WE RETURNED!

We thank the Lord that we were blessed with an awesome summer of ministry. This year was the closest thing to normal we have experienced in quite a while. After more than 2 years of uncertainty and disruptive requirements, it was wonderful to get back to Brazil and serve churches alongside our Brazilian brothers and sisters.

While the lessons from the pandemic are still being learned, we have been reminded of a lesson we learned during our early CMU years. It is the importance of saying "yes" and then moving forward by simply being faithful and steadfast.

And so are you, the CMU family. Every one of you who participates in this ministry plays a vital role. Those of you who pray, those who send, and those who support, together we are building THE church and building into local churches and into the lives of people just as much as the volunteers who go. Together we are all Brick Layers and are blessed to be a part of all the wonderful things the Lord allows us to build along the way.

BUILDING THE CHURCH

Through the gift of five church buildings, paths were created for us to go to Brasil, get off the bus and love on those sweet people face to face. CMU was able to bless five new churches in Brazil with a Gospel station.

Back in 2015 we had the privilege of building a church in the town of Brejo Santos Ceara. I remember this well because the Pastors name is Melkizideque. This June a team from Springfield, Missouri took an 8 hour bus ride from Fortaleza and built a church in a community called Triangulo or “Triangle”. This new Gospel station was birthed and planted by Pastor Melkizideqe’s church - FBC Brejos Santos.

Original team members Trish and Onilda Dean visit Umburanas BC, constructed in 2016. In August were working in a little town called Mauriti. Located about 20 minutes away is another little town called Umberanas where we worked years ago. I had the pleasure of reuniting with Pastor Jossiam and went to visit his church which we built back in 2016.

I saw the little Sunday school rooms they added, the children drawings and bible verses on the wall, saw how they had painted and tiled the floor. They are so proud of their little building. When we gave them their building years back they had 15 members and 25 attending, Today they have 65 members and run around 100 on Sundays. They were doing all they could back then, they just needed a little help,

Pastor Norton Lages

Many of you remember Pastor Norton Lages who still pastors First Baptist Church Manaus Brasil. Norton was not only a dear friend of my father but his partner and a cornerstone of CMU, as he and my father started working together in the late 70’s.

I had the privilege of being with him at his 80th Birthday celebration at FBC Manaus back in August. What a treat it was to be with the Norton and Alice and the Lages family, as well as many friends of CMU. Norton has had a profound influence on me since I was a little boy and continues to be a mentor and a guide in this life.

EQUIPPING THE CHURCH

What began during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a key ministry tool for our CMU family in Brazil. When the pandemic began, CMU shifted to 'Trading Bricks for Beans'. In spite of being unable to travel and serve in Brazil, the Lord opened a door for our CMU family to continue to serve. We began providing simple, sustainable monthly food baskets. Each basket ensures that a family of five will have their monthly nutritional needs met.

While the pandemic has faded for most of us, this ministry opportunity reminds us that meeting the physical needs of others is central to the Gospel and the CMU family has committed to continuing this vital ministry. Our church leaders all across Brazil have shared with us how providing these food baskets to hurting families gives them access and credibility for ministry they might never get otherwise. They are able to build relationships with the lost and share the Gospel.

The CMU Family continues to provide these monthly food baskets to sustain 135 families every month, through the local church in Brazil.

CMU may be small but we get to do so much! We are privileged to serve the people of Brazil and to serve people here at home by meeting physical and spiritual needs, and to see people come to faith in Christ. This is all possible because we, the CMU family, simply say "yes" as we pray and trust the Lord to help us remain faithful and steadfast.

So thank you all; for your prayers, your gifts, your presence, your encouragement and your commitment to help us do the things God had called us to do.

YEAR END GIVING

If you would like to bless the ministry of CMU with a year-end gift for Christmas, you can mail a check or make a on-line donation at our website. Contact the office for more information.

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