Wednesday, 28 August 2019

Peter and Josi's Newsletter -August 2019

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter
August  2019
Dears Friends,   


Greetings from Brazil!   Our latest news update - July saw us celebrating Dorothy’s 11th birthday,
and what joy it brought us! - Dorothy with some of her friends had a pajama party which was a
very nice time - and they did eventually all go to sleep! 



Dorothy is such a delightful little girl and is growing quickly…..which makes us realise what a
great responsibility we have as parents… Please pray for Dorothy, she does have difficulty
with reading and writing - it maybe some kind of dyslexia although she is improving of late.
As I remember as a boy I had great difficulty with arithmetic all through school, but it
wasn't called dyslexia in those days, how I managed to go through the British education
system without severe trauma I don't know….


Construction progress
We are very grateful for the donations coming in to go towards helping fix and repair the school
structure. Our front wall has been completed and can be seen at our video news about
construction repairs etc  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GabMMIFRtiQ  We still need to
raise finance for finishing all the construction work -  and still have some way to go to reach
our target of 6,000 UK pounds, but we are grateful to the Lord for the good progress.


* 27th August - I had an accident while working on the construction. We cannot afford a health
plan...so we had to find a hospital that could give immediate treatment...it must have been
over an hour before we could find one and had to pay up front before I got treated. It was a
serious injury, requiring 6 stitches and needed surgery immediately, thankfully I am on the
mend now…. We give thanks to God for His protection…..things could have been so much worse.  

Dorothy and friends studying the Broad and Narrow Way.


A Creative Journey along the Broad and Narrow Way



We have been having Saturday morning discipling and I took the opportunity to create art
activities based on the Broad and Narrow Way picture…it was quite a challenge working
out the best way to place illustrations in sequence but have now completed the whole picture
in a form which I think works. Its a didactic teaching method which has about 60 line
illustrations with Bible texts which can be coloured - It's in Portuguese at the moment but
hope to also have this available in English for anyone interested. It can be for all ages and
can be  6 sessions or adapted into one session for more participants, each session or group
of 10 illustrations with Scripture verses. - Each illustration is glued to a thick paper backing in
concertina style which can then easily fold up when finished. It's designed so that when all 6
sessions are completed - They can all be glued together and mounted as one long frieze to
make a fascinating display for churches and events  - It's an unusual method to do Bible
Study...but so often the process of creativity actually helps to think and especially for children
and young adults, we need to capture their attention and imagination in ways they enjoy and
easily learn. For adults too, the benefits of studying scripture creatively is to study in a
totally different way. I am intrigued by this as there is a lot of potential to develop this further. 
So if anyone is interested in having copies in English for their church or Sunday school groups
please let me know. The paper size is A4. I can provide instructions for anyone wanting to do
DIY - For anyone needing this already printed up and ready, please let me know. 
Crianças do Rei Project

Since our last newsletter and asking for prayer - Crianças do Rei Project has been providing assistance to families and children living at social risk. Children have received basic health care,  food. tutoring. We have sought to help ensure that these children can have a healthy childhood development, but we still need more resources to make it a reality for them.
At this time we have some children who have been experiencing health problems. We are praying
for a better diet for the children and the purchase of medicines, as some medicines still need to
be purchased, but we get medical help for all of them and we have followed their recovery.  We
have been walking with the municipal council, seeking guidance for some situations experienced
by our children.


Please pray - We can offer a safe place, but on our limited means - It's tough…..We certainly need miracles of provision…..to provide a safe house for young girls, requires finance that is ongoing….  and we still need to finance the repairs to the structure of the school.


As mentioned in our previous newsletter - “I need to get busy…. very busy!…...to raise support….  
much more support because we are not just talking about one child, what about all the other
children in similar situations.  What should we do?” Hence the task of raising support needed
- through Art. I am preparing a painting which will be a bit unusual….  bringing together all the
things needed. Hopefully will be able to produce this shortly. Please pray
  
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap”  Psalm 113:7
CriançasdoReiLogo1.jpg


Latest Art News - Art Blogspot 


The poster went into battle in the knapsacks of British soldiers 134 years ago, but is still as
relevant today as ever.   Below is a news article which features the remarkable work the
Thames Church Mission were doing during those days - visiting the many ships, barges
and boats......      Distributing New Testaments and Gospel Targets

.


