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Gary & Rosie Finley - IVlissionaries
Volume 9 Issue 1
BACK ON THE FIELD
March 1996
When they told us to open our eyes we found ourselves sunuundcd by more than 30 children v/ho had prepared a welcome home party inour honor. without any help from the adults they had prepared a cake and bought two soft drinks for ourparty.
delay gave us time to visit with fellow missionary David Bayless who had
come to the airport to greet us as we changed flights.
One of the parents told me afterward that the kids bought the sodas and the supplies to bake the cake with their own money. This was
a considerable sacrifice for children
If you are among those who were praying for all to go well as we
passed though customs, you will be glad to know that we did not encounter a single problem. God truly blessed our trip, every step of the
way.
PHTTRrTTES VISITED
While in the US we had the
privilege of visiting all of our supporting churches (except one). We greatly enjoyed the hospitality which you showed us. Again, we feel very blessed to have such loving Christian friends on two
continents!
poisoning) andwere not able to go to the Sunday Morning worship timewith the Sao Francisco congregation. Thankfully we were feeling better by the afternoon and decided to participate in the worship assembly with the Pirapora church. After the Sunday school lesson, two of the young people ushered us into a
room at the school buildingthat we normally don't use.
Thank you very much for your continued interest in and support of this ministry. We look forward to keeping you informed of what is happening here. If you have specific
LAND PURCHASE
As we visited our supporting churches this past year we informed you of the need to purchase land for the Pirapora congregation. This land will cost a minimum of $30 per square meter (a little less than 10 square feet).
The church needs a lot that measures at least 10 meters x
20 meters (approximately 30 x 60 feet). However, to allowfor future growth, a larger lot would be desirable.
Based on those variables we know that the land will cost a minimum of $9,000.00. As of February 22,
$150.00 a month. That price increased to nearly $400.00 in February. We continue to maintain our
team office in another room located in the same
$3,000.00 has been given toward this purchase. If your congregation has not yet participated in this oiTering, we ask that you do so within the next month if at all possible.
To those who have already contributed we say
building. If our monthly support should increase , or if rent prices should come back down, we will reopen the center. For the present time we are focusing on
other methods for outreach.
thank you, and ask that you continue to pray that God will
provide the remainder of what is needed.
day long retreat over the Carnaval weekend. This year's retreat was held in Araguaina. Three young people from the Pirapora church attended. John and
Ruth Navis and Jamerson Silveira went along as
sponsors.
Matters
accepted by a new health insurance provider (its a long story, just praise God for how He has worked
out a solution, He knows the rest of the story).
God continues to meet our financial needs even
though the dollar has lost about 40%of its buying power since July 1994. A 10% correction in the exchange rate just as we arrived back has helped
substantially.
members of the Pirapora church are not currently participating in the worship assemblies. Pray that
God will convince them anew of their need for Him. That the members of the Sao Francisco church wdll
Three young men (ages 16-19) were baptized into Christ in December and January and are now
s\0
June/July 1996
only Dona Katia and her family, but the Pirapora congregation as a whole through
her decision.
active in the congregation where she first heard the gospel proclaimed.
However, since her return to
men in the Pirapora church will be set aside as the congregation's first deacons.
On June 2 Patricia Alencar dos
Izanildo is 18 years
Reeont Ennts
baptized by Rosie.
Patricia was the first person in Sao Luis to agree to study with us when we began our evangelistic efforts over 5
On Good Friday 73 people from the Pirapora area packed into the
school classroom we use for our
During the last two years he has often felt quite alone, living with a local family that offered himwork, but often did
not treat him well.
worship times to watch the Por tuguese version of the film Jesus on video. On Saturday evening
we showed the film in Sao Fran cisco with more than 20 in atten
dance.
Now, by the grace of God, he is part of the family of God. He has a new
network of friends and mentors who love him and look out for his interests.
attend, occassionally, our group Bible studies and worship times. She also con tinued to study the Bible with Rosie in English.
When we traveled to the US last
On FridayJune 14 we showed the English version of the film to a group of ft"iends (advanced stu dents of English) in our home. On April 12 &13 Rosie held a
lock-in at our home for the 5th
On April 5 Kdtia Cardoso das Santos (32 years old, mother of 3) was immersed to begin a new life in Christ. Dona KMia was baptized by her husband Sylvestre. For the past two years it has been our hope that Seu Sylvestre would be among the first deacons to be ordained in the Pirapora congregation, and that eventually he would become the congregation's first elder. The only ob
stacle we could forsee was the fact that his
year for our furlough, Patricia went whh us. As a professional English teacher, she wanted an opportunity to improve her lan guage skills by living for a short time with
an American family.
