Christ for the Amazon Valley

Mr. & Mrs. David M. Bayless

Sponsor: Rklgeerest Christian Church, Albuquerque, NM
C? ^ ^
Mailing Address:
Caixa Postal 926
66000 Bel6fn, Pari, Brazil
Telephone: 011-55 (91) 23&0409
Forwarding Agent: J Fred Bayless
5300 Eastern Avenue, S. E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
Telephone (505) 265-2776
April 15, 1983
Dear Christian Friends,
Growth describes the churches here5% the 1st quarter. The one we work
with in the big housing area grew about 10%.
Summer is coming fast. We expect to see most of you. We plan to spend
seven months, a lot of it in recruiting teams of missionaries for five
north Brazil cities, important centers where we don't have anyone, I
will teach at Ozark Bible College and visit prospective recruits.
Beverly has had all kinds of tests, including CAT scan, nuclear, arterio
graph, and is free of any malignancy. We thank God very much. She may need
treatment for a benign cyst which gi^s paj^.
Joanne graduates from high schdi^JuneT^^ night we catch the plane :for
Miami. She plans to take a T-mo^'^Nlgeautyy^llege course in Joplin and enroll
in O.B.C. in January, She can live with us on campus in the Fall. John
will have his first experience in school in the U.S., in 8th grade.
We've been slowed down too much in the print shop for lack of an illustrator
but hope David Maddux will be able to handle it. We want to have a series
based on >fc)nt Smith's Covenant studies ready before x-ze leave.
In the big housing development the walls are going up for the building.
Several of us have become brick layers. We want to be in the first part of
the building in May, The leaders asked me to send out .aii-S0Sr_^or some
help, about 1500. ^to get the roof on. The people are tithers, but there
are only 35 members, and average family income is $70 per month. $1000
came from a friend, but has been used.
We don t think financial aid will hurt the church, because the people are
doing the work, they are tithers, and the church pays 10% of gross income
into a fund for new church buildings, and plans to continue always. Growth
possibilities are tremendous, as the location is in the center, on the main
avenue. In the midst of 50,000 people who have recently moved in.
We can only be here doing this work with the support God provides through
you. We thank Him every day. We want to spend more time with each church
this time, and discuss the work with you. And we want some of you down here.
The church over by the Amazon River, where I give orientation to 4 leaders.
Is looking for a bigger place than their 18 x 16 ft. building. They have
36 members, and 60 attending. They can't grow without a bigger place, but
baptized a lady last week. They have about all it will take to buy a house.
Well, we'll see you soon, the Lord willing.
Yours in Christ,
iWi
PRESENTING
DAVID AND BEVERLY BAYLESS, MISSIONARIES
Chmt For The Amazon Valley
Caixa Postal 926 - 66000 Bel6m, ParS, Brazil
(Write to them at this address - Air Mail only)
Phone: Dial 011-55.91-235-0409
David Beverly Joanne (19) John (13)
These Missionaries are Sponsored by
RIDGECREST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
5300 Eastern Avenue, S. E.
ALBUQUERQUE, NEWMEXICO 87108
Forwarding Agent
J FRED BAYLESS
5300 Eastern Avenue, S. E.
Albuquerque, N. M. 87108
AUG 6 1884
David and Beverly Bayless, Missionaries
David and Beverly Bayless, completing twenty-five years in
Brazil in 1984, with their son, John, age 13, live in Belem, the
major city of north Brazil. They work in leadership training, new
church planting, evangelism, and preparation of teaching
material for church leaders and evangelists.
Belem, with one million inhabitants, is the principal city of the
Amazon Valley. Located near the Atlantic Ocean, one hundred
miles south of the equator, and on the south bank of the Amazon
River, it is a tropical city with many modem conveniences.
Missionaries from ^e Christian Churches and Churches of
Christ have been working in Belem since 1953. In the state of
Para, of which Belem is the capital, there are now eighteen
churches, with over 600 members, The largest has about 185
members.
Receptivity to the gospel has been fairly good. Since 1979
growth has been 24%, 15%, and 24% FOR THREE OF THE
YEARS. Nearly all the churches are led by Brazilian men, many of
whom are in leadership training while leading their churches in
growth. These men are responsible for the teaching, preaching,
evangelism, and shepherding of their own churches. The
missionaries' job is to prepare these men each week for what they
must do in obedience to Christ, in their churches.
One of the most important aspects of missionary work is the
demonstration of the Christian life style. In the past few years
there have been young Brazilian couples demonstrating the
possibility of the happy family life to those around them. This is a
strengthening influence in the churches, and makes Christianity
attractive to unbelievers.
The Bayless family is happy to be engaged in this work, and
plans to continue as long as the Lord makes it possible. They
invite their friends and supporters associated with this work to
call, write, or visit. Telephone costs $1.65 for the first minute, and
airmail costs 40^. Plane tickets should be arranged with a travel
agent.
November, 1983