Dear Partners in Mission,

Truly your prayers and financial support are God’s provision for us. We are grateful for each Christmas card, birthday card, or e-mail that bring encouragement to our hearts. These are reminders of your love for us and for the One we serve. So at the beginning of a new year, we say, "Thank you!" I only wish I had time to answer individually each greeting you send.

Many have asked recently for an update on the development of the church (both the new building and the growth of the people). I can honestly affirm, that the new facility is more beautiful and more useful than we had imagined. Every member has expressed joy and a sense of awe that God has done such a great thing with such a small group of believers. Our building is a testimony to the way God honors the faithfulness of his people! Most of the members faithfully give a tithe of their income. Thus, the building has been completed, with about 55 percent coming from the local people. The rest represent offerings from the Presbyterian Church of Brazil and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Join us in giving all the glory to God! He has multiplied the funds contributed to Extra Commitment Opportunity 361002.

The growth of the people has been both numerical and spiritual. We now have 59 adults and 33 baptized children divided between the main congregation in Sapiranga and our two preaching points in Taquara and Caxias. (We are known in the presbytery as the church that believes in biological church growth. But that is to be expected, since most of our members are young adults, and we teach that "children are a blessing from the Lord.") For those who may not remember, we began 2001 with 37 adults and 15 children.

I want to tell you about one reason I believe the commitment of our members is high. We have led each person who expresses an interest in joining our church through a 13-week discipleship course. In this way, they have one specific person responsible for encouraging them in their Christian life. (At first, Henry taught the men and I taught the women. We now have various leaders trained to do this, too.) In this way people are never swept into our church on a wave of emotion. We believe that people make "decisions" but only the Holy Spirit "converts hearts." He uses his Word to do that. So Bible study is important.

On December 16 Henry installed the newly elected officers for Presbyterian men (UPH), Presbyterian women (SAF), and the youth (UMP). These three groups each give emphasis to developing the gifts of their members and being involved in both evangelism and social action. Last Sunday the worship leader read a letter of thanks in the service. It came from the municipal social service agency. In November our SAF held a campaign to donate boxes of sterilized milk. Because the government milk programs usually cover only children and nursing mothers, milk was needed for the elderly. We rejoice that again we can serve our city and witness to the love of Christ

Another exciting example of spiritual growth and gratefulness for what God has done here was the decision this month by our administrative board to begin helping others. Just as all financial help for our congregation by the National Mission Board (JMN) of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil is ending, the leadership decided that out of monthly tithes we should offer a "matching fund" to two other congregations. (They are where we were a few years ago, i.e., trying to raise funds for their first building.) So, during 2002 we plan to send R$300 a month to a church in Santa Catarina, Brazil and R$100 a month to a church in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In addition, we will encourage and, when appropriate, help financially in Caxias and Taquara

Henry believes strongly that this is the New Testament pattern of church growth: every church a missionary church. We all know that "where there is no vision, the people perish," and we believe that as our vision expands we will have more "life and growth." Please remember to pray that we will be able to faithfully realize our plans and even expand our vision in the months ahead

We still have needs in Sapiranga. At the Presbytery meeting in December 2001, our request to become an organized church was denied. (We hosted the meeting in our new building!) But they said we had to build a manse for the pastor and increase our monthly income by another R$1,000. The people were disappointed. However, Presbytery formed a commission with authority to organize the church when we reach these goals. We have set October 2002 as a goal. Thanks to a generous gift from a church in Dallas and another in Arkansas, we have an encouraging amount in the savings account. We are searching for an appropriate location to buy land near the church. We will begin building the manse sometime after March, adding to the fund each month from tithes. Please pray for us as we "press on to the goal!"

I would like to share many other things, but my space is almost gone. Henry is busy preparing for his exegesis course at the Missionary Training Center (CPO). I found a really low airfare, so we will be flying this year. Pray for safety and for our students at CPO. We will be gone from Sapiranga from January 17 to February 4, but our Brazilian lay leaders will continue the work at all three congregations. They are the strength of our ministry. When you remember us, remember them

In closing I want to remove any false impression I may have given. Our life is not a garden of roses and our church is not free of problems. We currently have several youth that are under discipline for behavior inappropriate a Christian, having arranged partners without benefit of marriage (a common practice here among unbelievers). Also, we suffered a most painful blow in December, when one member of the board confessed marital unfaithfulness. He has been removed from the board and we are giving counsel to the couple. Pray that all these members can be restored to fellowship with Christ, their families, and the church.

Yes, our old enemy, Satan, continues to try to "steal and kill and destroy." Nevertheless, Jesus came to give life, abundant life! That is what we preach, teach, and live. By God’s grace we believe that we will see this abundant life realized in the lives of all the members of our church

For the glory of God and the good of all peoples,

Lottie Haswell

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 258