Tim and Martia Franklin

May the LORD be exalted for granting mere humans the privilege of working for Him.  We are on semester break from seminary classes (the school year goes from March-Nov.).  The first semester was very busy for us.  In addition to teaching seminary classes we took on more load at church so that Jordão, the seminarian helping us, could finish his senior paper.  We have already begun shuffling some responsibilities especially in light of an additional class for Tim to prepare and teach beginning in August: “Analysis of Galatians.”  We also had several speaking engagements: in Mossoró with a Genesis class fossil hunt; conferences in João Câmara, Carnaubais and S.J. do Mipibu; a Sunday School series on spiritual gift; a men’s retreat and a missions conference.  We thank the LORD for sustaining us.  Thank you also for praying for us.

Through a large gift, we were put in charge of updating the seminary library.  Please pray for wisdom in administrating this.

God has also granted a fruitful season of souls.  In the last several months there have been ten to twelve salvation decisions at church.  Most of these have been through the expanded children’s ministry, one of which is a Saturday afternoon Bible club.  Martia is teaching the 4-6 year olds.

Another area that God has helped beyond ourselves is a joint church plant with Igapó Baptist Church in the community of Upper Serrinha about 50 minutes away.  Our main role (that is, through you) has been helping supply the construction materials.  Both churches have mobilized workdays, mostly on Saturdays, although a few of us have been out during the week also.  Even Rachel helped lay bricks.  On more than one occasion humanly speaking I was unable to go, yet because we have a pick-up, it was absolutely necessary for us to haul the boards, scaffolding, wheel-barrows, implements, ect.  The shell of the building is up.  The next step is plumbing, plaster and concrete floor.  Sand and gravel there is cheap.  Cement is about $10 a sack.  Time is… please pray for us!  The community is in a state of expectancy.  Igapó church did a Saturday children’s program with 30 kids from the community.  Please pray that God would continue to open a door for the gospel. The Moves:  We are thankful to be in our new house.  It is well ventilated–so much so that the rain occasionally blows in.  However with lows in the 70’s and highs in the 90’s the only concern is the crop of mold.  Were learning to deal with it and thankful we’re not renting.  Thank you to those who make it possible.  Also it’s only half a block from the new seminary campus.  They are still working on an apartment block and the multi-purpose building.  Landscaping will come later, however the existing cashew trees already contribute to the beauty, along with newly planted trees.

Home school, last lap:  Today Rebecca declared, “I only have nine more lessons of math!” (not her favorite subject).  Natalie is close also.  Rachel is enjoying her “Vacation Station” summer fun papers.  Hannah chatters and sings around the house.  Martia has done a good job.  We thank the LORD we can home school and the flexibility it affords, given our ministry.  Please pray that we can work into our schedule lessons in music and Portuguese grammar.

Servants of Jesus,
Tim and Martia and family

Mid-Semester Break
The school year follows the calendar year so July means we are in the mid-semester break.  We have been looking forward to a time of getting caught up with miscellaneous items.  These include correspondence, the “Books and Bibles” project and the seminary library project, in addition to next semester’s class preparation.

The first weekend of this month we were with the church in Carnaubais.  Last time I was there was when I was “knee high to a flee” when dad helped them relocate out of the flood plain.  Pray for “Klzn”–he’s been leading the church there and wants to go to seminary but still needs to finish high school in November (and turn 18 next year).

Dear Friends,

Seminary
Thank you for serving together with us in prayer. The semester at the seminary has been going well. The LORD has given us a good group of students and unity among the staff. We consider it a privilege to teach “Old Testament Survey” and “1 Corinthians” to about 15 students in each class. Please pray that we all will finish well this semester (June 19^th). We have continued the “Books & Bibles” project. Thank you to those who have given extra towards this.

The seminary is in the process of building a new campus across town. We thank the LORD for providing for the purchase and remodel of a house nearby. We look forward to being moved in by the time the seminary relocates in December 2008. In the meantime, we are in a spacious four-room building on the current campus.

