January 24, 2004

Dear Friends:

Grace and peace!

We hope that the year 2004 is bringing joy and peace into your hearts and homes. We are doing fine and about ready to return to Brazil. We will be leaving Louisville, Kentucky, on January 26, 2004 and will arrive in Brasilia on January 27 at 4:30 p.m. Please note our new address:

Qd.107, Lote 03, Bloco A
Apartamento 103, Residencial Alemeda dos Eucaliptos
Aguas Claras, DF
Brasilia, 71920-000
Brazil

We ask that you continue to pray for us as we are start this new assignment. Both of us will be teaching at the extension of the seminary of the Independent Presbyterian Church (IPI) in Taguatinga, Brasilia. This is a new work which the IPI has planted in central-western Brazil.

It is the hope of the denominational leaders to better equip students in the areas of pastoral leadership, evangelism, and social work. We will write more about our new assignment after we arrive in Brasilia.

In November 2003, I visited Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, to teach a course in pastoral care and counselling at the Lay Training Center (CTM Central-Oeste), where Irene and I worked from 1994 until we came to Louisville in 2002 to be missionaries in residence in the Worldwide Ministries Division. I also spoke at the graduation service, which was named in my honor, “Rev. Sivalee.” Thirteen students received their diplomas and are now serving Christ in various parts of Brazil. Please continue to pray for Rev. Elvio and Patricia who are leading the work of the CTM-Centro-Oeste.

We want to thank you all for the prayers and financial support during the year 2003. We do appreciate it very much. Please continue to pray for and support us. Please also come to visit us in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil and the most modern capital city in the world.

Sincerely,

Michael and Irene Sivalee

The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 146