Looking Back and Moving Forward
We have now been living in Manaus a little over a year. In some ways, it feels like a lifetime — in others, like we just stepped off the plane. What we have seen, learned, and experienced during this season has stretched us, refined us, and reminded us again and again that God is at work in powerful ways in the Amazon.
We are honored to serve alongside more than one hundred missionary families who are working among over 40 distinct people groups, each with their own language and culture. These families are not just “doing missions” — they are laying the foundation of the Church where it has never existed before. Our role is to come alongside them so their work can flourish.
At the heart of everything is the Word of God. Our ministry focuses on:
- Translating the Bible into heart languages
- Teaching the Bible clearly and faithfully
- Presenting the gospel with clarity and love
- Discipling new believers
- Raising up mature leaders for healthy, enduring church plants
This is slow, careful, generational work — and it matters eternally.
Joe’s work behind the scenes (that makes frontline work possible)
Much of what Joe does is unseen but absolutely essential. Through his work in graphics, he helps create and print Bible teaching materials tailored to each people group — materials that missionaries depend on for discipleship and church planting. Every page printed represents truth entering a new heart.
Beyond printing, Joe has served missionaries across numerous tribes by designing and repairing:
- Solar systems
- Houses
- Water pumps
- Tools
- Motors
- Boats and more
In many places, these practical skills are the difference between a missionary being able to stay long-term or having to leave. God has used Joe’s gifts to keep ministry moving forward in very real, tangible ways.
This past year, Joe was also able to give an update at our missions conference about his work in graphics, solar, and safety — a huge encouragement to us and to our team. We are grateful for how God continues to use his hands, his problem-solving mind, and his servant heart.
Erin’s work: strengthening missionaries and investing in kids
Last year I completed my doctorate in natural and functional medicine. This training has opened doors to serve missionaries more holistically — caring for both their physical and emotional well-being so they can remain healthy and effective on the field.
Over the past year, I have had the privilege of consulting with over 90 missionaries. In these consults, I review bloodwork, microbiome analysis, and symptoms to help identify and address nutritional deficiencies, parasites, inflammation, and metabolic concerns. I work with families on prevention and on managing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes in a more natural, lifestyle-based way alongside appropriate medical care. I also integrate stress-management support, recognizing that cross-cultural life places unique demands on the body and nervous system.
In addition, I am currently developing a program in Portuguese for Brazilian coworkers’ children with learning disabilities. More and more Brazilian children are being diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences, and for many families this can create significant strain — sometimes even pulling them out of ministry because there are so few accessible, effective therapies and educational supports available locally.
So far, I’ve been working with 15 children and have already seen meaningful progress. I am now refining the process so I can serve more children at once, with the goal of having the program fully operational by the end of this year. My hope is that this will not only support these families now, but also help strengthen and sustain Brazilian ministry for future generations. These children are part of the future of the Brazilian Church, and it is a joy to invest in them.
God at work in Liam — a milestone we will never forget
One of the most emotional moments of our year came recently when Liam began talking — truly talking.
Not just a word or two, but full conversations with other children. After nearly 3½ years of speaking only within our family, he sat through youth service at our missions conference, played volleyball, stayed calm during a thunderous Amazon downpour on a tin roof, and even ate lunch and dinner at a table with people he had just met.
We have prayed, waited, done intense therapies, and trusted — and God answered in a powerful and tender way. We are deeply grateful.
Life in Manaus: joy, challenge, and perseverance
This year has also brought real hardship. About six months ago, gang activity near our home escalated dramatically. Most weekends now bring:
- Concert-level music blasting all night
- Drag racing directly in front of our house
- Fireworks and shots
- Noise lasting from midnight until 7 a.m.
We want to be here and serve wholeheartedly — but we are tired. As we move forward, we are praying that — if our permanent visas are approved — God would provide a way for us to rent or even purchase a home in a quieter, safer area of Manaus that also includes a small yard for the kids. We are asking the Lord for wisdom, clarity, rest, and provision as we trust Him to help us settle in well here for the long term. (GIVE HERE)
Even from far away, you are part of this story
Whether you pray, give, or follow along with our updates, you are part of what God is doing among the peoples of the Amazon. Every book printed, every solar system repaired, every health consultation, every therapy breakthrough, and every prayer lifted matters.
God is building His Church — one heart, one family, and one translated book at a time. Thank you for walking with us in this work.
Prayer Requests
Please pray with us for:
Health & strength
- That Joe, Anora and Liam’s currnet colds would pass quickly
- Continued healing for Joe’s health
- Rest for our family amid ongoing noise
Ministry needs
- Joe has four new missionary orientations this week — pray for wisdom and endurance (and praise God for new coworkers)
- Pray that Joe can complete significant printing projects before several coworkers return to the interior
- Pray for my upcoming consults — we are grateful for new interest following conference
- Pray for more workers – the harvest is full, but the workers are few
- Pray for our missionaries support levels, many of us have struggled with support since covid shutdowns
Liam
- Praise God that he is talking
- Pray we can complete therapies this year and that his progress continues
- Pray he’ll be able to take his visa photo in the office
Family life
- Pray for us as we begin homeschool again
Housing & safety
- Pray for wisdom, protection, and clear direction regarding our living situation
- Pray for peace and rest in the midst of ongoing noise
Visas
- Please pray as we apply for permanent visas soon — that they would be approved smoothly
Praises
- God carried us through many weeks of travel, airport runs, printing, appointments, and helping a newly arrived missionary families settle in
- Completion of my doctorates
- Over 90 missionary consults this year
- Meaningful progress with 15 Brazilian children in the learning program
- Liam’s breakthrough in speech
- New missionary families joining the work in the Amazon
Stay connected with us
We share more frequent prayer requests and real-time updates on our Facebook page. Suttle’s – NTM Brazil
We invite you to follow along there so you can pray with us as needs arise throughout the month. Thank you for walking with us — your prayers and partnership truly sustain us.