: Brazil

Simea Meldrum asks for continuing prayer for many areas which are still without communication and access in North East Brazil after the recent flooding and continuing rain. “We are collecting food for those areas of homelessness and will deliver material and spiritual food. We are trying to organize a group of cars to do this… Please pray for our group. Thanks, and God bless you. Siméa”

Andy and Rose Roberts (mission partners) ask for prayer: “Give thanks for the successful mission team trip to My Father’s House. Give thanks for those boys who made a response during a youth camp and pray that they might continue to grow and mature in their faith. Pray that we might be able to find a suitable house for the project. Give thanks that, due to the delays, we have more time to look for and find a place. Pray for the financial situation of the project which has worsened slightly with the poor exchange rate and that more supporters will be found. Pray for our week’s holiday – for rest and renewal, and of course celebrating our first year of marriage! Pray for Rose and I, for strength to get everything done and for wisdom whilst we’re doing it.”

Give thanks for the successful Mission Team trip and pray for them as they return to the UK.

Give thanks for those boys who made a response during the camp at the farm and pray that they might continue to grow and mature in their faith.

Pray that we might be able to find a suitable house for the project. Give thanks that, due to the delays, we have more time to look for and find a place.

Pray for the financial situation of the project which has worsened slightly with the poor exchange rate and that more supporters will be found.

Pray for our weeks holiday – for rest and renewal, and of course for our first year of marriage!

Pray for Rose and I, for strength to get everything done and for wisdom whilst we’re doing it.

Remember to check out this month’s video update for an even better feel for what’s happening in Brazil. The video is available to see/download from youtube on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buewGA4Cy2A

We have also launched a new website which explains a bit about us, our work, the project etc… Do check it out and pass it on to others who are interested in our work: www.andyandrose.yolasite.com

Thanks again guys for all the prayer and support that you are showing us and the project.

Prayers.

Andy and Rose J

Geison Vasconcellos writes about the Rev Miguel Uchoa in Recife, Brazil: “The diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma was confirmed (in the Bony Medulla). He is still in the hospital for beginning of the treatment, but he should go home in the beginning of next week, and to continue the treatment at home. The good news is that the pains began to be controlled and he feels already very better and he has been getting to sleep well. We are very concerned, but confident! Please keep your intercession network mobilized in his power, Geison”

Pray for God’s future for My Father’s House in Olinda. The government have placed a compulsory purchase order on this (rented) property, in order to build a new coast road. Pray for Ian Meldrum seeking to safeguard the boys’ welfare. Other house and land owners have begun legal action against the compulsory purchase. Pray for Andy and Rose Roberts and the staff team, for strength and hope to continue working through the uncertainty, trusting God to provide.

Praise God for the Easter evangelistic outreach from the Living Waters Church, alongside the ongoing ministry bringing hope to the poor. Pray for Ian and Siméa, and for God’s guidance in their vision for the future use of the farm.

Thank God for the visit of Marcos and Tamara Throup and baby Rebekah to the UK and their time with supporting churches. Pray for their return to João Pessoa as Marcos resumes his study, teaching, preaching and mentoring, and for their family life together.

Siméa Meldrum writes from Recife, Brazil: “According to the latest figures from the National Centre for Disaster and Risk Management: in Alagoas were recorded at least 19 deaths, 32,335 people are homeless and 25,843 displaced in 22 cities. In Pernambuco, there are 17,719 homeless, 24,301 displaced, 13 dead and 53 cities have declared an emergency. Right now we’re trying to empower the youth of the Church to be more helpful at these times of disaster. We know that nobody is free of these events, so the church must be prepared to assist and even prevent, when possible. We ask our prayer partners to pray for this training, because today, they already are mobilizing to help some people who are homeless with their families. They are making collection of clothes and personal items to send to the cities where these people are homeless.”

Dear friends

According to the latest figures from the National Centre for Disaster and Risk Management (Cenadi) in Alagoas were recorded at least 19 deaths, 32,335 people are homeless and 25 843 homeless in 22 cities. In Pernambuco, there are 17,719 homeless, 24,301 displaced, 13 dead and 53 cities have declared an emergency. Right now we’re trying to empower the youth of the Church to be more helpful at these times of disaster. We know that nobody is free of these events, so the church must be prepared to assist and even prevent, when possible. We ask our prayer partners to pray for this training, because today, they already are mobilizing to help some people who are homeless with their families. They are making collection of clothes and personal items to send to the cities where these people are homeless.

Today Ian was doing an ultrasound examination of the abdomen total. The doctors said he has nothing on the images to be disturbing. She says it is necessary to keep following this period after BCG.

Tomorrow afternoon we will go to an oncologist with the results. Thank you for your prayers. May God bless you. Siméa”

Reports state that more than 600 people are missing after days of heavy rain in north-eastern Brazil due to extreme flooding. A state of emergency has been declared in numerous districts, many of which have been cut short of electricity and water. The worst affected state was Alagoas with thousands of people having to abandon their homes.

We have news and prayer requests from the Steering Committee of My Father’s House, in Recife: Your prayers for the following would be greatly appreciated: There has been a meeting of 19 people to discuss and plan a mission school for approximately 50 young people to train them to deal with difficult times, preparation for disasters which might happen, and how to deal with emergencies. The consultant and his wife who works for World Vision who has been twice before makes another visit in May and is hoping to train and encourage the directors of My Father’s House. He hopes to encourage fundraising activities. The two new directors are very keen to move things forward. The school at Living Waters is progressing well for those children able to attend. There are 150 children waiting for the opportunity to attend but lack of funds prevents this. There are a lot of teenagers attending church and it is going well.

Pray for God’s blessing on the life and witness of the church in the Recife Diocese, and for encouragement and guidance for Bishop Robinson and Miriam Cavalcanti and for all clergy and leaders.

Marcus Throup combines teaching in the Anglican College in João Pessoa with studying for a PhD in New Testament studies. He also mentors young ordinands. Pray for God’s grace for him and his wife Tamara and baby daughter as they come to the UK at the end of this month for 5 weeks, visiting supporting churches.

Ask the Lord to use Josías & Danielle de Souza and Daniel in youth leadership and preaching, to encourage faith and commitment to Christ. As he works alongside other churches in Recife, pray for growing trust and unity among Christians.

Uphold Ian & Siméa Meldrum in Olinda in their demanding ministry among the poor in the Living Waters church and Community Centre and ‘My Father’s House’. Pray for the families who they have contact with. Pray also for more helpers and for daily encouragement, joy and discernment.

Pray for the project ‘My Father’s House’ which provides a home environment for boys who have been on the streets. Pray for Andy & Rose Roberts and the staff, for strength, wisdom and vision in working with the boys whose behaviour and responses can be unpredictable.