RODRIGUES NEWSLETTER

Novo Demini
April 20th, 2008
Dear Friends,
Greetings from the Rodrigues family! It's hard to believe it has been so long since we last wrote you. Time sure does fly!
We flew into the tribe on the 24th of January and have been here ever since. Praise the Lord, other than a few colds and viruses that have been going around and a urinary infection that Nathan had we have been healthy.
February was a sad month! Cantuário, a Yanomami brother in Christ, was sent back from town. He was out for medical treatment as he had been diagnosed with cancer. They sent him home to die! The cancer, which started as a sore on his foot had already spread to several other parts of his body and he
didn't have much time left. He still lived for several more weeks and just slowly lost his strength and passed away. His house was just out back of ours, so we were very aware of all that was going on. Even though it was sad, it was also very comforting to know that he was saved and gave a beautiful testimony to those around him. He was sure of his future home!
I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but we are no longer responsible for the clinic here. Last year we handed it over to the government organization that is responsible for the Brazilian Indians health.  For over 40 years the missionaries who worked among the Yanomami took care of their health. After all of these years, we decided it would be wiser to hand it over. It has taken a lot of pressure off of us.
A few days ago another man was sent out with a tumor in his stomach which recently has been getting bigger and bigger. Several years ago he had it checked and supposedly it wasn't cancerous. Unfortunately this time he wasn't so fortunate and they also sent him back as he has cancer in its terminal stage. This man has heard the gospel, but we aren't sure if he is saved. Please pray for him! His name is Celso.
Both Nathan and Ryan have been growing up fast. Nathan will be three in June and Ryan is 5 months old. Ryan still hasn't learned to sit, but is already turning over and starting to get up on his hands and knees. It probably won't be too long now before he learns to sit and then crawl. Nathan is all energy
and sometimes you have to make him stop to catch his breath between the "Why" questions.
In June João plans on making another trip down river taking advantage of the rainy season. He plans on buying gasoline and filling our gas bottles so we don't have to bring them in on the plane. It cuts way down on the cost of transportation. He will be gone for around two weeks. The boys and I will
stay here while he is gone. Please pray for safety both for him and us as we are away from each other.
Thanks once again for your prayers and support of our ministry!
Because of Jesus,

João, Hope, Nathan & Ryan