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April 1, 2002
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
We just returned from a visit to the Sertão Project. Our
objectives were to visit the Brazilian mission team, see the progress
on the construction in Patos and Malta, and visit a cistern project
near São Mamede.
The community building in the neighborhood of São Sebastião
in the city of Patos is nearly complete. The space is already
in use for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, prenatal classes, and
worship services. The house to the right is also part of the project
and remodeling is just now underway. Upon completion of the remodeling,
a preschool will be started. Two Brazilian Missionary Training
Center (CTM) students, Claudia and Sandra, are living in the apartment
at the back of the community building. They are fulfilling their
practical training under the supervision of Raimundo and Valdivia,
graduates of the CTM, and coordinators of the São Sebastião
community center.
The new church building in Malta is nearing completion; an inauguration
service is scheduled for April 28, 2002. The sanctuary will seat
150 people. There are two large classrooms behind the sanctuary
and a second floor above the classrooms which includes a large
meeting room and kitchen. Brazilian missionaries Nathaniel and
Claudia have a wonderful ministry in Malta which includes a soccer
club and a choreography group for the youth.
There is a non-governmental movement underway in the semi-arid
region of Northeast Brazil to construct one million cisterns for
rural families. Each cistern supplies 16,000 liters of potable
water collected from rainwater running off the tile roof and into
the cistern. This is enough potable water for cooking and drinking
for a family to use for 7-8 months, which would generally take
a family all the way through the annual dry season. The Presbytery
of Mississippi PC(USA) has committed resources to construct at
least 50 cisterns per year for the next five years. Each cistern
costs approximately US$260.00 in construction materials, and the
families receiving the cisterns supply the labor.
It was an excellent visit to the Sertão Project. There
are so many exciting things underway and we wanted to share some
of them with you. All of this is happening because of the partnership
between the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil, Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) churches and presbyteries, and the Outreach Foundation.
You all are supplying the prayers, encouragement, and financial
resources that make such a wonderful project possible. Thank you
from us and from all the people of Northeast Brazil who are impacted
by your love.
A graça e paz do Senhor Jesus,
Paul and Linda
The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 258
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