A letter from Gordon and Dorothy Gartrell in Brazil
Summer 2013
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We are now serving the Lord in Pains, Minas Gerais, a small town in the state northwest of Rio de Janeiro. The Lord has called us to continue to work with the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPU), but in a different location. We are very excited about our new location and the many possibilities before us. The church has been here for a long time and is highly respected in the community but has fallen back to 16 professing members. A few other youth and adults also attend regularly. It's been exciting to see how just presenting ideas has lit a torch and people have taken on a large part of the leadership responsibilities themselves.
The women's Bible study talking about women in the Bible
On Mother's Day Dorothy gave the youth leader some ideas for the worship service, and the youth wrote and presented the service except for Gordon preaching. The pastor has been at the church for 22 years. She is a widowed mother of three youth, ages 15 to 20. This year we wanted her to celebrate Mother's Day simply as a mother. The service was very moving; their tributes to the women brought tears to everyone's eyes.
Gordon is teaching a catechism class to three young adults: a new believer, a woman who has participated in the church for years but never made a public profession of faith, and a young woman who married into a strong Presbyterian family and wants to know what it means to be Presbyterian. The church has a strong history in the town, but over the years many people have left the church for various reasons. We're able to visit folks without knowing all the past problems that caused them to leave, offering spiritual support and inviting them back to the church.
Dorothy is teaching English classes to children ages 6-12 at a government center for children. It comes under the PETI Program (Program of Eradication of Child Labor). The children have tutoring sessions, art work, music programs, trips to the library, and a well-balanced meal. Dorothy is teaching basic words, ideas and concepts, so that when they reach fifth grade and have to leave the program their English class in school will be easier and they will learn to speak it properly, rather than just memorize some ideas. The children enjoy the class. English is necessary for a number of things—enhanced computer use, professional jobs, etc.
The installation service of Gordon and Dorothy to be official missionaries with the IPI church in Pains
We lead worship services in a nearby farming community two Saturday evenings a month. The Presbyterian church is the only church for miles around. There is 1 member, plus about 10 other regular participants. The people from the Pains Church go once a month. We see the spiritual gift of hospitality displayed there. The first time we went we were leaving the church at about 9 p.m. and thought we would return to Pains hungry, but about a mile from the church we stopped and were very graciously served a number of regional foods in the home of a church member. Each time we have gone there she and her husband have opened their home to us, enabling us to visit, eat, rest, shower—meeting these and any other need we might have.
In town the majority of the church are retired women. Dorothy has begun a Bible study with them about women in the Bible. She thought she would teach most weeks, but hoped a few other women would teach once in a while. Much to her joy, the women have joyously led most of the studies. The women actively share their knowledge about the featured woman and it's become a time when the women learn from each other.
The word pains has a totally different meaning in Portuguese. Pains is named for one of its founding families. They say it is the Limestone Capital of the World. Limestone is used for cement, paint, toothpaste, fertilizer, chicken feed and a variety of other things. Unfortunately the mining of limestone creates a lot of fine powder, so we have dust everywhere.
The PC(USA) is holding a meeting called the "Big Tent" Aug. 1-3 in Louisville, Kentucky. World Mission’s conference theme is "The Power of 'We': Collective Impact in God’s Mission." It's a partnership conference with participants from other worldwide countries. The IPU is sending a representative. It will be a great time to learn about mission programs sponsored by the PC(USA) and churches around the world. You can go online to www.pcusa.org/impact to find out more about it and register.
Our new location has been a very good experience for us and the IPU church, but at the same time the move cost the PC(USA) a lot. Missionaries are very expensive for the PC(USA), as we are provided with excellent medical insurance and other needs. Please support us in our work through prayer and/or financial support. Giving is easy. On the computer enter www.pcusa.org/missionconnections, then click on "find a missionary now," look for the letter G and our name. Once our page pops up, you can read about our work and you'll see the word <give>. Just press that and follow the directions. (Or you can use the "Give" link below.) Please pray about supporting us. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Blessings,
Gordon and Dorothy
Rua Joâo Baptista, Velosa, 652
35582-000 Pains, MG
Brasil
The 2013 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 37
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