Last year I found a news article from THE CHESHIRE OBSERVER. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY
28, 1885. Which covered a military force embarking on an expedition to rescue General Gordon
of Khartoum. To put this into context Winston Churchill would have been about 11 years old
at the time.  One thing I learned as I grew up was that the preceding generations had a very
different worldview and outlook on life - and the news article does not disappoint
This amazing work of art would have been widely known at the time and widely welcomed.
As we can see from the news article it was received with great appreciation. But if we just
ponder on this for a moment - it wasnt so long ago...but how times have changed since then. 
The world today is unrecognisable to the one which was familiar with this picture. Today with
many churches and denominations more or less ditching traditional held views of Bible teaching.
.. where is the majority of the church heading too?
Christian Education
“The overthrow of Christian education is a real possibility in our generation.
The removal of Christianity from broadcasting and public ceremonies is almost
complete. Expressions of Christian opinion or prayer in public premises can be
punished in Britain under new codes that enjoin a post-Christian code of ‘equality
and diversity’ on all public servants.”  Peter Hitchens


Peter Hitchens wrote in his book “Rage against God”, and recently featured at
https://caldronpool.com/christianity-is-the-only-reliable-force-restraining-those-who-seek-absolute-power/ 
While this is from a UK perspective, it isn't much different now  in many places around the world.
Shouldn't we be alarmed? Shouldn't every church, chapel,  denomination, pastor, leader, be
tearing clothes and walking around in sackcloth and ashes? 


What went wrong? What can we do? A link to an article at Darrow Miller and Friends -
Darrow shares valuable insights and ideas 
  http://darrowmillerandfriends.com/2019/07/11/state-sponsored-education-problem/


“I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I
come.”  To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority
over the nations –  that one “will rule them with an iron sceptre and will dash them to
pieces like pottery” – just as I have received authority from my Father.  I will also give
that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. ” Revelation 2 : 25 - 29


Prayer and Praise!
Praise - Dorothy what a wonderful joy we had to celebrate her 11th birthday with her friends.


Please pray for Jessica, Alice, Alessandro, Maryelle and Mateus and his Grandmother - All
need our prayers and help. 


We give thanks to God for His protection as we work….


We praise God for all who agree with us in prayer, please keep praying! 


Please keep praying for the Art Gallery and Art competition …….We are certain these two projects
will make a very big  difference… And the prayer request about the picture being painted to go to
auction…...God indeed hears our prayers!


Please pray for the structure of the school and project, 


Till next time…..


With love and best wishes!


Peter, Josi and Dorothy  


​For those who would like to help financially my bank details are as follows. 
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. https://www.facebook.com/escolacristaaguaviva  ​ 

Monday, 8 July 2019

Peter and Josi's - July Newsletter 2019

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter
July  2019


Dears Friends,   

Greetings from Brazil!  

*This newsletter is public and edited - Anyone wanting the undedited newsletter please
inbox me*

Thankyou to all who pray and support us here in Brazil, and we appreciate very much all
who write and news!  It does appear Brexit seems to be the number one top of the news
item. Whatever did Britain do during 1940? Anyway, let me share this testimony at the link
- very encouraging! 
"How can I pray for such unworthy leadership – how can I ask God to bless it?" 

The photo of Josi and the children is at a Nation2Nation event held in Fortaleza last May.
We all had super time and gave us an opportunity to share about JOCUM PRAIA base…..
and I got to paint during three main messages for the event. Our thanks to Steve
Burkhalter of N2N for inviting us, the event was excellent! 













As mentioned in our last newsletter the weather has been very wet…. Well it continued
…..and it's still has some downpours even in July, very unusual but it does mean there
is less likely of water shortages. 

The School has many challenges, but when we see how many children and families being
blessed through it one realizes the value……although for us raising support continues to be
a big challenge, in fact it's far beyond our means to cope. At the Coal face of Education, we
often have to resuscitate the canary….and carry on!     




