Thank you so much for your friendship, and prayers throughout the year. It is such a pleasure to have you on our team as we continue to share the Good news of Jesus Christ and give a helping hand up to the marginalized. We pray the Lord will bless you richly and that you have a great Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Again, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.
I love this. Just last week the Mirante church sent this mission team out to visit a community called Surubim. Elba’s twin sister Nira led the group as they traveled to this community which is about 150 kilometers from Altamira and has a thriving community of believers. We visit periodically to encourage the leadership, and the congregation. There were many people in attendance that came to have fellowship with one another, share a meal, worship the Lord and share the Gospel. One of the congregation members killed a cow and gave some of it to help with the celebration. One of the ladies who volunteered to go on the mission trip is 59 years old. She was a trooper as a good portion of the way is on dirt roads. They laid the bike over once during the trip but thankfully there were no injuries. However, her discomfort was not a hindrance to go and show the love of Christ.
Aside from CDR providing English and Computer classes, as well as teaching people how to sew, all at a deep discounted price compared to the other schools in the city, they also went to one of the local schools as they have for the last several years to teach the students about “safe touch”. They sang worship songs to the students, did a puppet show, danced Hip Hop, and taught the students the importance of safe touch, and then provided a meal. It is our great hope that by teaching these children some principles about what is safe, and general safety tips it will help prevent these children from being abused. Also, if abuse is happening, it may give the child the courage to tell someone in authority so that they can be helped and protected.
The school semester is coming to a close and the girls will be out for Christmas break. The school gave them awards called “Diamond”. It is the highest award that a student can get at the school. We are very proud of them for being such good students and doing their best at school. Also pictured are Camilly and Alyssa best friends. Camilly and Alyssa bought them all best friend necklaces. However, the fact of the matter is that they have many best friends to which we are grateful. Please pray for Camilly as she has been coughing for the last couple of weeks. Pray for her healing.
Prayer request. Please pray for our city and for us. The city has become very violent especially for a small city. In one night, 15 people were shot resulting in 7 murders. It did not stop there as there were additional murders the following days thereafter. Unfortunately, murder is fairly common here. In the last two months 4 police officers were murdered. We are not sure if this recent wave of murders is retribution to those suspected in the involvement of the police killings. However, we need your prayers for protection, and that the Lord will change people’s heart. Aside from all the murders there has been a sharp increase in armed robberies and motor theft. Just last Sunday someone came and stole one of our member’s motorbike. It is a significant loss because almost no one has insurance and they are expensive.
Please also pray for Osmana. Marcio and Osmana are the pastors at the Independente church. She has been fighting breast cancer and everything appeared to be in remission. However, the doctors just told us that they discovered 2 lesions in her brain. This is very disheartening. The family appears to be at peace and are praying with expectation for a complete healing. Please pray with them.
Please continue to pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional health for us.
Love and blessings, Steve, Elba, Camilly and Alyssa
Tax deductible donations can be written and sent to:
The Xingu Mission
P.O Box 340785
Columbus, Ohio 43234
Or On-line donations at:
