Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.(I Thess. 5:11)

Dear friends and family,

We often joke that when we need advice or encouragement, it would be great if God could just send an e-mail or give us a call.But God doesn't work that way – actually, His methods are much more effective!We just finished teaching six weeks of intensive courses with our new missionaries in training.Sometimes in the face of physical and mental exhaustion, it's tempting to wonder, "What did we accomplish?Lord, could they see You in our ministry?"

God sent an amazing personal response during the closing celebration for the intensive "Conversational English for Mission" course.Maria José, one of our students, stood up and read the following message from the group to us – in English!

10 March, 2006

Good evening beloved!Grace and peace!We're very happy!

We know the disciples of Christ through their testimony.

You (Bruce and Ann) truly treated us like Jesus treated his friends, taking care [of] us, strengthening us when we were weak.

You appreciated our abilities and helped us to grow.

May God bless you in the heavenly realms, with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

All of the CETRAMI students – 2006. [Dorotéia, Billy, Elisângela, Sandra, Maria José, Luiz, Glaucimar, Clair]

We praise God for these dedicated young women and men who are responding to God's call to missionary service.Once they complete the 7-month cross-cultural missionary training program and a 2-month internship, they will serve in Turkey, Spain, Morocco, Senegal, and with indigenous communities in northern Brazil.They are part of a growing fellowship of transcultural missionaries from the "younger churches" of Asia, Africa, and Latin America who are sharing the good news of Jesus Christ around the world.Often, they can serve in countries that are closed to Americans and Europeans.

·Please pray for stamina as our students continue with intensive courses in "Theology of Mission" and "Christian Community Development" in the next few weeks.Also pray for health and safety for missionaries returning to their country of service after spending a short time in Brazil. Herbert will return to Guinea Bissau and Pastor Diambe and Suzy are preparing to leave for South Africa.

Thank you for partnering with us in this ministry!

No amor de Cristo (in the love of Christ),

P.S. Elena just returned from her ministry in the Amazon.PTL! More on that soon.