Sunday, 8 December 2019

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - December 2019

     
Crianças do Rei - Christmas Project - Brazil.
Peter and Josi’s Newsletter  - December 2019

Dears Friends and Prayer Warriors!,   

*********Our Newsletter, if you wish to read the full report and news - Please contact us.********

Since our last Newsletter….  Thankyou for all those who pray for us and help!   Recently we had a meeting with friends in Fortaleza and we are looking to see how to develop partnership with the Ywam University of the Nations 

Construction progress for Escola Crista Água Viva 


This is the picture of the construction for the school - 3 new classrooms. What is wonderful now  is the blue rope which was so often seen in our newsletters holding the roof down has now been removed - Praise the Lord!!. Please continue to pray for finance to complete before the rainy season starts.  We still need need to raise finance for material and labour.  School Construction - Remaining material needed 19/11/2019

To complete we need to raise  £354 for material for each New Classroom. We have 3 new classrooms to be completed. Since last year I had to place a blue rope around one corner of the roof to stop the wind blowing it off!  But now we are seeing a great answer to prayer with new classrooms and new walls going up!…. The school could not have continued in the state of maintenance that it was in…..So we are grateful to God for His provision to be able to do this…...We are building and walking by faith……. Please, If anyone would like to help finance any of the items mentioned, Please contact us and let us see this project completed to the Glory of God! 

Like an oasis in a dry and thirsty land, children and families come to quench their thirst. This is God’s will for His church, the Bride of Christ - education should be one of those oasis cultivated and cared for with meticulous care and attention by the Church and not the State.  The steady downward spiral of the West...can be fixed to the date nations looked to the State instead of the Church to educate its children …. Also in Isaiah 58:12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Streets of Dwelling.   This is what the Church is called to be.….. And education is one major area for discipling a nation… In many ways our school is like a small section of the walls of a spiritual Jerusalem. I think we know a little how Nehemiah must have felt!   And thinking more about Jerusalem reminds me of William Blake’s splendid and stirring hymn “Jerusalem” 

For Prints and Cards Click ImageIt was always a mystery singing it at school, wondering as we sang... “And did those feet in Ancient Times walk upon England's mountains green?” Well...Did they?  But I finally understood a few years ago. Blake was asking four rhetorical questions, questioning a popular myth. (There was a myth going around during the time of William Blake, some believed Jesus visited England as a boy.)   William Blake's amazing response was - Jerusalem!. Unfortunately all through school and even attending churches - It would seem - No one at the time actually understood the kind of treasure this hymn represents...So many still don't know the meaning of William Blake's profound poem or implications!.  It kind of got lost and hidden as a patriotic anthem…...but the hymn is for mobilizing the Church do the works God prepared for those who love Him.  
Full text and explanation of the picture can be seen at my blog 




THE GOSPEL LIFEBOAT or, Salvation for the Perishing.
A New Edition based on the Original “Gospel Lifeboat” circa early 1900s produced for The Lighthouse Literature Mission – Samuel H. Strain, Director. “The Lighthouse” Belfast, Ireland.  The work and ministry of the Lighthouse Literature Mission and Samual H Strain who founded it in 1904. During his lifetime, Mr Strain maintained communication with hundreds of Lighthouse keepers and their families all over the world for 36 years, supplying much needed parcels and literature to those engaged in this lonely and at times perilous enterprise of Light keeping.  This is one example of many posters, print and cards available as various gifts - If your stuck this Christmas to find a unique gift for family and friends take a tour at the Online Gallery  


For Prints and Cards Click ImageAdding on to what I shared in our previous Newsletter -  While recovering from an injury to my arm a few months ago - It was as though I took a last days tour on youtube and  I think the Lord captured my attention!
During that time I listened to many messages on youtube...but one in particular caught my attention, Pastor Anton Bosch (Sun Valley Community Church) shared a story about travelling on a train in the UK. And it got me thinking very deeply.....and took me back to memories I hadn't thought of for years - about the story of another train journey and the sobering dream of a man who saw a beautiful train on a journey to Hell.
Prayer and Praise!
We have a YWAM Leaders reunion in December and also YWAM Family Reunion. Please pray we might have the necessary means and resources to attend.  This year it is particularly challenging to attend. 

Please continue to pray for the School Escola Crista Água Viva and Crianças do Rei project - That God will open doors for us to find help needed. 

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, We praise the Lord for all the provision and blessing!

Till next time…..I hope to write our Christmas Newsletter too!

With the  seasons greetings and love and best wishes!

Peter, Josi and Dorothy  

​For those who would like to help financially with our support in missions.  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  ​  



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Sunday, 27 October 2019

Peter and Josi’s Newsletter - October 2019


Escola Crista Água Viva - September 7th Independence Day - Brazil.
Peter and Josi’s Newsletter
October  2019
Dears Friends and Prayer Warriors!

Greetings once again!  Time is passing rapidly and already we are getting near the end of October.  We are grateful for all who pray and help us. September saw the school celebrate Independence Day, with prayer and singing the National Anthem.  And in early October I passed the 60 year milestone! I am really excited about reaching this! 

I don't know if I ever shared this...but I will share this…...

“If in all your success you do not have Jesus, then your success was really a failure. But If in all your failure you found Jesus then the failure was really a success.” At the end of the day  It’s all about Jesus and being faithful to Him. 

