Ivoti, Rio Grande do Sul

Located in the foothills of the Serra Gaucho Mountains with a population of 20,000.

Pray that the people of Ivoti will develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Families willing to open their homes are the first step to beginning a 'House Church.' (Luke 10). This family opened their home to study the Word and several families have joined this young church.

Pray that many more families in Ivoti will open their homes to start new churches.

The smaller towns are often peaceful, but their close proximity to the metro area lends itself to increased violent crime.

Pray for the safety of the house churches in these small towns.

Morro Reuter and Dois Irmãos

This view of these two cities encompasses some 30,000 people. Just beyond the mountains, the metro area's population reaches about 3 million.

Pray for God to lead us to a man of peace to open his home to study the Word and form a church in these two cities.

Churches exist in every city but they have more to do with tradition than having a personal relationship with God. The worship of images and prayers to dead saints is the principle religion of most people.

Pray that people will encounter the living God and turn away from their empty religions.

Even though the Germanic regions are made fun of because the people speak with a heavy Germanic accent, they continue to hold the top spots in literacy in the nation. They read Portuguese better than the native Portuguese speakers yet they cannot read their own Germanic language.

Pray for the translation project-the Gospel of Luke into Hunsrik.

Sites such as this one are common in the region which is known for its natural beauty.

Pray that the people of this region will come to know the One who created this natural beauty.

Football is King

Almost everyone plays soccer at some level. It is not uncommon for men to play into their 40's.

Pray that God will become their true King.

Plowing with teams of oxen on the steep mountain sides is still common today. These animals are guided using Hunsrik words. Less than 1% of the Germanic peoples has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Pray that this percentage will increase.

It is common in the region to have a wood burning stove which serves for cooking and heating the home. It drops below freezing and few homes, if any, have central heat, so it is very important. In the winter, families and friends huddle around the stoves to get warm, visit, and drink tea

together. It is a high honor to be invited into the circle to discuss the days events, life, and God.

Pray that God will open doors of opportunity to share about His love.

Around every turn of the road there is a scenic view for a post card.

Pray that a man of peace is found in city after city along this route.

This is one of the few regions in Brazil that sees frost. Many say that the cold temperatures are what make the Germanic peoples so 'cold' socially. It is a misconception to call someone who is reserved 'cold' but to the Latino the Germanic peoples are strangely different. It does takes considerable time to gain their confidence and that is why it will take German descendants to reach one another with the Gospel.

Pray that God will raise up German descendants to spread the Gospel family to family and house to house throughout Brazil.

Music is important and can be heard daily on several radio stations that feature music in the German tradition. They also feature the Hunsrik language as well during the day.

Pray that many different avenues open up to spread the Gospel in the Serra regions.

Labyrinth

This maze in Nova Petrópolis is a wonderful symbol of the region. It is equally difficult to get out once you reach the center.

Pray that God will lead us to a Man of Peace in Nova Petrópolis who will open his home to study the Word.

Shopping in Gramado

More than 2 million tourists descend upon this city of 30,000 which is known as a 'little Europe.'

Pray that house churches will be planted in Gramado to reach this city for Christ.

Traditions surrounding Christmas are strong here but little evidence of a sincere faith in Christ can be found. Today Christmas is more centered around commercialism, not unlike the U.S. and Europe. It is a wonderful bridge

to share Christ with people in the region.

Pray that many opportunities will occur to share Christ and the true meaning of Christmas.

This young man is painting a church tower. The Hunsrik are hard workers.

Pray that they turn this energy and enterprise to obeying the Lord!

They number over 5 million speakers with 18 million descendants and less than 1% have a personal relationship with Christ.

Pray for men of peace to open their homes to the Word and for them to begin churches in homes. Please pray for the Germanic peoples of Brazil to return to the God of their forefathers.