News

1st Quarter 2011

Our field partner and director of Elohim ministry, Brother Joao, reported about the impact from your prayers and gifts:
My brother, this is a THANK YOU note to you for your prayers and gifts. Your help kept the Elohim ministry functioning in 2010. Your support came in a perfect time. We know that your gift came from a willing heart.   Instead of thanking you for this good help, let us thank God, who is the sustainer of all things for your life, your family, your job, your caring, and generosity came from God's heart.

  With your generous donation we could make children and families a little happier. My brother, this message is not to "toot my own horn." Your blessings are accumulated in heaven where moth and rust can never destroy. This is only a recognition on our part before God for your generosity.
We helped several children with food, transportation, emergency needs, health issues, computer instruction, school supplies and toys. “Give and it shall be given unto you.”

May God bless you and make you prosper

Joao Feitosa,

partner in missions

A Student's Perspective                                                                                                      During my time in Mobile, I met amazing people. Through the help of Pastor Aias, his wife Gecina, and his entire team we students participated in many activities. I cannot forget the football game--Senior Bowl. It seemed like an American film. It was amazing. We even had hot dogs free at the stand of Mobile Infirmary Hospital. This day is marked! It was not just a game, it was a spectacle.

     I personally was happy to help out at the day care of First Baptist Church of Mobile where I spent magical hours, both with Miss Laurice and the children. I went to three churches and I liked the worship. The big thing for me and my students from other countries was to participate in a very special meeting at a church gym. We had been playing volleyball and basketball. It was really a feast with very nice people. I mean a banquet with very good food. We still had an opportunity to hear a gospel message preached by Mike in a very relaxed manner. I also liked the New Testament bilingual.

     I appreciate the care, affection, and all the time. You guys were a blessing in my life. Matthew, my gratitude for taking us shopping. Gecina took my mother's place by taking care of me when I was sick. Thank you to all!

Flaavia (pictured in the back) at

First Baptist Church of Mobile Daycare.

3rd Quarter 2009

Building God's Kingdom


God is at work in the mission field. By the time you recieve the newsletter, two teams will be in Brazil assisting our Brothers & Sisters there in planting churches. One team will be at Vitorino Freire (pictured above), August 23 through September 6. This church already has an attendance of 120 people.
The cost of planting one of these churches is $11,000. At the time of this quarter's newsletter, we are short of our goal for the church in Vitorino Freire by $4,000.


Our other Mission team will be in Teresina, August 14 through August 25. The picture above is the model church that the teams assist with.


	The 2nd Annual Fish Fry sponsored by Union Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL will be coming up Saturday, September 19th! Mark your calendars and make plans to attend.

2nd Quarter 2009

From the Mission Field

Since my first mission trip to Brazil in 2003, I continue to be amazed at the ministry opportunities in that country. There are so many needs in which the volunteer missionaries have an opportunity to meet. Some of these are church construction, home Bible studies, ministry to children, English instruction, visiting schools, and speaking in churches. One of the misconceptions about these mission trips is that it is only a "Construction Building Trip". We do that with joy and hard work , but the thing I have learned over these several trips is that these are clearly ministry opportunities. Since

God has gifted each team member differently, He has equippe each member to accomplish the ministry He desires. Last year, we travelled to Lago Dos Rodrigues to build a church & ministry. There I met a young man, about 15 years old, who had been abandoned by his parents and was being raised by his Grandmother. He had a better than average grasp of the English language and became my self appointed translator. We spent almost every waking moment together; construction site, church services, we even went to a soccer game one night. The last night that I was there, I realized that God had sent me to him. As I prepared to leave, he came up to me and said "I will never forget you". As another mission trip to Brazil is being prepared for, August 14-23, there are needs for volunteers with the willingness and ability to share with warm and friendly Brazilians. I am praying about the possibility of joining te team this year. I certainly hope that you will too.

~ Mike Dravis

Street Smart

IMHOPE has been helping provide breakfast once a week for street kids in Brasilia, Brazil. We take them to church for bible study, and now we are offering then ABC computer classes. A special thank you to Don & Pat Vester, two of our major supports for this project. Our partner in Brazil is Pastor Joao Feitosa.

1st Quarter 2009

Experiences in Brazil Change Lives

Little did I know as I boarded a jet for an overnight flight to Brazil, that my precious Lord would change my heart and increase my love for Him. And, once the plane safely landed, an overwhelmingly joyful group of Brazilian people welcomed our group of missionaries from the US to their homeland. Language barriers and cultural differences vanished because God’s love truly crosses all cultures and invisible boundaries. Sharing my testimony, working with the children and loving the people came as natural as getting up each morning. The days on the mission field seemed so short and the nights even shorter as we were made keenly aware of the great need and opportunities to present the gospel to these loving people. By communicating with our hearts, we could actually feel the Brazilians’ acceptance to our presence. Their joy in hearing the gospel and asking Jesus into their hearts became celebrations of praise and glory for the

members of the mission team. I will always cherish the bonding and friendships made on our mission trip to Brazil.

If you have a longing to serve the Lord and a desire for a deeper walk with Him, please prayerfully consider serving as a short-term missionary and supporting IMHOPE with your love offerings and prayers.

~ Luci Sheffield

Weakened Dollar Affects Costs

IMHOPE has always tried hard to keep trip costs as low as possible for volunteers. Airline tickets, visa insurance, hotels, and other expenses have increased a great deal. Because of this, trip costs for 2009 will be $1,900. The same weakened dollar has increased the cost of building materials. The cost of a church building for 2009 is now $11,000.

As of today we have $7,000 in hand for this church. We need $4,000 by April 15. I hope you will step up to the challenge of giving. If you are able to give, let me urge you to respond as generously as you can. Thank you.