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Urian & Jule Rios

Recife, Brazil

Serving the Lord

• Literature Translation & Publication
• Bible Institute Professor
• Workshops for Pastors & Leaders
• Church Planting & Development
• Music and Children Ministries (Jule)

Report - Spring 2008

In Romans 1:13 the apostle Paul makes an interesting comment: Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

There are two main ideas in this verse: (1) Paul´s earnest desire to go to Rome; (2) The unknown circumstances that so far had prevented him to do so. In others words, we find Paul´s desires, expectations and plans been frustrated by circumstances.

Who has never felt like that? How many times have we prayerfully plan to do something, even something that would certainly be a blessing for others, just to be prevented by circumstances beyond our control?
It is true that sometimes we can immediately see God working in the situation showing clearly that He had planned something better for us. Acts 16:6-10 is a good example of this. However, many, many times we are just left wondering why our worthwhile plans were frustrated.

I am sure you have been praying regarding Jule’s corneal transplant. First, was the issue of money that with the generous gifts from churches and friends was taken care. Then, it became a question of timing. We waited for the best opportunity and everything was pointing to last September. Then, due to changes in the cornea bank in the city where she is going to have the transplant, it was postponed to March or April of this year. Well, March is here and we have not heard from the cornea bank. Maybe, April will be the right month. We are not sure.

What makes this waiting a little more frustrating is that all our “plans” are on hold. If she cannot have the transplant done in the next few weeks, our long due furlough will have to be postponed once more, from this fall to next year.

Not only our personal and ministry plans are affected but also the plans of other missionaries in the field because a missionary furlough involves adjustments from all other missionaries.
Therefore, we continue to ask your prayers in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Lord has opened a tremendous opportunity of ministry while we “wait”.
In our last prayer letter I mentioned that I was coordinating the internship of two young men who I had thought our Advanced Studies in Dispensational Theology program. I am pleased to inform, that last December they graduated and received a certificate. Ewerton, has returned to the South of Brazil where he plans to further his education and get involved in the ministry there. Roberto, remained in Recife and is helping missionary Doug Le Feber at the Ibura church. It was a great blessing to complete the theological education of these two men and we will pray that they will be greatly used by the Lord in whatever ministries they become involved.

However, immediately after this, we met to discuss what to do with other potential students we have in our churches. We have a few young people who have shown desire to study the Bible more deeply. We also have some older leaders who need more biblical and theological training. Some of these started our Advanced Studies in Dispensational Theology program but could not finish because of the demands of their work and/or ministries.

After a good and profitable discussion taking in consideration all factors involved, including an evaluation of what has been tried in the past, we concluded that the most effective way to provide training for all who need here in Brazil is by extension.

Since that meeting I have been working long hours putting together a program of theological education by extension. After visiting countless sites of Bible schools, colleges or churches that offer this kind of program, gathering hundreds of pages of teaching materials I was able to draft a comprehensive program of theological education by extension.

We will offer three programs:
o Introductory Studies in Dispensational Theology - designed for young people interested in ministry or who want to gain a better understanding of the Bible in preparation for college
o Applied Studies in Dispensational Theology - this is our ministry program, designed for those who are interested in ministry and have completed the Introductory Studies in Dispensational Theology
o Advanced Studies in Dispensational Theology – this program is specially designed for people who have had a theological education in other institutions and are considering a ministry in one of our grace churches.
Our plan is that the students will be able to choose how to take classes: online, on CD or receiving the printed material by mail.

We can start right away sending the first class on CD or in printing to those interested. To be able to provide it online we would need to raise approximately $500 to set it up and $100 monthly to maintain it. The greatest advantage of having a website is that we would be able to reach out to many, many people all over the Portuguese speaking world. We also have people who attended grace churches spread all over the country.
We are also praying that the Lord will raise the funds for us to buy a notebook computer. Right now Jule and I cannot work at the same time because we just have one computer. If we had a notebook she could work on literature while I would work on the extension program, the problem is that a basic notebook here costs no less than $1000.

The best part of all of this is that no matter what happens in the next months, I will be involved in a meaningful and needed ministry, a ministry in which I can use in full all that the Lord has given me in terms of training, resources and experience.

Would you consider been a part in this ministry? You can certainly do this by your prayers and also trough your giving.

Please, continue to pray for the financial difficulties all missionaries in Brazil are going through. The exchange rate now is the lowest since 1999. And all the economists are predicting that will continue to go down. We can honestly say that our trouble has nothing do with our donors. We have been amazed by your faithfulness and we do thank all of you for your generous giving.

We also ask your prayers for Gabrielle. She is 14 now and started High School this year. She is having a tough time adjusting to her new life. Her best friend moved to another school and she really misses her. Also, our uncertainties regarding Jule’s transplant, furlough, etc., also affect her sometimes. Please pray that the Lord will continue to give her peace and comfort. She has been such a blessing for us and also in the lives of her classmates. Her personal walk with the Lord has been an encouragement to us.

In Christ’s precious love,

Urian, Jule & Gabi

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©2008 Things to Come Mission, Inc.