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Holiday Greetings from the Athas in Brazil.
I trust that in this Christmas season you didn't give too much attention to the bearded fat guy in pajamas who
uses child labor. (Don't tell me you thought they were ELVES!)
Christmas is a little different here in more ways than just the heat. Decorations start early here (first of November)
and a lot of people fix up there houses. For most, presents are few or non-existent. Christmas day itself is not
as "sacred" here as in the States. For example, some of our members went interior leaving some family
here. Many people work. Actually New Year's day seems to be more important. I guess its better for parties.
The church Christmas program was especially exciting - at least for me. Michele got a serious infection and high
fever. She dragged herself to church to present the children's program in Sunday School, but many of the kids didn't
come. We postponed it until the evening service which is the main service here. By evening, Michele said she just
couldn't do it so I put William on the bike (the car was waiting on a part) loaded myself down until I felt like
Santa You-know-who and peddled off to church. I wired up the church to a neighbor for light while William ran around
like a 2 year old. I didn't know it, but the members were depending on my car to bring the food. Michele was to
direct both the children's program and the adult play and one of the main characters was missing. I read his part,
someone else happened to have a car and all turned out OK.
Though incomplete, we've begun using our new building. The concrete sub-flooring is down and the roof is up so
we moved in even without doors or light. We have lights now, but still no light. We're waiting on the electric
company. Maybe today... The doors were hung on Christmas Eve late and Christmas morn. Some of the benches are boards
on bricks. Several key workers are involved in house projects so the finishing work may drag a bit. Even I will
be tied up some in yearend paper work and conference etc. Paperwork (including letter writing) has been exceptionally
difficult during construction phase. I guess you knew that already.
We have some people wanting to be baptized. While space didn't make it practical to include a baptistery at this
point, we still have access to the pool at the school where we used to meet. Several neighbors of the new location
have visited and we're excited about the possibilities.
We're also dreading the next few months. The US is still home and we miss our families, but there is so much to
be done here. Plus we're not looking forward to another move - now with two kids. Please pray as there is much
to be done between here and there. I want to officially organize, we need a missionary or pastor, the construction,
storage for our stuff, etc.
We should be back mid-June (at least our bodies -- whatever else there is should arrive shortly thereafter). Pray
about furlough housing. As most of our supporters are in and around Winston, we would like to be as close to there
as possible to minimize travel time visiting churches. Along that line, if there is a special time that you would
like for us to be with you (conference, etc.), I'm already prepared to mark a date. Just call, write, or E-mail
us @
Byron and Michele Atha
CP 52791
60.151 Fortaleza, CE
Brazil
(85) 290-2813
dlind@ibeuce.com.br
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