I write from the PePe office, which is now decorated for Christmas! It is amazing how quickly time passes! I will miss you all, but am very much looking forward to Christmas in São Paulo, having been

invited to spend the holidays with Luzinete, Ismailton and family from the church that I congregate at- the Second Baptist Church of Capão Redondo. God Has really blessed me here and I give thanks that I have made many friends at church and through my work with PePe. I am slowly getting used to driving in the crazy traffic of São Paulo, and continue to enjoy my work very much. Thanks for all your prayers this past year- I have really seen the hand of God at work in many lives over here and in my own.

Last Saturday saw the first PePe graduation service at Rio Grande da Serra, where I was invited to bring the message. It was very touching to see the children singing and performing a short sketch about the walls of Jericho tumbling down, complete with costumes and props! Many parents attended, and the church was packed and overflowing. I stayed with friends there overnight- PePe  missionary Nelci, husband Gelson and their son, João, returning to the BMS house after Sunday lunch.

Since my last letter, the church I congregate at has adopted the small Baptist congregation on the very needy island of Bororé as their daughter church, with plans to open a PePe soon. There is  much work

to be done, the island being home to many people with alcohol and drug problems, which unfortunately often results in negligence of the children. I have been able to help out alongside the Capão church members, visiting houses and helping out with the childrens’ activities at church.  We had the birth of the first baby within the members of the congregation last month, and there is to be a wedding ceremony on the island next Saturday. I pray that this is a sign of a new start for the community.

We had the new PePe CD launch last Tuesday, at a local church, and it went very well indeed! The partner organizations of Pepe all gave a word during the service, and I was asked to bring a word from BMS, alongside representatives from our other partners.  We plan to have the songs produced in English, French and Spanish, reflecting the languages used within the 17 countries that Pepe operates in. The service was followed by a typical Brazilian Christmas lunch- Turkey, rice with raisins and sweetcorn, and salad, with watermelon for dessert!

Some of you have expressed concern at the floods that we have been experiencing over here. Thankfully, the BMS house has not been affected, although, Nair (the lady that helps with cooking/cleaning when we have training days and guests staying) and family have been victims of the floods. He house is now not suitable to live in and most of the furniture is ruined. The local council have stated that they will relocate Nair and family into another house in the favela (slum) in which they live, and we are all praying that they will act quickly and that Nair can move before Christmas.

Last weekend was the busiest in terms of PePe graduations- I arranged to visit one on Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning! This is quite a feat in terms of travelling from one part of São Paulo another, the city  being  famous for its heavy traffic and overloaded public transport! It is all worth it to see these children on stage receiving their certificates, amongst the blaze of cameras flashing and rounds of applause from teary parents. After the excitement of the ceremony, it is satisfying to know that these children will carry the things they’ve learnt at PePe with them as they enter the school system, and for the rest of their lives.

To end my letter, I would like to send you all Christmas greetings from São Paulo! I wish you all a very merry Christmas and every blessing during the year ahead.

With love in Christ,

Barbara

For those of you that are praying for me, could you please remember the following:

Thanks:

1.      The successful renewal of my visa

2.      The PePe CD launch

3.      Graduation of all PePe children

4.      New inquiries regarding implantation of PePe groups in the new year