She stayed two months in the home of Randy and Beverly Crane (Randy
is an elder in the Calumet Street Christian
On Saturday evenings we are lead ing two beginner level English lan guage Bible studies. Rosie leads a group which meets in our home, Gary leads a group in Pirapora.
Please help us be good
stewards of the Lord's re
sources.
During that time she saw first hand the beauty of Christ lived out in the lives and relationships of His people. She came away more convinced than ever that
she wanted the same influence in her own
life.
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Duringthat time we prayed regu larly that Katia would become receptive to the Gospel. Early this year when our coworker John asked her again if she would like to study our Good News lessons, she accepted.
to us today!
Pirapora
Transportation is a much greater concern for the Pirapora congregation than it is for Sao Francisco.
Wlien we informed the Pirpora church of the possibility that SF would obtain land in Vinhais they were very quick to
The municipal government operates a program through which not for profit organizations such as schools and churches can solicit a parcel of land from the city. The problem with the programfor our churclies has been the areas where the
available land is located.
deeded out years ago when the areas were first developed.
in Iviarcii liie Sao Francisco congregaiion coticiuded that
purchasing land in the Sao Francisco area will probably never be a possibility. An adequate size lot located near tlie main
avenue would cost more than $40,000.00. With the difficulty
the families in the church (a two way bus trip would be more than a day's wages for several of the families), we cannot
realistically expect them to take the bus to attend worship. Our otily option for the Pirapora congregation continues to be the purchase of land in the Pirapora area. Two lots have
come onto tiie market in recent months. One is unsuitable
we have encountered trying to raise only one fourth that amount for the Pirapora church (see next section), we had to admit that it just isn't going to happen.
Consequently, the congregation decided to pursuethe option of relocating to an area of town where land is still
available for donation.
because of its location. It isjust 50 yardsfrom Assembly of (ioci church building (they are the only other non-Catholic church in the Pirapora area). Like most of the Assembly of
The congregation contacted the municipal government to find out where in the city they might be able to obtain an
quarter mile can hear all of the frenzy that is taking place
inside.
adequatesize lot. Afler several meetings with personnel from the Departmentof Urban Land Managementwe were ableto
locate a large lot situated near the main bus route in an area
called Vinhais.
The other lot is ideally situated on the main avenue. The size (a little over 700 square meters) is perfect for the church's
needs in the foreseeable ftiture. The owner is asking
By car Vinhais is only 10 minutes from Sao Francisco. The area is composed mostly of middle class, single family
homes.
The process of obtaining land through this program is long and complicated. We filed our application the second week of
March, Twice each week we sent Jamerson to check on the
progress. The bureaucracy here is hard for most Americans to imagine. From beginning to end an application likeours will
pass across the desks of more than 20 city officials.
If yourcongregation is a financial supporter of this ministry, and you have not yet contributed towardthisproject
we ask that you make your participation a matter of urgent
prayer.
Near the end of April we were notified tliat the processing of all requests for donated land has been suspended until after the Mayoral elections in October & the inauguration of the new mayor in January. The reason cited was a city ordinance
intended to prevent vole buying.
Without your help the Pirapora church is nevergoing to have its own building. Without a building, much of our time and effort each year is less productive than it could be.
We believe that to be good stewards of the regular support you entrust to us each month, it is essential for the Pirapora church to begin conslmction of its own building this year. Please discuss amongst yourselves and with the Lord what your participation willbe.
We will resubmit our application to the new government in January. If it is approved, and we are granted the lot that we have requested, it will need to be cleared, filled and leveled before construction could begin. Hopefully for an iiwestment of about $3,000.00 we would have a site ready to build on.
August 1996
led us in a study through the book of Ephesians. From the firsl week 1 knew that I could probably do a better job. But that isn't the point. The point is: How well can Sylvestre do the job? How can 1 help him do it hette?'?
1have put more work into this Sunday afternoon's sennon than any 1have preached since we arrived back in Brazil this past January. There is just one difference. 1won't be the one preaching it. Edvan, a young man who has been a Christian for about two years now will deliver the message. I met with him three times over the past two weeks to help him select a text of Scripture, develop an outline, illustrate and apply the biblical truths, and polish his delivery. He is ready, and I am anxious to hear the finished message tomorrow afternoon at Pirapora.
