Joel in Brazil

The Idolatry of Missions Missionaries are like the church’s Special Forces, right? They go into enemy territory, sometimes covertly, tearing down walls for Jesus. They have special training, preparing them to serve in the …

Another important prayer request, but please be aware that this is regarding suicidal tendencies.

V is 16 years old — two weeks ago was her 5th attempt at su***de. V has been dealing with major anxiety and depression. She ingested a full container (20 pills) of Parecetamol painkillers while alone; shortly after, someone saw her from a distance and noticed something wasn’t right with her. By the time V received emergency help, the only option was medication to hopefully neutralize the effect of the pills. She was terribly ill, but by God’s grace, she survived.

V’s suicidal attempts have sometimes been onset by specific crises; other times seem out of the blue. She has ran away with a knife more than once, but again by God’s grace her uncle was there to grab her.

After this 5th su***de attempt, V was only willing to speak with one person — the leader of the Eugênio ministry base here. Erica has made much effort to mentor V and get her involved in the church, small groups, and other activities. V’s mom, however, believes that she has unsettled spirits within her and that she must go through cleansing bath processes, take various remedies, and consult with a spiritualist to appease and then rid herself of the spirits. V has started taking medication and began her first weekly session with a therapist and psychologist.

V is by no means the only child dealing with heavy depression and suicidal thoughts in these communities, nor the youngest. I know of a 15-year-old girl, a 13-year-old girl, as well as a 15-year-old boy who I’ve been discipling these past 4 months. Communities here in interior Brazil need help, need love, need Jesus. I’m so grateful for the presence of JOCUM Eugênio and what God’s been doing through their humble efforts.

Please pray for JOCUM Eugênio as they work diligently amidst many challenges and difficulties. Please pray that the kids and families here would find hope in Christ. Pray that those with depression would be offered and receptive to the help that they need. Pray that more people with servant hearts would choose to invest in these people, caring for the widows, the orphans, the poor, the hurting, and everyone in between.

The last night of 2021, some of the kiddos here will be sharing their testimonies of Christ’s work in their lives through baptism. Many have a desire to spread the hope of Christ with others in surrounding villages — and what better people to do so than those with redemptive stories from here in these same communities!

Thank you for your earnest and continual prayers! I’m always encouraged when someone reaches out to let me know they’ve been praying for these requests. 💛

I am blown away by the generosity, by those who’ve shared these needs with family and friends, and by the donations that have already been received in just these last 4 days. Thank you!

gofundme.com/ptwvv

Help Eugenio get a ministry and emergency vehicle, organized by Joel Kearney JOCUM Eugênio, located in the outback of Brazil, exists to share … Joel Kearney needs your support for Help Eugenio get a ministry and emergency vehicle

Ministry and emergency vehicle for JOCUM Eugenio, organized by Joel Kearney JOCUM Eugênio, located in the outback of Brazil, exists to share t… Joel Kearney needs your support for Ministry and emergency vehicle for JOCUM Eugenio

Hi! I’m going to start using this page more often, mainly for prayer requests or quick updates 😊👍

These last few weeks I’ve been spending Tuesdays and Wednesdays painting and cleaning at our new ministry center in Igarassu - just half and hour from here in Recife. We’ll be using this site to connect with the community there as well as run ministry training, pastoral and kids retreats, and youth events. We’re hoping to be ready for our first retreat there by the end of the year. Things have been progressing well. Please pray for this new ministry opportunity, that we connect to the community and are received well, that we meet physical and spiritual needs as ambassadors for Christ, and that our aim always remains to love God and others in this venture.

I’ve also been helping with a Bible study and soccer ministry on Fridays, maintenance and worship nights at our music school on Thursdays, and soccer with some older kids on Mondays.

Anyways, lots of stories to share of God’s provisions, and lots of ways that God has been growing me. Please continue to pray for me - for humility, wisdom, relationship building, servant’s heart, peace, intimacy with God, protection, ...

Don’t hesitate to reach out!

Blessings,
Joel

Hey! By God's grace and your generosity, I have been blessed with all the monthly supporters I need to serve here in Recife, Brazil.

BUT if you (or your church) are looking to support missionaries sharing the Good News of the gospel, please consider the Laynes! They have spent much time in ministry in the states and even here in Brazil. They are planning to join our Recife Redemptive Ministry team in full-time ministry, but they need the remaining 20% of their monthly support. They have big hearts for those in need of God's saving grace, especially here in this impoverished community. I excitedly look forward to Kevin, Emily, Chloe, Violet, and Bozi joining our team.

The Laynes are in the process of visa applications, packing up all their stuff, and heading to training from May to June. They are hoping to book flights and head here in July, so long as they have reached their financial support needs! Spending well over a year thus far in building partnerships, moving around, and planning to move to a different hemisphere for missions is no easy task, especially for a family of 5. It's not something we would choose on our own! I am confident that God has directed them here to Brazil and am grateful to see them follow in His plans.

If you have any questions about the Laynes, I know they would be more than happy to chat, and I would be more than happy to vouch for them. If you want to hear them talk more about their hearts for ministry here in Brazil and "get to know them" a bit, go check out some of their family's videos sitting down at the kitchen table on Emily's page (you can find their Facebook through the link below). Thanks for taking the time to read this, and many thanks to those of you who consider partnering with the Laynes!!

Kevin and Emily Layne serve with South America Mission in Brazil Kevin and Emily join the Recife Redemptive Ministries team using their gifts and desire to work with youth and adults in an under-resourced area.