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Dear friends,                                           

A Belated Happy Easter!

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!

Building Update
For the past month we have been meeting in the new church building, Betel Serra da Torre; not that we are finished building, just that now there is a roof, floor, and some wooden pews to sit on! Wiring has been done, but we are waiting for the energy company to switch on the electricity before the solar panels can be installed. This week we are well-drilling – a previous attempt last week was not successful, but we are trying again in another potential spot identified on the church land. Next steps include finishing plastering in the main church hall and one of the rooms to be used for children’s work, and installing doors and windows.

Betel Church Serra da Torre

Disappointing News
There is slightly less urgency to finish the building quickly now, although the reason for that is sadly that Compassion has let us know that they are unable to open a new project or receive new children. It is unclear for how long. This is a big disappointment, as we had already spoken to families about receiving children from this month for an after-school programme, with bible teaching, ballet and music lessons. However, we look to God and trust He has even better things in store. Please pray with us as we seek God’s direction. The pause allows us to safely make progress on the building in the meantime.

Encouragement
Over the last month, Hannah has focussed on visits in Serra da Torre, discipling and mentoring, and a preaching series for international women’s day starting with Jael and ending with the women who supported Jesus’ ministry (Luke 8.1-3) and became the first to hear and share the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection. Tim has been focussing on follow-up from his visit to South Sudan, and Latin Link work, including work with the International Core Team, preparations for Brazil Team conference in May, and supporting Brazilians being sent abroad with Latin Link.

Easter with Rita & Moses

Easter in Serra de Torre

Teachers for Abyei, South Sudan

In our last newsletter we shared about the Teachers for Abyei programme. Teachers are poorly and irregularly paid, which means they often quit part way through the year, or miss school days in order to take on other casual work. Our teacher sponsorship programme makes teaching a viable profession for teachers, and ensures that students have a teacher every school day for the whole school year.

The years’ programme for the Teachers for Abyei programme has now been agreed, in a difficult context of school reorganisation due to conflict and displacement, and rampant inflation. Thanks to those who have already contributed following our email last month. We are looking to raise a further £2788 to support of a total of 33 teachers in two schools this year. That’s about £360 per year for each of the contracted teachers (these are more experienced teachers serving as heads, who don’t receive a government salary, and are contracted by our partners BGRRF directly), and about £120 per year for each of the government employed teachers (who receive a smaller amount on top of their government salary). If you’d like more information about the programme, or how to contribute, please get in touch.

Teachers for Abyei Programme

Prayer points:

• Praise the Lord for the Good News of the new life we have in Him. Pray for that word to sink into hearts in Serra da Torre, bringing hope and joy.
• Thank the Lord for His generous provision of funds and volunteers for the church building in Serra da Torre and pray for Him to continue providing both! Lift up the children in the community and ask for His direction about how to reach and bless them in the light of the news from Compassion.
• Pray for the teachers in Abyei, South Sudan to be supported and blessed, and if you may be called to be part of the answer to that prayer in contributing to the Teachers for Abyei programme!

Thanks again for partnering with us in God’s mission in two communities 5,000+ miles apart in Brazil and South Sudan! We really do appreciate all you do to support us in our lives and ministries.

In Christ,

Hannah, Tim, Rita & Moses