Peter and Josi's Newsletter

Friday 15 March 2024

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - March 2024

Dears Friends,

Greetings from Iparana, Brazil!

This Newsletter is in the public domain and is edited accordingly. If you wish to recieve the unedited newsletter in full, please contact me.

We are grateful to everyone who helps us in various ways and keeps us in prayer, and offer encouragement. Your kindness is truly valued, and we offer our heartfelt thanks to God for you all.

Building work - We give thanks to God for the recent progress and repairs.

Before

Single story structure in the foreground needed raising to the level of the existing second storey with the window.

After

Second storey raised and a large classroom on the right and bathroom on the left. Eventually it will be plastered on the outside. This part of the building work was complicated and slow. But it should make the structure a lot better with less rain entering during the rainy season.

Building Work Update Youtube

I know a number of friends enjoy watching the videos so I have made a new one at the link above. I think I ‘m getting a bit better at making them after learning a new video software. The second phase is nearly finished, so all being well, soon the children will be able to use their new classrooms.

Art Workshop

I have an online art workshop available if anyone is interested - I have the course available in English. I developed this as an online Art workshop and Bible study as I was invited to teach for a Missionary Holiday School for YWAM Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. I have included information below which explains more .

Online Art Course and Bible Study

A workshop for all age groups, more information below and at the link above

A creative Bible study with scripture, art and colour. “Discover the beauty and depth of biblical scriptures through art! Join us for a unique workshop where creativity meets faith.”

For those who want to hold art workshops. Jocum Praia is offering a 5 hour workshop, which can also be run online. Similar lessons can be created around a theme or Bible verse for a school and customised for churches and bases.

Two meetings are planned, the first one of 2 hrs and can be integrated into evening meetings. The main meeting is approximately 3 hrs with a break for snacks. If meetings go over time, that can happen if students are enjoying themselves. If participants' artwork is taking longer to finish, hosts are free to organise more time if needed.

The first meeting - Two colouring activities are designed to engage students in thoughtful reflection and prayer before beginning the main Art lesson.

2 TIMOTHY 4:2 Revelation 22:1-3

“With colouring activity sheets - we will dive into these two fascinating scriptures.

Artificial Intelligence

Since the end of last year I have been experimenting with making AI Art. The link below is artwork created over a 15 day period and made into a short video. A True Story of New Zealand. Retold as originally published in 1845 In the Sailor's Magazine and Nautical Intelligencer. Under the direction of THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS' SOCIETY.

“The following narrative, by a seaman, is one of the finest testimonies to the cause of missions we have ever met with.” - The British Workman 1863. To watch the video please click the link below.

A True Story of New Zealand

Prayer and thanks

We continue to give thanks and praise to God for provision which is helping us resolve many structural problems for the school and needs we have. Please pray for continued safety for workmen and wisdom about which jobs need fixing first, also provision to complete all the areas and items needing to be repaired. We give thanks to all who have given so generously to help and so many answers to prayer.

Please pray for Teachers for the Nations online school, which Josi will be running again this year.

Praise the Lord for continued health, strength and safety. The rainy season is now upon us. And it's much cooler now, as it has been very hot here. Please pray.

Please continue to pray for more volunteer staff and for evangelism. And Praise the Lord for answered prayers! We still need to pray very much for staff to join us as part of YWAM.

With our love - Peter, Josi and Dorothy

We are very grateful to the Lord for all of you who support us through prayer, finance or both. We pray for you all and give thanks for you! New supporters - For those wishing to support us regularly or with one off donations please contact me.

*Email: jocumpraia@gmail.com *Please note the email address is the current one I use.

For those who would like to help financially please contact me

For those who have a Wise bank account. I also have a Wise Bank account which can receive donations.

