September 15,2008

Dear Friends,

        Yesterday we inaugurated our new baptistry, though the installation is not complete. We had the privilege of baptizing five: Two adults (Emerson & Sintia), and three children (Ronaldo, Vitoria, and Thiago). Lined up for baptism were ten, but because of the cool winter temperatures and colds (the church is not heated), five have decided to wait until the weather gets warmer. There were sixty-eight present the night of the baptism, which is our highest attendance this year for the services.
        We've had several other exciting things happen in the ministry over the past two months. Our annual couples dinner was attended by fifty-nine adults. This year we catered out part of the dinner, so that our members could enjoy the fellowship and fun to the max. Comments by visitors were made on how well organized it all turned out. The major blessing with that comment is that most of the work was done by members of our church.  It is such a blessing to see our people turn into true servants of God.
        Since our last prayer letter, Fabiana (38 yrs), her daughter Carolina (10yrs), and a young lady, Indiara (15yrs), made professions of faith. Our averages in the services have been at their highest over the past two months, with several Sunday nights having more than fifty-five participating.
        Neila has been teaching our daughter Leila and a young couple, Samuel and Leticia, a Child Evangelism course. Their major project is coming up in October, for Children's Day here in Brazil. They are planning and executing the special programming for the day. Leticia and Samuel are really excited about it, and are enthusiastically on top of the planning. Leticia taught her first Children's Bible Club lesson last month, and it's obvious to us she's discovered one of her God given gifts.
        John and two men of the church have nearly completed the platform for the pulpit. It is currently in use, but still lacks the trim and varnish. A few of the church people also rallied together to get the sealing coat of paint on the inside of the church. What a difference a little paint can make. We are all excited to get as much of the auditorium done before the end of the year. Please pray with us that the church finances will be sufficient to meet the needs.
        Speaking of needs, with the increase of people attending services, we've got several projects pending that we haven't got the finances available to finish. One is our bathroom situation. We've only got one, single commode bathroom. The two larger bathrooms still lack the septic system., as well as the wall tiles and divisions.
        We also had a lack of seating available at the services on the baptism night. So, we need the new pews. Our plan is to have 22 wooden pews made, at the cost of around US$ 300 each. We may be able to find something a little cheaper in one of the neighboring small towns.
        One of the biggest needs is the completion of the parsonage. The church desperately needs an associate pastor to help relieve the load of the ministry, and to take the final step towards becoming an independent church, autonomous from foreign funds and missionary dependence. The church itself does not have enough income to pay rent for a pastor and his family. We already have the land with a partial house constructed on it. Finishing the job is estimated to cost approximately US$20,OOO. Would you please pray with us about the Lord's provision of the funds for it?

Our prayer requests in summary are:
        * That the Lord would provide the funds for completion of our ministerial projects; 
        * Spiritual growth of the new converts and those baptized;
        * A Brazilian associate pastor for our church.

        Your prayers for our ministry are greatly appreciated. May God's grace and peace be with you.

In His service,

Yelle Family

John & Neila
Joneia, Leila, & Katherine

Since October 6, 2008 you are visitor number: