Newsletter - The Bill-Board

Gospel Glory, Inc.

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By the time most of you receive this letter, Linda and I will be in Paranapanema, Brazil, God willing.  (Schedule) A lot of prayer, fasting, planning and preparation has been done and we can’t wait to see what God will do. We will arrive early morning July 7 in Sao Paulo and travel by bus to Paranapanema.  Originally, we had planned to spend one week in Itapetaninga.  However, we are certain that God has directed us to go to Paranapanema for the full two-week trip.  There will still be a team ministering in Itapetaninga in a huge crusade and street witnessing. Please remember them in prayer. There is no doubt they will be used mightily of God. Our relationship with our Brazilian brothers and sisters is very special and it is our focus to build on that even more this year. This will be our third trip and we are very excited about seeing our dear friends again and witness firsthand what God is doing there. Their heart for worship is so genuine and their true childlike faith is like none we have ever witnessed. We are so honored that they would allow us the wonderful privilege of joining them in their endeavors to grow the kingdom of God.  We want to be used of God to minister in whatever way He wants to use us. Please be in much prayer for this greatly anticipated journey.  It is never too late for you to send a financial gift in support of the work there.  We are so thankful for your generosity.  This is one way that God’s love can flow through you to people who are in need.  Your prayerful consideration is appreciated. Your willing support makes a huge difference. Thank you for your love and prayers.

Just as last year, there are many that have faithfully promised to keep us in prayer for this trip, in particular while we are in Brazil.  We are also asking you to pray for Will, Alene and Louise (our interpreters), Pastor Walner and all the wonderful people that we will be ministering with and to on this important mission trip.  So that you will know how to pray with direction, a copy of our tentative itinerary, as sent to us by our friend, Samuel, is being posted on our website, “billlewissings.homestead.com”.  We want to do our part to help strengthen the body of Christ in the Paranapanema area as well as win lost souls to Jesus Christ.

If you look at our schedule for the trip, you will see that it is chocked full of opportunities to serve.  We are thankful for every one of them and will gladly take on more, as God leads.  Pastor Walner has scheduled time for rest.  He is very thoughtful and kind.  In addition to Paranapanema, we will be ministering in seven other cities in the surrounding area, most of them we have visited before. We will be witnessing in homes, churches, the streets, schools, jails, hospitals, several radio stations and more.  We will be meeting a new mayor in the city of Paranapanema.  Pray that we will find favor with him as in the previous administration. Pastor Walner has asked us to lead their children’s Vacation Bible School. 200 children or more will attend.  Linda and I will be working in a couple’s retreat with over 150 couples.  Linda has been asked to lead a ladies conference.  We know that there will be at least 100 women present. We mailed nine boxes of materials for these events nearly a month ago.  Here’s another prayer concern for you.  With only a week before we fly out, only 3 boxes have arrived.  God will send what we need, when we need it.  He has already made more provisions through dear friends.  Knowing that, we are not worried, but admittedly concerned for the other supplies.  There are too many events to list here, so go take a look at the schedule and we will update you with everything we possibly can in future letters. Thank you for your prayers.

Recently, we were in concert on Sunday evening with some folks that we have visited several times.  It is a wonderful church in North Carolina.  The pastor and the congregation have been so good to us and we have gotten very close to them.  It is always a treat to worship with them and this latest occasion was something really special.  The presence of the Holy Spirit was evident from the very beginning of the service.  While singing that night, I was especially drawn to the children.  Now, my recaller don’t work like it use to, but as I recall, there was close to a dozen kids there, ranging from 4 to around 12 years of age.  Almost all of them were sitting close to the front.  You know me, I can’t stand still while I’m singing or preaching.  As I was looking into the faces of all those kids, I realized they were completely tuned in to every song.  In between songs the Lord led me to talk to them about the plans He has for each of them and their relationship with God being the most important relationship in their life.  Somewhere during the service I shared briefly the plan of salvation, still talking directly to the children.  During the invitation, two of them, a brother and sister, came forward to be saved.  While singing what I thought was our last song, I watched them as they talked and prayed with Pastor Allen.  The sights of watching people make Jesus Christ the Lord of their life is the most precious sight in the world.  As Pastor Allen and others led those two to Jesus, several others came forward to pray, all around the altar. 

When I finished the song, Linda put on a CD to play in the background so that I could join in praying for those at the altar. Often, during these moments, Linda will play music from one of our CDs, which she did for a while.  However, as folks were finishing around the altar, she felt compelled to play a song from our latest favorite CD by Karen Peck and New River.  The song is a remake of the old “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown”.  It’s very upbeat and it’s gooooood!  People were on their feet, clapping and waving their hands.  All of sudden, Pastor Allen had grabbed a microphone.  He was singing for all he’s worth, along with the CD.  Hopping, skipping, running across the platform.  Singing, shouting, jumping, waving his free hand, glasses sliding down his nose and his shirt more than half untucked.  He was totally enjoying himself.  What freedom!  After the song finished, the reprisal kicked in and away he went again.  Then, during the offering, Linda played it again and so did Pastor Allen.  He put everything he had into total worship.  Some would call it too much emotionalism.  I think we could use a whole lot more of it.  Think about it.  Two new names had just been added to the Book of Life.  Several folks just had burdens lifted and a lot of people had just gotten closer to the Lord.  Top it all off, we were singing about going to heaven.  That ought to stir everybody’s emotions.  

We have been receiving encouraging reports about the people on our prayer and fasting list.  Thank you for remembering these folks in your petitions to our heavenly Father.  Please continue praying for: Elizabeth, Aubrey, Mary, Rachel, Carl, Margie, Nancy, Kinley, Ray, Juanita, Sandy, Linda, Kenny, Janice, Tom, Barb, Jim, Elaine, Paul, Sue, Nancy, Verona, Ed, Penny, Stan, Vicky, Kristin, Nicole, Wanda, Dorie, Helen, Hillary, Jeremy, Donna, Bill, Judi, Laura, Dinny, Mary Ellen, Trey, Jimmy, Matt, Jennifer, William, Ronnie, Brittany, Brooke, Gene, Joyce, Sue, Missy, Arlene, Jackie, Kevin, David, Melissa, Gary, Myrtle, Mona, Bonnie, Imogene, June and the peace of Israel.

Until next month, Bill and Linda
billy.r.lewis@worldnet.att.net