Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon the missionary kids wanted to take the teenagers from the visiting team to the local swimming hole.  While we were there this group of six "tough guys" approached me. They'd been drinking and one has somthing (a machete or a bottle of 51) under his shirt.  A team member had taken their photo and they wanted a copy. After some talk I told them I would take their picture and give them a photo if they would come to our church that night to get it. They said they would all come.

Just after our main Sunday service started at 7 p.m. one of these guys walked in and sat beside me near the back. I gave him the photos I had printed for him and his friends, and a bible. During the worship part of the service he told me, "Pastor, I've decided I'm going to join your religion. I am tired of my life of sin."

I don't know how he knew I was a pastor or how the Lord had prepared him to this point. "Just wait until after the preaching and the pastor will call forward those who want to repent of their sins and get right with God. I"ll go forward with you."

"I walked here alone tonight. But I am scared to walk home alone." This surprised me. I didn't know these fellows knew fear. He lives about 1 mile away, through one neighborhood and in the next one.

"We have quite a group that lives near you, and you can walk home together."

The visiting pastor, Steve, preached on the prodical son and how the father welcomes us back. The whole service Elu (nickname Neginho) just wanted to give his heart to the Lord. "Can I go forward now?"

"Just wait a bit more. He'll call us."

In the photo below he is the fellow with the ball cap in the middle, with the eagle tatoo on his chest. He appreciates your prayers. My prayer is that he will bring many people into the kingdom.

It was hot in the car so we stopped for a break where a creek crossed the road.

We were told last week that the pastors of the Altamira were going to meet for a joint prayer Sunday morning at the city park two blocks from our house. We met from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. It is always interesting to participate in pastor's meeting when a wide variety of denominations participate. There are so many personalities within each denomination and then each movement kind of has their unique characteristics.

The week before some city interest group wanted to meet with all the pastors to inform us of the big Hydro dam proposal and get input and feedback. Probably 50 pastors and leaders were present from a wide range of denominations including Vineyard, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, God is Love, and various others.

The team of 21 from Sunbury OH just got in tonight from a river trip. While there are many churches in Altamira most consider this town their mission field. The neighbouring communities are crying out for us to come teach them about God. We are working at training leaders and through them planting churches.

April, May and June are birthday months for us. Our girls turned 14, 12 and 10. Now we'll wait for November when Bella turns 8.

We are so pleased that Dennis and Evie Stranges arrived here with a team last night from Sunbury Ohio. Their daughter Anna turned 15 today, here in Brasil!

We are looking forward to a full month of ministry with three teams and several missionary trips as well as local meetings.

Elba and Angelita left today for the national Vineyard meetings in Brasilia.

After this month things will change around here as the Dolans and Bouthilliers go on furlough, and the Bergquists and Van Hulles move to Porto de Moz.

Please remember to pray for the Mirante Church as the Dolans and Bergquists are key players in leadership.

Please pray also for my leadership of the mission.

Thank you,

Rick Bergen.