matheny brazil report december 2006

Matheny Brazil ReportDecember 2006

The SJC church has met in this rented building for 3 yrs.

In SJC the men have a monthly training session for those who lead in worship.

Kevin and Mary Lynn Cauley of Berryville, Ark., came and taught Aug. 7-17.

Evangelistic weekend, Oct. 2006● Theme “Beyond

this Life”● People invited –

92● No. of visitors

during the two days – 12

● Percentage – 13%

● Speakers – five (three outside SJC)

Evangelistic weekend, Oct. 2006

● RESULTS● Excellent participation of

the disciples.● Greater consciousness

on the part of the churchfor evangelism.

● A number of new contacts.● Participation by contacts in other studies and

groups.● Plans to repeat the event in 2007.

Taubaté is the second largest city in our region, with 250,000 inhabitants. The Via Dutra, from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, runs through it.

The moment of confession and baptism provides a time of teaching those who’ve not yet obeyed.

Claudete is sister to Paula in SJC. Vicki and I studied with her and her husband Odilio, whom we hope will soon decide.

We were grateful for more numerical results in 2006: Claudete, baptized inthe Taubaté church,and two in Guará.

We may have opportunity to use a lot from a previous work that was unsuccessful.

Guilherme and his mom Suellen have been visiting the church at Guará. Above, Guilherme, Lourdes (new sister in Christ baptized 2006), Suellen.

GUARÁ

Clayton was baptized this year in Guará.

Here, with his mother Fátima. The whole family is now united in Christ.

GUARÁ

Bianca,Guará Christian, turns 15.

GUARÁ

In March 06 Randal taught his “Total Transformation” course in the São Bernardo congregation in Campinas, about 2 hrs away from SJC. The weekend seminar takes 13-14 hrs.

Randal speaks at National Christian Workers Encounter April 06, near São Paulo, one of the Brazilian church’s major events.

On 6 May 06 Randal spoke at the 1st Encounter of Faithful Ministers of Christ, at the Jardim das Flores church in São Paulo. His topic, “Why I’m Just a Christian,” fit in well with the theme on rejecting denominationalism. Other speakers included Francisco Bezerra and missionary John Pennisi.

On 20 May 06 Randal taught his seminar, “The Jesus I Need,” at the Osasco congregation.

The quartet Hallel also sang for the participants.

In Aug. 06 Randal spoke at the 1st Preachers Files Lectures in Berryville, Ark., hosted by website preachersfiles.com

Teaching Trip to Prazeres

I went to teach “This We Believe,” a course on important doctrines being challenged today, such as baptism, nature of the church, women’s role, music in worship.

Teaching Trip to Prazeres

Prazeres is located in the greater Recife area. The area is being challenged by false teachings from several different

people and congregations.

A few high points of 2006● March – Randal’s

Campinas seminar● Apr. – Randal speaks

at men’s encounter● May – Randal speaks

in regional SP event● May – Randal in

Osasco evangelism● June – Landons

teach in SJC

● June – Vicki teaches in SP ladies’ day

● Aug. – PF Lecs Ark.● Aug. – Cauleys teach● Oct. – Recife seminar● Nov. – Vicki’s class at

big retreat● Nov. – SJC special

weekend seminar● Dec. – USA

National ladies retreat, Nov 06. Vicki a

speaker. SJC ladies spent the night at

Paula’s in São Paulo

Vicki’s lesson was well received and garnered many positive comments.

Vicki taught on winning over the monsters in our lives. Her visual aids, drawn by Leila’s music teacher’s son, kept people awake – after the lesson, too.

250 ladies participated in the two-day event.

The publication of Edification Magazine and other books and courses in Brazil continues strong.

Randal writes in English, too. Like his article in the June, 2006, Gospel Advocate.

And don’t forget his e-zine, www.Forthright.net

Randal also co-edited and contributed to the book Straight to the Cross, published Oct. 2005 by his and Barbara Oliver’s Forthright Press.

Next book: Dr. Glover Shipp’s Twice as Much Husband, Half as Much Money, on retirement issues.

In 2 ½ year period, the dollar lost 55% against the real and inflation in Brazil. That’s losing half your salary.

Dates are important to us.

In 2006 Randal joined the 49ers.

And the Mathenys marked 22 years of service in Brazil in Nov.

Leila plays at year-end recital. Nov. 06

Leila was a star player at recital Nov. 2006. Right: Prof. Gilda w/Leila

Music school students who gave recital.

From our Christmas tree to yours. We enjoy this holiday season with family and friends (first time in 16 years!). And we thank God for his abundant mercies in Jesus Christ our Savior.