South American Mission Society

Andy Roberts visited us in February of this year and gave a very interesting and informative talk. Accompanying him were his fiancée Rose and Richard Crofts, who also gave us lots of information about SAMS work in South America. Andy said he would keep in touch by newsletter, and the latest one can be seen on the Mission noticeboard. It makes good reading and I’m sure you will find it entertaining.

Andy says the project in Recife is going well, but that he had unsettling news from the local government who have been supporting the reinforcement classes that the church provides daily for around 2000 children. The money they provide is used to pay the salaries of the teachers and to buy the food for My Father’s House. The mayor had previously said that the support would continue, however, they have had word that it will be stopped with immediate effect.

Please pray that the government will restart the support or that some other source of funding will be found.

Please also remember in your prayers the team who work at the project as they continue to work with the boys.

Ian and Simea Meldrum continue to be involved with the co-operative on the rubbish dump, Simea instigated this to improve conditions, and get a fair price for the paper and plastic collected. Please remember the Meldrums as they continue this hard work.

The church at Olinda “Living Waters” is a large building that looks like a barn with windows, it was given by American Christians to provide a place for the many activities that are held at the church. Children can go to this safe place for a meal, and other local churches are now helping with the teaching and childcare. This is a big step forward, but most of the work is done by volunteers.

You may be interested to know that Darwin made an annual subscription to the SAMS funds in recognition of its work among the indigenous peoples of Tierra del Fuego. He was “proud to be … an honorary member of your society”.

Finally, thank you to all who took a SAMS box during Lent. A grand total of £45 was collected to help Andy Roberts work on the Olinda project.

Winifred Shawcross, SAMS Representative

Church Mission Society News

Taken from the first joint Church Mission Society (CMS) and South American Mission Society (SAMS) newsletter.

Two young brothers have been saved from a rubbish life - thanks to a Christian project helping homeless youth in Brazil. Rodrigo and Gabriel no longer endure abuse or pick through a garbage dump for food, after prompt action by staff from My Father’s House in Olinda.

Gabriel was four when he was found abandoned in the dump “He had bite marks and cigarette burns all over his body from his mother abusing him”, said Andy Roberts who works at My Father’s House with his wife Rose.

Gabriel’s older brother Rodrigo also bears scars, “He was 12 and about to join a drug gang when we first met him”, Andy recalled. Rodrigo’s first year at the safe house was difficult, but he overcame his violent past. Now 16, Rodrigo is a committed Christian and a hard worker. “He is doing a computer course and dreams of going to England one day as a missionary”, said Andy. The boys’ mother is receiving help for psychological problems.

Wendy Williamson

Church Mission Society Representative