Robert and Mary Jo Foster Update

Family, Friends & Supporters,

Have you seen the Nationwide Insurance television commercial that says: "Life comes at you fast!" Well, it is true! On February 1st, I had to go to the emergency room in severe pain and the next day I had another surgery, made necessary by a lone artery that began bleeding in the region where I had surgery on December 30th. The artery had to be cauterized. The next day I went home.

So, my recuperation from surgery has continued with what I hope will prove to be only a minor setback. I appreciate your prayers and any help** that you can provide with the mounting medical expenses.

Exciting things are happening in Rio! At the end of 2008, I received a very encouraging report from a lay evangelist who is the leader of EE training at his local church. He also is an EE volunteer representative in the large, beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. Below is the English translation of that report. Rejoice with us as you read of how the EE ministry is resulting in New testament multiplication in his local church and beyond.

Another year is coming to an end, and the Lord gave us so many victories! I am sure that, if you look back retrospectively at your life in 2008, you will remember tremendous blessings from God, right? However, it is possible that your year was not as good as you expected: intense battles, unexpected losses, unpleasant surprises... But, if you are reading this email now, it is because the Lord has supported you up to this point. I am certain that, if this was a year of testing in your life, it is because God wants to give you greater responsibilities. In order to present ourselves to God as workers approved, we have to experience testing! There is no other way! At the end of this year, even if you don't feel like you have many reasons to be happy, celebrate God for the harvest that will come because if you go out weeping, carrying your bag of seed, you will come home singing, carrying your bundles of grain! (see Psalm 126:6)

For those of us in EVANGELISM EXPLOSION at New Life Christian Church in Vista Alegre (Rio de Janeiro), reasons to celebrate are not in short supply! Just this year in our local church training:

• We trained 32 members of our church to share the Gospel, contributing to their spiritual and personal growth.

• We held 2 EE leadership training clinics, one for child evangelism/children's leaders and the other for adult evangelism/pastors, as well as 2 informational seminars about EE.
As a result of these opportunities, we had the privilege of cooperating in the spiritual growth of approximately 50 pastors and leaders from 22 churches and 10 evangelical denominations. It was truly a “festa” (celebrative party) for the kingdom of God!

• However, the most important aspect of all of these activities is that adding up the results of all of on-the-job training visits of 2008, about 380 people were evangelized! In other words, 380 people heard the message of the cross shared in a respectful, but at the same time, a confronting way, leading them to make a decision to repent of their sins and receive Christ as their only sufficient Lord and Savior.

• It is important, too, to emphasize that of these 380 people that heard the message of the cross in a logical and comprehensive way, less than 10% demonstrated a negative attitude! And we can affirm that without a doubt hundreds of people this year will celebrate Christmas with a different perspective because Christians who were trained and equipped obeyed the Great Commission and did their part in the salvation of the lost!

To everyone who now reads this email, and especially those who participated in our training, those of us in EE at New Life Christian Church of Vista Alegre (Rio de Janeiro) desire for you that the year 2009 is full of the Lord’s blessings! Take advantage of this time of the year to share with your friends and relatives the only present that can transform their lives, the PRESENT OF ETERNAL LIFE! And, those of you who were trained to be a trainer of soul winners don’t allow the battles and difficulties of this life make you give up in moving forward in the purposes of God in your life. Train the believers in your local church and do your part so that next year and in subsequent years we can celebrate not just hundreds, but thousands and thousands of lost people reached by the message of the cross!

Together for a Changed World,

Evangelist João Luís Amaral
ICNV – Vista Alegre
Now, that is encouraging! Thank you for being a part of this multiplying ministry through your prayers and financial support!!

Blessings,

Robert & Mary Jo
EE-Brazil