 Construction progress for the school


We are making progress slowly, it is a big job and we need to find more friends and partners to help us.  But we give thanks to God for those who help financially. The weather is very hot at the moment, but in a few more months the rainy season could return, and we do really need to take care of this. Please pray.
Once again we celebrated Soldiers day in Brazil with the poster - The Gospel Target for Soldiers and Volunteers
(By kind permission of the Trustees of the Museum of Army Chaplaincy’ The Trustee of the owners / guardians of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department Museum Collection.)
More information about the history of the poster can be found at the link above  - The poster went into battle in the knapsacks of British soldiers 134 years ago, but is still as relevant today as ever.  
Please pray for the school which began here in January  2007, it's a great blessing to many. Children, families, teachers and community…. When we listen to the great need and stories of many, we realise the great responsibility we took on in starting a Christian School in a poor community… it hasn't been without paying a price. But we realise the great price that Jesus paid for the children and families here… it puts it all into perspective.  The month of October sees the time when many parents start looking at schools for the next school year in 2020 - So it is good time to reflect and pray. Once again we have unpaid school fees which built up over the year and families who struggle to pay…..and we have to deal with the domino effect on our own finances. Please pray…. Jesus told us to preach the Gospel to the poor and so we seek to make this real to children and families here through the school Escola Crista Água Viva and Crianças do Rei Childrens project.  

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.”  Luke 6:20-21

 Thankyou to all who believe this and help us here. God bless you all!

“I believe that God could lay at the door of the church the full responsibility for the present condition of the world.” Art Katz

My last newsletter...I was struggling with something which was very heavy.....I left out alot….…but I believe the Lord confirmed what I was processing  - I had been writing our newsletter the night before the day of my accident……I was struggling to process this in the context of the newsletter. I mentioned about Peter Hitchen and the overthrow of Christian education is a real possibility in our generation.  But there was something more which I was seeing.. After the accident and surgery, I had to keep still because of the stitches in my arm for a few days - so I rested and listened to messages on Youtube...One of those messages, a Facebook friend had posted on FB - a preaching message by Rev Anton Bosch - Trading God for a Pastor which had been posted on youtube on the 26th of August.   That is quite a title for a sermon! And you know it got my attention especially after what I had written only a short time before - but left out of the newsletter!. Christian Education - Resuscitating the Canary You may read the message at the link for those who are interested - I even made a sketch for this!. 
During the time I was recovering from my injury, I listened to a lot of messages on youtube and I did a lot of researching and joining the dots  - all I can say is it is rather chastening what I was discovering - I had a moment of convergence for many spiritual jigsaw pieces - scripture, history and the present and when you line it all up it is difficult to ignore. It's a lot to write - but I will be processing this and put them up on my blog.  Please pray.
God certainly got my attention! …... The injury to my arm at the same time - was abit of a shake up. I saw how fragile life is......... I also woke up must have been the day after the accident.. I had some kind of dream or vision - I briefly saw the fields of heaven, long deep grass waving in the wind......I sensed a deep peace and I was at the border and I sensed myself being drawn there and all I knew about this life and this world was starting to disappear. I was scared...I might let myself go and not come back.....what I sensed that it was so wonderful, but I still have to finish my work down here....and I know especially Dorothy needs me.  When I had the accident Josi was thinking it was a lot worse...and Dorothy woke up to see Mummy upset, so she was very upset too! So I am trying to keep out of trouble! Although I have been busy with pictures!  

As a child and as I grew up, I was always fascinated with maps and drawing outlines of the nations - I even got into trouble for drawing a map of Europe on the bedroom wall!  Well - I am still fascinated by maps and the nations as you can see!  


 UK NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER - The Potter’s Wheel
The Lord said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. Jeremiah 18:6 .......then how much more the Lord can say this to every other nation on the face of the earth...including the UK.   The political turmoil which has engulfed the UK Parliament is a symptom of a much deeper problem - what we really need as a nation is to return to the Lord Himself.....and we would find the answers. To read the full text and explanation please follow the Link

Prayer and Intercession for Germany - Jesus Christ is Lord!
A picture for Germany and a call to prayer - The picture shows the nation of Germany pictured as a giant map that intercessors are holding up in fervent prayer and shaking....praying according to God's will shall bring answers - "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."  Hebrews 5:7 Prayer and Intercession for Germany - Jesus Christ is Lord!

The picture is in 3 parts - 

1 - The Christians on the earth below united in  praying and Interceding for Germany.  
2 - Areas for Prayer - Seven Mountains of Influence in the World  - Media, Family, Education,Government, Religion, Business, Arts and Entertainment.
3 - The heavenly places  where Spiritual Warfare is waged - The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4   "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  Ephesians 6:12
Prayer moves the Hand that moves the world and the spiritual warfare generated through faithful people surrounding Germany in prayer will shake the heavenlies and the principalities and powers of darkness.  There is no neutral ground today - True Christians must take up spiritual arms and take their place in the line and wield the authority they have in Jesus Name, waging spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness ranged against God's will *- it will bring a shaking in the heavenlies and on the earth below in Germany. Pulling down strongholds! To read the full text and explanation for the picture please follow the link 
Prayer and Praise!
We have a YWAM Leaders reunion in December and also YWAM Family Reunion. Please pray we might have the necessary means and resources to attend.  

Please continue to pray for the School Escola Crista Água Viva and Crianças do Rei project - That God will open doors for us to find help needed. 

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

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.
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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  ​ 
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