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News from The Forgotten Africa -February 2009 |
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Written by The Forgotten Africa
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| News from The Forgotten Africa
February 2009
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Greetings!
This newsletter is a new feature of Keith and Deborah's ongoing and fruitful ministry to Quilombolas in Brazil. I had the pleasure of spending 4 months working along-side the Jefferson's last Fall and now plan to continue assisting them by sending this celebrative newsletter to friends and family who wish to receive it.
Please join me in prayer and praise to God for His work through the Jefferson's.
With love because of Jesus,
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 Quilombolas
Descendants of Former Fugitive African Slaves
African slavery was very prevalent in Brazil and lasted much longer than it did in the U.S. Some of the slaves escaped the cruel treatment and working conditions to journey deep into the country's interior and form small villages that still exist today.
Many of these villages have been untouched by the gospel and continue in very wicked spiritism that their ancestors brought over from Africa.
(Table in background of this pictures is covered in idols used in a form of witchcraft. This man rejected Christ on the day this was taken but asked us to pray for his wife's healing from cancer.)
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 Ministry
Past, Present, and Future
Keith and Deborah Jefferson became missionaries through the International Mission Board 13 years ago when they and their 4 daughters moved to Brazil.
The couple travels throughout their state and others to locate and survey new Quilombos. Part of this mission is to also find an evangelical church in the closest town that will commit to ongoing ministry within the villages.
They just completed a 17 day, 2800 mile trip through which they visited 39 new Quilombos and found at least 3 pastors who've commited to church planting.
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| Review of Major "Fall 2008 Events" |
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Returned to Brazil after 11 months in US. Setup homestead.
Hosted 5 American mission teams in Fall of 08.
Shared gospel and supplies with villages along Amazon River and in Quilombos we have established long-term relationships with.
Constructed a church building and first bathroom in a Quilombo.
Began "English Service" at home church in Salvador as outreach tool that attracts educated unbelievers.
Mentored/trained
missionary assistant through transition to new culture, language, and job.
Took seperate teams of Brazilian college students, and members from our Brazilian home church to minister in "interior".
Shared gospel every time the Lord opened the door during "normal" living.
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2009 Happenings
...so far. Glory to God!
- Took full bus of our church members to minister within Quilombo 1.
- First wedding in Quilombo 1 following construction of church.
- 5 new male believers in Quilombo 1, for total of 10.
- 26 of 30 homes have at least one believer. 54 total believers in Quilombo 1!
- Found 2 new Quilombos 35 minutes from the Jefferson's front door. Showed Jesus film and were recieved well.
- Given use of city's Mobile Bus Clinic to do health care in Quilombo!
- Discovered another full-time missionary to Quilombos...Janainda Lopez do Santos. Please pray for every aspect of her life and ministry.
- Located and surveyed 39 new villages during 17-day, 2800 mile trip. 34 had no evangelical presence and some had never heard the gospel.
- 3 pastors and wives have commited to church plant in these villages.
- One city-worker and one hotel clerk gave their lives to Christ after speaking with Deborah and Keith during this trip.
- Quilombo 3 had first church meeting Feb. 11. 3 ladies received Christ.
- Keith & Deborah completed 40-day "Dare to Love" challenge on Feb. 13 and celebrated on Valentines Day!
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Prayer Requests:
- Mature churches in local towns to adopt hidden Quilombos and share physical and spiritual resources with them.
- The Jefferson's
- More Brazilians burdened to reach "their own" with the gospel.
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