please e-mail us at tjhendry@avmi.org and let us know.  We would so appreciate to know that we are surrounded with prayer and God says that we do not receive many times because we do not ask!  So let us ask together!

Thank you for all you do for us.  We are forever indebted to you.


Serving together with you,

Todd and Julie Hendry 

Check out the blog Julie is trying to resurrect at http://graceleaning.blogspot.com.br/

Do not be downhearted

Dear Friends and Family,

Wow!  The last time I wrote on here it was October.  We sent out a prayer letter in December and now, February, we have many things to update, yet not as much as we expected.

We continue with our ministries of a few Bible Studies, Sunday School, Kid's Club, Princesses of the King, Puppets and a small choir.  Most of these ministries are working with children.  As of the first Sunday in January, we started evening services.  We've had a few people visit, but no one has come consistently besides our team here.  Yet, we know God is working in the hearts and minds of those around us.  It is He that draws and convicts.  So, we try to be faithful in sharing God's Good News, to go visiting and talking to people daily, and show His love in many ways.  Please pray for us to reach out of our comfort zones, to make new contacts and to be bold. 

Todd and I have been praying for a while about using the teaching of English as a method of outreach.  We do believe that the Lord is leading us to start this in March.  Todd will be the primary teacher.  Please pray as we choose methodology and study how best to teach English while using the Bible.  And please pray that we would be able to reach people for Christ using this platform, otherwise it's just a waste of time and energy.  Todd is also praying about incorporating the English classes to inviting several men to study with him.  Perhaps this can lead into discussions about the Gospel.  Please, please pray for open hearts and that we would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We would also ask prayer for Souzinha.  She is the wife of the owner of the house we rented the first year and 1/2 we lived here.  She is very open, seems to understand, but hasn't made a decision yet.  Her sister died this morning and it has really shaken her, since this sister raised her.  But the sister was a believer and died peacefully after fighting cancer for a long time.  This has been a tremendous testimony to the whole family. So please pray that we can minister lovingly to her and her family, and please pray that she would make a decision to accept Christ and make a commitment to Him soon.  

We also ask for prayer for some kind of resolution to Todd's permanent visa problems.  We have a possible lead with someone on the inside of the Federal Police that might help us out with getting this sooner rather than later.  If we aren't able to get this resolved soon, we might have to postpone our plans for furlough for the end of this year to sometime next year or later.  We place the timing of our furlough in the Lord's hands.  Another major prayer request is that we could find someone that would be willing to continue the work here in our stead while we're on furlough.  

Thank you for standing with us in prayer and many of you have stood with us financially.  We received several end of year gifts and want to thank you each for your generosity and participation in this ministry.

We know that this is a spiritual battleground.  Many times we are discouraged as people we thought were open turn cold.  Or we leave the house and are met with suspicion everywhere we go.  But we know that "Greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).  So please pray for courage.  Please pray for spiritual, eternal vision, having confidence in the power of God through His Word and the Holy Spirit.  And please pray that we would resist the fiery darts of the evil one; that God would place a hedge of protection around us, not only as a couple and family and team, not only physically, but also spiritually. 

Again, thank you for standing with us in prayer. 

Serving together with you,

Todd and Julie Hendry