Dear Friends,
By the time you receive this letter, our brand-new daughter Victoria Susana Cunha Gilbert will be over a month old. She was born on the 5th Of July, 10.2 lbs., 20 1/2 inches. She arrived in a hurry; five days before the due date and after only 2.5 hours of labor. Mother was very pleased by her cooperation!
We are all adjusting to little Victoria, to our new (and nearly finished) home, and to a year that so far has been packed full with ministry related activities.
In addition to the role as coordinator of the farm project at Rebusca, James has been increasing his involvement with the community of faith here in Vicosa. This means that he has been attending more and more meetings (men's group leadership team, Bible Studies, etc). As he gains confidence in Portuguese, people are discovering him, and requests for Bible studies are coming in. He is still looking for a person to carry on the coordination of the farm project in order for him to take on new challenges within Rebusca. In the meantime, his main focus is to improve the goat project and expand the production of the overall farm to bring in some income that will be used to feed Rebusca's 250 children.
Elsie continues to implement the Family Club within Rebusca. The goal is to bring together the whole family within the organization, not just the small children. In the first semester of 2002 we held classes for three different groups of women, teaching them a great variety of practical skills from how to get rid of fleas to how to take care of one's spiritual life. But the all-time favorites were the cooking classes, since we all got to taste their products afterwards.
Besides classes we visit the families in their homes, promote recreational events for them, teach them about Christ through weekly Bible studies, and generally try to walk with people in love and compassion.
Elsie has been editing a 16-page journal published nationally for people involved in the rescue of children at risk. So far, four issues have been published. The fifth one is underway, and the subject will be the Emotional Health of Christian Workers.
Now here are some of the upcoming events. You can help us by praying the Lord's blessings and guidance in the coming months.
July - December
Publish two more issues of Maos Dada.
September and December
Build a bigger barn for our growing goat population.
Build a meeting room for the Family Club.
Receive a gardening group from Northbrook and possibly, the visit of the Woman's Ministry Team from Northbrook.
Receive the visit of family member who are anxious to meet little Victoria.
January - July 2003
We are expecting a short-term Mission's group from Northbrook Church to conduct a one-week Vacation Bible School for the 250 plus children assisted by Rebusca.
July - December 2003
We are praying and planning to take a six-month Home Ministry leave. That would give us more time to reconnect with family, friends and church back in the USA and also a time for our children to regain their fluency in English.
Please continue lifting us up in prayer. We know that the Lord only expects us to be faithful and to accomplish that which He makes possible for us to accomplish. Nevertheless, once in awhile we exceed our limits!
In Him
James, Elsie, Lucas, Andrew and Victoria
Field Address:
Caixa Postal 98
36570-000 Vicosa, MG
BRAZIL
E-mail Addresses:
Elsie - Elsie@tdnet.com.br
James - jamesbg@tdnet.com.br
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