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Dear Folks, Spring 2010, #35
I guess spring is finally beginning to poke out its head in some parts of the country. When I first heard of all
the snow I was kind of sad that my boys missed out on all the fun. Then as the fun kept getting deeper I wasn’t
so disappointed. But just think how bad it would have been if it weren’t for global warming. . .
Our weather has not been good either. The annual rains haven’t come and barring a miracle, they are unlikely to
come this year. This could cause some problems
There are a lot of things going on. We await the possible addition of a new colleague in the region. They seem
to be leaning this direction but are still unsure about the Lord’s leading. As a youth struggling with God’s will
I thought adults had it all figured out. If I had only known, I might not have grown up. Nor do missionaries have
a hot-line or inside information. We, too, need your prayers.
Aventura Brasil is gathering momentum. If you are interested in being involved, it’s ALMOST too late. The goal
is to have an inter-cultural experience while sharing the gospel with needy children. For more information go to
www.aventurabrasiltrip.com. Even if you can’t go, pray that this might have an impact on the ministers and those
ministered to.
We have made some changes in our Sunday School. Except for freeing us up for visits and maybe an outside meeting
there hasn’t been much in the way of benefits or new visitors. We had hoped that maybe some of the poor would be
interested for the sake of the free soup, but they seem unwilling to walk the few blocks to the church. Maybe there’s
a reason they’re poor.
I continue making visits for the Bible lessons. I know the seed is being planted but sometimes the work is discouraging.
Often when I ask basic questions I can tell there wasn’t much understanding. The books are soon lost because its
a culture that doesn’t know how to take care of things. As they grow up you can see the world pulling them away
- and down. Some stop going to school, or shack up and/or get pregnant at 13. But there have been some bright points.
A few confess, with some understanding, to know Christ as Savior though all chose to go to charismatic churches.
Three weeks ago one student said a friend was interested in starting. We went to the house and I left 2 books and
a third person waiting for me to bring him one. When I returned last week one girl had quit and one had finished.
As I scanned the test page for blank questions I saw the question "Have you ever accepted Christ as you Savior"
answered with a "yes" and "when" answered with "while doing this lesson." She knew
the lesson well and seemed to have some understanding. She lives pretty far away so I don’t know if she’ll be able
to come to church. Pray for Eliana.
Last week I rode with two others to visit a Brazilian missionary/pastor and to begin to try to recover a property
in town near by. The land was bought long ago but there is some interest now in starting a work there. There is
an un-official plan to start works connecting the string of cities on the main highway between two larger cities
which already have strong, established works. The pastor we visited is in another of those cities.
I received a surprise phone call a couple of months ago from a man who had worked for us named Adilson. He started
as a boy and had been groomed by an older colleague over the years. When the colleague moved, a good job was arranged
for Adilson in a big city. Danger and distance from family prompted him to call me to ask if there was any work
in Sobradinho. I casually responded that I thought we could accommodate him. Two weeks later he called back to
say he was ready to give notice at the other job and wanted more details about working for us. From the time I
considered coming to the Valley, here, I have been convinced that the only future for the Island camp was in the
hands of a Brazilian. Missionaries are supposed to work themselves out of a job. Beyond a philosophy of nationalization,
a shrinking, aging pool of missionaries means we must prioritize our remaining manpower for the most important,
primary tasks. The camp takes a lot of my time and sometimes even hinders the church work. The problem is to find
a skilled worker who will live on what we could pay him. I had a lot of hope for the last caretaker, Naldo, but
the call from home was too strong for them. Adilson in many ways would be an impressive person in any culture,
but especially here where everyone wants a job, but no one wants to work. Bahia (our state) is known for its laid-back
outlook on life. Adilson should enable me to get much more accomplished for the camp and still have more time for
the church. I hope that he will become "director" of the physical part of camp. Even with help from 2
other missionaries his salary and materials will be a strain on an already tight budget, but I’m convinced it is
money well spent. He is a great asset, but he isn’t saved. Pray for his salvation and for this change.
Yours in Him,
The Athas
Prayer
Missionary move decision
Aventura Brasil
Sunday School changes
Eliana and Bible lesson students
Property recovery
Adilson’s salvation and financial burden
Praise
Possible new worker
Eliana’s salvation
Helper (Adilson)
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BWMOM / P.O. Box 3303 / Chattanooga , Tennessee 37404
www.bwmom.org / bwmom@bellsouth.net / (423) 624-8330
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