Over this weekend we held a Christmas service and dinner at the church in São José on Saturday night and a service and dinner at the church in Barreiras on Sunday night.  We had a great time in both!  You can view pictures on the “Photos” tab on our website. 

On Saturday during the service in São José Melissa asked the children in Children’s Church if they got a Christmas gift.  Everyone of them responded, “No.”  They don’t even get one gift.  Can you imagine?  So, that night, they each got a little something and they were all thrilled!  We also chose to draw names and play “Secret Friends” and exchange gifts.  Some of the kids participated, too.  Troy and one of his friends, Daniel, each drew one another’s names.  Daniel and his brother are special boys at the church.  Both of them have Muscular Dystrophy.  Daniel (8 years old) is already in a wheelchair.  He and Troy always sit by each other.  When he gave Troy a gift, including a bookmark that pictured a boy in a wheelchair and another boy beside him and on the back he wrote, “I like you a lot.  You are a good friend.”  What an opportunity that Troy has to be a friend to another little boy that will not have very many days left on this earth.  Daniel’s dad isn’t a Christian and he came to the service at the end.  Please pray that he will accept Christ as his personal Savior. 

On Sunday night in Barreiras we had a little dramatized Christmas story, the children played handbells, some young people read poems, and some special music.  After the message we had a great dinner!  It was a lot of fun to see the people participating in the service.  One of the best parts is that the people of the church came up with most of the program.  They all were great about bringing food and helping set up and serve, etc.  I said to a couple of them, “You guys are good!  All I have to do is show up and preach!”  It was crowded and hot but I really believe that the Lord used the service to cause people to contemplate the true meaning of Christmas.  There were unsaved people there and we are praying for them to trust Christ as their personal Savior. 

We thank you all for the part that you play in allowing us to be here!  We wish you a Merry Christmas!