Peter and Josi's Newsletter - October 2017

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - October 2017

Dear friends,

Greetings once again!  Thankyou to all who pray and support us here in Brazil.

I better start off with a new development which has been a wonderful encouragement.  Since last August I have been painting at different churches in Fortaleza and Caucaia. Pastor Roberto who I met on Facebook invited us to one of the churches where he was preaching - and since then every Sunday I have been painting while Pr Roberto preaches. At the end of the service the finished picture is given as a gift to the church.  It has also been a valuable opportunity for Josi to share about YWAM and our base here in Iparana.

We are very grateful to the Lord for our friend Pr Roberto for giving us this opportunity. Roberto will be leaving for the USA in November to Pastor a church. May God richly bless Roberto. He has been a great blessing to us.

An interesting story how one of the pictures came about…...One morning I had a dream I saw the Titanic Violin in a painting….as I woke up! I was thinking about this that I should paint it at church the following sunday…..So I started researching and read the story of the final moments of the Titanic. I mentioned this to Pr Roberto about the dream. Those familiar with the story of the Titanic will remember the band bravely played as the ship went down.....many survivors remember hearing the hymn "Nearer my God to thee" being played......It happened to be the bandmaster, Wallace Hartley's favorite hymn, it was noted by his family as being the one he would have wanted played at his funeral. A poignant story - The violin was given to him by his fiancée on the celebration of their engagement a while before. Many stories are told of that fateful night....the panic and desperation...but Wallace Hartley and his band went into eternity with the hymn “Nearer my God to Thee” The last music they would play on earth.    I didn't know why I should paint this…I was puzzled but I thought I better obey and so prepared sketches. During the service at the church that Sunday, the Pastor of the church said there had been a funeral of a teenager who had been murdered that week in the district and he had been asked to lead the funeral service. He asked the group of young people who attended if they had ever watched the film “The Titanic” and so told them the story of the Titanic going down and the Band playing the hymn - “Nearer my God to Thee” The  Pastor had sung the hymn at the funeral.

When Pr Roberto got up to preach - I knew I had to paint the story of the Titanic Violin. To bring the story up to date with the present I included a Jangada fishing boat used in the sea of the coast of Ceara......... The hymn - Nearer, my God, to Thee, should also be our song no matter what storms, winds or waves happen in life…..keeping the set of the sail following the will of God for our lives.   Each Church we visit receive a picture as a gift after the service.  A picture can be finished 30 mins -1 hour depending on the subject. I work closely with a theme or scripture and give a short explanation when each picture is finished..   Prayer and preparation is a priority.  To see the pictures done since August please visit the link http://iparanastudio.blogspot.com.br/2017/10/paintings-produced-at-churches-visited.html

Escola Crista Agua Viva School

Please continue prayers for the school.  Many challenges for children these days - and teachers too!   Josi commented the other day it seems the Arts and Education are the two biggest areas the enemy seems to be attacking these days. Both these areas mould the minds of  children. Children need affirming with traditional Bible teaching for them to grow into well adjusted adults. Sadly the adult world seems to want to create so much confusion and doubt in minds of children. This is very serious, and we must not remain silent.

News in Brazil - extremely unpleasant

I don't know everything that is happening in the world of the Arts around the world. But in a three week period here in Brazil recently. A wave of outrageous leftist propaganda and the "freedom for kids to choose their gender" ideology hit the news also shocking Art exhibitions!

Santander Bank in Brazil sponsored a horrible art exhibition, simply depraved and awful….to vile to describe. And invited scores of elementary school classes to bring field trips there to see and analyze the exhibit.

Another museum in Porto Alegre shortly afterward opened another "art" display which also invited elementary schools to bring their children. This time, a completely naked man - an “actor” was paid a great deal of money to be an "exhibit"  kids and moms were invited to interact with him! It has been outrageous! 

Growing lawlessness

I don’t know why the police were not called in to lock up this man for exposing himself and the museum for child abuse.......in fact out in the street he would have been so why does it make it right inside an art gallery? Its totally wrong....As you can imagine many are outraged by this. Christians and churches are deeply upset.

The Arts and Education are two major areas influencing the world today..…In an age when the church is increasingly being marginalised we the Church need to find ways to be the salt and light in these areas. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he”.  Proverbs 29:18      Let’s make sure the world knows the vision God has for their lives before it is too late!      

Art events for churches

We are developing Bible based art activities for children  - We have developed the Lion and the Lamb art event.. Plus developing a similar one based on the story of Mary Jones and her Bible.   There will be more to come all being well.  What we hope to do is make Art events which can be tailored for children's programs at churches and events in communities….. Art is wonderful way to explore and learn the Bible.  If we recruit enough churches to sponsor us we could even organise a tour in the UK and the United States during summer months - Why not sign up indicating interest.  Please share with your church!