Giving through Stewardship

For those who kindly wish to support us in missions with YWAM Brazil. We are registered with give net - Stewardship Services in the UK. Monthly and one-off donations can be easily processed with Debit and Credit cards - please visit the link below to see our giving page. Give net has made some recent updates which should make this easier - for those who wish to remain anonymous, give net makes this provision. For people outside the UK who wish to give - the payment process allows International donors to opt out of UK Gift Aid system. Stewardship Services are a Christian organisation serving charities and missionaries from the UK. For those who wish to pay through STEWARDSHIP We have an account at https://www.give.net/20089559 Before confirming any gift on give.net you will be asked whether you wish to remain anonymous. If you choose this option your personal details will be will not be made known. If you have any questions please ask for details Donations may also be sent via Western Union which we are able to receive here.

Peter and Josi Millward, Rua Pintor J. Figueiredo No. 805. Praia Iparana. Caucaia, Ceara. CEP. 61.627-250. Brazil. https://www.facebook.com/escolacristaaguaviva

Friday 1 December 2023

Peter and Josi`s Newsletter - November 2023

At a local church in Fortaleza earlier this year

JOCUM PRAIA

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - November 2023

Dears Friends,

Greetings once again from Iparana, Brazil!

Thankyou once again to all who kindly send support, pray for us, and for messages and encouragements too. We appreciate it and give thanks to God for you all!

Building work - We give thanks to God for the recent repairs and new roof

Before and after - The above photo showing the start of renovations some months ago

After Renovation - A new roof, replastered walls, floor tiles.

We give thanks to God for the recent repairs and new roof. What a difference it makes! We are now working on raising the roof on another part of the school. We give thanks to the Lord for financial provision to make all this possible…. We have a long way to go, but we are on our way step by step fixing the most needy areas!. The bricklayer, Desano, had been unemployed for months, and was unable to find work. As one can see from the photo, he has done an excellent job. Please pray for Desano and his helpers, Flavio and Carlinho. For safety and for them to come to faith in Christ. I made a short video update about the building work at the link, https://youtu.be/ux9S8no-CG0 I was also working digging holes, to try and speed up the work, fencing was my old job back in the UK so that was bit of deja vu….. Although a bit too hot here in the sun! Please excuse my video skills, I am having to learn new video software.

Escola Cristã Água Viva

Escola Cristã Água Viva - Celebrating Independence day - 7th September. A day to celebrate and to pray for Brazil. Brazil's independence took place on September 7, 1822. Our Christmas End of Term presentation at the link below https://youtu.be/Rc0mebfK7WY

Crianças do Rei project

Children from the project Criancas do Rei finished making their Christmas cards. The children are from some of the neediest families in Ipanana and live in the mangroves. We are grateful to all who help support this project. Some of the biggest needs are trying to help their parents who are very needy themselves.

JOCUM PRAIA

Together with a YWAM base in Nicaragua, YWAM Diriamba, we completed running an online school, Teachers for the Nations school which started at the beginning of August and finished October. Over 60 students were enrolled online. Josi helped to lead the school alongside Yahoska from YWAM Diriamba base in Nicarágua.

Dorothy at the Van Gogh Exhibition

Bible Museum and Art Gallery

For some time we have been asking prayer about creating a Bible Museum. The newly renovated space is suitable, but for now we will use it for the children while their classrooms are rebuilt and a new storey added. But I have been thinking and praying about an Art gallery too with different exhibitions of other artists' work, not just my own.

Please pray. We are in a poor area, but that's fine..We want to create an Art gallery that has the same level of quality and presentation as the ones that are in the richer areas. I think creating a beautiful space in an area of poverty is a good way to reach out to the community. Some months ago I took my family to see the Van Gogh Immersive experience. I had been encouraging my family, as it was shortly to close, and we went before the very last day in Fortaleza. As we walked around and stood at various places, it was an amazing experience..... unforgettable, music, visual, atmosphere, Josi and Dorothy loved it! I was studying it closely to see how it was created. It got me thinking about the potential this could be if we could develop something similar, but focused on the Bible, a theme could be the Pilgrim's Progress. So this got me thinking, with similar technology could be feasible to create an Immersive Bible experience! We have the space I think to make a smaller one. I have quite a bit of antique art which could be utilised too, and videos which I sometimes share in our newsletters. Something else with a Bible Museum would be special themed immersive experiences based around testimonies of Christians and how the Bible changed their lives. The challenge is to raise the finance, but the first step is to pray.

