January 1, 2005

Happy New Year,

"A time to laugh, A time to cry"-- How has your year been? Here in Caraguatatuba, Brazil we have nothing to cry about. And here are the blessings: people accepting Christ, the Church growing, progress on the vocational school, progress in the discipleship area, the bus route outgrowing the bus again. How AWESOME is the God we serve!!!

We all like to have a way to measure success. Sometimes it's not so easy. I was thinking about our vocational school and how it will impact the community here in Caraguatatuba, and I overheard the conversation of the mother of the 18-year-old young man that I am training at the moment. She was talking to a group of ladies and she was so proud of her son and what he is learning, she said, "my son is going to be a carpenter." And this can come true because he is training with us. She was so proud of his accomplishments, i.e. making a coat rack, making some picture frames, and helping in the construction of some gates and pulpits for the Church. This young man has not progressed well in school but it is because his parents have moved quite a lot in his lifetime. Well, this year we have taken an interest in his schooling and he has completed the 8th grade, and next year he will enter an accelerated program and will be able to finish high school in 1 year and 1/2. So he is trying to get his feet under him and he is being able to do this by going to our vocational school during the day and regular school during the night. This is teaching him to finish what he has started--teaching him to fish, not giving him the fish. All this is accomplished by first teaching them spiritual values and this carries over into the everyday life.

Speaking of the vocational school, we will be having a group of visitors on January 18th for about 8 days, from Winchester; a work group of 5 women and 6 men from the Cornerstone Baptist Church where Foy Back is pastor. AWESOME!

Not only will I get some free labor here, but also this group can and will have an impact in our area. Why? Because they are demonstrating to the people here they care personally for this area - and what an impact that is spiritually for our church and members!

Well, I was going to write this letter filled with what was accomplished this year and got a little side-tracked so I'll only highlight a few things. Sunday School growth (AWESOME) to the point we are out of space. Two baptismal services with 17 new members added to our church family. Two special retreats: one for the women and one for the men. (A special retreat for married couples is in the planning stages.) Vocational school ministry - property purchased, walls being constructed, a block-making machine purchased, some essential carpentry machines purchased (commercial planer, table saw, drill press and mortising machine). Electricity pole for 3-phase energy in place. Seminary - first year completed with 18 students completing the year (AWESOME) A lot rented beside the church for more parking space.

All this being said, we are looking at ways to remodel our church so we can add an additional 10 pews. How AWESOME He is! Just a reminder - remember last year when we had a pew-drive so we could build 10 more pews? We are again in need of HELP!

This would not be a good beginning of the year letter without our GRAND THANKS for all that you have done this year to make all this happen. Some of you have been our Prayer Warriors, others have been our financial supporters and all of you have been our great friends through out the year. So keep up the good work in this new year!!! Barb and I would like to say `thanks´personally to all of you for those prayers and for the financial help that you give through B.F.M. For our ministry here in Brazil it goes without saying, you are a critical, crucial, and necessary part of this work. THANKS!!!!!!

When I said there was no crying I made a mistake.  Our daughter Mary is visiting us for the Holidays and when she goes back to the States there will be some crying going on. But we will have the memories of her visit to take us through the coming year until we can get home to see all of our family.

In His Service,
Aj and Barb

Have a prosperous and bountiful New Year!!