Winter 2021 Newsletter

Today is a Great Day For the Gospel!
Our local pastor here in Brazil often says, “Today is a great day for the gospel!” This phrase has really stuck with us as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to stretch on and on.  Every day is a good day to remember the gospel, rejoice in the gospel, and share the gospel.  In this newsletter we are happy to report a few ways we are promoting the spreading of the gospel here in São Paulo. 

Casa Semear, the ministry in the slums of São Paulo where Felipe serves, has only recently reopened their doors and is receiving small groups of children and teens a few times a week. Strict protocols must be followed, but everyone is so happy to be together again!  

Felipe is back to giving Bible studies to the kids and leading times of praise and worship on his guitar. The first week the programs resumed, the kids were super excited to be at Casa Semear together with friends. The children and teens enthusiastically sang during each worship session, singing with all their hearts, and throughout other activities the kids were intently listening and participating well.  Felipe noticed they had genuinely missed the programs at Casa Semear. 

 

Earlier this month Felipe was blessed with the opportunity to preach at our local church, Calvary International Church (www.calvary.org.br/). The sermon is in English, as we are a part of a wonderful English speaking international church. If you would like to listen to the message, which focuses on the book of Malachi, you can check out a recording at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-OFoP8bUnQ&t=10s 

We are thankful for all the opportunities God gives us to share the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ, even during these COVID times.  Whether we are interacting with family, friends, neighbors, or ministering in a more formal setting - we pray that our words will always be seasoned with salt as we exalt Christ and share the gospel.  What an encouragement that every day is “a good day for the gospel!” 
 

Our Upcoming Furlough
Lord willing, we will be traveling very soon to the USA!  Please pray for us as each person in our family (except for baby Annabelle) will take a mandatory COVID test to travel.  We need to stay healthy between now and our travel dates. Please also pray for all the logistics and practical things we need to do in order to make this trip possible. May God give grace to get everything done successfully. 

We also want to praise the Lord for His goodness and provision! God has already provided so much in relation to our trip: plane tickets, housing, a car, clothing, and so much more! 

Our Itinerary  
Our tentative itinerary is to arrive in the Charlotte, NC area on March 11 and quarantine (at Laura’s parents’ home) for ten days.  We will spend some time visiting with family after this quarantine.

Will we see you? 
We hope to see and visit in person with those who feel comfortable with doing so.  We know during these times it proves to be more difficult to visit each other in person.  Please email us if you would like to get together personally or even meet online. We would love to connect! Our email: laura.felipe.matias@gmail.com
 

Additional Prayer Points
Pray for strong health and protection as we fly internationally on March 10th-11th and as we travel within the US in the coming months.

God’s will to be done during this furlough time. We know it will be a very different trip for us due to COVID.  May God lead and use every opportunity for His purposes.

Continual provision for all our needs as a missionary family.
 

Thank you again for your prayers, love, and  partnership in spreading the gospel! 

Blessings from Brazil,  
Laura, Felipe, Sophia, Jessie, Josiah, & Annabelle Matias