Current Prayer letter

God has been so good to us. As we started this New Year with all the activities of the church and also the excitement of going back to the United States for furlough, we stand amazed at how good God really is to us and how he takes care of us.

The church here in Rio Branco is doing well. We have had a few set backs that has made our numbers fall a little but on the other hand we have seen spiritual growth in those that remain faithful to HIM. The church had her second year anniversary on December 31st. We had a watch night service that included a baptism. We had five people baptized. We have had the privilege of seeing three more come to know Christ as Savior. We also just finished our first family camp which was very challenging but a whole lot of fun. We had a three day retreat in which the theme was “Christ Satisfies”. We had a good number and a wonderful time together. There was even a time of American football in the rain. Please continue to pray for us and the work here. We are in the process right now of working (training) Adilson and Jerri which together will be taking over the work here in town and at the colony while we go home for furlough.

At the colony we also had a special service around Christmas time at which time we baptized two people. Please remember to pray for these people at the colony. There is so much work to do but yet the time is so short. We are asking God to raise up men (as HE is already doing) within the church that are willing to go, but are also praying that God will raise up men around the world that are willing to count the cost to reach the lost.

As we have already mentioned we are coming home for furlough this September-2009. We already have started scheduling churches so that we can hit the road as soon as we get there. If you would like for us to come by and share with you what God has been doing these past four years and please let us know. You can email us at doolittle@brazilianmissions.org or stephendoolittle@mwbm.org. Our phone number, when calling from the States, is 011-55-68-3221-0614 or if you have skype we can be reached at steverdoolittle. Please let me know as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Once again, we would love to come and share with you what God is doing here.

We know that everyone is feeling the crunch of the economic situation at home and around the world. Now more than ever, we would like to thank each church and individual who is sacrificially giving to make it possible for us to be here and to do the work that God has entrusted in us.

VBS

We had our first ever VBS at Igreja Batista Independente Macedonia. We had such a good time and on the average had around 38 children. This church has always had difficulties reaching children because the church is in the downtown area even though we are in a neighborhood. We had several of the church show back up on Sunday morning and we were excited with that. We are praying that this will be a yearly event probably in January of every year because that is when the children have their longest breaks from school.

Before we started.

Aurenice telling the story.

Stephen with Chico

A Father's Prayer

Yesterday Philip was mowing the grass. That morning during family devotions Steve had prayed for God's protection on him while he mowed. About an hour after he stared mowing he came running in the house and said, "Mom I think I killed a snake." So I went out and sure enough he had. We were not sure if the snake was poisonous because we have so many different kinds of snakes here in Brazil. He went to music class later that day and was describing to his teacher the snake. The teacher said yes it was a poisonous one. We are not sure still if it was but the thing that struck me about all of this, was that Steve had prayed that morning for God's protection over Philip. And that was one of the first things that Philip remembered after he had ran over the snake. What an impact that had on our 12 year old.

This is Philip beside the lawn mower.

You can see the snake in the grass divided into 2 different parts.

The Biblical Attitude

I have found in my personal life that it is so easy for me to criticize others. This is a continual struggle for me. I realize that I am having a wordly attitude rather than a Biblical attitude. I came across this after I recently read a book by Sam Doherty which dealt with this issue. Thought I would share this with you all.

The Biblical attitude to others is love; the wordly attiude is indifference.

The Biblical attitude to leadership is submission; the wordly attitude is rebellion, criticism and independence.

The Biblical attitude to others is unselfishenss; the wordly attitude is selfishenss.

The Biblical attitude to opposition is quietness; the wordly attitude is to fight back.

The Biblical attitude to circumstances is contentment; the worldy attitude is complaining.
Philippians 4:11b "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

We are daily making these choices. I can either choose to be like Christ in my attitude and actions/reactions, or I can choose to be like the world. Pray for our family, that we will show Christ in our lives. At times it is not easy, but we know that "I can do all things through Christ which strentheneth me." Philippians 4:13