Crianças do Rei - Art Festa for the children last week for Children's day festivities!  They learned about the Lion and the Lamb and then painted what they heard!

Please pray….we still need to reach the target for covering all expenses for the Project. If we just raised 20 more supporters at 25 pounds regular support each month it would make a great difference!

Art Festa for Escola Crista Agua Viva

Thank you to all who help us through prayer and help financially. Your messages mean so much!

I just want to explain I am not able to see my bank account online or bank statements at the moment. If you have donated one off gifts - Thankyou! But please be aware I will not be able to know until I can see statements again.     The one off gifts really help as often in the middle of a month things get tight financially.                    

Please Pray

Please pray in agreement with us as we make plans and raise finance.. This is really important. We are planning to attend the YWAM Brazil Family Reunion in Caldas Novas in December…. We will need to raise approximately R$3.500 for flights Including Return Flights. Approximately 850 UK Pounds

R$1.576,66 to stay for the YWAM Brazil Family Reunion Approximately 382,45 UK Pounds

R$1.187,90 to attend the Reunion of YWAM Brazil Leaders (This is obligatory for leaders)  Approximately 288,05 UK Pounds

Please pray in agreement for new supporters. Praise the Lord - We give thanks to The Lord we gained one new supporter since our last newsletter!

An encouraging word!

"It is in the quiet crucible of your personal, private sufferings, that your noblest dreams are born, and God's greatest gifts are given in compensation for what you've been through." Wintley Phipps

With love and best wishes

Peter, Josi and Dorothy    

​Giving through Stewardship

An update - 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.

Peter and Josi's Newsletter August 2017

            

 Peter and Josi's Newsletter August 2017

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Brazil!     Thank You for your prayers, messages and support.

Last month we had the joy of celebrating Dorothy’s 9th birthday and a wonderful answer to prayer!       Nearly two years ago Dorothy encountered an adorable Yorkshire terrier at the YWAM base at Contagem. October 2015. Of course it made a big impact upon her.....and she asked if she could have one too. We visited a local dog breeder who had some Yorkshire terriers but later we explained to Dorothy we couldn't afford to buy one.  But we encouraged Dorothy to pray for a Yorkshire Terrier. Dorothy has indeed prayed a long time - but a few weeks ago we visited the local dog breeder again with a friend who wanted to visit.   The owner knew Dorothy would like a dog…..and a week before Dorothy’s birthday the owner gave Dorothy a Yorkshire terrier!       Of course Dorothy is over the moon knowing God answered her prayers!  It's wonderful to see this blessing - Praise the Lord!   It certainly is a great blessing to share this!                                                       

                                                          Escola Crista Agua Viva School

                  

Our end of term June Harvest Festival for Escola Crista Agua Viva - Classes 7 - 10 years, and Dorothy’s Class.

The school has started back again after the school holidays in July. We have over 50 pupils enrolled approximately 42 whose parents pay for their child's education. We have 10 who are receiving financial help either from us or are sponsored.    We trust God to pour out His blessing as we seek to faithfully disciple the children and families in the community.

A little about what we are up to in YWAM in Brazil. Way back in 1997 I had the privilege of being a student at the School of Illustration at YWAMs University of the Nations, Kona, Hawaii. During the school I produced an illustrated book in Collage called the Lion and the Lamb.....For a long time it has been stored away but recently we had an art themed event for our children’s saturday morning club based on the theme and illustrations from the book to teach this amazing verse of scripture Revelation 5:5.    Josi did a short introduction to the significance of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb who was slain before the creation of the world.  After this I produced a speed picture performed to music to inspire the children.  Even though it puts me through my paces to paint the picture within 6-7 minutes I enjoy the challenge!  Afterwards the children got the chance to paint the story of the Lion and Lamb themed panel on the wall....a bit like the famous Bayeux Tapestry. But ours tells the amazing victory of the Lion and the Lamb in scripture.  

      

 

Please visit the link to see a short film presenting the Lion and the Lamb event.

Crianças do Rei

We also had school holidays for Crianças do Rei project. And will be commencing shortly, the challenges of finding staff isn't easy. Please pray. Here in the photo above is Josi with Marli and her daughter Jessica. Marli brought her two children to stay with us not so long ago - Marli came at 11.00 o'clock at night! She was having difficulties so we let her stay for about ten days to get her life on track again. Marli no longer lives in the Mangroves but lives on the property of her family now….we are trying to organise construction material so she can have a small house to live with her children. Please pray for the many families we seek to help here in Iparana especially the Mangroves.   The photo on the right are some of the mothers and children who come to Crianças do Rei project.  Please pray we need to raise funds to cover all the expenses.

