Blue Valley Baptist, thank you for your gift to plant Congregação Igreja Batista Betel in Maranhão, Brazil. 200 children are benefiting from your investment and are experiencing God’s love because of your support. The church is already making an impact in the community it serves.
Pictured above, an external view of the classrooms, ready for doors and windows.
Ministry Progress
Congregação Igreja Batista Betel is located at the center of five communities in an area of extreme poverty. Children and young people in these communities suffer from hunger and malnutrition, and lack quality education, medical care and environments that promote physical activities.
Despite the resource challenges the church has been facing, the heart of the church remains. They actively serve the people in these communities and understand the importance of a vibrant, local church in this area. This church will serve as a beacon of hope for its neighboring communities.
Construction Progress and Next Steps
The team has completed the following activities:
- Placed a roof over the classroom building.
- Placed doors at the entrance to the church.
- Installed a roof over the kitchen and dining room.
- Built the exterior of the bathrooms.
- Created an outdoor recreation area for sports.
Due to the rising cost of construction materials, the team required extra time and resources to complete the construction. They are working mightily to finish construction by September 2023 so that the children can begin using the space for holistic child development activities. In the meantime, the children participate in activities in a temporary space nearby.
Over the next 60 days, they expect to install roofs over the sanctuary and bathrooms.
Impact of Your Gift
Currently, 10 adults and 12 children attend the church. Although the buildings are still under construction, the church as God’s people continue to shine bright in this community. Children and their families participate in church services and many have accepted Jesus as their Savior. The church continues to minister to the community with outreach activities, home visits, celebrations and parent education on child protection.
From the beginning, the church has believed that this was a dream not only of theirs, but of God’s, and had faith that he would never leave or forsake them throughout the process. Ivonete, a church member, describes the impact the project has had on her:
When they first started clearing the property to build, I began praying that construction would move quickly. God has great things in store for this community and several children and their families are excited to be a part of the child development center. Parents are grateful that their children will have a place to learn about the Bible and receive life-changing services. I am just so thankful to God for everything that is being done. May the Lord Jesus receive the glory and honor!
Prayer Requests and Praises
Join the church in praying for:
- Wisdom and grace to complete all construction.
- God to strengthen the team, daily.
- The church to always offer their best to the Lord.
Blue Valley Baptist, thank you for partnering with Compassion International to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Congregação Igreja Batista Betel is grateful to you for working alongside them to extend God’s Kingdom in this community. God bless you!