Andrew & Tassie Comings
Missionaries to Brazil
Baptist Mid Missions
January 2021
Dear friends,
For most of us, 2020 was a turbulent year. From the inconvenience of changed plans to the tragic loss of loved-ones, few people have been left untouched by the events of the previous twelve months.
And yet, we are convinced that God is good, sovereign, and in complete control of every one of our circumstances. And as our family looks back, we can see His hand clearly at work.
First Camp Retreat
In our previous newsletter, we asked for prayer regarding the upcoming youth retreat at the Mount Zion Baptist Camp. I am happy to report that your prayers were answered, and the event far exceeded our expectations. God gave us optimal weather, our team did an outstanding job, the speaker brought challenging messages, and young people from two different states have been spreading the word about the camp via social media ever since.
Now we look to the future. In 2021 we will be going on furlough (more about that later). Please pray for us as we prepare our team to function in our absence.
There are still many projects that need to be completed. Our swimming area still needs a lot of work. Both the kitchen and the bathrooms, though functional, still need a lot of touch-up work. We also need to begin raising funds for dormitories. Tents worked well for this retreat, but for longer events in rainier weather, they would be quite inadequate.
If you are interested in contributing to one or more of them, click here.
The Ebenezer Church Plant
The past few months have been eventful in the life of our church plant. In November we celebrated eight years of God’s blessing. It has been simply amazing to see what God has done since those first services way back in 2012.
Since reopening for in-person services in July the church has been meeting outdoors in order to comply with the recommended social distancing protocols. Even without the Covid restrictions, it would be difficult to fit back into our old meeting room, such has been the growth of the congregation in 2020. As rainy season approached, this became a source of concern to us.
Just in time for the first rains, God provided us with an industrial tent that will serve as a makeshift sanctuary until the church has raised enough money to build a permanent sanctuary.
If you would like to help the Ebenezer church with funds towards the construction of a permanent sanctuary, click here.
Another milestone was achieved yesterday, when I officially stepped down as a pastor of the church, leaving the pastoral reigns in the hands of Pastor Francivaldo. We are thrilled to see the church step out in this new phase of its life.
Furlough Plans
We have purchased tickets to fly to the US on April 2nd. We plan to spend April and May in Florida, then make our way north. We are looking forward to spending time in each of our supporting churches, and having fellowship with many of you. I will be contacting all of our supporting churches to set up meetings
In Other News…
Itacyara continues to accompany Nathanael in his home schooling. She continues to be active in the area ladies’ fellowship, and has been teaching English to several young people.
Michael has been helping me with various projects. Recently he has enrolled in a graphic arts course – an area he hopes to pursue when he returns to the US.
On the Web
Here are some other interesting things to be found on our website:
I recently had “the talk” with my boys…about race.
Like everybody else, I’m trying to make sense of the current political situation in the US.
Thanksgiving is head. Here’s who killed it.
Devotional thoughts: Like a mask on Pocahontas?
Recent snapshots of missionary life. I add a new collection nearly every Friday.
What I’ve been reading of late, and what I’ve been reading all year.
It’s now been scientifically proven that ten out of ten sixth graders love Missionary Max.
And speaking of Missionary Max, don’t miss this sneak preview of the beginning of the next book, with original artwork!
As always, we are deeply grateful for your prayers and financial investment in this ministry.
In Christ,
Andrew, Itacyara, Michael, and Nathanael