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   P.O. Box 9215 Chattanooga, TN. 37412 Dear Pray Friends, The year 2001 promises to be a tremendous challenge for those of us who love the Lord and want to live in the light of eternity. While we expect many victories, the year has started off on a very sad note for us. On January 14, while we were in a neighboring city preaching for a furloughing missionary, Kevin called us to let us know that one of our Brazilian missionary families had been involved in a tragic car accident that took almost the entire family to heaven. Jose Otavio, Cleonice, Jonatas and Josias were all killed as a truck that was out of control smashed into their car. The only survivor was 8-year-old Joao Marcos. Jose and family have been working in the tribes for ten years. They had just left the tribe to start on a furlough and were on their way down to reunite with family. We were eagerly looking forward to having them in our church again. He was a tremendous missionary. Faithful. Joyful. A willing worker. With a servant's heart. And Cleonice was a faithful helpmeet for him. The Ka'apor Indians expect them back. The Indians have no other missionary. Two weeks later, to the day, we received word that one of our most beloved Brazilian pastors, Pastor Dosoaldo, had been killed in a car accident as he was returning home from a missions conference. We went to the funeral at his church. We saw the faces of his dear people, of his dear family. Knowing God never makes a mistake. Knowing their dear pastor was now present with the Lord, and therefore far better off. And yet, sheep without a shepherd. And there is no one to fill the gap. If you have had trouble reading this part of our letter, maybe you can understand just a little about the gap that we are now feeling, not only in the work but also in our hearts. There are many gaps in this letter that do not belong there. We have many gaps in the Lord's vineyard that, likewise, need to be filled now. It is not the Father's will that any perish but that all come to repentance. HE expects these gaps to be filled. Do YOU belong in one of them?? The construction continues. Phase two is going much faster than phase one and soon we hope to be through with the last two classrooms. Then comes the real challenge of filling in the middle part, which will be the church auditorium and, by far, the most expensive phase. Praise the Lord, Brazil's sinful "Carnival" is over for another year. We had two murders in our city this year because of it. Twelve of our young people were away at Christian camp during this time and they all came back spiritually refreshed. Several of them feel the Lord is calling them to full time service. We pray they will make it and be "gap-fillers" for the future. Thank you for your prayers for us and for the work here. Yours for Brazil, Kirk and Kathy Home| Faith Statment| Salvation| Pastors Page| Missionaries Sermons| N. F. C. School| Soul Winning| Events| How to find US Gods help page| Patch Club| Childrens Church| Links |