Loren Cunningham

1935 – 2023. 88 years.

Our mission leader and the founder of Youth With A Mission went to his eternal reward on 6th October. He had been ill for some while. We are grateful for his life. What an amazing testimony and man of God, consistent, unwavering, a visionary who inspired thousands to go into missions. He will be sorely missed but what a legacy he left for us. He leaves his dear wife Darlene, daughter Karen and son David and three grandchildren. Please pray for YWAM at this time.

For Remembrance Sunday

A poem by a mother, Elizabeth Owen whose son died during the 1914-18 war.

My heart is filled with longing

For my beloved boy.

My Benjamin of the family

He was my help and joy.

Yes Harcourt was well loved by all

So full of life and fun

Just nineteen years scarce saw he

Before his task was done.

Who nobly laid his young life down

Willing to do his share.

He counted not the awful cost

His country for to spare.

And now he is with Jesus

His life’s sand quickly run

Just help me from my heart to say

Dear Lord thy will be done.

Mother

Life’s course nobly run

Last task nobly done.

_________________________

The above poem was found written inside a presentation book - A Dictionary Of Eminent Welshmen 1700-1900, presented to Harcourt Owen in 1911 at Glandwr CE School, Llanidloes, Wales. Sadly, Harcourt was later to die in what became known as the Great War, 20 June 1918, France, he was just 19 years of age. The very beautiful and poignant epitaph, was indeed surprising to find........may well have been unseen for years. A mother's grief buried in her son`s school presentation book... I wonder if the family knew of this? ....when older people pass away, their books can hold so much - as in this case. Elisabeth Owen must have kept that book by her when she had the difficult task of going through her deceased son's belongings. - the book must have meant so much, and most likely she sat during the book presentation at school, and of course we can only imagine all the memories that accompany this. So for this year's Remembrance Sunday, I decided to make a picture about this as it sums up so much. There is very little information and no photos of Harcourt, although Harcourt does have a service record, his regiment was the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers. There are no known living relatives, but maybe the poem and picture will find a connection and jog someone's memory.

Prayer and Thanks!

We continue to give thanks and praise to God for provision and help which will resolve many structural problems for the school and needs we have. Please pray for safety for workmen and wisdom about which jobs need fixing first, also provision to complete all the areas and items needing to be repaired.

Praise the Lord for successfully completing the Teachers for the Nations online school.

Praise the Lord for health and pray we might get past safely all the illnesses going around!

Please continue to pray for more volunteer staff and for evangelism. And Praise the Lord for answered prayers! We still need to pray very much for staff to join us as part of YWAM.

With our love - Peter, Josi and Dorothy

A word from UCB

Sunday 26 November 2023 United Christian Broadcasters

“Two elements are at work in your life today. First, God is teaching you to lean on Him instead of on yourself. Second, people around you are being strengthened and encouraged as they see the grace of God at work in your life.” https://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today/130131

Christian Artist - Paul Hobbs

May I recommend inviting to your church or fellowship of a very good artist friend I have known for years, Paul Hobbs who makes both celebratory abstract paintings, and painting and sculpture that consider contemporary social issues in the light of biblical values. He exhibits frequently, and gives workshops and talks about his artwork, its themes and his method of working. Please visit his website for more information www.arthobbs.com

For those who have a Wise bank account. I also have a Wise Bank account which can receive donations.

Giving through Stewardship

Peter and Josi Millward, Rua Pintor J. Figueiredo No. 805. Praia Iparana. Caucaia, Ceara. CEP. 61.627-250. Brazil. https://www.facebook.com/escolacristaaguaviva *Email: jocumpraia@gmail.com *Please note the email address is the current one I use.

