Bern Talks

Will You Partner with Us?

Dear Friends,

Jeff and I have exciting news! We are now FULL-TIME missionaries serving with Global Faith Mission Agency!!

As you know, we were already working in 7 countries but there are many more opportunities in other countries that we have been unable to accept because Jeff was still working full-time. Now, just knowing that we�ll be able to devote more time to our mission work and impact even more lives across the globe is an unimaginable joy!

Although I've already outlived my life expectancy, I know realistically (based on my current rate of progression) that I may only have a window of 5 years or so to accomplish the mission of reaching people that God has given me. Towards the end of Jesus' ministry He said to God in John 17:4 "I have finished the work that You gave me to do." My heart cries to be able to say the same. Therefore, I am committed to doing this ministry as long as God gives me the physical ability. Will you partner with me?

Global Faith Mission Agency is a faith based mission agency and each missionary is responsible for raising their own financial support. With that said, I am asking friends to prayerfully consider supporting us monthly.

Whether you give a one-time gift or join our monthly support team, please know that Jeff and I appreciate your partnership beyond words. Just send a note to let us know what you decide so we can accurately budget our year of ministry.

To support us, please make your check payable to:

Global Faith Mission Agency
P.O. Box 3326
Chattanooga, TN 37404

** DESIGNATE the check for "Jeff and Bernadette Todd" in the memo so they will know it�s for our particular ministry.

Thank you in advance for your support! Please remember us daily in your prayers as we begin this exciting new chapter in our lives with the Lord. Blessings to you as we work together in the task of reaching our world for Jesus!

United with you in His Service,
Bernadette Todd

Immeasurably More!

After a total travel time of 14 hours (on our 23rd wedding anniversary) Jeff and I made it back to Miami safe and sound Tuesday morning!

Our time in Porto Alegre was unforgettable and God used us in ways I could never have imagined. Although this part of Brazil is known to be a very difficult area to evangelize, in just 10 short days we not only saw more than 77 people make decisions for Christ but we also saw pastors and leaders being strengthened and encouraged. We serve an amazing and awesome God!

We attribute all of this to all of you who supported us daily on your knees in prayer. THANK YOU but please don�t stop now... Pray for these young believers. Pray also for the pastors and Christian leaders in the area churches who will now assume the responsibility of following through with discipleship.

Would you also pray for Jeff and I as we transition this month into full-time ministry and endeavor to do even more work in cities like Porto Alegre? Imagine the impact for the kingdom! "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory..." Ephesians 3:20-21

Continuing in His Service,
Bernadette Todd

Greetings from Porto Alegre!

Hi Everybody,

Just checking in to let you know that all is well with Jeff and I here in Porto Alegre. I�ve been working hard yet having a great time with my new friends � Pastor Rogerio (pictured in the orange jacket), who prepared my schedule and drives us everywhere, and Pastor Eduardo (seated next to me), who translates every single word that comes out of my mouth.

These two men have been working tirelessly beside both Jeff and I and together we are seeing many lives changed even though this is a very difficult area to evangelize. This region is literally dominated by mysticism and spritism. Centers of witchcraft abound and are filled while churches struggle to exist. People actually hate evangelicals here but so far I have been well received so your prayers are making a difference, keep them coming!

The ladies tea on Saturday afternoon was great! I watched as God worked through many tears to encourage the hearts of several women who were going through a very difficult time in their lives. It never ceases to amaze me how God orchestrates the timing of things and always sends me to the right place at just the right moment to bring a message of hope to people who desperately need to hear it.

On Sunday morning, I woke up feeling as if a huge truck had run over my head several times and then parked on it. It was the worst headache I had felt in a long time. It was so bad that I couldn�t eat breakfast. We had to drive an hour to the church in Estancia where I was speaking and about half way there, I began sweating even though it was 59� F outside. I became so nauseous that pastor Rogerio had to pull the car over so I could throw up. It was then that he asked if I wanted to cancel but my fighting spirit just wouldn�t let me. I was determined to press on because I knew there was a small mission church, Irgreja em Est�ncia Velha, waiting for me.

