AFLC mission work in Paraguay and Brazil.   

 

Paul and Becky Abel

December 2024 Mission Newsletter   

   “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
 
     Thank you to those of you who prayed for the Annual Conference and for the Women’s Conference in Brazil in November. In answer to our prayers, things went very well. A new board was elected for the AFLC-Brazil, plans for the establishment of a School Board were discussed, reports were shared about the individual ministries in the church at large, and individual congregations. A pastor from Chile participated in the Conference, and his affiliation with the Free Lutheran church was approved. One more country to pray for. As a Field Conference [the AFLC missionaries in Brazil and Paraguay] we have spent much time writing a new Constitution which will include Brazilians as we look to the future.
 
     We often times find ourselves saying, “We are going home.” But where is home? We came “home” to the US in mid-July. We are going back “home” to Brazil on December 29. Every time we stay in a different house on our furlough travels, we say we are going “home” to the Mission House. I guess we have come to associate this word “home” with a place of rest. Our ultimate place of rest will be our Heavenly Home that Jesus is preparing for us where we will have eternal rest and be able to say with all the redeemed – “There is no place like home.”
I have spent most of my adult Christmases in Brazil, farm from my birth home. In thinking about this, I realized that many characters in the first Christmas story were far from home. Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to be in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. The Wisemen came from afar to worship the newborn King. Jesus Himself traveled the greatest distance when He left His perfect Home in Heaven to make His temporary home in our broken world. All of this had a purpose – the salvation of souls. Christ has been helping people find the way to the eternal Home that was promised to all who put their faith in Him and are reconciled to God.
Wherever we call “home” here on earth cannot be compared to the beautiful HOME that awaits us with Jesus. Let us be willing to leave the comforts of home to bring others to the knowledge of the Home we all long for. Home Sweet Home. Hope to see you there.
     Furlough, Family, and Friends: The last month and a half have taken us another 4500 miles, not counting our air travel to the West Coast. It has been a blessing to visit our supporting churches and many special friends, sharing about our work in Brazil in 31 programs. It seems that we never have enough time with anyone and have come to accept the fact that prolonged time together will only happen in Heaven. Thank you to each one who has so graciously hosted us. We plan to continue our visits next summer and fall.
     We have been to five funerals while in the US, all believers who are now at rest with Jesus. It causes us to reflect on the brevity of life. Time seems to slip by so quickly and then…we fly HOME. That is why we try to take advantage of opportunities to spend with people who are special to us.
     At Thanksgiving we had a nice gathering of relatives from Paul’s side of the family. We look forward to Christmas Eve with my sister. We have seen our son Andrew and daughter Joanna and their families several times during our furlough, enjoying special times with our grandchildren. We will be spending Christmas with those two families plus a family from Brazil, and Paul’s mom and sister here at the Mission House in Wisconsin [17 of us.] As soon as we arrive in Brazil we will have the pleasure of being reunited with Christina’s and Matthew’s families. We have not had the whole family together at one place for over two years now and we wonder when it will happen again.
     Any gifts to our ministry can be sent to AFLC World Missions and designated according to your wishes. https://www.aflcworldmissions.org/online-giving/
     Please pray for:
  • our safe return to Brazil on December 29.
  • Grace and joy in having a full house upon arrival – Mafu, Ednay, and children; John, Hannah, and family; Erlend
  • Happy reunions with our people, beginning with a New Year’s Service on December 31.
  • Plans for Children’s Camp in mid-January.
  • Relief from Becky’s sciatic pain and numbness.
Retiring? Not yet! Yes, we get “re-tired” every day, but after a good night’s rest we are ready to go again. We received our first SS check this month, so we are retired in that sense. The World Missions Board has hired us to work one more year as full-time missionaries. Starting in 2026 we will work 3/4 time with the Mission, freeing us up to have some time off to visit our children and grandchildren in 3 different countries. We will be involved in the AFLC work in Brazil on a broader scale, visiting congregations in various places and facilitating future transitions to Brazilian leadership. This means we will still need your prayers and financial support for a while longer.
    Ever grateful, your Partners in Mission, Paul and Becky
  • email: paulabelfamily@gmail.com
 

You can donate to our Support or to Projects to help the ministry in Brazil – AFLC World Missions 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55441 or online – CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO WORLD MISSIONS

Contact us by email: paulabelfamily@gmail.com

 

