Peter and Josi's Newsletter

Tuesday, 6 June 2017

Newsletter June 2017

Peter and Josi's Newsletter June 2017

‘You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8

Dear Friends,

Greetings once again. Thankyou to all those who have sent kind messages, support and prayer. We greatly appreciate you and give thanks to God!

As you probably gathered in our last newsletter there are challenging times in Brazil - But our school Escola Crista Agua Viva continues and we are always pleased to see the children blessed and enjoying school. And yes - we struggle, we struggle knowing the future of Brazil are the children….they will be the adults of tomorrow...and what we sow today will reflect how well we discipled our children in the ways of God.….tears are the salary Josi has to pay many times….My prayer is that Josi will indeed one day reap with joy. We trust God for our tomorrows and for the tomorrows of the children and families we attend. Pray for Brazil…….

Crianças do Rei

Crianças do Rei project continues to function - And we are continuing to raise finance for this work .....please consider helping as you feel led by the Lord. The children being reached are born into extreme poverty living with parents in difficult circumstances in the mangroves not far from our base. Many come to school hungry...times are hard.

But a new development for Crianças do Rei - is we are partnering with friends who have a project called Mission Possible. And we hold a children's club/church every 15 days. We are excited about this because there is a great need for children to receive a good understanding of scripture and know who the Lord is in way that is joyful and life giving. - The children look forward to these saturday morning events which have various activities organised, worship music and a special message for kids. The children love these events and we expect this will continue to grow - Of course we will need more volunteers!. Please pray.

YWAM Brazil Arts conference

I attended the 4th YWAM Brazil Arts conference 17th - 20th May at YWAM Contagem. It wasn't without some challenges, I only managed to purchase a one way ticket! But what an amazing blessing to be at the conference It's been incredibly significant. I made lots of notes and sketches and right from the word go - I was sketching as fast as I could to catch everything....there was so much to sketch! All I can say is I am incredibly grateful to the Lord for this opportunity to be at the Conference!

During the Arts Conference I believe the Lord gave me a word for artists and a picture. I told the leader of the event Daniel Silva if all these things come together - Paint and material for the picture and an easel. - Then I would paint the picture and give the word…..A tall order as I only had the word that morning...plus I had to design the picture for the evening...you could say I was a little nervous…..I was actually supposed to speak for 10 minutes. The word I had came when I woke that same morning with the music from the film “For a few Dollars more” A spaghetti western with the unforgettable music of Ennio Morricone. I had been listening to music from these westerns for a few weeks…..But I was now awake and listening to the music playing in my mind - And this time it was the music from the final duel in the movie. I was gripped by the scene of the last gunfight. And then I started to get an interpretation, an understanding from God’s perspective…...To read more please visit the link to my blog for the full story

http://iparanastudio.blogspot.com.br/2017/06/the-duel-between-heaven-and-hell.html

Of David. Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

JOCUM PRAIA - ARTS

Since the night I gave the word and picture at the Arts conference...it was a very significant moment. I have in the past had breakthrough moments with the Lord with my art …..this is another one of those moments. Since then I have been meditating and praying - one of the plans I have now is to develop “Live” painting with music and video. One of the major challenges to this kind of art is - It's Live! Pictures need to be executed quickly, for the whole thing to work. But I sense the time has come for me to rise to the challenge. My sketching abilities have been speeding up as I have been sketching….and now is the time to transfer to the big canvas and paint!

I am planning to develop a 1 hour length presentation of “Live” painting. The exciting and challenging part will be the prophetic side…...What does the Lord want to say to this generation?

While flying back to Fortaleza...I was thinking about all these plans and about evangelising Fortaleza…...as I was looking down flying above the clouds…...I was just thinking about doing evangelism and presentations in Fortaleza, but instead the word “Hollywood” dropped into my mind when thinking about Fortaleza. I was greatly puzzled …....Hollywood is not even on my radar or on my mind. I think the Lord is showing me something significant which I need to look into.