I�m so glad I went because this little church is the only evangelical church in the town of Estancia, a city also ruled by mysticism. The leadership had been discouraged by the challenge set before them. After hearing my testimony, Tiago and Thais, the pastor and his wife, said God used my life to remind them that He uses the small and the weak to do mighty things. Join me in praying for this couple as they continue to shine a light in Estancia.

On Sunday afternoon I was greatly encouraged when I arrived back to my hotel and one of the front desk receptionists came running after us. �Excuse me�excuse me� may I ask you a question? Are you Christians?� � Yes� we answered. �I just knew it,� she said in tears, �We are very few here in Porto Alegre and I just knew there was something different about you two.� We told her about our mission work and she was excited because of the great need for missionaries here. I left her that afternoon feeling wowed and remembering what Jesus said in John 13:35 �By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

I was feeling much better by Sunday night and spoke at Igreja Passo D Areia. The church was full and had many visitors who came simply because they heard about me on the Internet. I just love how God uses technology to draw people to Himself. At the end, Jeff gave a special word of encouragement to the men and prayed for all the husbands. Seven gave their lives to Christ that night!

Well, there many more stories to share but my fingers are tired from typing and it won�t be long now before I am picked up and taken to my next speaking engagement. THANK YOU for all your wonderful e-mails, please know that Jeff and I have read each and every one. We love you! :-)

Because of Him,
Bernadette Todd

Shining a light in Brazil!

Hi Dear Friends,

Just wanted to send a quick note to let you know that Jeff and I are in Porto Alegre safe and sound. It was a LONG journey. First, our flight from Miami was delayed 1 � hr and then our connecting flight in Sao Paulo was canceled. This made our total travel time 19 hrs! Through it all we remained joyful knowing that God has a purpose in what He allows.

When we arrived in Sao Paulo we were amazed by Elizabeth and Eduardo, the two American Airlines employees who assisted us. These two went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that we were going be ok. Near the end of the process Eduardo, who couldn't speak English, asked (through Elizabeth) if we were Christians. He said there was �a shine� about us, something "different" in our eyes. When we confirmed his suspicions, he was elated!! He was going through a very difficult time and had prayed for the Lord to send a �messenger� into his day to bring him hope. My eyes filled with tears at realization that God has orchestrated our delay for this young man, wow! Well needless to say, I spent the next hour sharing my testimony with Eduardo and Elizabeth. As we parted, both said they will never be the same.

Well, I'm off to breakfast and to prepare for the Tea that I'll be speaking at later this afternoon but I leave you with this thought... "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.� Matthew 5:14-16

Your Missionary in Brazil,
Bernadette Todd

Pray for Porto Alegre!

Dear Friends,

Jeff and I need your prayers. On May 6, we�re leaving for Porto Alegre, the largest city in southern Brazil, for 11 days of ministry. This is by far the most difficult area that we've ever brought my testimony.

Porto Alegre, with well over four million inhabitants in the greater metropolitan area, is one of the least evangelized cities in all of Brazil. This city is a major hub for spiritist worship and has more witchcraft worship centers than any other place in Brazil. Voodoo-like witchcraft practices are dominant among all social classes and many still claim to be Christians. With less than 1% of the population being evangelical, churches struggle to remain in existence.

Nonetheless, God has called me to proclaim His Name in Porto Alegre! In the midst of the darkness, I know God will be with me...so in that I find strength. In that confidence, I find that I am strong and ready to go. Not because of what I can do but because of what Jesus Christ has already done!

With that said, I�m asking you to pray for Jeff and I as we prepare to go. Please pray for our protection and that God would guide us in all that we do in Porto Alegre. Pray that people will see Jesus in every aspect of my testimony and life and will come to know and love Him.

