The Works in Progress...

When Luis, Lillia, Pietro and Luiz's mother came to dinner last night, the primary purpose of the meal, other than introduce them to authentic gourmet Italian cooking, was to discuss a schedule for beginning and continuing certain works here in Natal. While most of the conversation was spoken in Portuguese, and went completely over mine and Uncle Mark's heads, a few things were put into play that would dictate how much of the summer would unfold for Mark, Lori, Caroline and William.

Each of these works is unique and each is a way to bring the Gospel to different neighborhood communities, age groups and personality types. Most are just the beginnings of a long term work that we will not be able to see the full effect of on this side of Eternity.

The Building of the School: This project is still on hold due to one final permit that needs to be passed. They are anticipating that this will be done within the next few weeks, and then the crews can get to work on the roof immediately. After the roof is completed, the floors will need to be poured, walls completed, and designated areas set up. This school is a project that was started years ago, and was stalled due to lack of funding. They had been praying for years that someone would come along to get their project back off the ground and head toward completion. It is not necessarily a school entirely, but more of what we would consider a community center. Members of the lower class community there in the Planalto have many needs that are not able to be met, whether it is learning a simple trade or just a safe place where they can hang out. This is what they are praying the school will become.

The Co-Op: Many lower class Brazilians find themselves in abusive employment positions, especially the women. Often times they would work 90 hour weeks for an equivalent of $25 US dollars. The idea of this co-op was to develop a place where women could work a few hours a day for a small salary, which was still more than they had been making previously. During their hours at the co-op the workers would learn valuable skills to help them become licensed artisans and be able to produce a product to sell on their own. Right now the co-op is made up of women in the Plantalto Assembly, but each of these women has recently become licensed artisans. In a matter of time they will be set free and be able to produce the same products they have been working on for themselves. When this occurs a new group of women will bring in to continue on a different project. It is the goal of those who are supporting the co-op that this cycle will continue and be a way to bring Christian values and the Gospel into the community.

English Lessons: This work will continue for as long as Lori, or someone of equal ability who is willing is around the area. These lessons will not be limited to people in the assembly, but also to anyone in the community or city of Natal who would be interested in learning English for free. Obviously, the purpose of inviting others to these lessons would be to introduce them to members of the assembly and bring the Gospel to their lives.

The Music School: This school has been going on for some time and meets Monday through Friday for children seven years and older. Assembly children and community members alike are welcome to participate in the free music lessons, again with the hope of spreading the Gospel to these children and to their families and helping the Sunday school grow.

Sports Lessons: Every Friday afternoon, teenagers are welcome to participate in a sports club of sorts. These activities take place at a nearby school that allows the hall to hold the activity there on the premise that the students of the school can participate! After the new school center is built, the sports activities will be moved to the recreation yard there.

Bible Study: Uncle Mark and Luiz will be conducting a weekly Bible study on Wednesday nights on Biblical Truths that Make Up a New Testament Assembly.

Bible and Track Distribution: As with most missionary works, there is the door to door distribution of Bibles and literature to areas of the city of Natal. There are many slums and poor neighborhoods that have loads of people willing to accept even the smallest piece of paper as a tremendous gift. They will take it and with a great smile say "thank you" for giving it to them. What a difference this is from what we are accustomed to in the United States and Canada.

Other Works: These are just some of the things that are currently in place or will be starting within the next few weeks. Uncle Mark will hopefully also be teaching men in the assembly how to develop wood into raw materials for the co-op, rather than having to buy the unfinished product to complete. The Sunday school is also a work that has been successful in the area around the hall, and will continue to press forward.

Now that some of the groundwork of a schedule has been completed, hopefully I will have some daily updates of what Mark, Lori, Luis, Lillia or I have done for each of the works listed above. May each of them bring glory to God and be used as a springboard to bring the Gospel to people who literally have nothing, and are desperately searching for something. Your prayers are coveted and we hope that this information has helped you understand a little more about what is being done here in Natal.


“…behold I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.”
- John 4:35 KJV