August prayer letter

August 2011

Dear Praying Friends,

Each preacher and teacher proclaimed truth from God’s word and the Holy Spirit used that truth day after day to convict the lost and strengthen the saved.  I preached Thursday morning and when I gave the invitation, four young men came forward to be saved!!  I preached again Friday morning and one more boy responded to the invitation and was gloriously saved!!!  PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

Under the leadership of missionaries Allen and Barbara Newton, the ministry of the Mount of Olives Christian camp continues to bear eternal fruit.  The theme for this camp was “God revealed through His creation” and we are all rejoicing over the five precious souls saved at the camp and encouraged that all five young men are returning to great churches where they will be discipled, baptized and strengthened.

I thank the Lord for the privilege I had to work together with a wonderful team of missionaries at this camp, Allen and Barbara Newton, David and Julie Loop, Mark and Aura Pereira, Lionel Martin, Beau Moore, and Dawn Hart.  

I also want to thank each and every one of you who so faithfully sacrifice financially to keep us ministering here and who labor for us in prayer!  Please continue to pray for more wonderful harvests here in Portugal.

Bringing in the sheaves,

Mark Hale

July Prayer Letter

July 2011

Dear Praying Friends,

This past year, Selma sporadically attended our services and had little interest in anything that took place.  Nothing seemed to penetrate her darkness.  Knowing we needed heavy duty spiritual help, we asked you to pray for her and you did unceasingly.

Over the past couple of months, she began coming more often.  The last few weeks, she did not miss a service and listened to every word of my sermons.  Her stare was intense and her concentration total.  It was very apparent that you were praying!!

On June 15^th, on her way to the grocery store, my wife, Michele, felt the Holy Spirit leading her to stop and visit with Selma and as a result, had the privilege to lead her to Christ!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!  The next Sunday, she gave her testimony while sitting next to her beaming Christian husband. 

Why is Selma saved?  Because God gave His Son to die for her, because God called a missionary to tell her, because you sent that missionary and because you prayed for her!!!  Without your support in prayer and finances, Selma would still be on the road to hell.  THANK YOU for faithfully laboring there, so we can labor here!

Grateful for the harvest,

Mark Hale

June Prayer Letter

June 2011

 

Dear Praying Friends,

 

Because the Roman Catholic Church never met her needs, she turned her back on formal religion and sought for truth in other places. 

 

Once a week, our son, Joshua has a horse riding lesson with this lady. She is a young woman who is passionate about preserving nature and introducing children to horses.  Several of the village children are taking lessons from her and it is a great way for Joshua to meet other kids, practice his Portuguese, learn how to ride horses and most importantly, be a testimony for Christ. 

 

Recently Michele had a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with her.  While she acknowledges a “supreme being” she doesn’t think it is possible to know the Lord personally.  Please pray for her to move beyond the worship of nature and come to know the Creator as her personal Savior.

 

Reflecting His light,

 

 

Mark Hale  

May Prayer Letter

May 2011

Dear Praying Friends,

It doesn’t seem possible that a year ago we held the opening service of the Windward Side Baptist Church in Lagos, Portugal! After much preparation, evangelistic efforts and prayer, we had two boys attend that evening. The low attendance was a bit discouraging but we determined to remain faithful to the calling of Almighty God.

Now a year later we celebrated one year of services here in the ancient city of Lagos. The small crowd sang the gospel hymns with enthusiasm, the special music was well received as was the gospel message that I preached. There were nine who were there that day and we thank the Lord for each one of them!

The city of Lagos, Portugal is over 2,000 years old and was the site where Portuguese slave traders sold hundreds of thousands of African men, women and children into lives of bitter hardship and bondage. Now it is a center of occult worship and demonic activity. Satan continues to fight the establishment of this church and it can be disheartening at times. Yet, we know this is exactly where the Lord has called us and we plan to stay until his will is done!

Thank you for your faithful battles there to keep us in the battle here!

Mark Hale