Based on a sketch during the 4th YWAM BRAZIL ARTS Conference YWAM Contagem. Wonderful teaching by guest speaker Veteran YWAMer Isabel Zwahlen, Whose teaching on the Garden of Eden and cultivating our own Garden - Spending time with God.

I have been developing the sketch into colour with some reflections of my own - Isabel's teaching spoke deeply  - Working on the picture I couldn't help but think of all the things the Garden of Eden means. The flag of Brazil is a beautiful flag.... the colours make one think of the hope of paradise - The flowers and flags in the picture - precious symbols of all God intended for us in the Garden of God.    Our hopes and longings for all that is pure, innocent, holy, integrity, beauty, tenderness and truth.   This crazy, confused world wants to obliterate all the memory of these precious truths yet the world so desperately needs to return to this garden, remembering the paradise which was lost........ I sense God calling Brazil to return to Him. So much ails this great country......no amount of human power or strength can resolve -  it can only ever hope to be restored and healed through coming back to God. Return to the precious values and truths God intended for mankind. Paradise was lost.....but we can return if we go by the way of the empty garden tomb...and believe the incredible message it contains. The Lord Himself awaits us......

Other news for prayer

We give thanks to God for all the blessing He bestows on us and answers to pray. Our printer broke recently and we were able to buy a new one with the help of friends. May God bless them richly for their help.

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

We are praying and planning to attend the YWAM Brazil Family Reunion in Caldas Novas in December….Please pray in agreement with us as we make plans and raise finance.. It is very important we attend.  We will need to raise approximately R$3.500 for flights Including Return Flights. Approximately 850 UK Pounds

R$1.576,66 to stay for the YWAM Brazil Family Reunion Approximately 382,45 UK Pounds

R$1.187,90 to attend the Reunion of YWAM Brazil Leaders (This is obligatory for leaders)  Approximately 288,05 UK Pounds

Please pray in agreement for new supporters.

The level of our regular support has fallen sharply -  Crianças do Rei is making steady and gradual progress and support for Crianças do Rei since it started has reached something in the region of 200 uk pounds per month. But since the second half of last year support started faltering by about 200 UK pounds - Some months support did not come through.  Now it is every month. A fall of  approximately 40%  We bless those who have so generously supported us for a number of years.  Economic times are hard in Brazil.    There are good times and bad times…...But God is always good no matter what!

With our love and thanks  

Peter, Josi and Dorothy    

​For those who would like to help financially my bank details are as follows.  

An update - 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  ​  

God in the Rock

by Derek Prince.

Psalm 105:41

“He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert.”

That’s a picture of God’s provision for His people, Israel. In the forty years of their wandering through the wilderness, a dry and barren land where there were no pools, no rivers, no streams, where water was almost non-existent. God provided water for them in abundance. He provided it in a most unlikely way. He provided it out of a rock.

When you look at a rock in the desert as I’ve looked at it countless times, it seems so hard, so unyielding, so little good could come out of it. But in the disguise of the rock we understand that God Himself was with the people. God Himself was the rock and out of Himself there came His provision for His people in abundance.

It was important that Israel knew how to approach the rock. At one time Moses was commanded to strike it. At another time he was commanded to speak to it, and when he approached the rock in faith and obedience, out of that seemingly hard and unyielding rock there came an abundance of water that flowed like a river in the desert.

It’s often so in our lives, where in a time of barrenness when provision seems lacking, but God is there. He’s there in the form of a rock. He’s there in a form of something that seems hard and unyielding, something that we could complain about. But when we recognize God in it and approach Him in faith and obedience, then the rock becomes the source of our provision.

Genesis 2:15 Voltar para primeiro Jardim with Isabel Zwahlen

Based on a sketch during the 4th YWAM BRAZIL ARTS Conference YWAM Contagem. 

Wonderful teaching by guest speaker Isabel Zwahlen, Who'se teaching on the Garden of Eden and cultivating our own Garden - Spending time with God. 

I have been developing the sketch into colour with some reflections of my own - Isabel's teaching spoke deeply  - Working on the picture I couldnt help but think of all the things the Garden of Eden means. The flag of Brazil is a beautiful flag.... the colours make one think of the hope of paradise - The flowers and flags in the picture - precious symbols of all God intended for us in the Garden of God.    Our hopes and longings for all that is pure, innocent, holy, integrity, beauty, tenderness and truth.   This crazy, confused world wants to obliterate all the memory of these precious truths yet the world so desperetly needs to return to this garden, remembering the paradise which was lost........ I sense God calling Brazil to return to Him. So much ails this great country......no amount of human power or strength can resolve -  it can only ever hope to be restored and healed through coming back to God. Return to the precious values and truths God intended for mankind. Paradise was lost.....but we can return if we go by the way of the empty garden tomb...and believe the incredible message it contains. The Lord Himself awaits us......

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.

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.