Heiderich News Brief - April, 2008
Heiderich News Brief - April, 2008
Family Institute of Latin America Website
Annual Easter Encounters
Easter weekend is huge in the Brazilian church. The men have their biggest yearly event, ENOC (National Encounter of Christian Workers), at the camp in São Paulo. The young single women gather at a retreat center nearby (ENOCÍTA), and the married women meet in Campinas at ENOCA. This year Jerry was a keynote speaker for the 450 men at ENOC and Gail spoke to 60 young single women at ENOCÍTA.
Leadership Couples
At these events we always spend considerable time counseling with Christians from all over the country and setting up workshops and seminars for the rest of the year. The week following these national encounters is an intensive study for church workers in Campinas. This year we were two of the featured speakers. Jerry spoke to the whole group on Family and then we split into men and women where Gail directed the women’s group and Jerry the men’s. These retreats give us the opportunity to spend quality time with preachers and elders and deacons from all parts of the country.
Uberlandia
We spent the first week in April in the city of Uberlandia (3/4 Million) in the state of Minas Gerais. Golf Course Road in Midland, TX is supporting a full-time Brazilian coouple in this city and has been looking for another couple to help them out. We interviewed a potential couple and evaluated how the two couples would work together, including psychological testing and group dynamics. It was a very productive week and we believe both couples benefited from our time together. We were pleased to be able to worship with the loving and growing congregation of about 60 members. Jerry gave the Bible lesson and the sermon.
Other News
One or both of us will be traveling almost non-stop between now and our furlough to the US in June. In an eight week stretch Jerry will be in Curitriba only 7 days! We could really use your prayers for safety and for stamina as we continue to serve God in this unique ministry. We feel blessed every day for the way He has prepared us and for the doors He has opened for us to help strengthen the leadership couples, church planting teams and congregations in Brazil. Gail will be going to the US on June 4th and Jerry on June 19th. We will be in the states until August 18th. Our plan is to visit all of our supporting churches and spend some time with family. We hope to be able to see many of you.
God bless all of you and thank you for your prayers and support.
posted in Missions, South America | 0 Comments