Escola Crista Água Viva 
End of Term - Celebrating Harvest time, children's presentations with parents. 

Crianças do Rei Poject 
We continue to provide care and help for the most vulnerable. 

Please pray for the school and project. 

It is extremely difficult to prevent problems when so much poverty exists all around.
Josi offered to help someone to come and live at our base…  because outside,
life is awful. The family have difficulty preventing the situation...they’re background too is
difficult. The prospects for young people are not good on the poor side of the track.   We can
offer a safe place, but on our limited means - It's tough…..We certainly need miracles of
provision…..to provide a safe house requires finance that is ongoing…. and we still need to
finance the repairs to the structure of the school.

Because of the great needs  - I need to get busy….very busy!…...to raise support…. much
more support because we are not just talking about one person, what about all the others
in similar situations.  What should we do?   

We need faith that will cast the mountains into the sea! And faith to look steadfastly to
our Heavenly Father for the answers! Looking at this creatively, and seeking the Lord
about what can be done?

For the past month or so I have a picture in my mind about what I would like to paint - a
picture that would make a difference ………..A picture which will shake the foundations...
and values - I believe it to be God’s will…..I expect it will cause some wind turbulence
down here  …..but look who sits on the Throne of Heaven! I can sense my faith taxiing
on the runway….. come join and agree in prayer!
This is Spiritual Warfare…... 
Once the picture is painted  Please pray the Lord to open doors…... I am serious about this.
Please pray for the picture to be sold at it's value ......because God hears our prayers,
when we pray in agreement, and when we pray in agreement - We can expect the Lord to
do great things! It's to His glory to do great things, He delights to do us good!….Lifting the
poor out of the ash heap! 

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap” 
Psalm 113:7

After all isn't that the reason why we are here?  I will be 60 in October ...do you think I am
going to sit around twiddling my thumbs watching the poor go down all around us?  Doesn't
God hear our prayer? Doesnt He want to make a difference and make His kingdom count
in the lives of all who Christ died for?  He certainly does! Then please pray in agreement
for this to happen…. We need a breakthrough for many things, to make difference here
in the lives of all who live around us ...
Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:24
because the Kingdom of God functions this way. Let it be on earth as it is in Heaven!  

Keep Praying!
You can probably tell I warming to the task - And thats why am I encouraged to keep asking for
prayers of agreement?  I know many of you do agree in prayer and we are grateful!….and God
keeps answering those prayers in amazing ways! Remember last year I was asking for prayer
about old pictures - “If anyone has any old Christian poster and prints they would kindly like to
donate I would be most grateful. One picture which would be most welcome is a copy of “The Up
and the Down Lines”  issued in the 1880s.” 
Last year I had already missed out on the same picture in good condition at auction a few weeks
before.  - It had an auctioneers estimate that wasn't high....so I placed a bid I thought was
suitable. Well, my bid was blitzed - the picture went for $600 dollars!  Afterwards I asked the
auctioneers if they would ask the new owners on my behalf if I could purchase a photo and also
ask if they knew the history of the picture?  The new owner kindly responded and didn't charge
me anything for a photo and were delighted when I shared all I knew of the picture and designer. 
And awhile later I did indeed find a copy on ebay for £7.95 - but it was literally falling to bits...I
restored it digitally.  But the original…. Was really too fragile to hang even on a wall.……..Does
God care about these little things?

Anyway,  I thought this was the end of the story, until May this year, I received an amazing email
from the purchaser of the picture at auction, they wanted to gift this beautiful work of art to me as
the purpose they intended for the picture didn't work out. The purchaser asked if I was still
interested in the picture ….. and of course I certainly was - I replied and gratefully  accepted! 

I was overwhelmed by such generosity and kindness from someone who doesn't know me......
How does one explain this apart from God and answered prayer?  It's only a piece of paper
when all is said and done…but the picture is extremely rare and also with an extremely valuable
message.  

“Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power
that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations, forever and ever. Amen.” 
 Ephesians 3:20

Prayer and Praise!
Praise - We did attend the National YWAM Leaders meeting, at Sao Luiz do Maranhao, North Brazil…..
thankyou for your prayers and we praise the Lord for provision.   

