Commended from:  Grand Haven, MI '53

Dear brother and sister Keane,

Recently my attention was drawn to Psalm 116. One can’t but be attracted to the writer who has had a very personal experience with God. The Psalm has three natural divisions, all revealing gratitude to God for all He has done. Note:

1 - Gratitude Evidenced in Love to God - (Ps. 116:1,2). “I love the Lord..” (v1). Why? God hears me when I pray is his  assurance. When I pray He’s interested, He cares, He hears and so faithful to answer. Note his Resolution. = “I love Him, and will always pray to Him, daily as long as I shall live..” (v.2b)

2 - Gratitude Born Out of a Personal Experience With God - (Ps. 116:3-9). What was his experience? It was a life or death situation. God heard his cry for help (v. 4), and saved his life. (v.4) Note Resolution No.2.= “..I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” (v.9) A determination to live his restored life for God’s pleasure.

3 - Gratitude That Must Render Praise to God. - (Ps.116:12-19.) Gratitude flowing in love questions, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings?” (v.12) Note Resolution No. 3 = “.To Thee I shall offer...thanksgiving”. (v. 17.) God protect us from the sinful attitude of ingratitude to Him, the fountain of every blessing. (Ef. l:3)

....Would like to take this opportunity to share what is happening here in our part of the world. God is gracious and have considerable for which to praise Him.

As we seek to cooperate with the various local churches in the greater  Sao Paulo area we can only praise Him for the evidences of the Lord’s  hand of blessing. The assembly at Vila Beatriz is one of these. One can’t be present with them without taking note of the number that are actively participating in the varied areas of ministry. Wonderful to see this local church moving forward in the right direction.

The morning worship service celebrating the Lord’s Supper is beyond  question one of their priority gatherings on the Lord’s Day. Attendance is high with a ready participation by the believers in rendering heartfelt praise and worship to the Lord. Brethren intelligently lead us with their spiritual offerings of praise to the One who alone is worthy of all exaltation.

Sunday evening the gospel service gives ample opportunity for the young peoples coral and women's quartet to share in presenting Jesus Christ in song prior to the evangelistic message. Their one aim is that the Lord might be glorified through the salvation precious souls. The Lord is honoring their efforts and souls are being won to the Saviour. Cause for thanks to Him for sure!

I have recently been involved in two Bible Camps, one at Conceicao de Carangola and the second at Araraquara. Both were well attended with about 100 teenagers present at Conceicao, and the second about 150. Interestingly the second of these was almost totally made up of Christians, while the other gave greater opportunity to put a stronger emphasis in the gospel.

The Bible Camp at Conceicao de Carangola is located about 12 hours by bus from Sao Paulo. What a surprise to meet the brother who would share the ministry sessions with me waiting to catch the same bus. We hadn’t planned this. I didn’t recognize him. He reminded me that about twenty years before he was a camper up in the city of Bauru where I was the speaker. Now saved, married and with a family is in full time work for the Lord.

Once camp got underway, Mario and I had plenty to keep us on the move. We both had two ministry sessions each day. It was interesting to note there were far more young men present than gals which is not often the case. To the contrary, for often the fellows have to work during school vacation time. The two themes that were dealt with were “The Coming of the Lord.”, and “Learning and Growing in the Christian Experience.” Four, fifty minute study sessions daily seems a lot to expect from young people but this certainly was not the case.Their interest was keen all the way.

The last study of each day was directed to evangelism. The number of unsaved young people was sizable, and as we presented the message of salvation prayed the Lord would confirm His presence in the salvation of precious souls. We were not to be disappointed as the Spirit of God began silently working in their hearts. Before long some confided to others of having trusted the Savior. Praise the Lord! Eternity though will one day reveal the total number that placed their faith in the Savior of sinners. Your prayers are valued on behalf of these new believers that they will continue faithfully evidencing their new life in Christ by a walk of obedience to Christ.

The years have passed quickly since the inception of the Visconde Gospel Chapel located on in the city of Piracicaba. This was the third work begun in the city, and since the number has increased to seven or eight. Other preaching points presently give hopes for more coming into existence in the not to distant future. We feel their is real cause for praise to see what is being accomplished through the excellent cooperation of God’s people.

I had been invited of late to participate in the 15th anniversary of the Visconde Gospel Chapel. For me it was a blessing to be able to share from God’s Word at this special time. The Lord’s people give an extra effort to participate in celebrations of this kind, and were pleased to see so many present.

Saturday afternoon the elders of the chapel requested I meet with them. When we were gathered together I noted these were younger men who had not been the spiritual leaders of the work very long. They requested my help to guide them concerning a serious situation involving one of the elders (he was not present) and his family. They felt the Lord was not blessing the work of his church because of their sinful conduct, nor would He until this matter was dealt with. Looking into the Word of God we soon put our finger on Biblical precepts that provided a course of action they must take. All agreed it must be done as quickly as possible. We were soon lifting our hearts to God for the way He had lead, and sought His guidance and blessing for the days ahead,

Before closing want to share some prayer pointers:

== Pray regarding Helen's petition for renewal of the I-131 document with the U.S. Immigration. As a Green Card holder living outside the U.S.A. she must have this to avoid losing her U.S.A. visa status.

== Pray for a new work begun in the city of Pereira Paulista. Sunday afternoon we met in a sizable second room floor of the business district. This would be their second Lord’s day together. A few Christians from some of the numerous other churches forms the nucleus for this effort. May the Lord encourage, and bless in seeing a new gospel witness established for His glory.

== Our on-going ministry . Helen and I need your continued prayers as we seek to serve Him in this land. We need wisdom from Him that we might not get bogged down in secondary matters, and give priority in the areas where He would have us use our time and energies wisely for Him.

Will close this for now. God richly bless, and do keep looking up.

He’s coming again!

Joyfully in His service by grace, DON and HELEN DEWEESE