Jonathan and Tamba Abel

Updates from the past months, July-November 2024
 
Dear Friends,
    We have updates from Maringa.
     July: Celebrating the 95th birthday of a godly woman! We gathered from many parts of the US and of Brazil to celebrate Ruby Abel’s 95th birthday for a special weekend at Faith Haven in Eagle Lake, MN. Besides being blessed with beautiful weather, we enjoyed singing, sharing, playing in the lake, etc. Of course, we were thrilled to be with our 3 grownup children and 3 grandchildren.
     September: Michelle moved to Norway in September to do YWAM. She will be there until December and then her team will be sent to a different country for more training and sharing. It is a good time for spiritual growth and for encouraging others in the Lord.
     On September 15th we had the ordination of our church member, Elizeu Boza, who has been an active member since the work in Maringa started in 2004. He completed seminary online and also did our Colloquy. His whole family has been very involved in ministry. Our Brazilian national president Pr. Iran installed him as a pastor during the festive occasion of our church’s 20th anniversary.
     October: Children’s Day Celebration! We had our largest event of the year – the Children’s celebration, an event we went all out to prepare for. God blessed us with perfect weather. Two large tents were up, several inflatable toys were placed out front of our church. The street was blocked off for the event. Many of our women and youth, along with some Bible school students came to help. About 215 children were registered, several parents and relatives came along, yet we were not able to get everyone’s name. We estimate that between children and adults, some 550-600 people came through our tents and enjoyed hot dogs, popcorn, juice, cotton candy, frozen juice sticks, and lots of servant hearts. Love was brimming everywhere.
     Our women’s Bible study group continues to meet every Wednesday night at Church. It has been such a blessing to unite with God’s Word. Now our men have begun meeting every other week at church for food, fellowship, and a Bible study. So happy for the turn out and it will certainly be a much-needed asset to our church’s growth. Both youth and older men are participating.
     November: Upcoming Events: Now we are preparing for our Annual Conference in mid-November, as well as, the Women’s Conference that will take place at the same time. Please keep these events in your prayers – that God will continue to raise more people that desire to help and grow with us, willing serve on boards, people filled with hunger for God’s Word and a burden for the lost. These are people who take God’s work seriously and are committed to His work. It is a real challenge to find true soldiers that will stand and fight for the truth.
     Thank you for being our partners in prayer and financial support. God bless you all, Jonathan and Tamba
Our email is tjabel@terra.com.br 
     

Prayer Requests:

    • for the ministry of reaching out to children (and their families) through Kids’ Club, and other programs.
    • for the women’s Bible studies.
    • For spiritual growth for our new Christian families that are attending church.
    • For the Setell (Seminary) – for the teachers, students, and for Jonathan’s commuting and teaching weekly.
    • For new students next year at Setell.
    • Camp ministries and the attendees lives to be transformed.
    • The opening of our main Bible Camp in March 1-5, 2025. Pr Jonathan Unverzagt will be speaking, with 250 campers to attend.
    • We close this letter with our deepest Thanks to all of you (our friends and supporters) who have enables us to be here and to fulfill our call to touch many lives for Jesus.
 Contact us at e-mail: tjabel@terra.com.br 

Gifts may be given online at www.aflcworldmissions.org  Online Giving – AFLC World Missions                                                  Or mailed to: AFLC World Missions 3110 E Medicine Lake Blvd, Plymouth, MN 55441-3008                                            

 

Matthew and Ednay Abel family 

Abel Family — Paraguay — Ending 2024 strong

 
    Celebrating an Amazing Year: Hey, it is Mafu here. Merry Christmas. Wow, what a year it has been. We are encouraged in many ways. And have big hopes for the next year. A huge shoutout to all or incredible supporters who made this possible. You have prayed, encouraged, rallied around us, and financially supported the ministry with faithful and generous giving. Though we do not reply to them, cards that come in the mail encourage us and show us that we are being remembered, thanks.
    Short term Assistants: Earlier this week we said goodbye to our phenomenal Short-Term Assistants, Anna and Liv, who brought so much energy and heart to our mission. Their unique personalities and talents blessed our family and the ministry here. At a surprise farewell party on Tuesday many people had a chance to express their love and gratitude for the friendship of these lovely young ladies.
     Year-End Plans: As we gear up to celebrate Christmas and the New Year in beautiful Brazil with our home church and loved ones, let us keep the momentum going. We ask for your continued prayers for our church ministries, construction projects, Bible camps, and school initiatives as we continue to spread the Grace of Jesus, the Love of God the Father, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit with those around us. You play an important part in this ministry.
      Looking Ahead: As we look forward to the holidays, our excitement is through the roof. Spending Christmas and New Years in Brazil with family is the perfect way to recharge and reconnect. It is a time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and gear up for the amazing opportunities ahead. We are especially excited that Zach and Carey Ritland are expected to join us in August 2025. That is an answer to our prayers. As soon as we return to Paraguay in the new year, we will be busy with kid’s camp and teen camp back-to-back. Pray for those outreach opportunities.
     We are filled with gratitude for your unwavering support and cannot wait to see what God has in store for us in the coming year. Together, let us make a difference for eternity.
 
     In Christ, Matthew, Ednay, Zoey, Ian, Boaz, and Levi Abel.
 

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Thank you for your continued prayer and support, Matthew, Ednay, Zoey, Ian, Boaz, and baby Levi Abel

  mafu.abel@aflc.org  mafuabel@gmail.com     Click here to donate