John and Neila Yelle
WBF Missionaries  serving 
Christ  in Southern Brazil

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

 

August 27, 2003

Dear praying friends,

Our winter is ending with the beginning of a new school year for our girls.  Joneia has begun 4th grade, Leila 2nd, and Katie, K-4.  Please pray for them, but especially for teacher-mom Neila!  It is a big responsibility for her, and takes up a lot of time.

We’ve gotten some more work done on the camp facilities since our last letter.  The first dormitory has been framed.  Soon we’ll be putting a temporary aluminum roof on.  As funds come in, we’ll be able to put on the siding and the proper roofing.  The bathrooms lack the floors tiled and the walls finished with stucco.  The total finishing work will cost about $3,500.  With this done, we’ll just need furnishings (beds, tables, etc.) to hold our first retreat of up to 48 campers.

Priority, however, is on the church building.  We believe we’ve received enough special offerings to cover the down payment of the loan.  In September we’ll find out if we get it.  It’s in the Lord’s hands.  We have been in contact with our engineer, and are getting the blue-prints updated and in order, ready to renew our building permit.  We thank all who have contributed to this need. 

With the church, we’ve had a few first time visitors over the past two months, but no professions of faith or baptisms.  Progress is encouraging in the spiritual growth of several of our members.  John’s training of Ishmael and Paul is going well, too.  Ishmael has taken over some Wednesday night services, as he has this experience from involvement in his former church.  Paul is not quite ready for this step.  Please pray for these men.

A new need has been creeping up on us lately.  It is a very positive one.  We need someone to work with us, preferably a Brazilian couple already called and trained in the ministry.  The work is at a stage where it is nearly ready to have a national pastor.  Please pray with us for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance in this matter.  So far He has not raised anyone up amongst the congregation to be committed to this extent.

Thank you for your prayer support.  May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 In His service,

 John & Neila,

 Joneia, Leila, & Katherine