One of the biggest tambaquis I’ve ever seen. Read on to see how Clenildo and his team received a tambaqui as a gift.
In January 2025, Clenildo and a select team set out to evangelize a region where they had never been. Their story starts here. (Names and details have been adjusted, but the story remains true.)
Chapter 8: Breaking Chains in Caseira
Free at Last from the Enemy’s Grip
Pastor Renato led them to a home in Caseira with a dark reputation. The man named Cumarco was known throughout the region as a practitioner of witchcraft. As soon as they approached, a heavy oppression settled over them like a suffocating blanket.
Inside the house, the spiritual warfare was palpable. Cumarco’s wife was restless and agitated, pacing like a caged animal. Children made constant noise, as if trying to drown out any words that might be spoken. It was nearly impossible to focus or communicate clearly.
Renato quietly handed candy to the children while the team prayed under their breath. They invited the couple to simply listen, speaking gently about God’s love and the freedom found in Christ. The atmosphere remained thick and oppressive.
But slowly, like dawn breaking through storm clouds, the Word of God began to pierce their hearts. The wife stopped pacing. The children grew quiet. Cumarco’s hardened expression began to soften, and his eyes—which had held darkness—began to fill with tears.
At last, both husband and wife declared their faith in Christ. The transformation was immediate and stunning. Joy flooded the house like sunlight through windows. The oppression lifted. They embraced their visitors, free at last from the enemy’s grip.
The team left them with Bibles and audio Scriptures. In profound gratitude, the couple gave them a huge tambaqui fish for their journey—a feast born from freedom.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” – 1 John 3:8
Eating tambaqui with Clenildo and Angelita at their home in Belém.
Pastor Clenildo’s annual Pastor’s Retreat was last week.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
(Mt 9:37b–38)
We’re asking Him to awaken people to their true purpose and send them into His work— but the path is often counterintuitive.
God calls Adam and Eve to rule over creation (Gen 1), yet the next stories feature animal-like voices drawing them away from that calling.
Click here to hear Tim Mackie’s explanation (34 minutes, dense).
Harvard professor Arthur Brooks describes how modern idols—Money, Power, Fame, and Pleasure—pull us away from our true purpose. Each makes a fine servant but a terrible master. Click here for a one-page summary.
“Pleeeease God. Send more workers into Your harvest.”
Clenildo’s retreat this year trained pastors how to evangelize. Later, Pastor Renato gave some a ride home to Gurupá—many hours each way.
Reflection
Stories like Caseira remind us how easily we take peace and safety for granted.
Imagine how those new believers’ homes will transform into places of light and safety.
Pray that the Holy Spirit strengthens them—and that Clenildo’s next team, now returning to the same region, will see lasting fruit.
Deanna’s Journey to Healing
This has been a quiet recovery week as Deanna walks through her final post-chemo valley.
It takes about two weeks for her immune system to rebuild.
Last Sunday she bravely joined City Life Church’s Global Outreach focus—her first outing since chemo—but we’re mostly staying close to home.
(Our 20 hours in emergency after the first and third cycles were convincing motivation!)
Lucy has discovered her tongue. Each new step of growth brings immeasurable joy.
My sister Marlene gave Deanna a bright bouquet to cheer our kitchen.
Want Deanna’s weekly behind-the-scenes updates? Reply to this email and I’ll add you to her inner-circle list.
Prayer Requests
For a church-planting movement to sweep through the Amazon Basin—starting with 1,000 churches across Altamira, Gurupá, Marabá, Macapá, Palmas, and Belém, and beyond.
That Deanna’s body will be strong enough for surgery on October 31.
That the Lord will show us clearly how to help launch a new church-planting movement in Portugal.
Peers & Milestones
32 Years!
This week marks our 32nd anniversary as missionaries—sent out from City Life Church on October 9, 1993.
It has cost more and rewarded more than we could ever imagine.
We’d do it again in a heartbeat.
When we left, Chuck & Bobbie (far left in photo) had already served five years.
John & Till Maarhais began about the same time.
Last Sunday, as City Life celebrated World Missions Sunday, we realized—we’re still the new kids on the block!
What a joy to walk in the shadows of giants.
Meanwhile, a Vineyard Church in Palmas, Brazil, planted by Keith & Marsha Wilson, celebrated its inauguration this week.
We worked with this whole group more than twenty years ago in Altamira!
What a blessing when people “put their hand to the plow and do not look back” (Lk 9:62).
At home, Paul is learning to enjoy waffles at Nana’s after church—because leadership includes what happens at mealtimes.
May God increase your capacity to enjoy His abundance this week. It’s the shortest way to a better life.
Closing Prayer
Father, open our eyes to what’s really happening around us.
Help us reflect Your light wherever we go.
Let darkness flee—because of Your presence in us.
May all our relationships, Every home, workplace, and friendship, Become pockets of thriving, Because God (in us) was there. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Partnering in the Work
In Acts 11:26 we read that “for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
That’s the kind of work Deanna and I have given our lives to—helping leaders plant churches and create spaces where people learn how to live as followers of Jesus in real life.
If you’ve been encouraged by these stories or believe in this kind of ministry, we’d be honoured to have you partner with us. Your prayers, friendship, and financial support make this possible.
The giving links below take you straight to the ministries that receive and forward our support. Thank you for standing with us in this good work.