Sunday 20 August 2023

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - August 2023

Art classes with children from the Criancas do Rei project - It's Harvest time in Brazil so our theme was - The Harvest Lion - the Lion of Judah!

JOCUM PRAIA Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - August 2023

Dears Friends, Greetings from Iparana, Brazil!

We trust you are well and enjoying the Summer, wherever you may be. Once again thank you to all who helped with our recent Barclays Bank problems. What a relief that is over, I now have a Wise account, a Resolut account and a Brazilian Nu Account. And so far everything is functioning well. Praise the Lord! I still have the Barclays account too.

Healthwise, Josi was diagnosed with Covid in May and has since recovered. Praise the Lord! Covid is still very much around and people are still catching it in Brazil. We heard in the South of Brazil at the border of another country, (I forget the name) many hospitals are overflowing with sick children with what is believed to be a variant of covid. And parents are being advised to keep children at home. Please pray.

Since the start of 2023, we have had to close the school for a short period because of the local gangs fighting for control in the area, the public schools all close, so it is wise for us to also close until things settle down. Please pray as the scriptures teach - For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:2.

Escola Cristã Água Viva - Encouragement.

Josi recently was encouraged to hear what one of her pupils told her from Infants 5 class - “Whenever I go to Yasmin's classroom, she comes close to me and says: "Aunt Josi, when I grow up I'm going to be a teacher." She speaks with such joy and with such a beautiful sparkle in her eyes. Josi told her she would write about itt, so we don't forget what she said”. It ministered to Josi’s heart. Another student, Enzo, arrived at school one morning with two little flowers. He said to Josi, "Aunt Josi, thank you so much for this school, I'm so happy here!." It's little encouragement like this which makes all the difference. And helps us to see from a Heavenly perspective.

Blessings

We give thanks and praise to the Lord for a recent donation kindly given to help with building repairs and needs, It's just in time as the parts of the roof of the school were very badly rusted and needed fixing urgently. The builders in the photo are removing the old rusted roof, which will be replaced with termite proof timber and traditional roof tiles. We have a very long list of building repairs and a to do list. Much of the time we make the most of what we have until it breaks or wears out, so we are very glad and praise the Lord for His provision. The Lord knows our needs. Please pray for the workman for their safety and for wisdom as we embark on this new building phase, improvements and repairs. We were recently able to buy three ice water dispensers which are very much needed with the hot weather here.

Crianças do Rei project Art Studio - Children are busy painting their pictures to make presents, for fathers day in Brazil recently. We now have a permanent space for the Art studio which we can leave ready with art equipment and materials for Art activities, which makes a big difference. as we can leave the Art room ready for activities.

June we had the Harvest Festival celebration at Escola Cristã Água Viva. We are making the most of the new wall as a backdrop, that was built last year with the help of friends who kindly donated. It's the end of the rainy season when farmers harvest in Brazil, and is a time of celebration.

JOCUM PRAIA Together with a YWAM base in Nicaragua, YWAM Diriamba, we are running an online school, Teachers for the Nations school which started at the beginning of August and runs through till October. Over 60 students are enrolled online. Josi is helping to lead the school alongside, Yahoska from YWAM Diriamba base in Nicarágua. Photo Right Yohaska and daughter Linn with Josi.

French Broad and Narrow Way - We are grateful to Lucie Regard who visited a few years ago, who also kindly translated the Broad and Narrow Way Picture into French translation. Since then it has done really well, 34 copies have been sold since I uploaded it to my Redbubble Gallery. That means it's potentially in 34 homes, hanging on walls being a witness and a valuable conversation starter about the Bible and spiritual matters.. So with this encouragement I decided to translate into other languages, so far I translated into Polish, Hungarian, Chinese...and now working on Italian. Already I have German copies of the picture. https://pictureswithamessage.com/Languages.htm So I just need to translate the picture into the remaining languages available at Google Translator. It's very useful, along with the Bible already translated into these languages, also AI I find very useful to sort out the text in the picture. We are talking about 100 scripture texts in the picture, plus other words in the picture to translate.

