Pray for Rio

On Saturday a war between favelas (slums) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil exploded as drug trafficking leaders are positioning themselves to try and conquer several poor communities. At least 20 busses were burned, a number of people were killed and wounded, and the traffickers shot a helicopter out of the sky with a high caliber machine gun. As police continue to try to push back the darkness, these violent outbursts are increasing. When the street battles erupt, flying bullets pose a severe hazard to innocent passers by as they fall, often times, several kilometers away from the fight kill or injure passers by and damage homes and cars. These firefights have taken place in the favelas around the homes of our missionaries, the Brazilian Home Mission Board headquarters, and near our Baptist Churches. Pray for the safety of our missionary personnel, church members, the Baptist Home Mission Board employees, and the police that are doing what they can to control an already bad situation.

September 30 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Pray for obedient servants who will accept the challenge in Rio Grande do Sul and strive to reach the many different peoples that form this beautiful tapestry of cultures and heritage.

September 29 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

With almost 400 municipal districts with no Baptist work, the challenge is great. The opportunities are greater still. There are doors open but it requires the Lord’s wisdom to know the places and the timing. Pray for that all will be done according to the Lord’s plan and that He will receive the honor and glory for the victories.

September 28 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Pray for the North Region. This area lies between the Missions and the Mountains and has the problems of both regions. The large numbers of Italians and Germans have strongly held traditions. The Gaúcho influence of independence is also strongly felt. This makes the task to plant churches more difficult. But the work has been growing in places like Erechim and Passo Fundo. The work in Carazinho, after a very difficult time, is advancing. Pray that the Lord will provide even greater victories in the days ahead.

September 27 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Pray for the Riddles in Ijuí. We have seen good times and tough times but the Lord has blessed through all this. We love the people and the work and are excited about what the Lord has in store for the years ahead. Pray that we will be able to see the Gaúcho people as the Lord sees them and that we will follow His leadership in the most effective way to win the lost, disciple the believers, and multiply the churches.

September 26 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Pray for the efforts in ICASAP (Ijuí, Cruz Alta, Santo Ângelo, and Panambi.) This region has a strong group of churches which could serve to start new works. When we arrived in the region, these four communities and surrounding area had seven churches and one mission point. Today there are eleven churches and eight missions plus a number of group studies that could become churches. Pray that more churches will grasp the vision for growth.

September 25 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

PrPray for the Pioneer Baptist Convention. This fellowship of Baptist churches has work in six states of Brazil including more than twenty-five churches in Rio Grande do Sul. They also sponsor work for orphans, senior citizens homes, missionaries, church planting, and the Faculdade Batista Pioneira in Ijuí. This convention was founded by German Baptist almost 100 years ago but has work with various ethnic and cultural groups and continues to plant works among the traditional Brazilian communities.