In This Issue
How do you keep in touch with us?
David and Lynn Atkisson
Hilary, Jacob, and Taylor
Mailing/Field Address:
Rua Serra do Caparaó, 11
Condomínio Recanto Ecológico
Jd. Paranapanema
Campinas - SP 13095-500
Brasil
Email Addresses:
datkisson@mtwsa.org or
dalasdg02@aol.com
Hilary
Sweet16 101185@aol.com
Jacob
JTA5388@aol.com
Taylor
Hurleygirl6589@aol.com
WebPages:
www.mtwla.org/people/datkisson.htm
Make support gifts to:
Mission to the World
P.O. Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368-6284
Atkisson support acct.
#10130
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:14-16
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Nossos Vistos (Our Visas)
In our last newsletter, I explained about our visa situation with the Brazilian government and our need to submit an appeal to their decision of rejecting our renewal applications. I also told you of the wonderful help and support we have received from our brother in Christ, Fausto, who is a federal judge as well as an elder at 1st Pres. in Goiania. Since our last newsletter, we received the appeal letter that Fausto composed for us as well as numerous letters of support from different pastors and ministries here in Campinas. We have since sent all of these documents in to the Ministry of Justice in Brasilia to make our appeal for a reversal of their decision. We have been told that this process can take several months before a ruling takes place. We would ask that you continue to pray that the Lord's Will be done and for His guidance as we seek to serve Him either in Brazil or wherever else He would have us do His kingdom work.
Margarida (Mãe de Caê)
We recently told you about Caê's mother, Margarida, and her growing interest in the Gospel. She had told Lynn and I that she saw something different in us and other Christians and how we seemed to have true peace. She told us that she had never experienced this in 12 years being involved in the Rosacucian fellowship (a cult that mixes pagan mythology with Judaism, and Christianity with traces of Hinduism and Buddhism) and thus she wanted to know more about a relationship with Jesus Christ. We invited her to the IPB church we attend, and to look more in depth at what the Bible says about Jesus. She gladly accepted. In our weekly study, Lynn and I saw the Holy Spirit guide and direct our teaching in Portuguese as well as soften her heart to the truth of the Gospel. Three weeks into our study, she asked Jesus Christ to be her Savior and Lord of her life. We rejoice along with the heavenly hosts for this newborn child of the living God! Please pray earnestly for Margarida's faith to grow and multiply as we continue to minister to her, and for her to persevere against the wiles of the evil one.
Emerson
You may recall our request for you to pray for a street boy named Emerson that the Lord brought across our path. Please continue to pray in earnest for him, as his living situation has deteriorated and he tells us that his mother and younger siblings have left town. He is now solely living on the street, whereas before he would sometimes go to his house in the favela. Lynn recently found him outside a grocery store begging, and when he saw her, his eyes lit up as he ran to her crying, "Tia, Tia (Aunt, Aunt)!!"
He told her about his mother, and that he had not eaten that day. She bought him something to eat, and told him to meet her near the store later that afternoon and she would bring him something more to eat. We told him that we would bring him something everyday and for him to meet us near the same spot at a set time.
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Lord Jesus,
I am blind, be Thou my light, ignorant, be Thou my wisdom, self-willed, be Thou my mind.
Open my ear to grasp quickly Thy Spirit's voice, and delightfully run after His beckoning hand; Melt my conscience that no hardness remain, make it alive to evil's slightest touch; When Satan approaches may I flee to Thy wounds, and there cease to tremble at all alarms.
Be my Good Shepherd to lead me into the green pastures of Thy Word, and cause me to lie down beside the rivers of its comforts. Fill me with peace, that no disquieting worldly gales may ruffle the calm surface of my soul.
Thy cross was upraised to be my refuge, Thy blood streamed forth to wash me clean, Thy death occurred to give me a surety, Thy name is my property to save me, By Thee all heaven is poured into my heart, but it is too narrow to comprehend Thy love.
I was a stranger, an outcast, a slave, a rebel, but Thy cross has brought me near, has softened my heart, has made me Thy Father's child, has admitted me to Thy family, has made me joint-heir with Thyself.
O that I may love Thee as Thou lovest me, that I may walk worthy of Thee, my Lord, that I may reflect the image of heaven's first-born.
May I always see Thy beauty with the clear eye of faith, and feel the power of Thy Spirit in my heart, for unless He move mightily in me no inward fire will be kindled.
The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions
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We found him that afternoon asleep under a covered seating area at a closed café. He gobbled down the food, all the while thanking us for it as he told us more of his living situation. He told us of his struggles just to get something to eat each day, the temptations of drugs offered freely to him, and the dangers from others trying to steal from him.
We told him that we would be back the next day with something more to eat and that we could talk further. We have not seen him since that day. We have learned from experience that it is not uncommon for these kids to not "follow through" because they do not trust adults. They also must survive on the streets avoiding predators, police, drug dealers, and other kids who are out to steal what they have. Therefore, we ask that you would pray for this lost boy, wherever he is, and for us as we seek to establish trust and minister to him in word and deed.
Orações e Adorações (Prayer & Praises)
- Our house - since our last newsletter, we have resolved the problem over the rent, and thus we will remain at our present house unless we must leave over the visa situation.
- Hilary has finished her last final exams and will graduate on Dec. 16! Taylor also has finished her last exams, and will move on to the 8th grade when the new school year begins in February. Jacob continues to homeschool with Lynn. Please pray for Jacob to be motivated to complete assigned work and for patience and strength for Lynn.
- The translation work I am doing on the Bible studies is progressing well, and I will begin working with the seminary students after the first of the year.
- Caê and Samuel are both attending church on a fairly regular basis, although Samuel now has a job that prevents him from going at times. Please continue to pray for both as we study the Scriptures together. Caê is also beginning to reach out to others with the Gospel. The Lord can reach many through Caê and his witness.
- Please pray for Margarida as we study the Bible with her and clear up many questions and misconceptions she might have. Also, please continue to pray for Yasmin (her daughter) and for a softening of her heart.
- Guilietta continues to have questions about the Christian faith and the validity of the Bible.
Our prayer for you is that you would find true peace and love as we celebrate together the birth of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus this Christmas season.
Feliz Natal!!!
David, Lynn, Hilary, Jacob and Taylor
We send out a quarterly newsletter. If you would like more frequent updates/prayer requests via the Internet, send us your email address.
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