A Special Opportunity
Recently one of our students, Yuri, who also studies at the Federal University in our state (UFRN) approached us about helping coordinate a lecture on Biblical creationism. The LORD has brought together the details to have fellow missionary Randy Pollard (with Baptist Mid-Missions) to bring three lectures on “Fundamental Flaws of Evolution” on May 29^th. Our tone is intended to be Biblical and analytical rather than polemical and argumentative. Many Brazilians uncritically have accepted evolution without attempting to reconcile it with their own religious beliefs much less, have been exposed to a defense of the Biblical teaching. Please pray that the Creator will be exalted.

A Milestone Moment
The Lord made it possible for Tim to make a quick trip to Utah as a surprise to his mom for a milestone birthday celebration. Although the respective families were not able to attend, all four of her children surrounded mom and dad for the occasion. We thank the LORD for these moments of closeness even though our ministries lead us far away. Dad and mom are isolated in a very difficult church planting context among the Mormons. Please pray for them. Brenda and Tommie are active in their local church in CA. Ellen and Barry are on deputation to serve in south Brazil. Deborah and Trent lead the music ministries in their local church in CA (see below).

Prayer Requests

• Finishing well the semester (us and the students)
• Outreach into the federal university
• Dad and mom church planting in Utah
• Home schooling and hospitality
• Construction of house and seminary.

Thank you for serving together with us.

Tim and Martia and family

Deborah, Brenda, Ellen and Tim with Dad and Mom

Dear friends and supporters,

Blessed be the LORD for refreshing His people. Since our last correspondence, the LORD has blessed us in a variety of ways for which we thank Him. I have noted the highlights and added a few details.

• The seminary graduated 7 students the end of November (the school year is from March through November). All of the students had already been involved in ministry but now continue more intensely. Adamo and Mayara want to start a church in another suburb out of their home church in the city of Mossoro (where Tim’s parents served for 20 years). Sebastião and family who were helping at Planície das Mangueiras Bapt. Church were called to the church in Monte Alegre. Camilo continues to serve as missionary in his Baptist denomination. Felipe and Wiarla were formerly invited for a 1-yr internship at a church plant out near the airport. Michaelly (also from Mossoró) continues to serve in a church here in Natal and is now full time as the Seminary secretary (note: Tim’s sister Ellen was a flower girl at her parents’ wedding). We thank the LORD for the double cab pickup that not only serves as our family vehicle but also has been useful to help the students move.

• The LORD enabled us to purchase a house near the seminary’s future campus. We see God’s hand definitely working in bringing us through a series of improbabilities. It is best described as “a real fixer upper” but we trust God’s continued leading as we try to turn it into a home. Two attractive factors are the proximity to the future campus and the size of the yard. It will take at least another couple of months of work but in the meantime…

• The LORD has provided a more spacious temporary housing that also has a better breeze during this hotter time of year. Through a series of unplanned events we spent the last 6 months in a one-bedroom apartment but now we are in much more spacious accommodations until we can move to long-term housing.

• We had a good Youth Camp preaching four times on the theme “Origin and Destiny.” January is vacation month which means many ministry opportunities at camp. (By the way, is anyone interested in a 4-8 year ministry, training a national couple in camp directing?) This year we spoke to over 200 young people at one of the youth camps. Four hours later we boarded a plane to attend…

• We attended a conference for ABWE Brazil missionaries in the deep south of the country and appended a 1-week vacation to visit Iguassu Falls (Foz do Iguaçu) on the border with Argentina and near Paraguay. Gramado, a Bavarian-type tourist town, was a pleasant change of weather. Even though summer, the wet weather cooperated with the higher elevation to make for a pleasant week. Afterward, we rented a car and took 2 ½ days “putting” through interior South Brazil which is totally different from our North-East. With the strong European colonial influence about the only commonality is the Portuguese language which also is heavily accented. Although our blondes were much less noticeable we still had to answer inquisitive local “a paulista (born in Sao Paulo) to American parents, grew up in Mossoró, studied and married in the States and now live in Natal but are visiting the South.” After all this justification for an accent that didn’t fit our looks they would delightfully introduce us to others as visitors being from “up top” which is the term they use for our part of Brazil. Martia put together a letter about the trip which we would be glad to send upon request. Besides the spectacular Iguassu Foz we also had a delightful day at a zoo emphasizing birds (Parque das Aves).