Please Pray for daughter Dorothy - It's her 11th birthday 22nd July...what a wonderful joy it's been to
have Dorothy!

Please pray for all those who need protection and shelter.

We praise God for all who agree with us in prayer, may God richly bless you. And I do hope these
newsletters will be a great encouragement to all who read them. 

Please keep praying for the Art Gallery and Art competition …….We are certain these two projects
will make a very big  difference… And the prayer request about the picture being painted
…...I remember when we started the swimming pool….I kept sharing this for prayer and God
answered in an amazing way! It is such an encouragement to pray and not give up...God indeed hears
our prayers!

Please pray for the structure of the school and project, also a number of items need replacing
which are broken….one is the school loudspeaker which must be getting on for 14 years old -
The washing machine has been broken along time, and various pieces of equipment and tools -
But we praise God for the wonderful provision and creative ways the Lord provides. We should
expect great things from God because He is a great!

Prayer - Edinburgh Arts Festival, I have fond memories in the decade of the 90s being at the
festival and painting.  I sense perhaps it is time to pray about revisiting again and painting for His
Glory! 

Please continue to pray for the Disciple Nations Alliance Arts Workshop in August in Bogota,
Columbia organised by Yarley Nino of ADN/DNA  in Latin America. It has been an honour to have
been invited to attend by Darrow Miller.  I sometimes make comments on Darrows Blog page…..
one subject in particular caught my attention was about the parallel of the rise of the Nazi’s with
today’s Social Justice Warriors  I shared some thoughts and some sketches made during
the School of Jewish Studies with YWAM in 2000. With this and all the many things we do,
we ask for prayer and grateful to all who help

Till next time…..

With love and best wishes!

Peter, Josi and Dorothy  

​For those who would like to help financially 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. https://www.facebook.com/escolacristaaguaviva  ​ 
*Email: ​jocumpraia@gmail.com​ ​ *Please note the email address is the current one I use  

Friday, 10 May 2019

Peter and Josi's May Newsletter 2019


Peter and Josi’s Newsletter
May  2019

Dears Friends,   

Greetings from Brazil!  And belated Feliz Pascoa! (Passover) as we would say in Brazil
The photo of us in rural Shropshire where we stayed in January and enjoyed wonderful hospitality…..How time flies and how we miss those times with friends too! 
Since returning to Iparana, school is now well underway and also Crianças do Rei project.  

We are having some of the wettest weather in living memory, one gentleman who is seventy and lived here all his life, said he has never seen this amount of rain. 

Since our last newsletter and sharing about our needs  - We are very grateful for the donations coming in to go towards helping fix and repair the school structure as we realise we cannot put off maintenance issues any longer  There comes a time when making do….wont do especially with maintaining a school. We have to maintain to correct standard - one of those priority areas is the front of the school and entrance  - the photo shows work so far and we are very grateful to the Lord for the help provided. 

We still need to raise finance for finishing the wall with ceramic wall tiles -  We still have some way to go to reach our target of 6,000 UK pounds…... Here is a couple of videos showing some of the challenges we face -  Video of front of the school https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVJnHeJbLwY&feature=youtu.be              
and school structure  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq4VMYOaG7E&feature=youtu.be
                   
We see a lot of sadness - Josi and myself were talking, a week or two weeks ago about this and praying......It's incredibly heartbreaking....and we are very sad.      But how can we help?......
When you realize just how difficult life is for many poor families here and the government system to take care of them is extremely inadequate There are a lot of broken lives and we need to bring hope to break the cycle - Hope which is both supernatural and tangible.   When we see situations like the ones we see...and there are many tragic cases here….it’s overwhelming -  Brazil is going through a very tough period, food has become very expensive and a lot of families are struggling. Children coming to the Criancas do Rei project and Escola Cristã Água Viva arriving hungry…...With all this we have parents who are struggling, who owe the school over 2,000 reais...but who pays the teachers salaries?  This is the price being paid to preach the Gospel to the poor…..and the only way to keep things in perspective is to look at the great price Jesus paid to reach the poor with the good news.         Please pray.



