Heiderich News Brief - August-September, 2008
posted in Missions, South America |Family Institute of Latin America Website
Family Institute Moves to São Paulo
September 11! An important date for us, but for different reasons. 28 years ago, on this date, God brought us to our new mission in Brazil. In that time we have made four big moves. Every one of them has been strategically important for the church and the Family Institute ministry. The move to Itu, São Paulo, is aimed at centralizing our ministry geographically and cutting back on long trips since much of our work is already in this region.
“All roads lead to São Paulo”. Half of the 40 million people in this state live in this immense city. It is the hub to all Brazilian airlines and the road system is the best in Brazil. It is also a center for church leadership and mission team formation. Many of the major church and leadership events occur here. Most of our team development activities in recent years have taken place in this region. After much prayer and consultation we think this a wise move for the effectiveness of our nation-wide ministry.
We left well-prepared leadership couples in Curitiba: they will be appointing elders by the end of next year. They have 8 full-time evangelists and 2 full-time church workers. We counseled, mentored and discipled 40 couples and 75 individuals in our six years there. Many leadership couples were saved from divorce, others from leaving the church or their walk with God. Dozens grew and matured and were prepared to equip others to grow. A new congregation was started and we were able to play an integral part in preparing the students from the training school to become church planters by mentoring them after graduation. We were blessed to be part of amazing transformations in our six years in Curitiba.
Furlough Report
We spent the months of July and August in the US on our furlough. When we were in Dallas we stayed at Angela and Joel’s house along with Kristofer. It was wonderful to have the family all together. Gail’s mother and her husband even spent a few days with us. We visited all six of our supporting congregations where we met with the elders and Jerry spoke before the congregations. All of them were very supportive about our move and our ministry. Jerry spoke at the Global Missions Workshop for the Brazil Interest Group on the state of leadership development in Brazil. He also spent a day with a new team that is heading to Rwanda sponsored by the Richland Hills Church in Fort Worth. He led the three men of the team in a team dynamics workshop. It is so rewarding to be able to show our supporters the kind of work we do here on the field.
Introduction to the city of Itu
Itu, population 160,000, is in the state of São Paulo about 1 1/2 hours from the huge city of São Paulo. We arrived in Itu on August 30 and began looking for a place to live. Some members of the church here already had a place picked out for us which we saw a couple of days later. We still looked at many houses before deciding the first one was the one we believed God has picked out for us. The owner was remodeling the house and wanted to spend a few more months on it, but we convinced him to let us move in after he finished the projects he was working on. He even lowered the rent since he didn’t get to finish the job. We love the house are so blessed. As of today, we still have a handful of boxes to unpack, but we are getting there. Plenty of room for visitors!
The church here has welcomed us with open arms. Many members have helped with our move. We already feel at home here. Our second weekend here we attended a couples retreat where we got to meet many of the families in the congregation. There was even a baptism during the retreat. Myuwa is a gourmet cook who has been attending the church for quite awhile with her Christian husband Jeff. It was so exciting to see her take on Christ with her husband at her side.
The Itu church is in a building program. The location is wonderful, on a main road right beside the only mall in town. We are already meeting in the building though it is not finished. This month they are putting in windows and ceiling tiles. We will be worshiping and contributing to the work of this congregation when we are not working with leaders in other parts of Brazil. The Itu congregation has 4 Brazilian elders and a full-time Brazilian preacher (Antenor Gonçalves).
Note to Contributors
To all of you who so sacrificially contribute to the ministry of the Family Institute, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude. When the Continent of Great Cities was receiving our funds, they kindly send out a letter of gratitude and confirmation that your funds were received each month. Prestoncrest, who now handles the receiving of our funds, is unable to do this because of the shear volume of their missionary staff. We will be receiving a quarterly statement from them of your contributions. It is my intention to let each of you know after I get that report, that your money has been received and put to use in the kingdom. Thank you for your understanding on this issue and thank you for your faithful support. God bless each of you with His mercy and grace.
New Contact Information
Jerry and Gail Heiderich
Alameda Sant´Ana 683
Jardim Theodora
Itu, SP 13301-850
Jerry: 11-8214-9951
Gail: 11-8214-9950