• Planicie das Mangueiras Baptist Church called us to be interim pastor. We are working on the transition still relying upon limited help from the two sister-church pastors. Jordão and Amanda, a seminary couple in their third year, are also doing their practical ministry requirements along with us.

• Pr. and Mrs. Suko came for a one-week visit. It was a delight and blessing to have our sending church pastor and wife come for a visit. This week there is some information on the church sight (www.discoverybaptist.org). He also composed a “Pastor’s Field Report” which we would be glad to send upon request.
  

• Seminary classes are off to a good start with Tim teaching O.T. Survey I and Analysis of 1 Corinthians. We thank the LORD for the refreshing break and are encouraged at the start of the new school year. Enrollment seems to be good with over a dozen new students. Although our focus is not upon size, we desire that God would raise up many quality servants of the Savior.

• On the home front, school has fully resumed. The last couple months have been a delightful break (from the book learning part) and now have come the sitting and thinking.

Prayer requests:

• Please pray for God’s safety upon us and His prosperity upon the ministry: teaching at the seminary, pastoring the church plant; running the home and homeschooling.
• Praise the LORD for a house; pray for God’s direction as we turn it into a home.
• Praise the LORD for the refreshing time in South Brazil.

Thank you for your interest and prayers for us,

In our Savior,
Tim and Martia Franklin

Dear co-servants,
We find ourselves in the midst of a very busy schedule expected to continue for another month. It has been some time since we have wanted to give a general report of the ministry upon our return to Natal. We thank the LORD so much for the privilege to be a part of His work sweetened especially by those with whom we get to work both there and here. Thank you for your fundamental part in the work here.

Arrival and Family
Upon our arrival the end of July we “landed” to an on-campus apartment graciously provided by the Bible school. Our plan was to rent something nearby within the 10 days before classes resumed. The LORD’s plan was different. We’re still on campus, confident and content in Him, though still in question about His causes. Two benefits are the non-commute and the closeness of campus quarters enabling frequent contact with students contributed additionally by an office also graciously availed. It also functions as Natalie’s DVD home school center. Martia stays quite busy in the home, school and caring for Hannah besides frequent service opportunities.

Church
We returned to find the LORD building Planície das Mangueiras Baptist Church in strength and number even without a pastor. Besides several conversions we also noted more men serving. The latter has been the result of the LORD leading the main deacon and his family to serve full time in a different ministry. It is delightful to perceive how the LORD shuffles His servants to stretch them and to multiply His work. This is also the case with Sebastião and Marilza, he now a senior, having been called to pastor a small church interior. Now Jordão and Amanda, sophomores, have begun taking up the teaching and preaching. We continue to have one main problem–space.

While on furlough we reported the attempts at finding more adequate property. Last month the seller reported the LORD was really trying to tell him to sell (they had backed out a year ago). It remained a good deal–especially since the exchange rate has dropped and prices have risen while the deal stayed basically the same. With a couple thousand they had in their general fund they finished walling the perimeter. They are really eager to get into a larger meeting space. Please pray for them and us. We need God’s wisdom and provision to continue, especially as it relates to long term planning, wise use of the property and prudent funding.

Bible School
Berean Baptist Seminary and Institute remains our primary ministry and source of weekly marathon. “Our” two classes from last semester were rescheduled alongside “our” three for this semester so that we teach a total of 12 hours Monday through Thursday evenings. In spite of the load we thank the LORD for His help especially through a couple of former students, now seniors, who do a portion of the grading. Please pray that we would finish well the semester.

co-servants of Jesus,
Tim and Martia and family

Class of 2007
Back: Camilo, Felipe, Sebastião, Ádamo, Handerson;
Front: Wiarlla, Michaelly.