Charles Wesley’s - Hymn “And Can it be”….  Is still as inspiring and relevant today as ever...May it continue to inspire the Church and Christians the world over to make known the reality of God’s great love real to all who Jesus came to save.  



The Broad and Narrow Way - North American Edition 1855

Since last year I have been researching various old evangelical pictures. ( I am supposed to be writing a book about the Broad and Narrow Way picture) …..researching and collecting all the material is quite a challenge and I also stumble across quite a few pictures and artists I was not aware of. One such is John Warner Barber (February 2, 1798 – June 1885) he was an engraver and historian whose books of state, national, and local history in the USA. The Connecticut engraver was also a committed Christian. I discovered he made a picture called the Broad and Narrow Road...which was also called  called "A miniature of the World in the 19th century"  which in the hands of American missionaries, was said to have been the principal means  of converting the Queen of the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii)  to Christianity. And has been assured the picture has been a means under God of turning several from the wicked course to the path of Life.   
The Broad and Narrow Road

In due course I hope to have it translated into Portuguese, and prepare teaching about the picture for the children at school…...

J W Barber’s work was very popular among Bible believing Christians and was reproduced throughout many Christian books – profusely illustrated to disciple and educate Bible principles and Gospel message. It could be said Barber’s work was instrumental in moulding the worldview of a generation during his lifetime and beyond, influencing and helping to define beliefs and principles which help make nations become great. The history of the United States would be very different if it were not for individuals like J W Barber fulfilling their destiny and calling in Christ, living out fruitful and godly lives for their Saviour.  To see more of the picture and more information please visit the link http://pictureswithamessage.com/100/100.htm    Please pray - The book I am writing...I enjoy immensely, but I never imagined just how much history needs to be covered and investigated as I discover much has been either forgotten or is off the beaten track as far as popular church history. But I wonder just how many people today know how God blessed our forefathers in the faith?  Looking at the story of missions and the church I see something great and magnificent back in those days and wonder why we don't hear so much about those who blazed a trail? And blaze they certainly did for the glory of God - We need to re-dig the ancient wells which our spiritual forfathers drank from, "Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them." Genesis 26:18

We no doubt have a fairly good idea who todays philistines are trying to stop up the ancient wells....but we need to make sure we redig the wells our spiritual forefathers drank from.... The water is still there....
                          Prayer and Praise!
Since returning to Brazil we have had a drop in regular support. But we are very grateful for those who have been so faithfully supporting us for many years and we do understand life and situations change….we are just so blessed and grateful God has given us such faithful and loyal friends and pray God's richest blessings. We are also grateful to the Lord directing new friends and supporters to help, May God bless you all for partnering with us in missions!

Please pray - We are planning to attend a National YWAM Leaders meeting, next week at Sao Luiz do Maranhao, North Brazil….. and would be grateful for prayer and provision.  

Please keep praying for the Art Gallery and Art competition …….We are certain these two projects will make a very big  difference… But we do need to find partners able to help.

Please pray for the structure of the school and project, also a number of items need replacing which are broken….one is the school loudspeaker which must be getting on for 14 years old - it broke just as we are getting ready for the school Mother's day party! Thankfully we were able to borrow one at short notice.  The washing machine has been broken along time, and various pieces of equipment and tools - But we praise God for the wonderful  provision to help fix the front of the school gate and wall and for all the many blessings in different ways the Lord provides.

Please continue to pray for the Disciple Nations Alliance Arts Workshop in July in Bogota, Columbia organised by Yarley Nino of ADN/DNA  in Latin America. It has been an honour to have been invited to attend by Darrow Miller.  I sometimes make comments on Darrows Blog page…..one subject in particular caught my attention was about the parallel of the rise of the Nazi’s with today’s Social Justice Warriors   I shared some thoughts and some sketches made during the School of Jewish Studies with YWAM in 2000. With this and all the many things we do, we ask for prayer and grateful to all who help

Till next time…..

With love and best wishes!

Peter, Josi and Dorothy  

​For those who would like to help financially - 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.