Railson & Heidi Gil

Christian missionaries in Pará, northern Brazil.

Railson, native to Pará, is called to developing projects which exemplify the Kingdom in practical ways, specifically through communications development and digital integration (that is, making computer technology available to disadvantaged classes). Heidi is a pediatric nutritionist and English teacher from Oregon, USA. She enjoys putting the Gospel into practice as she counsels nutritionally needy families. Our gifts bring us into contact with people of all levels, which often leads to house visits and impromptu gatherings around the Bible. We love it when God surprises our unsuspecting visitors with the tangible sense of His presence! Here you will find our current and past newsletters as well as photos of our family and region. Have fun exploring our site!

• Laranjal Under Water

  Filed under Community
  Apr 11

  After about a week of panic among affected families and shop oweners, the waters are finally receeding. But the rainy season won’t be over for another month or two yet. The Laranjal do Jari is the city in the State of Amapá which lies directly across the river from us, and is home to some 45,000 residents. Lest anyone should worry, although we are geographically very near the flood, we are in no danger, since we live on the high, rocky side of the river. We, along with other residents of Monte Dourado, have been involved in clothing and food drives for the victims of the flood all week, and especially thank those of you whose donations “happened” to come at just the right time. Flooding is not uncommon in the Laranjal; houses are built on stilts in areas subject to seasonal flooding. But the amount of precipitation this year has exceeded even that of 2000, which also produced a sizeable flood, and hasn’t stopped yet. Many homes in areas considered well out of flood zones have been affected this year. On the bright side, we are grateful for contact with residents of the Laranjal which the occasion has afforded us, and always look for doors of opportunity to share the Gospel.