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       Sending church: West Division St. Baptist Church / 3104 West Division St./ Springfield, MO 65802

March 03, 2004

Dear brethren in Christ,

    Soon after the writing of our last prayer letter, we discovered changes within the will of God taking place with the congregation. The first involves Ismael and his family. Ismael is a believer that came with his family to us a little over a year ago, leaving the Southern Baptist church they ministered in. John had been putting him through a special discipleship course over several of the past months. Luciana has been learning to play the keyboard and has been playing a little in our services. They have one son, Felipe, who is five. In the middle of January, Ismael and Luciana spoke to us about them recognizing the call of God on their lives, and desired to go to Bible college. What wonderful news that was to our hearts! However, back at home, we looked at each other and the comment was made, "Well, there goes our only ministering couple." We are reminded of Job's words, "Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?" (Job 9:12)
    It didn't take much time to see the Lord's hand at work after their surrender to the will of God. Their house sold quickly (the economy in Brazil is depressed these days), and we were able to quickly get them enrolled at a good fundamental Baptist Bible college in the state of Parana (an eight hour drive north of us).
    We are in awe of how the Lord is filling in the void left with their leaving. The couple that bought their home are unsaved friends of theirs. Cladimir and Rosane, with their two teenage sons, have begun coming to church. Though they are unsaved, they have decided to faithfully attend. Cladimir already mentioned baptism [now John has a good open door to explain the Gospel more thoroughly to them], and Rosane made the statement, "you lost three, but you've gained four!" A second blessing during the past two months is that one of our neighboring families has begun to come to church too. They too are unsaved, but Jair also mentioned just last week to John something about baptism. Jair and Ingrid also have two teenage sons. These two families come to us from Catholic and Lutheran faiths. Please pray their eyes continue to be opened to the truth of the Gospel and receive Christ as their personal Savior soon.
    The Lord has been leading to us yet another family. Rafael and Flavia are praying about joining our church. They have two daughters the ages of our two youngest. They are not at peace with the methodology changes taking place in the Southern Baptist church they currently minister in. They will be a big help to our church as they both have good experience and training in the ministry .So, we may be losing three to the will of God, but it looks like we're gaining twelve! Please pray for these three families according to their spiritual needs.
    Speaking of numbers, our February averages were great. We averaged 38 for our Sunday night services, apart from a special 'send-off service we held for Ismael and his family when we had 57 present. That night was topped off with five gallons of homemade ice-cream.
    In regards to our church construction, we are still waiting on our building permit, which has been delayed due partially to city hall vacation and changes in the building codes. We were, however, able to work on the camp facilities with the help of three other churches from the region. We were able to get the siding and temporary aluminum roofing on the dorm. The facilities are still a ways from being finished to the point of being usable. We estimate that $7,000 is needed to finish and furnish the dorms and bathrooms, and to complete the grounds to point of holding our first retreat. We are praying that this can happen by July.
    Our family is well. We even have been managing to set aside family time nearly every Monday. It is time that we've set apart to horseback ride as a family (we have three horses). Joneia and Leila are riding them bareback several times a week. Katie is still too small to ride on her own. 

Our prayer requests are:
.,/ Salvation for the two new families coming to church.
.,/ Rafael and Flavia to make the right decision.
.,/ Ismael and Luciana in their studies.
.,/ Our church construction.
.,/ Funds to complete stage one on the camp development.

We thank you for your prayers and concerns for our ministry and family.

In His service,

John & Neila Yelle and girls