Other news for prayer

Dorothy and one of her cats - Gatão

Dorothy will be 9 years old July 22nd. We thank God for her…... She brings us so much joy and love!

We give thanks to God for all the blessing He bestows on us and answers to pray.

I have still not completed the swimming pool - We need about 1,500 - 2,000 UK pounds to complete. The swimming pool will be able to be rented once we complete. Please keep praying!

Art Gallery - Not started yet…...but let's keep praying!

I really believe the new developments with my artwork will be a major step forward.

We are planning to attend the YWAM Brazil Family Reunion in Caldas Novas in December….Please pray as we make plans.

For a long time we have not had a working vehicle…..We need a vehicle which would make a big difference to our base to go to meetings and do evangelism and presentations….Please pray.

I realise I need to be more regular with our news...but I have some ideas now. I have a blog where I started putting stories and pictures. So I will try to post news more regular alongside news of blog entries too.

One of those blog posts is here “Learning to be Content” http://iparanastudio.blogspot.com.br/2017/04/

With our love and thanks

Peter, Josi and Dorothy

For those who would like to help financially please ask for details, Transferwise can be sent to my bank account in the UK too

Or another method https://my.give.net/iparana/Donate/GiftDetails 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 made anonymous. If you have any questions please ask for details http://www.stewardship.org.uk/

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.

Friday, 24 February 2017

Peter and Josi's February Newsletter 2017

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter February 2017

(This is the edited Blog version for the internet. If you would like to read the news in full please contact Peter and leave you email address)

Dear Friends,

Greetings once again. Thankyou to all of you who so generously helped over the holiday period and new year. In December we had the school Christmas party and ABC Graduation to set up and organise and the help we received came just in time and we praise the Lord the Christmas party and graduation went very well.

We face challenging times. The Finance minister of Brazil, Henrique Meirelles, says the country’s economy is showing signs of recovery and that the worst recession the country has faced in its history is over. We only hope he is right as the cost of food etc has skyrocketed.

Please pray for the future of children in our area of Brazil.

YOUTH WITH A MISSION

Recently I was asked to attend the 4th Arts Conference, YWAM Brazil 17th - 20th May at YWAM Contagem. And represent the area of Fine Arts. Please pray as I need to purchase flights tickets etc

All we can do is give thanks to God for all His blessings.

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

With our love and thanks

Peter, Josi and Dorothy

For those who wish to help by donatiing to our work we have an account at STEWARDSHIP https://my.give.net/iparana/Donate/GiftDetails 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 withheld from the publically viewable fundraising page.

If you have any questions please ask for details http://www.stewardship.org.uk/

Donations may also be sent via Western Union which we are able to receive here.

Monday, 31 October 2016

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter October 2016

Dear Friends,

Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Which is why we rejoice that God created Mangoes! The Mango crop has ripened at the property of Crianças do Rei - or some days we would be rather hungry! God is Good!

ART IN MISSIONS

A picture I have been working on - Deeper magic from before the Dawn of Time - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe C.S.LEWIS. Hope to produce more pictures with stories C.S. Lewis wrote. To hold the thoughts behind symbolism and convey them in the language children understand. We present this to children, who have a background of poor education, living in a violent and lawless place - The symbolism and beauty within the story of Narnia may cut through this and speak the language children understand.

I am glad I returned to making pictures again. I have a joy and peace in my heart…..Art can bring that which is eternal and unchanging into focus - through art I can celebrate what is true, what is good and what is beautiful in an age of the obscene and vulgar.

You are welcome to visit my new online art gallery at Redbubble - Please follow the link http://www.redbubble.com/people/petermill

Josi and one of the carers helping the children make Christmas Cards I am drawing the story of the hungry Lion.

A news update following our last one about the new School Crianças do Rei.The school started as planned, and we have about 3 - 4 children regularly attending, we expect a lot more to attend but we are only having Crianças do Rei just in the morning at the moment until we can raise more support and donations. The children eat during the morning but lunch and afternoon school will need to wait till are more established. We do need more help and volunteers. please pray.