Pray also for Pastor Rogerio who is busy preparing the way for me and for Pastor Eduardo who will be my Portuguese translator.

Pray most of all for the people of Porto Alegre who are spellbound by the darkness of witchcraft. Pray that God would pour our His Holy Spirit in great measure and that the forces of evil would be bound and unable to deceive the minds of those who will hear me speak. Pray that their hearts will be opened to the truth of the gospel.

�Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deut 20:3-4

In His Strength,
Bernadette Todd

On the Air!

Had a great time today on the "Sound Word" radio program with Frank Trotta and Bernie Diaz! The program will air on April 30th at 2:30PM on 1080 AM! You can listen via the web by clicking here: WMCU 1080 AM

Leaving Santa Cruz!

My Dear Friends,

I can't believe my time here in Bolivia has already come to an end. In 5 days, I spoke 13 times and had the incredible privilege of leading over 143 people (that we could count) to the LORD! What a privilege it has been to see the transformation of the hearts of men, women and especially children as they experience the realization that Jesus is real and He is alive today!

Before I say anything more, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and financial support. You are my partners and coworkers in this "Mission of Hope" as we share the gospel and see the transformation in the spiritual lives of so many people in Bolivia and throughout the world.

This trip was awesome! I was able to share my testimony on both TV and radio, had an opportunity to place bibles in the hands of women who once lived a life of drugs and prostitution on the streets and brought Beanie Babies to children in a Cancer Hospital.

My time at the hospital was absolutely amazing. I spent half a day there with tears in my eyes the entire time. Many of the kids were terminally ill, primarily because of the lack of suitable cancer treatment that's available to us here in America.

Nonetheless, I was able to visit each and every child's bed, personally speak one-on-one to each parent and gave a Beanie Baby to each child. It brought such a joy to my heart to offer hope that only Jesus can give. There�s something magical in seeing a parents face turn from hopeless to hopeful. Thank you, LORD!

Please join me in praying for all the new believers. As you know, seeking God is easy to say, but difficult to put into practice every day. Pray that they'll stay focused on Jesus and will be willing to walk with Him no matter what the cost. Pray also for the pastors and Christian leaders in the area churches who now have the awesome privilege of following through with their discipleship.

Thanks again for your ongoing support! Pray for God's continued wisdom and guidance as Jeff and I make plans to return to Brazil in May.

Continuing in His Service,
Bernadette Todd

Hi From Santa Cruz!

Hi Everybody!

Greetings to you from Santa Cruz, Bolivia! God is moving in a mighty way! I�ve only been here a day and a half and so far my testimony has been heard by countless people.

To begin with, yesterday I shared my testimony on radio �Logos�. This station reaches a 400 miles radius, deep into the jungles, where my wheelchair cannot go. People there don�t have TVs or radios, but Radio Logos delivers a small solar powered receiver which can only receives the frequency of �LOGOS�. I spoke there for almost 2 hours and was able to give the plan of salvation. Only God knows what decisions were made, but I know in my spirit that people were impacted.

This morning I spoke at �Cadena A� on their morning show, which is similar to our Good Morning America. As I entered the set, I could see everyone behind the scenes running around, you know, the lighting guy, the electrician, the cameramen, the producer, the assistants, everybody going crazy doing their particular job to make live TV happen. But as I began to speak, everyone stopped what they were doing and the studio became silent. God was penetrating hearts. The anchor woman was quite moved and asked all the right questions allowing me to openly talk about God�s great love and compassion. I, of course, took the opportunity to invite everyone watching to come to hear me at church tonight and Sunday morning.

After the TV station, we went to �Radio America� which is a Christian radio station of by �Iglesia Internacional de la Familia� where I'll be speaking on Sunday. My main purpose here was to promote the service on Sunday, but as I was leaving, the pastor invited me to come back this evening and talk on a live call-in radio show for youth. What an exciting opportunity!

