September 2000

Dear Partners in Mission,

Greetings from the lovely city of Londrina, in southern Brazil. We have just been through one of the coldest winters that Londrina has seen in over twenty years, with temperatures in July and August frequently in the low 30s. Since the winter is short here, it is not considered necessary to have heating systems in homes or public buildings, so we really feel the cold! But now winter is over and spring is here, and we are enjoying the warmer weather and the beautiful spring flowers.

After spending all of 1999 in the States on home assignment, we returned to Londrina in early February. It had been our plan to return to Brazil before New Year’s, but Thelma, who had applied for American citizenship in January of 1999, was called for her interview with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in early February of 2000. After that interview (which Thelma passed with "flying colors"!) we returned to Brazil and received a warm welcome, complete with flowers from our church here in Londrina and from the Mission Board of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil.

Thelma was recently called for the "naturalization oath ceremony" in Atlanta on August 25. This was the last step of the citizenship process, so she went, with Joel, to spend a week with my parents at Presbyterian Village in Austell, Georgia, near Atlanta. Michael and I stayed here in Londrina. We missed Thelma and Joel and were glad when they arrived back safely, just a few days ago. We are so pleased that everything has worked out smoothly. Thelma will maintain her Brazilian citizenship, but having American citizenship will makeour situation much easier.

Thelma was able to bring a set of handbells that was given for my work in music here in Brazil. Jack House, of First Presbyterian Church in Greer, South Carolina, was interested that I have handbells for my work, and he and the church, as well as other churches and individuals, contributed generously so that the bells could be purchased. This wonderful gift is much appreciated! I have a set of tone chimes, but had never expected to have a real set of handbells. The bells are beautiful, and I look forward to putting them to use very soon. In my next letter I will include pictures of the bells being played in a worship service.

I am enjoying my music-teaching activities at the seminary of the Independent Presbyterian Church. I am also teaching a course on "Music in the Church" at an interdenominational seminary called "Sul Americano," and I always enjoy challenging future pastors of churches here in Brazil to become more aware of the impact music has in worship, and what a positive tool music can be in Christian education, evangelism, and in the overall life of the church.

Thelma and I have enjoyed getting to know missionaries of the "Missionary Church" here in Londrina. She and I are taking a course for teachers of English as a second language in their English language school, and I am teaching a music class, in English, at this school. In July I was asked to help at their English camp, and I used the tone chimes as part of my music workshop in English. (Next year I’ll use the handbells!) This English school sees the teaching of English as an important ministry to the many who can benefit from learning English, as well as an opportunity for "friendship evangelism" in classes that take place in a Christian atmosphere.

Michael is 8 years old and in the second grade. He adapted quickly to the change from school in the States to school here in Brazil and picked Portuguese back up almost effortlessly. Joel has just turned three and is speaking a mixture of English and Portuguese! Both of them enjoy the house we found to live in across the street from a beautiful, tree-filled park that takes up a whole city block.

We thank you for your interest in our lives and in our work here in Brazil and look forward to maintaining contact. May God bless you richly during this second semester of 2000.

Love,

Farris, Thelma, Michael and Joel Goodrum

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 252