Hello, we hope everyone is doing well! In this update, we wanted to take an opportunity to share a bit about how God has blessed us during the Covid pandemic.  We have seen God work in powerful ways in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
     It is easy to view this strange time of the pandemic only in negative terms, disruptions in our ministry, the financial struggles of the poor increased, more people struggling emotionally and spiritually, many people sick and some dying, fear controlling the lives of many. But to forget that God has been present and working during this time would be a grave error.  As we reflect back on this time, we can see God at work and blessing us through it all.
      The forced slowing of our normal routine  and more intentionality studying God's word together along with time for deeper conversation has allowed everyone on our team to grow closer to God and also deepened our relationships within the team.  Through some health challenges of some of our team members we were blessed to see over and over the power of corporate prayer and God's sovereignty.  
     We have been blessed to see our community members carry on much of the agriculture work on their own while we have not been able to travel.  Many of the seeds we planted about internal resources and community responsibility have begun to sprout during these last few months, which has been a great encouragement to all of us.
     On a more personal note, many of you were aware that our son experienced a serious health crisis in June.  That whole experience was one miracle after another: his survival, Lisa being able to travel to be with him in the middle of the pandemic, the support and assistance we received both prayerfully and financially, and finally, Lisa being allowed back into Brazil after problems with her documents almost led to deportation.  
     As we reflect back on these last few months, we are amazed and overwhelmingly grateful for all God has done within and for us, our team, and the people we serve.  We also move forward with assurance that whatever our ministry and world may look like moving forward that God will be
     Speaking of moving forward, we are happy to report that we will be able to resume ministry activities in the near future.   Our team has been able to get together for some much needed fellowship and to begin talking about our next steps and it has been great to see each other.  We are excited to visit our communities again, but at this time we don't know for sure what ministry post-Covid will look like.  What we do know is that God already has a plan and we just need to be obedient in taking that next step.
     Of course, none of what we do would be possible without your partnership. We again want to thank all of those who currently partner with us. If you feel God is calling you to begin partnering with our ministry or to increase your current partnership, contributions can be made through CTEN, either online at www.cten.org/dalewhittom or by mail or phone at CTEN, PO Box 291307, Kerrville, TX 78029-1307, 800-872-5404.
  
Praises and Prayer Requests

This update has been full of praises so we won't list them here again.
   
Prayer Requests

• Wisdom and discernment for our team as we make decisions about how best to resume ministry.
• Continued good health for us as we begin to begin ministry activities.
• That God will continue to provide financial support for us to continue to serve Him here in Brazil.

In Him,
Dale & Lisa Whittom
 

Hello All,

During this time of change and uncertainity, no matter how things look or how we feel, we know that God is in control.

The main thing we want to let everyone know is that we are safe and healthy here in Brazil.  We are experiencing many of the things here that you all are experiencing there in the US including stay at home orders and closures of nonessential businesses.  Our team has also prayerfully decided to temporarily halt ministry in our rural communities.  This decision was made mainly to protect those we serve with less than optimal health and lack of access to sufficient resources because at this time, there are confirmed cases in the city where we live, but no cases in these communities at this time . While it has been hard to stay away, we believe this is the best way to serve them at this time. 

Our team is using this time to focus on our families and also for  group prayer and Bible study online.  One of our team goals for this year was for all the team members to begin learning English so Lisa and another bilingual team member have been teaching English online for team members.
 
Before Coronavirus arrived, we were able to complete two important trainings.  One on Godly leadership and another with World Challenge in use of Community Health Evangelism (CHE), the tool we are using in community development.  It was a great time of learning and fellowship for our entire team.  We are looking forward to putting our new skills and knowledge into practice as soon as we are able. 

Especially in this uncertain time, we want and need your prayers and partnership.  We again want to thank all of those who currently partner with us. If you feel God is calling you to begin partnering with our ministry or to increase your current partnership, contributions can be made through CTEN, either online at www.cten.org/dalewhittom or by mail or phone at CTEN, PO Box 291307, Kerrville, TX 78029-1307, 800-872-5404.

Praises

• That we have remained healthy during this time.
• That while Coronavirus is here in Brazil, there are not as many cases as in many other parts of the world
• That our team is all finding ways to stay in contact and minister to each other.

Prayer Requests

• Protection for those most vulnerable during this time
• That we would all prayerfully seek God's direction during this time.

In Him, 
Dale & Lisa Whittom