It is amazing how God is using technology and the local media to expand the reach of my testimony here in Bolivia. In less than 2 days, thanks to today�s media, I have been able to impact the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Bolivians with God�s message of hope through my story.

Please join me in praying for those who have heard, for those who have said the prayer of salvation with me and for those who are still considering my words and will come to the churches in search of the truth.

With Love You,
Bernadette

On The Road Again!

Dear Friends,

IT'S OFFICIAL � I'm heading back to the mission field!! As I type this, the first word that comes to mind is THANKS! Thank you so much for your prayers, love and friendship during my recent physical challenge. Your encouraging emails, cards and calls have blessed me and strengthened me more than you know.

I'm doing great! Despite experiencing nerve pain (Neuropathy) from time to time, my passion for reaching people for Jesus still burns intensely. So much so, that Jeff and I are packing our bags and getting ready to head back "on the road" with my testimony! Our first stop will be Santa Cruz, Bolivia on March 16!! Plans are also underway for my return to Brazil in May.

Please begin praying even now that God will touch the hearts of those who will hear me speak in Bolivia � pray for hearts to be receptive to the Gospel.

Let�s stay better in touch! Follow me on Facebook and get frequent updates and pictures from the mission field! Come share the journey with me!

THANK YOU for partnering with me in finances and fervent prayer in 2009. It is because of your support that I'm able to do these evangelistic trips. Together we reached 983 people for Christ last year alone! Let�s believe God for even greater things this year!!

Continuing in His service,
Bernadette Todd

News from Scotland!

Dear Friends,

I'm rejoicing! Things went GREAT at the church today!! Not only did God use my testimony in a big way but I now have MANY opportunities to speak in other Scottish churches and also in LONDON next year!!! Can you believe it??

It all began on Friday night when Jeff and I met Pastor John McPake, a Church of Scotland minister here in Edinburgh. He has a real heart for the lost and partners with other evangelical churches in South Edinburgh to do evangelism and outreach. We had a great venison dinner together and watched the video of my Cochabamba mission trip. He cried the entire time at how the Lord is using my life. At the end, he began thinking and talking with me about the possibilities of what God could do through my testimony here in Scotland. We agreed that this region is in great need of revival. While many people here are very reluctant to come to church they would be quite open to hearing a personal story of triumph. By the end of the night, we were both excited about working together in street evangelism, churches, schools and possibly the local prison. As you can imagine, my heart was pounding with joy!

Today was equally awesome! I spent most of the day at with the Rev. Dr. Robin Sydserff, pastor of St Catherine's Argyle Church of Scotland. This man has a burning passion to reach Edinburgh for Christ! He's only been at this particular church for seven months but already he has invigorated the congregation to join him in bringing the Gospel to the local community. How exciting it was to be with Robin, a man filled with boundless enthusiasm for spreading the Good News! After hearing my testimony, he told me has lots of contacts both here in Scotland and also in London, so I can definitely plan on doing a mission venture in UK for 2010. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't God amazing? I came here with the intention of only speaking at one church event. I had no idea that God was strategically planning my future mission work here in Scotland and even opening a door for my ministry in London.

God is truly at work here in the UK. It is no secret that in recent years some churches here have dwindled to the point of extinction. I myself have seen a few churches here in Scotland that are no longer houses of worship but instead have become theaters. But God has not given up on the United Kingdom. He is actively raising up a remnant and I have personally met two of the numerous others here whose voices are getting stronger and louder.

Well, it's hard to believe that my speaking here is done for now. As I told you in my previous email our friends Stewart and Liz have invited us to stay on with them this week and visit Scotland. On Tuesday the four of us will leave Edinburgh and travel to the Highlands for about three days. After that, Jeff and I will go on to London (alone) for the weekend on our way back home.

It's weird for me not to be speaking three or four times a day but I'm truly enjoying the rest. I have already gotten word that I have twenty speaking engagements waiting for me next month (with more to come) in Paraguay so I better enjoy this while I can.