Working with children and families from the mangroves is very different than regular school children and families. It's very challenging but we are glad we can help and see how the children's faces light up at school...the way they live back at the mangroves is very different...no child should have to live like this. Our hope and prayer is Crianças do Rei would help the poorer families. We continue never the less endeavouring to build the Kingdom of God in an area of much need. We believe Jesus has won the victory…...in spite of all we see and hear around us.

Not so long ago I produced the picture here….I have been wondering what to do with it…..it's quite an uncomfortable picture…….We can celebrate in art what is true, good and beautiful...but I am reminded of the responsibility to help Christians understand their calling. Through studying, prayer and not a little travail…..The conviction gripped me the Church has the responsibility to be the agent of change for good in society. For along time the opinion of many has been Governments are responsible for education. But I believe this is not so….In the eyes of God it is we the Church….We are the ones who ought to bring change for good...But what is in fact happening around us?

There is a direct connection with poverty and education in Brazil. Many grow up with little hope or prospect of decent jobs…...It results in many youth turning to crime….the mortality rate either equals to or is higher than many war zones in the world. And the Church? A lack of poor discipleship and teaching has resulted in Churches largely ineffective and little understanding of the call to stand in the gap for education.l. (Recently a Christian school in the city of Fortaleza announced it was closing it's doors after 25 years, it had the backing of a large church behind it. But sadly somehow lost the vision for Christian education.) Many years ago Churches made a difference in Europe….The UK benefitted greatly…….until the idea arrived that the State should take over education. Sadly this idea the state should be responsible has spread throughout the world. Somehow Churches need to take back the mandate the Lord has given us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it”. Proverbs 22:6 We are to fight for it…….the future of our children is at stake, and if the future of our children is at stake - then what of the nation?

Some may think it's already too late…..But that is no reason to give in…...We who have the light should diligently labour while we still can, taking encouragement from missionaries like William Cary and Hudson Taylor. They did not carry a defeatist attitude and what a difference they made! We should acknowledge through Christ they did great things...they dared to do great things...because they believed in a great God …..and God will bless those who truly obey “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions…...Hebrews 11:33 We who are in Christ are called to this...or at least die trying. ( Are we in this category? )

So I am considering….What I must do to help the church to wake up and understand it's call to disciple nations...I am pondering and praying about a series of pictures and paintings which raise awareness amongst Christians, and God helping shake the church to the foundations…….With all the violence that is happening - We should be asking why? With all the religious activity that goes on, impacts, events, shows, entertainment, celebrities…...churches try to win the lost….but shouldn't we rather obediently return to the Lord.and get His Bride ready? What does it mean? And how does it apply to us? “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.) Revelation 19:8

"Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. Hosea 6:1

God bless you with our love

Peter, Josi and Dorothy

For those who would like to help financially

https://my.give.net/iparana/Donate/GiftDetails

Also donations may also be sent via Western Union which we are able to receive here, also please ask for details.

Peter and Josi Millward, Rua Pintor J. Figueiredo No. 805. Praia Iparana. Caucaia, Ceara. CEP. 61.627-250. Brazil.

https://www.facebook.com/JOCUM-PRAIA-478334452283692/

https://www.facebook.com/escolacristaaguaviva

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Crianças do Rei - October Newsletter 2016

I needed to produce a fitting logo for the new school - During a time of prayer I had a strong impression about Aslan from Narnia and thought what a wonderful way to show the children who Jesus really is.

Peter and Josi’s Crianças do Rei - October Newsletter 2016

Dear Friends,

Thankyou to all of you who have sent help and donations for the new school - Crianças do Rei. We celebrated Children's day party last Saturday which was well attended by families from the Mangrove area. The school has started functioning this week.

The children come from the neediest areas.

