Dorothy’s birthday - July 22nd 2020
Dorothy holding the handkerchief, my mother Dorothy had 75 years ago celebrated Victory in Europe May 1945. I don't know when the photo of Mum was taken, but it looks to be the closest to the year 1945.
Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - July 2020
Dears Friends,
Greetings Once again! Thank you to all of you who remember us in your prayers, messages and support, we thank God for you all, and pray God’s blessing and keep you safe! Since our last Newsletter, it appears the world has taken a strange turn not only do we have a pandemic, we now see a Cultural war with protests and rioting in various nations. With the present state the world is in, it is difficult to comprehend how people can live without Jesus Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The wonderful song by Keith Green How Can They Live Without Jesus seems to sum this up well.
Escola Cristã Água Viva School Iparana
The School continues to provide online teaching and each class of the junior school receives a video each school day, which pupils are able to follow from their work books. It's the least we can do in the circumstances. But understandably it's not the same as a real classroom. A number of parents of pupils have stopped paying school fees. But we are grateful for those who continue, we offer reduced school fees to help parents during this time too, as many are finding many challenges financially during the pandemic. Of course this affects the salaries of our teachers, but there is little we can do, except be grateful that some parents are continuing to pay. Clearly everyone wants to know when the end will be in sight for lockdown and quarantine. But even the authorities are not sure and dates keep being postponed as the pandemic continues to increase. When schools do return we expect social distancing rules will be very challenging too, so we take each day at a time.
Brasil and COVID -19
Sadly, a childhood friend of Antonia, Josi’s mother, died some weeks ago from Covid-19. Luiza lived just a few doors away in the same street. Hardly anyone doesn't know of a family or friends who have not been affected. Even a very popular local TV reporter, who had appeared healthy and well, also died. We had some strange symptoms some weeks ago, and started wondering what this might be - Praise the Lord, we were able to shake it off….while others we know who live nearby have been very sick. Even now the President of Brasil, Bolsonaro has been diagnosed with Covid -19 some days ago. Without adequate testing it is difficult to track who has and who hasn't been infected with the virus. Restrictions and lockdown is very difficult to enforce and the pandemic still effecting everywhere, shops and businesses are reopening again with rules for masks and distancing. We don't know when the peak of the pandemic will reach, only days ago the deadliest toll so far in Brasil was reached - over 1300 deaths in one day.
Crianças do Rei Project
We continue to help the families and children connected with the Crianças do Rei project. Photos of children, mothers and goody bags for the children to brighten the days in lockdown, art activities and Bible stories online. The families are the poorest in the community and live in the mangroves. Josi was also able to purchase masks to hand out to families as well, many who arrive do not have masks.
Restoring and republishing Gospel pictures
While some are busy it would seem trying to erase truth and rewrite history…I expect I need to press on even more now preserving the history and art of evangelical missions and evangelism. Earlier this year I was able to purchase "The Gospel Ship" which arrived here safely in Brazil from the USA - I have been searching for some time for this. It was quite battered and torn, but it was an original Chromolithograph print from the Victorian era which is not often seen. They are quite different from modern Offset type of print. More about the picture and the scripture texts featured can be found at my blog However did I get caught up collecting these kind of pictures! Awhile ago I found notes I made about this - In the notes I had been asking God to give me more pictures to make......and I believe He reminded me of pictures already done by other artists. As I researched, I discovered more and more evangelical pictures which appear mostly forgotten...And I discovered I even had one stored on my hard drive must be since 2007 when a very kind friend gave me an original Gospel Compass for Sailors of All Nations, I took the scanned image with me to Brasil, but did not investigate until my interest had been awakened It's been very enjoyable researching and discovering more than I could have imagined. Pictures which open up the window on a bygone world which was not so very long ago.
As I study and restore digitally these old pictures... I started to appreciate how much God has done in the lives of the faithful in previous generations, there needs to be remembrance, gratitude and praise for all God has done.....we need to thank Him for His blessings of yesterday and the lives of generations of faithful Christians, who are now as the great cloud of witnesses, who no doubt will be cheering us on. Hebrews 12:1-2:
Please pray for George Soros - I need to share for agreement in prayer. I wont go into much detail, I think most of you are familiar with what is happening in different places around the world and what is at stake. Most will have heard of George Soros. but if unsure, Its quite easy to find information about him on the internet. There is every reason to believe we must pray specifically for him. That the light of the Lord Jesus Christ would be shone upon George Soros, not just him, but his activities also. Rather like Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. If you keep up with the news you will understand . Many of the groups he supports - if they succeed in their goals, life as we know it will change overnight. So we need to arise in prayer and action now, before it is too late. (More sketches may come) but The picture here is specifically for George Soros and the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ to shine upon him... You are welcome to print the picture and what is shared. For prayer in your church's and fellowships. But above all we need to pray!! I am doing my best to alert people for prayer and action....while others are also too.
Please pray in agreement in Jesus Name!..... Because nothing is impossible for God! The Lord did it for Paul (Saul of Tarsus ) - He can do it for George Soros! Let George Soros hear - "Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “George, George, why are you persecuting Me?”
May the Lord even wake George Soros in the middle of the night and show him His great need of the Lord Jesus Christ!
"...He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 God puts eternity in the heart of man -There is a day when we all have to stand before God and give an account for our lives - good or bad! And so we need to pray George Soros will repent and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Since the rioting, many Innocent lives have been lost including children, because of all the trouble.
A scripture verse to finish on - To ponder and pray over for all the would be activists, revolutionaries and extremists - “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. "Proverbs 6:16-19
Prayer and Thanks!
Praise the Lord for continued health and strength!
Praise the Lord for His provision. And for all who help and pray for us!. As we pass through uncertain times and the world in so much turmoil. For the school and project, the need for safety, health and quarantine and conscious of the needs of our teachers.
Please continue praying for the Art Gallery and Art competition ……. But we do need to find partners able to help. Also for old evangelical prints and creating exhibitions for churches to reach their neighborhoods.
Please pray the Lord will raise up more regular support. We know the School and Project Crianças do Rei needs a lot of help - or falls on our shoulders bearing the burden providing Christian Education in a very poor area.
Please pray for YWAM - Educating for Life. We are still in the process of revision and correction and raising funds to complete the Curriculum translated into Portuguese.
We give thanks and praise God for the work on construction already completed for the 3 new classrooms. Please pray we might quickly raise the necessary finance to complete.
With our best wishes and prayers for all of you too
With our love - Peter, Josi and Dorothy
For those who would like to help financially - Giving through Stewardship
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
