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April 18, 2001
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week
and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were
locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them
and said, ‘Peace be with you.'
(John 20:19).
Dear Praying Friends,
May the peace of the Risen Christ light each day for you. The
first three months of the year have passed and I have not been
in touch, but I have thought of you very often during this time.
Our January trip to the U.S. was complicated by not receiving
a visa for Adilson to whom I became guardian in December. We spent
two weeks on vacation in Brazil, and then Michael and I made a
one-month intense trip to Georgia and North Carolina. It was great
to visit a few churches, and see family. The prayer support, encouragement,
and interest of supporting churches is fundamental to our work
here.
At home we are beginning to enjoy the new configuration of the
household. Adilson (my new son who is 16 years old and six feet
tall) has settled into his schedule of high school, playing basketball
at the YMCA two blocks from us, and a Saturday computer course.
Michael, who will be 13 this Sunday, also has school and basketball,
but he tends to stay home and read National Geographic or an encyclopedia
in his spare time. He has been growing taller by the minute and
is now five feet six-and-a-half inches tall (just passed me!).
We also have with us 19 year-old Ronnie, who is a friend of a
close friend and who is looking for a job and living situation
here in the big city. He is very good with computers, and he has
found work to do, but not a regular job that will pay rent.
Life at Bethel Home is in transition. The two new houses to which
our families will move are nearing completion, and now we face
the challenge of furnishing and equipping them before we can actually
move in. We have some funds available that were given specifically
for this, but they will only cover a part of what is needed. We
have been resolutely not spending money on anything that was not
strictly necessary for the past few years, as we waited for the
new houses. That means that things are shabby or precarious—beds,
wardrobes, living room furniture, tables, kitchen cupboards and
appliances (including stoves and refrigerators). In short, we
need everything!
There is much going on, things change, and children come and
go. My hope is that I will communicate with you from now on in
a much more immediate way. Here are some items for prayer.
Praise
- For our house parents, Damaris and Alcides, with the boys
and Rose with the girls, and Neusa, substituting, who regard
this work as their ministry and are deeply committed to our
precious kids.
- Local board has finally been appointed!
- For your faithfulness as you pray and participate with us
in ministry.
- We see God's grace break through difficult circumstances on
a daily basis.
Burdens
- Each of the 21 children and young people that live here, their
past and future, hopes and dreams, needs and strengths.
- Our house parents who are in the front line of ministry in
a very daily and intense way.
- The local board that has much to learn and decide about Bethel
Home its needs and challenges.
- Regular volunteers who would enable us to give more individual
attention especially to the 10 little ones in first and second
grade needing special help to learn their ABCs and other basic
skills.
May our gracious Lord’s richest blessings be upon each of
you in your life and work.
Sincerely,
Virginia Gartrell
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