May 31, 2006

Brazilian greetings!

Candi and I are back home in Brazil again, stirred up and ready to go. Our time in the States was fruitful,but much longer than we had originally expected. Our visit was difficult at times, but we were there by the Spirit of God, and thankful. He always has us where we need to be, and on time. We always have our plan, but God always has His. You would think that I should be used to the curves in the road by now.

When Candi and I were preparing to come back to Brazil this time, we knew we would have to hit the ground running, and that is exactly what happened. We arrived on Tuesday, unpacked and relaxed. I was home the next day, and left Thursday with Dan Duke and Joshua Matos for the city of Castello. Castello is several hours away from the closest airport, so we were able to enjoy (endure?) a 3 hour ride into the mountains. Brazil is cool this time of year, and so beautiful. It is simply striking how God has blessed this country with such beauty. Yet nothing in the natural is as beautiful as the work that God is doing here.

Castello is a new city for us. Neither Dan, Josh or myself had ever been here before. The church there has been asking for Dan's team to come for quite some time. They were overjoyed that Dan got the nod from the Holy Ghost. It was wonderful. The pastors there are gracious and very hospitable people. The first night was a very slow night of spiritual plowing, as Dan began to penetrate the traditional Assembly of God Atmosphere. The people there are hungry, but do not know how to respond. Like most other traditional churches, they have been taught to observe rather than participate. By the end of the second meeting tho, the Fire was falling. They found out what all of us know; no one can simply sit and watch when the fire falls on you. As their hunger level rose, so did the manifestation of the Holy Ghost! By the fourth and final night, all were soaked and saturated in the presence of God. Jesus baptized a great number of the church members in the Holy Ghost. They had never sung a song in the Spirit before. I ministered the Sunday morning meeting, and instructed them all to sing in tongues. It was wonderful to hear their voices raised in harmony, experiencing something that many of us take for granted.

When is the last time you sang a new, spiritual song to Jesus in the quiet of the night, or in the congregation of the upright? God help us to hold fast and apply the gifts and the graces He as so freely given us. Everyone reading this letter is a child of privilege and blessing, and we thank God for his Liberality. Yet, we are commanded to hold fast what we have, and not to allow anyone to steal our prize! Perhaps it is a good time to examine your spiritual storehouses, and see if the goods are intact! Let it never be said of us that we buried our talents, or lost our revelation through lack of use. To get distracted at this hour in God, or to be robbed by lack of diligence, would truly be a tragedy. Stir yourselves up my friends, and pray in the Holy Ghost! Amen.

It was good to see many of you, and enjoy your fellowship while we were there. Our many thanks to pastors and friends that hosted us, and for the hard work of our team. One of my greatest experiences this last trip home, was for Candi and I to pray with my father to be born again and filled with the Holy Ghost! My dad has had a desire to be able to sense the presence of God. Now he has much more than a touch...He has a permanent friend dwelling within. Thank God for His faithfulness to my father, and to my family. God is good, all the time!

Our schedule for June. June 8-19th- Ministry in Campo Grande, Durados and the surrounding area. This will require a great deal of driving, so I would appreciate your intercession. I have not been to many of these area churches before, and these represent many new doors. June 23-25- 3 nights of meetings with our good friends Ps Nelson and Annain the city of Santos. June 28-July 2- nightly meetings with the 4 Square Chruch in Betim. Since our meetings with them several months ago, this church has been under construction spiritually. They are no longer a traditional 4 Square Church, and the pastors are changed forever.

Thanks to all who stand with us as partners and make this all possible. This will be our greatest year yet, and our busiest. July is the first anniversary of our move to Brazil. We have never been so stirred, and so dedicated. To those of you who partner with us monthly in finances, thank you from the depths of our hearts. You are really making it happen! To those of you who stand with us in prayer, you open the heavens and keep us in health and safety. Thank you for your life giving support in the heaven-lies!

To those of you who watch and wonder…well…pray about supporting us this year in finance and prayer. Some of you are waiting for us to get bored and come back….you will be waiting a long time!

We have never needed covenant partners like we do right now. This is the greatest time in history to be alive, and an opportunity for you to touch thousands of people in a very real way. You are all loved and covered in prayer.

Stay in the River!!!!
Jeff & Candi Martin