March 22, 2002

Dear Friends,

Grace and peace. It has been quite sometime since we last sent out our newsletter to you. We do apologize.

March 2001 We returned to Brazil after having completed our itineration. Only seven students came to the Center. The poor economy didn’t help, as we were hoping to have 12 to 15 students. Anyway, they were committed to their call, studied hard, and didn’t give any problems. They are now doing their practice work in different places in Brazil.

April 2001 We continued to work inside the new building. Finally, in November we finished the whole building.

June 2001 Approximately 48 persons (students and professors) came for winter intensive studies. We were very busy, our house was filled with students. We enjoyed hearing their stories, joys. We also had a time of prayer when they were sad.

July 2001 Students went home and the Center became a quiet place. I was going to a meeting in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, however, Irene was sick as her colitis flared up. Thank the Lord, she recuperated quickly. We also enjoyed a visit from the Rev. Jeff Ritchie of the Outreach Foundation of the
PC(USA), which has supported the work of Center for Missionary
Training (Central West).

September 2001 Irene took a 21-day trip to visit students in several
cities in the state of Rondonia. She traveled approximately 1200 miles by
bus. It was a good experience, as students enjoyed and appreciated her "listening ear." They wished she could stay longer with them.

October 2001 After several months of meditation and prayer, we asked the
permission from both the PC(USA) and the Independent Presbyterian Churches to return to the United States in order to serve as "missionaries-in-residence" in the International Evangelism Office at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky. We received approval and were trying to prepare our hearts and minds to leave Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, where we served from 1994 to 2002.

November 2001 Irene fixed the new library and put everything in order before the students arrived on November 15th. Students gave us a farewell party, an emotional experience for us. On November 30, 2001, the class "Agnes Dei" or "Lamb of God" graduated, and they gave Irene a special recognition (having used Irene’s middle name, Agnes, as their class’s name. Each class representative gave us a special gift.

December 2001 We were packing up, recruiting new students, waiting for the new director to be appointed. The Presbytery of Mato Grosso, Rondonia, where I (Michael) served as moderator and vice-moderator for five years held a special worship service to thank God for our life and ministry in the region. The Synod of Central Brazil also recognized our work and ministry during a special meeting in December.

January 2002 The Rev. Saulo Vieira was appointed as the director of CTM, and we felt relief. We were able to help him and his family for 21 days. He is a humble person and is capable of leading the work which has been planted. We felt that we had completed the goals of our work at CTM Centro Oeste, which were:

To help strengthen churches in the states of Mato Grosso and Rondonia. All
churches in the two states have workers and they now have a new life. To train and establish new leadership in the presbytery. Several of our students are in leadership position of the presbytery. Several will be going to seminary
in order to return to the region and teach at the CTM. To plant new work in the city of Cuiaba. The CTM and the presbytery planted a new work in Tijucal district of Cuiaba, Mato Grosso. To reach out and help other Presbyterian churches in Latin America. Ours was the only lay training center with students from Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia.

February 2002 The leadership of the Independent Presbyterian Church and the Board of National Mission held a special worship service in Cambuci, São Paulo. They gave us flowers and a plaque as they thanked God for our life and ministry in Brazil.

We ask that you continue to pray and support our ministry. We will be in Louisville as missionaries-in-residence until December 30, 2002. We also will itinerate during January and February of 2003. Please plan to use us in your worship service, Sunday school, or any other gathering. We would be glad to visit you. Until May 31, our phone is (502) 897-6289, and after that you can reach us at (502) 897-6233.

In Christ’s Service,

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