September 4, 2003

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings! We are having nice cool weather. It has been unusually cool for this time of year. Sounds like you folks there in the States could use some of our weather. Hope all of you are doing fine.

We are doing great here. Odali is in Manaus visiting the Alpha and Omega Home there. Things there are doing fine. We are building a little at a time. Paulo and Brenda are the couple that works there. Paulo lived with us for many years. He came to live with us when he was about 11 years old. Brenda met him at our home on a mission trip. Please pray for them. They have 3 kids that live with them. Brenda is a real blessing. To many, Brenda would never make it. I guess people thought she was a city girl. Well to everyone's surprise she has proved her love for God and what He called her to do. She lives pretty much in the middle of the jungle, although I'm not sure that I would live there myself. God has been good to them and now they have lights and a pretty nice house. Blessed are those who are faithful in the small things and hard things. God will surely reward her faithfulness.

God is certainly on the throne even though some times we act like as if He wasn't. The state official that caused us a lot of problems has lost his job. The new man takes office this week. Pray that God will lead us in the things we should do so that we might always do our best.

The kids are doing great, and a little excited. We have some new kids who have arrived. That makes the kids jealous of each other. The older kids don't like it when the new kids come and hug and kiss us. Lives are being changed and that makes it worth all the efforts and difficulties.

We are still working on the things that need to be done here at the home. We have bought the rest of the mattresses. Thanks to those who have donated for this. We still need to repair the roofs and replace the glass in the windows. The tabletop in the kitchen still needs to be bought. It has to be stainless, so it will cost a bit more than Formica. Formica can be used but it won't last with things being cut on it. We really want to thank all of those who have been so gracious in giving to the needs of the home.

The classes in the Bible institute have started back, and this semester we started an extension in the city of Marilia. This month the Mission point in Marilia will be organized. The city of Marilia has 150 thousand habitants. There is a need for more churches there. There are 4 universities there with many students. A Bible study has been started at one of the universities. We are praying about starting a new mission point there. Please pray with us about this.

May God's blessing be with you.

Love,

Odali and Kathy
Tito, Jonas and Gabriel