Van De Merwe Post

 Marco and Claudia van de Merwe’s News letter                                                             December 2005 Issue Number 1 3

“Open,” says the Lord,

“Wide your  mouth, believing

This My covenant-word:

I will, if you plead,

Fill your every need,

All your wants relieving”

Psalm 81:10.

Some of you know that we, Joe and Rita van de Merwe, Marco’s parents, have been visiting Marco, Claudia and Nathan in Brazil for the past three months.

It was a blessed time but now it seems like only a dream, with a few nightmares thrown in.

Rita did a lot of sewing for Claudia, such as making runners and tablescloths for the dining hall from old curtains that Claudia still had from Holland

Joe set up the bookkeeping and kept it up to date until we went back to Canada .

He and Marco also discussed numerous updates for the buildings on the property and completed some of the drawings for the renovations. After the first conference, which was held for 150 women, it was determined that although there was enough seating in the meeting hall, the dining hall was too small.. Since there where three rooms beyond the dininghall, it was decided that arched openings would be made in the adjoining walls, making the dining hall much larger. It took less than ten days to complete the renovations, which were completed by the staff and friends. The only cost was paint for the walls. The photos are available on the website: www.faze.com.br  The change was a pleasant surprise two weeks later when a men’s conference was held. The conferences provide much needed funds for the children’s programs.

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The children are very enthusiastic about learning. They are often waiting to be let in an hour before the program starts.  

The Lord has gladdened Marco and Claudia with the provision of an elementry teacher from the north of Brazil . She is totally supported by her own church and consequently does not require payment from the project funds.

A new couple with three children will be joining the project in January 2006 D.V. They have been working in an orphanage for the past eight years as misssionnaries and are also fully supported by their church. Marco is currently changing six rooms, formerly used as sleeping quarters for boys, into an apartment with three bedrooms for this family.

This month, December, a missionairy with some experience in construction is coming to help Marco with this apartment.

Finacially it is often difficult to make ends meet, however if we see what the Lord is doing  by sending new people to help with the work,  then we must say;

“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” Luke 18:27

Would you like to support  the Brazilian Street Children Prevention Program?

Residents of the United States may do this by making donations to:

http://www.bethanyinternational.org/Home/WaysToGive/

Designation is: Bethany International General Fund

Missionary is:  Marco and Claudia van de Merwe

Volunteers are always welcome; it is now summer in Brazil .

You may also assist us by sending this e-mail to all the people in your address book.

We, Marco and Claudia thank the Lord for all the people who sent support.

May the Lord bless you and your gifts.

Greetings in the Lord and best wishes for the New Year;

Joe and Rita van de Merwe.