Prayer Letters

March 2026

Hello all, Greetings from Brazil, the land of Snow Ice! (As in “There’s snow ice on our roads here!”) 

It was a proud day when I saw my boys running around the field with only one shoe. 

When we moved to Sobradinho to start working at the island camp the boys were reaching the age to start learning soccer – or football as most of the world calls it. I figured they wouldn’t have much opportunity on our street so when I found out there was a kind of “little league” nearby we signed up. I figured it would also be a chance to meet people. Unfortunately, it was kind of hit-or-miss and when it moved to Sunday that was that. 

I still wanted the boys to learn so I did as the old saying goes, “those that can, do and those that can’t, teach – or start soccer clubs.” For most of the time from then until now the church has had some kind of Saturday soccer. Not much training, but we played and in the middle there was a break with a snack and a devo. 

Many boys couldn’t afford cleats or even sneakers so what they would often do is, if you had a PAIR of shoes you would share by loaning one shoe to a friend who didn’t. Of course, the owner had dibs and usually kept the right, kicking foot. It was a proud day when I saw my boys running around the field with only one shoe. 

I still don’t understand much about the game except you’re supposed to put the little round thing in the big square thing without using your hands (which is why most countries call it FOOT ball – but that’s another story). Often when we had young men helping us in a community, we’d throw out a ball and the boys would come running. Here in the interior they’ll still put down their cellphones for a ball. It’s a good way to get a group. 

While we were on furlough our substitute, Pedro, joined some of his small groups into a “school”. As he faded out Carlos took over with big plans. I visited sometimes to make a connection with the boys, but we had other activities in that time slot. When Carlos stepped away we shuffled things around to substitute expecting it to be temporary. When he announced his official departure, at least for a year, I was unsure what to do. 

We tried to keep everything alive – at least on life support – until the dust settled and we knew who would be here working with us. The dust settles quickly when you bite it. Now that it’s just us we need to make changes. Soccer occupies an entire morning and our time is limited. On the other hand, it has given me contact with a group that otherwise I couldn’t reach and that access has convinced me to continue for now. 

Please continue praying for Carlos. In addition to his wife’s problems, his mother has cancer and now his sister is sick as well. It’s a lot for a young man to bear. 

We are finishing up our baptism / new members lessons. Some we hoped would be part of that initial core group have proven themselves inconsistent and one has marital status issues. It will be a small group but those we have are eager to start. 

Our last student has finished the institute and is back in town. She is a single woman and we are unsure how to best use her. Things are further complicated by immaturity from protective parents, health issues, and a father who has forbidden her from moving to Lage in spite of being 24.  She is very helpful when she comes with us and has a desire to serve and even live interior. 

One more thing, since I’ve already run over onto the back side of the paper. For the second year, rain has been sparse. There is some green from scattered showers but the river has not flowed and springs are dry. In some communities the well water is too hard to drink. They depend on rain water for drinking and some have run out of rain water and are struggling. 

THIS JUST IN!!! It rained. And well. It’s very late in the season so I don’t know if there is time to plant, but at least the ground and cisterns are replenished. 

THIS JUST IN!! Carlos’s mother finally got back her results and the tumors are NOT malignant. She does still need immediate surgery to clear her throat. 

This letter is a bit longer than some like. It’s also later than it should be, but it took a long time to write. It has been a difficult letter to write and I kind of got stuck in the middle. 2025 was one of the harder years of ministry for us. Our sense of betrayal about last year and how things ended may be exaggerated, but it is no less real. 

When my boys were growing up I always said I didn’t care where they ended up as long as they were serving God. They are, and we are excited about what God’s doing in their lives, but I think I may have lied a bit. Apparently, I secretly hoped at least one would end up here with us. I guess it’s a father thing. The same may be true of our students. We are pleased – and praise the Lord – that they are all either in or headed toward ministry. Just wish someone was here with us. 

One of the bummers about preaching is sometimes you step on your own toes. We just started the book of James and verse 2 hit a bit close. I guess it’s time to practice what I preach and “Count it all joy!” 

With that, I’d better go 

Byron and Michele Atha  

Still “counting” in Brazil

March 21, 2026