Baptism & Brazil update

There were three baptisms yesterday, praise the Lord! Brother Norman Troyer and his wife Maria from the church in northern MO were re-baptized, and a young brother, Lloyd Brubacker, was baptized as well. Brother Teyo from NC was on hand to take some unique and beautiful photos; we'll edit this post later and add a few more, Lord willing.

In the first picture you see Norman and Maria in the water and Lloyd standing on the bank to the right.

Here is one of Lloyd

And a video!!

Brothers Brian and David made it safely to Brazil to visit brethren there. David made it back last week, however Brian is still there, meeting people, street preaching, and so on. He has had some profitable visits, praise the Lord. In another week or so he'll go to Venezuela; Brother David and Brother Ismael from Columbia will meet him there to visit with all the brethren there.

Update ... a lot to say here.

Much time has gone by since we have updated our little blog. The summer season brings a lot of busy times and things like this blog are easy to neglect. It was not until our recent trip to Michigan to visit brethren there that I was reminded to update this thing ... a brother there looks forward to updates so I thought maybe others did too.

The last post was the baptism in Mexico. Since that time there have been two more baptisms - Sister Jasmine here in the states (She lives in OK) and Brother Josia in the DR. Here are pictures of that:

Brother David was blessed and encouraged to be able to visit Brother Bert in the Philippines a month or so ago. Brother Oliver is still working in Saudi but hopes to go home soon. Here is a picture of Bert & David:

Brothers Brian & David have been trying to get their visas to Brazil to visit the brethren there ... it's been a long, stressful process which included a few trips to Chicago, a strike, computer issues, and so on. The Lord's will was to have them go, for which we are thankful and relieved that the waiting is over and travel plans do not have to be rearranged. A group of us just got back from visiting the brethren in Michigan [what a blessing!] and on our way home we stopped in Chicago to pick up both visas. While there, the brothers did some preaching downtown. They had several really good talks and we all believe it was well worth arriving home later to stay downtown a bit longer. Here are a few of the signs they held:

After Brazil, Brian is going to go visit the brethren in Venezuela. David plans to meet him there a few weeks later and I believe Brother Ismael from Columbia is meeting them there as well.

The brothers have been very encouraged at all that has been going on at the universities so far this school year. Several students from last year in each place we visit have come back to talk to us again. There seem to be a few that are very serious.

One final thing: there have been 3 babies born in the last few months here in SW MO and one in Northern MO. Marcus & Monica had their eighth child (a girl), Jason & Robyn had their 5th (a girl) and Jeff & Dana had their 7th (a boy), & Duane and Carol had their 7th [I think? I'm still getting to know them all!] (a girl). All are healthy and well, praise the Lord.

That's all for now.

Baptism in Mexico

Brother Beto has chosen to be baptized - the brethren were very blessed to be witnesses of his step of faith. Praise the Lord!!

Baptism in Missouri

Last year or maybe the beginning of this year, a Brother met Spencer while preaching on the campus of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He came out of the Mormon church when he was younger, but was not too sure where to go from there. Long story short, he visited a few times and asked for believer's baptism. Praise the Lord! Spencer is now living here in Monett with us; he is a blessing to have around. Please keep him in prayer as he strives to live his life for the Lord.

Gathering at the river (Roaring River State Park in MO to be exact)

Brothers praying

Here are a few pictures of some youth ...

And a few extra pictures ...

Baptism in Dominican Republic

Brothers Brian and David went to the Dominican Republic again two weekends ago to fellowship with the brethren there and also to baptize Sister Griselda. Praise the Lord!!! Griselda and Jose are both pictured below; they were both married before and realized not too long ago that they were living in adultery with each other. They have been apart for several months now and doing all they know how to walk in the light. Sister Griselda is facing trials at work right now because of wanting to follow the bible in regards to dressing modestly and covering her head. Her job is much needed, but we know if she gets fired for following the Lord, he will provide help. Please pray she will be strong and continue to follow the Truth no matter what it costs her.

This video was taken sideways ... I'm not sure how to rotate it? If anyone knows, please share.

We are greatly encouraged by the little group there in the Dominican Republic. Please pray for them as they strive to follow the Lord on the Narrow Path.

Last friday at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

This was Friday preaching at UARK with Steve Mitchel. We arrived about noon and shortly after a man with a black hat came preaching and drew a crowd of about 75 to 100 people. I believe his wife was with him she had a long dress (off to the right in PIC 1) I walked over to listen to what he was preaching and he was saying a lot of the same things we would say. He was preaching mainly from Mathew 7 "Not every one who says Lord Lord" He said " Just calling Jesus your Lord won't save you unless you do what he said" "Jesus doesn't save you just because you call him your Lord" " He saves you when he is your lord"
Later Gary Bowman"Moses" came and preached. In the mean time a lot of students came and spoke to Steve and I (PIC 2 & 6). People really weren't arguing with us too much; today they really listed and asked a lot of questions.
Later I took the opportunity to talk to the preacher in the black hat. His name is Micah and he came from Miami Florida. He was interested in asking me about what we believe about non resistance and said he had recently talked to some mennonites and didn't feel they had really clear answers. I shared a few things with him about what we believe and he was really appreciative. We exchanged contact info so hopefully we'll be able to stay in touch.
- Brian Gray

Preaching at universities Part 2

Here are a few more pictures of preaching at universities; this time at Columbia, MO (University of Missouri, Columbia ... a.k.a. "Mizzou").

Brother Olen Yutzy (his sign shares Christ's teaching on divorce and remarriage)

Brother Brian Gray (his sign shares Christ's teaching on loving our enemies)

Brother David Keeling (his sign warns that those who live in sin are of the Devil)

Preaching at universities

Here are a few pictures and a video of brothers out preaching in Missouri (MSU Springfield) and Arkansas (U of AR Fayetteville).

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville: Brothers Steve Mitchell and David Keeling

Brothers Brian Gray and Steve Mitchell interviewed at the university in Fayetteville:

Tolerance... or intolerance? from Clayton Clark on Vimeo.

Brother Wilbur Graybill at MSU Springfield: