Greetings, Blue Valley Baptist Church! Thank you for your gift to plant Congregação Igreja Batista Betel in Maranhão, Brazil. Your support continues to make a difference in the lives of 12 children and 10 adults who regularly attend church services. Additional children benefit from program activities. The church wants you to know that their hearts are full of joy and gratitude because of your support. Thank you for showing them God’s love in action.
In the photo above, construction workers prepare the classroom walls to support a roof.
Construction Progress
Great progress is being made on construction. The church cleared the land, reviewed their budget and hired a construction team. Construction began in April 2022. Construction workers laid the foundation and built walls. They are currently constructing classroom and cafeteria infrastructure and roofs.
The construction site is located in a central location that is accessible to participants who live across town. The neighborhood is flat, and it is easy to walk.
During the construction process, the church is holding child development activities at a rented house. There is currently not enough space to provide care to all children the church wants to serve. When the church is built, the church will have greater capacity to help more people in their community.
Challenges and Opportunities
The rainy season has caused construction challenges. Prices have also increased for construction materials.
Next Steps
In the next 60 days, the construction workers will add a roof to the classroom. They will also be laying a floor and plastering the walls.
Church Activities
Over the past 60 days, church leaders and staff engaged in evangelism efforts. They distribute soup and clothing to families in need. They also organized Bible studies, an Easter event and a Mother’s Day event. Currently, 10 adults and 12 children regularly attend church services.
A Testimony from a Church Leader
“It was a joy to tell the families that we received a gift to construct a church. They clapped their hands and glorified God. They understood that it was God who had blessed them. Last week, one of the teenagers we serve shared that God is doing beautiful work in this community. He said this building will greatly bless families.”
Praises and Prayer Request
The church leaders and staff praise God for your lives. They share that God has heard the cries of his children in this community, and they are thankful you heeded his call. They want you to know that you are instruments in God’s hands, blessing countless lives, the number of which will only be realized in eternity.
They ask that you please join them in praying that this community would be transformed so that they are no longer plagued by violence, drug abuse, famine and poverty.