Different worlds. In the first year of the third millennium, the world was hit by the events of September 11th. Among the many questions that day raised was the future of Christian mission. How does mission continue in a world with so much religious conflict and prejudice? How have our attitudes changed? What are the new approaches?

The Mission for the Third Millennium conference in June will bring in Latin American and European perspectives. Latin Link is on the organising team for the conference, which is open to all.

For details see www.missionforthethirdmillennium.org.uk or contact Peter Kluger on 020 8883 0568, email peter.kluger@talk21.com

diary

1-5 Bienal do Livro, the largest book fair in Latin America, in São Paulo, Brazil, attracting over half a million visitors. The Editora Cristã Evangélica, headed up by Latin Link member John Barnett will have a stand, and are aiming to make the most of this opportunity as an evangelistic event. Praise God that the Editora’s most recent title, a study book for adults, won first prize for Christan Education in the Christian Booksellers Association Awards for 2001 – the prize to be awarded at the book fair.

1-19 Paul Davies attends a conference in Northern Ireland on missionary co-operation across the continents, and meets with Latin missions leaders in Spain. Pray too for Wilma Davies who for part of this time will be teaching an intensive course on Anthropology in Córdoba, Argentina.

3-4 Brazil Team Executive meets in Belo Horizonte. Pray for Phil Greenwood, who takes over as Team Leader from John Griffin, and for Glenn Every-Clayton succeeding Phil as Treasurer.

11-12 Latin Link Ireland Annual Conference at Stricklands Conference Centre, Bangor on the Saturday, and on Sunday morning in seven churches in the Coleraine area, with a joint service in the evening. Members of Latin Link’s Peru Team will take part – Rosemary Gibson, Ruth Green, and Nat and Doreen Davies – with Ireland Co-ordinators David and Hilary Morrell.

17-19 Latin Link Scotland Annual Conference at Balvonie Conference Centre, Skelmorlie. International Team Leader John Chapman, and Andy Parkins, Maureen Galloway and Nat and Doreen Davies from Peru will take part – with Scotland Co-ordinator Gavin Smith.

8 Mission for the Third Millennium. Please pray for the final preparations for this international conference to take place in north London from 12-15 June. Pray it will be well attended, that speakers and delegates alike will come with hearts and minds open to receive God’s word, and that it will represent a real step forward in mission development.

14 God’s provision. A Christian psychologist has asked Orphaids, Ecuador, to take a family of five: a mother (29), very unwell with HIV, and four children. Rosa lost her husband nearly a year ago from Aids-related diseases. ‘When I saw her two weeks ago she said "I'm finished",’ says John Hart. ‘When I offered her and her family a place to stay, and for the children to be cared for she simply said, "thank you". So, we have been preparing one of our flats, and have been able to register all the children for school.

‘On Friday night a young woman we know came to visit us. She simply begged to be used and offered herself for anything at all – so Eddy has come to live here for the time being and will help to care for this family, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, etc.
‘How very good God is. We simply praise him for his provision.’

22 Swiss watch. ‘The help long awaited has finally arrived!’ writes Latin Link International Team Leader elect Marcel Dürst. ‘In May, Samuel Kopp (right), an ordained pastor and former missionary to Africa, starts work half time as recruitment and mission secretary with Latino Partners Switzerland, a member fellowship of Latin Link, which is attracting growing interest. From September he will also work as Administrator for Latin Link International.’ Please pray:

• for Samuel in his new role
• that the right places for new mission candidates may be found.

25 Student mission. Latin Link’s Verna Langrell, studying at the Bible college in Anápolis, Brazil, has been asked to be president of the student missions group this year. Please pray that God will use Verna to inspire a greater vision for mission among students at the college.

27 New light. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up to investigate atrocities committed by Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) guerrillas and Peru’s military from 1980 to 1992, has been hearing the public testimonies of people in Ayacucho. ‘It has been incredibly moving listening to people who have suffered so much, and witnessed such violence and pain,’ says Eirwen Harris, Latin Link Peru Team Leader. ‘Many have never been listened to before, or believed. The agony for many is that they don't know what happened to loved ones who “disappeared”. Humberto Lay, an evangelical pastor in Lima, is part of the committee. Pray he will be used by God. Pray for justice and mercy. Pray for the city of Ayacucho and all the surrounding villages, that God's compassion and love will reach them through the preaching of the Gospel.’

30 Barter or bust? The desperate shortage of real money in Argentina is forcing people to find other ways of obtaining the things they need. Informal credit schemes, where you can trade anything from a light bulb to a bicycle in exchange for ‘vouchers’ are springing up. ‘We’re just a step away from anarchy,’ observes Latin Link’s Mike Terry.

• Please pray as Latin Link supports churches during the crisis through Argentina Team members and financially – please pray for a good response to our Latinfile appeal.

One Minute Window with John Shepherd in Brazil

Saved... and called back to serve

‘Back in 1988, in the early days of Step, a group of 16 people set off with the purpose of creating a garden at the Congregational Seminary in Recife, Brazil where Latin Link members Glenn and Winifred Every-Clayton were on the teaching staff.

‘I was a member of that team, son of a minister, with a Christian background, but with no personal faith in Christ. During those six weeks, through the witness of the team, the joy and faith of the Brazilian Christians, and through the reading of John’s Gospel, God in his grace and mercy opened my spiritual eyes and transformed my hardened heart.

‘I realised for the first time how arrogant I was, trying to live my life without reference to my Creator and the God who loved me, how I couldn’t continue living in quiet rebellion against his son Jesus Christ.

‘In one of the seminary classrooms, praying with another member of the team, I repented and trusted Christ for my salvation. In that moment, by the power of God, I was saved for eternity. The rest of the time was spent praising God, often at the top of rather precarious scaffolding! We completed the garden, which was named the ‘Garden of Light’, and I left a place that had become very special to me.

‘Thanks to Latin Link, I was able to go back to Brazil in 1989 and grow in experience as the leader of another Step team. In 1995 I returned to show my wife my spiritual birthplace. Today, Debbie and I, along with our two boys, are serving with SAMS at the Anglican church in the city of Salvador.

‘I feel indebted to Latin Link, to Mike Cole who initiated those projects, to Glenn and Winifred Every-Clayton who have been such a great encouragement and support, but above all to the living God who took me to northeast Brazil to save me and who brought me back to serve him.’

• Remember this year’s five Spring Step Teams in Latin America, taking a week’s break in May before moving on to new projects. Pray they will enjoy a time of renewal and refreshment, and as they say their farewells to the first churches where they will have formed strong relationships.
• You can follow their news through the Step website: www.stepteams.org

back to the top