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!

• Update January 2012

  Filed under Business, Community, Ministry
  Jan 11

  2012 is here!

  Let’s all walk closer with Jesus than ever before, think more like Jesus than ever before, and allow His dreams to unfold in our lives throughout the year. We hope this will be our predominant roadsign:

  

  Please continue to hold Brazil in your prayers in 2012.

  As we write, the nation is experiencing the hardships of challenging climatic conditions: drought in the south and northeast, and torrential flooding in the southeast and mid regions.

  116 cities have declared a state of emergency due to flooding, while another 106 have declared a state of emergency due to lack of water. Govenment aid is slow to trickle in.

  Around 15,000 families have been forced to leave their homes.

  Dozens of residents of the states of Rio and Minas Gerais have been killed or are missing as a result of landslides. Our hearts go out to their families.

  In the dry regions, many farmers have lost 100% of their crops (corn, soy, watermelons, etc.) due to drought and flash hailstorms. Every night, we hear the tearful accounts on the news. Times are desperate.

  

  We constantly wish there were more we could do to help. So that’s where we try to keep our dreams in action. We are going ahead with the vision God gave us for business which directly profits the misfortuned. We still have a lot to work out logistically and financially, but things are definitely coming together. Special thanks to those of you who have partnered with us in Priminet.

  In difficult times, true consolation comes from being rooted and grounded in Christ.

  The church has grown significantly this year in the areas of worship and evangelism. There were several retreats and conferences in 2011, together with the leadership from the city of Macapá, which helped create a sense of unity and corporate vision. Church membership grew by about 300% in 2011, so we praise God for that.

  Blessings for the New Year,
  Railson, Heidi, Tim (11) & Sarah (8)