The purpose of a prayer card is to post in a location to remind oneself to pray for a particular ministry. If you would like one, please contact us or click below to download a printable version.

May you experience the true meaning of Christmas as found in the gospel according to Luke.

Tim and Martia and family

NEWS FROM THE FRANKLINS

“Helping Brazilians to Know God and to Make Him Known”

Tim and Martia Franklin to Natal, Brazil. August, 2006

Dear friends and loved ones,

Our hearts are overflowing with gratefulness to LORD for the privilege He
has given to us these past four years in Brazil and now, as we have arrived
in U.S., rejoicing at the wonderful times God has already given us. We look
forward to renewing fellowship with many others-getting caught up with what
God has been doing in your lives and sharing what He has been doing in ours.

We had a very busy first semester of 2006. Teaching at the Bible school in
Natal occupied most of our attention topped off with frequent weekend
speaking responsibilities. We thank the LORD for His strength, sustenance
and safety. June brought the end of the semester with term papers and exams
to evaluate. By the third week of July we turned over the house we were
renting, moved some earthly possessions into storage and packed for the
flight which landed us in Utah. The time of fellowship with Tim’s parents
was wonderful. God be glorified through the miracles He has done in Mormon
country. Besides finding someone willing to sell for a baptist church, the
LORD provided the necessary funds to purchase the prime lot within the
stipulated time. Please pray for Mormons to be saved and the church in
Roosevelt to grow. Like all religions devoid of regeneration, Mormonism is
but another godless, pagan and superstitious alternative. They need the
LORD.

We thank the LORD for providing an apartment in northern CA. It was a
special blessing to be able to arrive to a furnished place, even with food
in the cupboards and milk in the refrigerator. Throughout the next year we
will be reporting to as many participants in our ministry as possible. We
are still putting together our schedule. Please note our new contact
information listed below.

Please thank the LORD together with us:

for the blessed first term of service in Brazil.

for the safety in our many miles of travels this past term.

Please pray specifically for the following:

that we would bless believers with an accurate and concise picture of our
time in Brazil.

for wisdom as we set up our reporting schedule.

that we would be used of the LORD to bring salvation and growth among many.

Your co-servants of Jesus,

Tim and Martia and family

Tim & Martia Franklin
Natal, Brazil

Dear prayer supporters,
June 3
We now can say, “next month we’re going to the states”. We have our
tickets for July 17. We’re all excited to see family and friends and report
to our churches. One of the first things we will be doing is going camping.
There is much to be done to prepare for furlough.
The month of May we were involved in speaking in a different church each
weekend. Last weekend we were in Nova Cruz about 2 hours from home. Tim
spoke for their 18th church anniversary. They are without a pastor right
now and are facing some difficulties. One of the highlights of the weekend
was Sunday afternoon going visiting/evangelizing with four of their members
to some nearby farmhouses. This is a large area that the church members
regularly visit. We stopped in various homes and read a passage of
scripture and gave a short explanation. We passed along tracts to people we
met. The last home we stayed for quite a while sharing the plan of salva
tion. We pray the Lord will bring forth fruit from these tracts and
conversations from the Word of God, and as the believers return to make
contact with these families, that these people would be saved and grow to
maturity. Most of these don’t have transportation, so it is very difficult
to come to church since they don’t live in town. The girls did really good
during these 3 hours of walking and visiting. It was fun to see the cows,
horses, goats, chickens, pigs, gardens, and fireflies. On the way back to
town to get ready for the church service, we saw a big (6″) tarantula in
the middle of the road.
The month of June will consist of packing and storing things, Tim
finishing up the Bible school semester, routine doctor checkups that are
required by our mission when returning on furlough, finishing the last bit
of homeschool, finishing up Awana for the year, etc…

Thank the Lord for safety during this month of much traveling
Thank the Lord that passports are all ready and in order to travel

Prayer Requests:
Tim as he teaches and finishes the semester
Tim and the students: that the academic would enhance spiritual growth.
Many details that need to be done here and preparation for furlough
Strength and wisdom and an alert mind to what needs to be done
Our family as we prepare for furlough: packing, vacating the house,
storage.
Pray for the church we attend. We have been looking for a bigger piece of
land to move to and build. Pray for wisdom and God’s direction in this. A
new possible piece of land has just opened up.