We do need to pay salaries to teachers and carers - at the moment we have salaries to take care of which amounts to about 500 reais each. A lot of the building and maintenance work I have been taking care of myself and sometimes have paid help with building work.

Running costs for Crianças do Rei per month will be at least 650 UK pounds per month. Rent, salaries, energy, and food for children’s lunch and lunch breaks. Please pray - If anyone would like to partner with us also churches interested - please contact us.

For those interested in sponsoring a child.

Donors can sponsor a child with us for 25 UK pounds a month. - that is for one horario = 4 hours. Can be for the school period or the after school program.

Donors sponsor a child all day @ 50 UK pounds a month = 10 hours including lunch break 11.00 - 13.00.

A normal school day is 4 hours of classes in Brazil. Crianças do Rei will have this....but also 4 hours of after school activities, sports, arts etc.

I hope what I have shared is helpful to understand the realities here. If you have any questions or suggestions please ask.

With love from us all here

Peter, Josi and Dorothy

*This is a news update on Crianças do Rei, and will share our other news about Escola Crista Agua Viva and JOCUM PRAIA in a separate newsletter

For those who would like to help financially my bank details are as follows. Please pay directly into my bank account at any Barclays branch or online: Please ask for details

For those who wish to pay through STEWARDSHIP We have an account at https://my.give.net/iparana/Donate/GiftDetails

If you have any questions please ask for details as it makes giving cost effective http://www.stewardship.org.uk/

Also donations may also be sent via Western Union which we are able to receive here, also please ask for details.

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: petermill@ibest.com.br *Please note the email address is the current one I use

Wednesday, 28 September 2016

Crianças do Rei - Children of the King - Update

Crianças do Rei - News Update

Since our last news about Crianças do Rei School we have been busy renovating the school building. Praise the Lord! many thanks to those of you who have donated, supported and prayed. We are nearly ready. Below some photos of the progress being made on the property. We were able to tile the floors of all three bathrooms but still need to tile the bathroom walls. At one pount we had to take the tiles off one bathroom wall to search for a leaking pipe - which we found and fixed. It was leaking quite badly,....One thing is for certain....leaking pipes really are a hazard for a building and foundations. So we are glad we got to fix it. We replaced two toilets with new ones.and repainted the walls - although we still need to purchase more paint and tiles, we have a target of reachng 5,000 reias to fix the the property but still need to raise 2,000 reais to reach the target. with all this done the school will be ready.

The school will be free for the neediest Children in the area. At the moment we now have 30 children enrolled in the school. And need to complete quickly for the school to start.

Below is a link for secure online donations through Stewardship services.

https://my.give.net/iparana/Donate/GiftDetails

Before and after photos

Walls repaired and replastered

Before and after photos

We need to purchase exterior paint to cover the work done.

Installed outside laundry wash basin

Termite damage here and below photo

We havent had chance to fix this yet or redecorate the room. Floor needs retiling.

New toilet and floor tiles - Existing wall tiles need retiling

Installed washbasin - The bathroom didnt have one.

Bathroom with new floor tiles

Before and after

Repainted walls and pillars at the front of house

Electric points around the house rewired and raised for safety

Cleaning coconut trees and making safe - Alot of the time I do the work....Climbing coconut trees at 56 yrs - Praise the Lord!

These are the branches and leaves cut from the coconut trees on the property - And thats quite a large pile!

We employed locals to help with building work - Cafu has reconcreted the septic tank in the yard. Prevously it was not safe to stand on - The lid had a very thin layer of concrete

Dorothy posing for photo....while Daddy is cleaning a tree!.....Actually this was the highest coconut tree on the property - I had to readjust the step ladder to help me reach the highest coconuts and leaves. I think we might have to fall a few of these bigger trees and plant new ones as they are alot of work to keep clean and safe.

Please pray - For staff and volunteers at the new school - Crianças do Rei

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:38

Below is a link for secure online donations through Stewardship services.

https://my.give.net/iparana/Donate/GiftDetails