Prayer and Thanks!

We give thanks and praise to God for provision and help which will resolve many structural problems for the school and needs we have.

Please pray for safety for workmen and wisdom about which jobs need fixing first. Praise the Lord for a successful start to the Teachers for the Nations online school.

Praise the Lord for health and pray we might get past safely all the illnesses going around!

Praise the Lord for replacements for broken electricals.

Please continue to pray for more volunteer staff and for evangelism. And Praise the Lord for answered prayers! We still need to pray very much for staff to join us as part of YWAM.

With our love - Peter, Josi and Dorothy

We are indeed grateful to the Lord for all of you who support us through prayer, finance or both. We pray for you all and give thanks for you! New supporters - For those wishing to support us regularly or with one off donations please contact me.

For those who would like to help financially please contact me . For those who would like to help financially.

Giving through Stewardship For those who kindly wish to support us in missions with YWAM Brazil. We are registered with give net - Stewardship Services in the UK. Monthly and one-off donations can be easily processed with Debit and Credit cards - please visit the link below to see our giving page. Give net has made some recent updates which should make this easier - for those who wish to remain anonymous, give net makes this provision. For people outside the UK who wish to give - the payment process allows International donors to opt out of UK Gift Aid system. Stewardship Services are a Christian organisation serving charities and missionaries from the UK. For those who wish to pay through STEWARDSHIP We have an account at https://www.give.net/20089559 Before confirming any gift on give.net you will be asked whether you wish to remain anonymous. If you choose this option your personal details will be will not be made known. If you have any questions please ask for details Donations may also be sent via Western Union which we are able to receive here. Peter and Josi Millward, Rua Pintor J. Figueiredo No. 805. Praia Iparana. Caucaia, Ceara. CEP. 61.627-250. Brazil.

https://www.facebook.com/escolacristaaguaviva *Email: jocumpraia@gmail.com *Please note the email address is the current one I use Peter and Josi Millward, Rua Pintor J. Figueiredo No. 805. Praia Iparana. Caucaia, Ceara. CEP. 61.627-250. Brazil. https://www.facebook.com/escolacristaaguaviva

Sunday 19 March 2023

Peter and Josi's March Newsletter 2023

Dorothy 's class - Praying for Turkey - Escola Cristã Água Viva.

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - March 2023

Dears Friends,

Greetings from Iparana, Brazil!

Thankyou to all who sent us Christmas Greetings, gifts and encouraging words. Where would we be without brothers and sisters in Christ who God raised up to help us here in various ways, means and prayers.

Since the last newsletter, we have had to deal with sickness. I (Peter) started just before December. I started with something I thought I could shake off. It lasted a month and a half! Thankfully during Christmas it eased off, but then came back. I had a Covid test but the results were negative. Physical weakness, sore throat etc. Then over a week ago I had another bout of sickness, a heavy cold and cough…..which Josi had too. But it seems everywhere at the moment lots of people are suffering with coughs, colds and such, and particularly children. Now School started back in January, a number of pupils and teachers also have sickness. Please pray for health. Thankfully Dorothy has not had any illness.

Economically, these are challenging times for Brazil with inflation for basic commodities. But watching the news it seems to be the case for so many nations around the world and even worse situations like earthquakes and wars. Over the recent years it is as though the world has been turned on its head. This is no longer 1989 and the fall of the Iron Curtain that so many longed and prayed for decades. The world has changed completely in so many ways since those days, and not for the better. One cannot help but reflect on the scripture.

“Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.”The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” Hebrews 12:27

Escola Cristã Água Viva and Crianças do Rei project

A recent event with the children from Criancas do Rei. Peter telling a story of the founder of YWAM, Loren Cunningham.