June 9 … a week later and still not sent. Yesterday we made some progress
in packing. We took 3 truckloads of stuff to put into storage. It was a
good start. Rebecca and Rachel were pretty excited. Natalie said it looked
like we were leaving tomorrow. Still much to do. This afternoon will be
AWANA and then tomorrow Tim and I both are teaching different Sunday School
classes: Tim for the adults and Martia for the children.

Thank you for your prayers for us at this time.
Love in Christ,
Tim and Martia Franklin

Tim & Martia Franklin
Natal, Brazil

Dear Prayer Supporters,
Today is Brazilian Labor Day so we have the evening off from class at the
Bible Institute. We are especially reminded of our need for co-laborers
together with us in prayer. Thank you for serving together in this way.
It seems that the pressures upon us are reminding us more of our need and
so would request your continued prayers for us. The next few paragraphs
will report a little of our context. Please note the last paragraph
listing special prayer requests.

Our school year at the Bible Institute started the first of March. We are
now mid-way through the semester and in full swing of preparing, teaching
and follow-up along with the regular interacting with students. Although
enrollment is down, partly due to a large graduating class of ‘05
(December), in general, we have a good group. Some of the part-time
off-campus students struggle due to their multiple responsibilities,
however all of the full-time students are showing excellent progress. This
is seen especially in Tim’s “Analysis of 1 Corinthians” class with 21
students.

On the home-front, Martia and the girls are finishing up home-schooling.
They have recently taken an interest in sewing. This includes little
bitty doll clothes– why they try the hardest first! Today Natalie proudly
proclaimed the completion of her first quilt. It is about 18×24 inches.
No stuffing– but I guess dolls don’t need stuffed quilts 5 degrees off
the equator. Our low recently has been 78.

The past weekends have been pretty full with speaking responsibilities. It
was nice to have a little “breather” this weekend, but then the LORD kindly
knew a stuffy sinus would hamper “the breather.” Even then, I (Tim) got to
lead singing where we “normally” attend. Also brother Marcos, who is
learning to play guitar, gave me about 40 hymns to write in the chords.
That was a pleasant change of events for Sunday afternoon, however I don’t
know when I’ll get the time to finish the rest. Last night he said, “Oh,
and if there are any other hymns you want to add, feel free. I’ll try to
learn them also.” It’s a privilege to serve. Last night he chose about 5
hymns he has learned and we sang those in the service. One we had to skip
after a couple of false starts. I think it was transposed too far, in
order to make it easier to play. I should have asked his wife to start it
out. I think they practice together. She was singing extra heartily.
Then again, nearly everyone was. It’s a privilege to have a small part in
helping others serve the LORD.

The month of May looks like it will be especially busy. By the calendar it
looks about the same as described above, except that three of the weekends
will include traveling. In addition, with our furlough starting the middle
of July, we have many tasks that need accomplished here, without respect to
the ones immediately upon arrival in the U.S.. That’s where we would ask
you to
Please Pray for:
*Tim preparing, teaching and interacting with the Bible school students.
*Tim and the students: that the academic would enhance spiritual growth.
*Martia as she takes care of the home and home-schooling.
*Martia (and extended families) with the death of her two remaining
grandmothers, both within the last six weeks.
*Our family as we prepare for furlough: packing, vacating the house,
storage, documentation.
*Our family as we speak forth God’s Word during weekend ministries.

