February 21, 2006

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe that we have been back in Brazil for more than a year, after having spent all of 2004 in the States. We are anxious to let you know about our activities since returning to Brazil last year.

I (Farris) have enjoyed my teaching activities at the seminary of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil here in Londrina. Upon returning to Brazil last year I was invited to teach, a course in Christian education in addition to continuing my activities in music. This course, which involves creative teaching methods, has been a very positive challenge, and I am pleased that it will continue to be a part of my teaching responsibilities each school year. It has been very rewarding to me to have my students tell me that their teaching in the church has improved considerably after having taken this course.

Thelma continues to study theology at the seminary and hopes to complete her course work at the end of next year. She is enjoying her studies and is doing very well. Fellow students often come to her for help, and it is not uncommon to have study groups around our kitchen table, amid piles of books and papers! Thelma hopes to teach theology in the future.

Our boys, Michael (14) and Joel (8), returned to life in Brazil without apparent difficulty. Michael is very much into skateboarding and has recently begun "capoeira," which is a type of Brazilian martial art. Joel takes swimming lessons and piano and is also very much into skateboarding. Michael and Joel both attend the same Christian school and are doing well.

In our last letter we told of a plan to initiate a project at our church here in Londrina that would help underprivileged children in the neighborhoods surrounding the church. This plan has become a reality, and Thelma organized the "Projeto Escolar" with the help of a group of dedicated friends, church members, and seminary students.

Several years ago a little boy named Marcelo, who had become very active in our church, was struck by a truck while riding his bicycle in the street near the church. After being in a coma for several weeks, he died in the hospital, and it was a very sad time for his family and for the church family that had gotten to know him well. Through contact with Marcelo's family, Thelma became aware of the needs of the children in he neighborhood who spend much time playing in the streets without adult supervision. Because of poverty and a lack of opportunity, many have difficulty in school, and most are hungry much of the time.

Thelma wanted to plan this project in conjunction with a school in the neighborhood, but skeptical and concerned friends in our church told her that this would never work, as they doubted that the director of the school would be interested in such a project with the church.

A further concern was that the Secretary of Education, located in the capital city of this state, would have to approve the project, and this did not seem likely. And even if it were approved, that would probably take a very long time. This was not the case, however, as the school's director, Dona Rosilda, was very enthusiastic about joining forces with a project that would offer after-school assistance to some of the students with the most difficult problems. And, amazingly, the Secretary of Education approved the project almost immediately! Thelma felt clearly that God had placed the needs of the children on the hearts of those that would be involved in the project, and that all the details were working out smoothly because of God's guiding hand in the details of the project.

Activities of the "Projeto Escolar" include assistance with homework in math, science, reading and writing, and contact with computers. A nutritious snack is served on each day of the project, and Bible lessons are taught, often with the help of a talented group of puppeteers.

The project has not always been easy, however! Many of the children, who are from 10 to 14 years old, come from homes where violence and crime are a part of their daily lives, and where they are not used to discipline of any kind. There have been many discouraging days for the volunteer teachers, but Dona Rosilda's report, written at the end of the year, expressed that the attitudes of many of the children, as well as their school work, have indicated positive progress. Please remember this project in your prayers, as the activities of the new school year will be gearing up soon.

We appreciate your interest in our ministry here in Brazil!

Fondly, in Christ's service,

Farris Goodrum
for the Goodrum family

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 45