Sure, it would have been a lot easier for
This Sunday Sylvestre will finish the study in Ephesians. I was planning to take over until John gets back near the end of September.
Praise God, I don't get to!
Three weeks ago I announced the new series we would begin in August. Afterward, Wilson (who has been a Christian a little over a
me to write my own sennon and preach it myself But then, a few years from now, the church wouldn't have the new preacher that I hope and pray Edvan will become. For the past two months John Navis (our usual adult Sunday School teacher) has been on furlough. In his absence it would have been easy for me to step in and teach the adult class.
Please pray that God will continue to raise up new workers to help put me out of a
job!
Praise A Thanksgiving
Several churches which John & Ruth visited
The Navis family left for the States on May 16 to visit their supporting churches. But, due to visa difficulties with their daughter Maria Helena, they could not stay in the US more than
60 days.
They arrived back in Sao Luis the third week of July. Ruth and the kids will now remain in Sao Luis while John returns to the US on July 29 (with this newsletter in hand!) to spend another two months visiting the remainder of their supporting churches.
during thefirst halfoftheirfurlough raised the money neededfor Seu Silvestre and his wife
Katia to travel to the University hospital in Sao Paulo. Threeyears ago Silvestre had heart valve replacement surgery performed at this hospital. For more than a year now he has been having difficulty that might indicate the valve is malfunctioning. Doctors in Sao Luis lack the equipment needed to give a proper diagnosis.
Our son Britton celebrated his third birthday on July 6!
7:-:.propcrty update
This month another parcel of land came onto the market in the Pirapora area. The lot
measures 20 x 20 meters (1 meter = roughly 3 feet), and is set in an ideal location. All of the
God's lovefor us is unconditional. It does not depend on how successful we are or how good we are. We do not earn or deserve God's love, he gives it to usfreely(See Romans 5:8-11).
The owner is asking $13,500 for the lot. I offered him the amount that we have to spend ($4,600), but he was not interested. If we could offer at least $8,000 he would probably accept.
On July 4 Rosie fell while walking in the downtown area and severely sprained her left ankle. It has been in a cast for the past four weeks. Next Tuesday (July 30) she will have
the cast removed and the doctor will decide
The money for purchasing land for the Pirapora church will have to come from our contributors in the US. The congregation simply does not have the means to buy land on its own.
If you believe that this ministiy is worthy of your ongoing monthly support, then please help us in a significant way with this special project. We are missing many ministry opportunities each month due to the continuing lack of a building.
what the next phase of treatment should be. Please pray for her recovery, and for her encouragement as she begins physical therapy. (Chasing two young children isn't easy, even when everything works fine!)
Remember John Navis as he returns to the
US to continue visiting their supporting churches. In August and September he will travel about 6,000 mile by himself, and John
hates to drive.
Pray that God will lead us to people who are prepared to hear the Good News, and give us wisdom and boldness to proclaim the message as we should.
Issue 3
November 1996
its founding. We began the church, meeting in the homes ofthe first converts. For most ofthe past three years we have
met in a rented school house.
Now, by the grace ofGod and the generosity ofHis people the congregation owns its own land! Measuring approximately 60'xl00', the lot islocated on the comer ofa main avenue. Itannexes a bus stop served by atleast 14 bus lines. Itlies midway between the homes oftlie member families who live inPirapora and those who live in Vila LobSo.
None of the current members will have to walk more than 10 minutes to arrive at our property.
It is the "ideal" lot that we described in our June/July newsletter. At that time the owner was asking $30,000 for the land. In August we contracted an independent realtor to negotiate for us. He wasableto convince the owner to
reduce the price to $20,000.00. It took nboiit a month for usto verify allthe documents relative to the property and i; itwas free of alldebts and
back taxes. We finalized the purchase on October i.
We immediately solicited three estimates for building plans and set to work clearing and leveling thelot, building a temporary guard house, digging the
foundation for the security wall, and soliciting a provisional hook-up of water and
electricity. Beyond the $20,000.00 we paid to the owner, we have spent $1,687.72 for title search and other documents needed before the sale, transfer
Roberto or "Bob" (he studies English and likes to be called Bob), isa civil engineer with nearly 20years experience in his field. He works inthe office of city hall that will have to approve the project and issue a building penmt (here that is not considered a conflict ofinterest). His bid of$2,640.00 was by far the lowest (the other bids were $4,500.00 and $8,100). For that price we will receive all ofthe building plans (architectural, structural, electrical, hydraulic, civil, etc. - 12
in all), filing of the applications for the necessary permits, and on-site visits during construction.
