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December 2001
Dear Family and Friends,
We are finally returning to Brazil! We are physically able to
return and very excited about going. We will leave for Brazil
on January 3.
We have been invited by the Independent Presbyterian Church of
Brazil to go to a new location. We will work continue church planting
and evangelism in Salvador, Bahia. We will work with a small congregation
and are asked to begin new work, too.
Living in Salvador will be a big change for us! Salvador is the
capital of Bahia with over 2,500,000 people, the fourth-largest
state capital in Brazil! The first town we worked in had 2,000
people. Salvador has a Pan American School, so all three children
will be able to go a school while living at home. It will be different,
but great going to a school. Dorothy said, "I cannot teach
them at home right now, plus John has reached the age when I don’t
feel like I can challengingly teach him at home any more."
When we came to the States in September of 2000 I thought we
would be going back to Brazil in January. I was right, I just
didn’t know it would be January 2002, fifteen months after
we came to the States.
Salvador is a historic city. It is where the slave trade was
first introduced to Brazil. Along with slavery came voodoo and
witchcraft, which to this day influence the culture and the daily
lives of many Brazilians. We need the grace and the power of God’s
love in overcoming the superstition and spiritual darkness which
are very present.
During this time I’ve been impressed with a couple of different
things. I’m impressed with the "connectedness"
of the body of Christ. A couple of months ago, there was a board
meeting here at Mission Haven where we’re staying. When we
told the ladies our last name, the immediate response was, "We’ve
been praying for you. How are you doing?" Total strangers
to us, but faithful in prayer on our behalf. The second reality
that came to me as I’ve heard others speak of their faith
journeys is that we are not immune to difficulties along life’s
way. Just because we are missionaries, God’s ambassadors
to others, does not mean that we will not have a few "scrapes
and bruises" along the way. God promises to be with us all
along the way and open the way before us, but that may not necessarily
be an easy way. We learn through troubles and hardships. God uses
these circumstances in our lives to draw us closer to Himself.
There are several things you can pray for as we return.
Prayer requests
- renting a house in our new location
- pray the Lord’s blessing as we set up our household in
this large city
- pray for John, Elizabeth, and Daniel as they begin school
January 28
- pray for our family as we return to Sobral say goodbye to
our friends, pack, and make the move to our new city
- safety for Gordon and John as they drive from Sobral to Salvador,
1000 miles away. Dorothy and the others will fly
- Pray for wisdom, discernment, and discretion as we deal with
the challenges that face God’s people
- Pray that we will be drawn to the special people God has called
us to minister to
- Pray for a hedge of protection around our family as we minister
in the Lord’s name
Thanksgiving
- Good health reports for both Gordon and Dorothy
- new assignment in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- For the opportunity to return to the mission field
- We count on your continued prayer and support as we begin
our new assignment .
In Christ’s service,
Gordon & Dorothy Gartrell
The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 258
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