Now that Jair has accepted Christ as his Savior, he wants to use his talents to help others. His bicycle workshop has been transformed into an urban center of influence.
Ferdinand and Ana Stahl [stall] planted a seed in South America that would sprout under the ministry of other missionaries for years to come. In 1909, the Stahls left the United States. They served for many years in both Bolivia and Peru among the indigenous people, establishing schools and churches.
They mentored other missionaries like the Fords, a newly married couple in their early 20s, who set sail for what would be a lifetime of mission work throughout Central and South America.
Meanwhile in Brazil, Leo and Jessie Halliwell were serving the people along the Amazon River. They spent years in one of the most difficult terrains to reach people. The Halliwells established the mission boats called Luzeiro, meaning ‘Light Bearer’, which take church services and medical care to villages along the river.
Throughout their 30 years of work, it’s estimated that 250 thousand people were served. To this day, the Halliwells’ legacy lives on through the operation of Luzeiro boats bringing hope and healing to people.
The South American region is home to more than two and a half million Seventh-day Adventists. Many of these church members minister to their communities in creative ways.
When Jair [jai-eer] was growing up in Brazil, people thought of him as untrustworthy and someone who caused problems. Later in his life, he learned about the Adventist message and decided to give his heart to Jesus. Upon accepting Christ into his life, Jair wanted to use his talents to help others.
He remembered what people thought of him, and came up with an innovative way to offer a better experience to kids in his community.
Jair has a bicycle workshop that he has transformed into an urban center of influence. He called the children from the local Adventist church and encouraged them to invite neighborhood friends to ride their bikes. More than 30 children participated! Jair fixed up old bicycles and gave th
em to the children who didn't have one. They called the activity Friends of the Bike.
They started doing this every Sunday, and it became routine to have Bible studies after the bike ride. As a result, two children have been baptized and another three are ready to give their hearts to Jesus.
Today, the community trusts Jair and knows he has changed. The same people who criticized him in his youth are now sending their children and grandchildren to his bike shop to be part of the program.
Jair is just one example of how church members in the South American region are taking Total Member Involvement to heart and enthusiastically spreading a message of hope to the people around them.
Please pray for this part of the world and the exciting ways God is working there. Thank you for supporting mission!