Once again, thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf. Your
co-servants of the Lord,
Tim and Martia Franklin
Natal, Brazil

Dear Co-servants of Jesus,

It is with gratefulness to the LORD that we submit to you a closing sketch of our year here in Natal. As we have reflected on the Gift of Christmas that makes possible the gospel, we are reminded of your gifts that make it possible for us to live and work in this corner of God’s world.

Scenes from 2005

Closing Christmas Program

This year we have felt more a part of the local ministry. Besides being our second year teaching at the Bible School we also were more able to get to know the believers at the church in which we help. At the Bible School, Tim taught two classes the first semester and three the second semester (5 units and 7 units respectively) (note: the Brazilian school year goes from March to Dec.). The second semester seemed especially heavy but we are pleased and thankful for the diligence of the second-year students especially. One of Tim’s classes had a large enrollment for the Bible School–21 students. Also this year the Bible School graduated 18 students in the various programs. Since graduation there has been the inevitable– a couple of weddings and engagements.

In addition to home schooling, Martia taught a Saturday morning children’s Bible class in a neighborhood across town. You might recall some previous reports of the Bairro Nordeste. Praise the Lord together with us for the salvation of Sara and Kamila earlier in the year and, more recently, Raissa. Although our desire is to see each child saved, we are convinced that most of the regular attendees have been shaped towards a Biblical worldview that, in the sovereignty of God, will come to fruition. Though we would like to see those days, Mrs. Damiana will be moving in January so we decided to discontinue the regular meetings in her garage and perhaps do individual studies with some of the children.

Behind the Scenes

On a behind-the-scenes financial note we are pleased to report on some projects in which you, through us, had a part. Earlier in the year a gift was given to help roof a new building in a rural community named Sitio Santo Antonio and another gift to expand the auditorium in João Camara. Later in the year two lots were purchased for the future church site in the township of Extremoz headed up by Brother Bispo, a national missionary. Also this week the Igapó Baptist Church is planning to close on the purchase of a nice piece of property in Serrinha, a community they have been evangelizing about 40 minutes out of Natal. Serrinha is especially strategic because it is near the site where one of the largest cargo airports in South America is being built. On a lesser note, we ordered two solid wood bunk beds for the Bible School (that is, solid wood frames and foam mattresses) and supplied Camp Elim with 25 new mattresses.

About twice a month we have undertaken various speaking engagements. When not gone, we participate at Planicie das Mangueiras Baptist Church (Mango Plain). In August they called a Bible school student to speak on a regular basis. Their next major step is to do something about their crowded 300-square-foot meeting room and small lot. Thanks to God for you, we are poised to act

Planicie das Mangueiras Baptist Church

when the opportunity arises. Right now, they are eyeing a”dandy” lot whose owner can’t decide whether to talk. Please pray for God’s leading and His timing. From a human perspective, we would love to finish out the last six months of our term leaving them in a position to reach out “way beyond” our feeble capabilities.

Other Scenes

Of course, we also would love to tell you about the Bible school retreat, children’s day Olympics at the camp, various speaking opportunities, teaching dynamics, home school victories, Martia is hosting girls from church to make Christmas cookies, the wonderful open air Christmas banquet and the packed out service before that with several unsaved spouses present. In all these and more we feel privileged to serve the LORD through you. Thank you.

Yours for the preaching of the cross,

Tim and Martia

Natalie, Rebecca and Rachel

Snippets of Culture

* Martia says she is looking forward to buying a plain turkey next Christmas (in the U.S.). Here most of the birds in the grocery store come pre-seasoned. Although it is possible to get an unseasoned chicken, but you have to make a point of it– of course you can always get one still “in the feather.”
* We are still amused at the audacity of photographers of significant occasions. I suppose these are truly singular moments being recorded. Imagine listening to a graduation speaker as a photographer-lookin’ guy walks across the stage and takes a point blank shot. I wonder how the speaker managed not even missing a beat or gesture as the flash went off in his face. Instead of trying to be invisible, they pretend to be invisible. Then again, maybe that’s just our cultural perspective, for everyone else seems to carry on as if they truly were invisible. I admit that beats 45 minutes of staged smiles after the fact.