Well, that's the latest and the greatest here in Scotland. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement via email and Facebook. I treasure your love and support beyond measure!

Love to you from Edinburgh,
Bernadette Todd

Leaving Again!

Dear Friends,

This is just a quick note, but it comes from my heart as I head out the door for my flight to Scotland. Yes, you read that correctly, SCOTLAND! Can you believe it?? I'm so excited that God is opening a door on a whole other continent!! Wow!

Here's what's different about this trip... I only have to speak ONE TIME at a special service (this Sunday) at St Catherine�s Argyle Church! This is a tremendous opportunity because in comparison to the revival we have seen in Central and South America, I�m told that the spiritual climate in Scotland is dull and declining. Less than a hundred years ago, Scotland was sending missionaries to the corners of the earth but today, many of it's churches are dying due to secularism and spiritual apathy. As I go, please pray for the Scottish people � they too need the Savior; they need truth; and they need to know that Jesus loves them!

After the service, Jeff and I have been invited to stay the entire week with our Scottish friends and visit Scotland! How exciting!!

By the way, you can now follow me on Facebook! Come share the journey with me! http://www.facebook.com/BernadetteTodd

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. Simply put, if it wasn't for faithful supporters like you, this ministry wouldn't exist.

Reaching Scotland Together,
Bernadette Todd

Hi from the Sky!

My Dear Friends,

By the time you get this Jeff and I will be back in Miami. I�m on the plane as I type and according to the flight map in front of me we are 2,576 miles away now (we�ve been in the air for 4hrs so far with 4 � hrs still to go). We are experiencing a lot of turbulence right now and it feels like I�m on a country bus going down a dirt road. YIKES!

First, let me say �Thank you!� to so many of you for sending me to Brazil. Words cannot even begin to express what I feel right now as I think back on the many lives that were changed in the past 10 days.

One such life is Maria, the mother of this disabled young man, Adriano. She�s a worker at a school where I was speaking who came to listen to my testimony because of her son�s condition. I remember her standing in the back just crying and crying as I spoke and at the end, Maria opened her heart to Jesus.

The next morning before my first presentation, Jeff, Tony and I went to her home to meet Adriano. Can you believe he got up at 5am eagerly anticipating my arrival? It was such a special time but my visit left me troubled.

You see, besides Cerebral Palsy, Adriano also has a severe case of Scoliosis which may take his life. His spine is so badly curved that he�s in a lot of pain and his own ribcage is crushing his lungs. He can barely breathe and had to gasp for air a few times during our visit.

Maria has a very big decision to make in the weeks ahead. She has to decide if Adriano should have spinal fusion surgery (like I did) or not. If he has the surgery there is a big chance that he could die on the operating table but if he doesn�t have it he will surely die. The doctors give him no hope either way. But� our God is a God of hope! PLEASE PRAY for Adriano and for Maria as she makes this very difficult decision. Pray that God will move mighty on their behalf.

Well, in spite of the difficulties and challenges we faced on this trip, God prevailed. Today, 129 more Brazilians know Jesus as their savior and countless lives were changed. Hope was renewed, marriages were restored, recommitments were made and pastors and leaders were encouraged and strengthened.

Thanks again for being a part of this ministry. I am truly humbled by how much you believe in me and are committed to sending me �into all the world� to reach people for Christ. As William James once said, �The best use of a life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.� It is with this in mind that Mission of Hope will now begin making plans to bring my testimony to Paraguay. Please pray for us as we begin to work out all the details for that trip.

�I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me�the task of testifying to the gospel of God�s grace.� Acts 20:24

United with You in His Service,
Bernadette Todd

Hi from Sao Paulo!

Hi Everybody,

Greetings to you from Sao Paulo! Sorry I haven't posted but we've been busy since the moment we arrived. Right now, I am sitting here in the office of our host church, First Baptist Church of Itaim Paulista. This is an awesome church and we're getting spoiled. Can you believe they actually have a church van with a wheelchair lift?? They have a ministry for people with disabilities and the van has been such a blessing.