I wanted to produce a picture to inspire the kids and so shared a story about Loren, how as a child he would look up to the moon at night and wonder how he could make known to the whole world God's great love. He imagined if he could just go in a space rocket and place rocks, large enough on the surface of the moon, spelling "God is love" all the people in the whole world would be able to see...I then recounted how God spoke to Loren when he was in his twenties with a Vision of Waves of young people going through all the continents of the world to preach the Gospel and how God fulfilled the childhood dream, Loren had for reaching the world for Christ.

Loren Cunningham Loren and Darlene Cunningham.They are such a great blessing to many people.

I need to share some sad news. Loren has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and the prognosis is terminal. Loren is 87 years of age. In spite of this, Loren continues to be full of the joy of the Lord and encouraging everyone….. still sharing his vision to reach a lost world for Christ! Please pray for Loren and Darlene and all their family.

Watching Loren Cunningham live on Vimeo TV a few days ago. Even sick Loren is such a great encouragement for a new generation of missionaries, Josi took this photo of Dorothy in front of the TV screen with Loren. Only the Lord knows how long Loren really has left, could be days, weeks or months. But here Loren is with a big smile on his face sharing about making the Gospel known……We give thanks to God for the life of Loren Cunningham!.

Jocum Praia

In the next few months we shall be busy with various events, hosting a church group for Easter. Also we need to attend a YWAM Leaders Brazil reunion in May. We need to raise finance for this. In June we have a YWAM group who will be with us for 3 months making an Christian education course Teachers for the Nations. Please pray for us as we prepare and organise.

Banking Challenges

A few days ago I had money stolen from my Barclays bank account by someone unknown. I informed my bank and so they blocked my bank card. They are sending a new card out and will reimburse the loss, not a great deal…but it is quite alarming to know someone can just take money without my knowledge.

We are going to be struggling somewhat as we wait for a replacement card to arrive from the UK, the only UK bank I have is Barclays bank. Banking has become really difficult to navigate these last few years, and I can't really use Paypal any longer (It's a long story) and it's difficult to organise a secondary bank to help when things like this happen. Trying to figure out banking now is so very complicated. The closure of so many high street banks in the UK is only part of the problem and the drive to a cashless society. The much vaunted Barclays banking app doesn't work outside the British Isles. I found out as I bought a smartphone to keep up with all these banking changes. Thankfully Barclays fraud line was very prompt when I informed about money being stolen from my account. Please pray we are able to figure out banking, better than what we are doing….It really isn't my area of expertise!

A picture from 1879, a word of encouragement from the Bible.

If God be for us, who can be against us. Romans 8:31

Prayer and Thanks!

Praise the Lord for health and pray we might get past safely all the illnesses going around!

Please pray for electrical items, our microwave has broken and the fridge is on the blink! Also the school electrics need a bit of an upgrade too, rewiring.

Please continue to pray for the school and project, safety and maintenance etc is an ongoing task.

Realistically, to keep pace with maintenance etc, we need to raise significant finance to cover costs….the school roofs have other areas they need looking at, the play area needs reconcreting, some classrooms need floor tiles installed. Certainly running a school is not for the faint hearted! Please pray.

Praise the Lord for a new laptop! An answer to prayer!

Please continue to pray for more volunteer staff and for evangelism. And Praise the Lord for answered prayers! We still need to pray very much for staff to join us as part of YWAM.

Please pray for a return visit to the UK, hopefully we can stay longer next time. Dorothy enjoyed it very much and we feel it particularly important for her when we visited in 2018/19. We don't want to leave it another 11 years to pass by! We know it's a challenge to raise finance...but ask for prayer and trust in the Lord to make a way.

With our love - Peter, Josi and Dorothy

*Email: jocumpraia@gmail.com *Please note the email address is the current one I use.

For those who would like to help financially please contact me