Story number 3 for 20 Dec 2002

(Brazil)–The challenge is to bring the hope of Christ to a culture steeped in witchcraft. New Tribes Mission’s Joel and Gwen Hartman are doing just that in an isolated village on the border of Brazil and Colombia. Gwen describes their work’s progress as both steady and encouraging. “Missionaries have been working among the Yanomami Indians in our location for almost 40 years-and it’s only in the last 10-15 years that we have actually been able to establish a church. We have a group of 80 believers now amongst a tribe of 250 Yanomami.” In fact, because of the growth, Hartman says they are working on getting Scripture to the people. Their biggest needs for prayer are: “…for faithful leaders amongst the Yanomami Indians. For the translation of the word of God, which involves a lot of hours of work, a lot of steps. We need actually, specific wisdom from God, because it’s a huge, huge job; a huge challenge.” The Hartman’s are staying at D&D Missionary Homes in Florida until they return to Brazil next month.