My time here so far has been great. Have you been praying?? This week I was invited to a non Christian school (as an inspiration for the kids). A few teachers stayed while I spoke and from the shock on everyone�s face when I began reading from the bible and doing my closing prayer I really thought the administration would be very happy to see me go. But that�s not what happened. Instead, they asked me to stay longer and speak to another class!
As we where leaving, the principal came to me and said, �Bernadette I have a big problem. The high school kids have told the middle school class all about you and now they're crying because we didn't allow them to hear you. They're now threatening to tell their parents! Do you have any free time that you could come back for this group?� I went back the next morning. A total of 38 came to Christ in this school!!

We are still facing challenges especially in the area of translators but so far we haven't had to cancel any engagements. On Wednesday night we did a triple translation! From me in English to Tony, from Tony in Spanish to Creuza (the pastor�s wife), and from Creuza to the congregation in Portuguese! Wow, that was wild! Amazingly enough, everybody loved it.

Well I better give back the computer. Please continue to pray for us. Pray especially for Sunday that everything will work out with the translating for both the morning and evening service. I know that God is truly able to above all that we ask or think.

Much love to you from me, Jeff, Tony and our new friends at First Baptist of Itaim Paulista. Thank you for your love, support and prayers.

Love from Brazil,
Bernadette

News from Rio de Janiero!

Dear Friends,

The challenges continue but God is really using us. Imagine this: On Sunday, out of nowhere, police started towing cars away outside the church where I was speaking. This sent members scrambling to save their cars. Can you believe it? One by one, people kept leaving and coming back as I was giving my testimony, over and over. It was hard for me and my interpreter to concentrate but we kept going. In the end, 3 made decisions for Christ! The pastor said that this had never happened before � cars have never been towed there and as much as 3 have never been saved on a single Sunday since the church started two years ago. WOW!

Yesterday, we had to cancel 2 presentations because of a gun fight between police or rival gangs in the neighborhood. The timing was just unbelievable. I had just come from speaking to 10 men at a drug rehab where 6 gave their lives to Jesus.

Your prayers are moving mountains! Despite the diversions, a total of 47 people have accepted Jesus since we have been here.

But our time in Rio has come to and end and we are moving on to Sao Paulo were we will be working for a week. Please pray for us. Sao Paulo is a much bigger city, and much more dangerous. I have never worked in a city more dangerous than this one so I can�t even imagine it. There are many �Favelas� (slums) here in Rio which are run by drug lords and gang leaders. Even driving on the expressway by the Favelas can be dangerous because gangs are known to attack and rob cars that are stuck in traffic. Our driver, in one particular neighborhood, drives very fast and doesn�t even stop for red lights! We went through this area every day.

As you can see, there is a great need for us to come back to Rio de Janeiro. The soil is hard here. Missionaries and pastors here need our prayers and they also need our help to evangelize. Rio has more than 12 million inhabitants and less than 10% are Christian. That's almost 11 million people who don�t know Jesus. This is why I am here. How awesome that we were able to add 47 more! Let�s pray that they�ll go on to tell others.

Well, I better get going. Next time you hear from me will be in Sao Paulo. Pray for us as we go � we need it.

Together in His work,
Bernadette

Under Attack

Dear Friends,

My team and I need your prayers like never be!fore. The enemy certainly knows I'm here and we are under attack. BIG TIME! Without going into much detail let me just say that everything that could go wrong went wrong yesterday, it was a nightmare. Not only that but I heard that 3 or 4 government ran schools canceled because they researched me and realized that my speech ultimately promotes God (and you know I won't compromise on that).

Any way, the good news is that 6 kids accepted Jesus yesterday at an inner city public school where things got so out of control that I had to yell at the kids myself and make a statement that anyone can leave if they want. No one left.

Well, I have to run now. Another crazy day ahead. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME!

Love You All,
Bernadette