Hopefiilly we will have all ofthe building plans and pennits to begin our construction inPirapora bythe end of
December, Thefirst phase will take about 3 months to complete if our finances don't runout. Wewill begin with the classroom wing, an upside down "L" shaped building that will eventually house 6 classrooms 12'xl5'. Initially, halfthe L will not have any dividing walls, so it can be used as a temporary auditorium . The main auditorium will be a stand- alone structure that will measure about 30'x45'. If we have the money in hand when it is needed the auditorium canprobably be
built in an additional two or threemonths. However, we anticipate that raising those fimds may take a year or more (of
course, if our supporting churches want to surprise us by providing themoney allat once wepromise not to be too
disappointed).
Thematerials for theshell (untreated masonry walls, tile roof, rough cement floor) of the two buildings will exceed $25,000.00. Since wewill be recruiting as much volunteer labor as possible wedo not know yet what ourlabor costs will be. We also do not know yet if we(as a not-for-profit organization) will be exempted fi"om some of thetaxes
associated with construction. One in particular (INSS, based ona percentage ofestimated labor costs) can be quite high.
Please pray that God will continue to bless this projectas He has to this point.
Any contributions designated for construction should bemarked "Building Fund". We will keep you apprised of
our progress as the new "House of worship in Pirapora" takes shape!
This shortfall ($800.00each month)coupledwith increased medical expenses for the Finleys(incurred mostly duringtheir furlough) has depletedour generalflmd balance. In order to meet current expensesfor the past few monthswe have been forced to borrow from special fund accounts such as the Finleys resettlement fund.
For the Finleys to remain on the mission field in 1997we mustincrease incoming supportby about 25%. In order to containexpenses to the maximum extentpossible, two items for their 1997 budgethavebeen reduced from 1996 levels,
onehas been eliminated entirely. Several items have been leftat 1996 levels. Sixitems had to be increased slightly to
keeppace withrisingpricesin SSo Luis. The 1997budgetreflects an overall increase of$150.00/month overthe 1996 amounts. All churches which supportthisministry on a monthly basisshouldhavereceived a copy ofthe 1997budgetin the past week. Ifyou are an individual supporter and wouldlike a copy ofthe detailed budgetpleasecontactus at the address on the frontof this newsletter and we will be happyto provideyou withone.
We hope that our currentsupporterscan help us make up a significant portion ofthe $800.00 monthly shortfall. We alsoappeal to churches whoare not current supporters of this ministiy to consider including us in your missions
budget for 1997.
continued spiritual growth of Silvestre and his family. Also, please pray aiong with us that God will use his efforts and
ability to continually guide the Pirapora church toward maturity in Christ.
UPDATE ON EVANGELISM
In October we rejoiced along with the angelsin Heaven as Carlos (a young man of 14) made the decisionto follow Jesus. On a beautiful Saturday morningat Praia Aragagi (one of our nicer beaches) Carloswas b^tized into Christby Sylvestre. Carlos' parents (who are not believers) showedtheir approval ofhis decision by accompanying us to the beach
- -
Rosie is currently evangelizing two young ladies who will hopefully join with the Sao Francisco congregation.
Katia (17) recently arrivedin Sao Luis in order to find work and fiirther her education. The teachersat the poorly equippedschool in her small home town had taken Katiaas far as they could. Katia's love for learning is especially evident in the way she ^proaches the Good News lessons Rosie is teaching her. After their second lesson Rosie remarked "I haveneverstudied with anyone more eagerto leam aboutthe Bible".
Ana Paula (22) has been a friend ofours for several years. She began to study the Good News lessons with Rosie once before, but apparently was not ready to make a commitmentto the Lord at that time. She now seems better prepared for the decision that God wants her to make. Ana Paula is in her second year of Studies at the Federal University in So Lufs. She is training to become a registered nurse. Her love for people (especially children) is obvious to all who know
her.
Please pray for these two young women as they finish the Good News lessons with Rosie in the next three weeks. Pray about the decisions they will make and that God wiU help them to grow spirituallyinto the "fullness of Christ"(Eph. 4:13), and that He will do the same for all of us.