February 2007

Missionary
Report
from
Brazil

Dear Brothers and Sisters
in all the world, We are living in the last
scenes of this earth's history. Cur-
rent events show us the nearness
of Jesus' return and the command
given each one of us is: "Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: Teaching them
to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you: and, lo,
I am with you always, even unto
the end of the world." Matthew
28:19, 20. "Arise, shine; for thy
light is come, and the glory of the
Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah
60:1.The Federal Republic of
Brazil is the largest and most
populous nation in Latin Amer-
ica and the fifth largest in the
world in both area and popu-
lation. It spans a vast area of
3,286,742 square miles in the
central and northeastern part of
South America. It borders every
other South American country
other than Ecuador and Chile
(viz. Uruguay, Argentina, Para-
No. 2
guay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia,
Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname
and the French department of
French Guiana). In addition to its
continental territory, Brazil also
claims several small island groups
in the Atlantic Ocean: Saint Peter
and Saint Paul Archipelago, Fer-
nando de Noronha, and Trindade
and Martim Vaz. It also owns a
group of small coral islands called
Rocas Atoll. Brazil is a federa-
tion consisting of twenty-six states
(estados) and one federal district
(distrito federal), making a total of
27 federate units." Its population
at present numbers 187, 268, 800
inhabitants.
In our country the presence
of religion is significant. It is suf-
ficient to observe the small number
of Brazilians who are atheists--
less than 10% of the population
that numbers almost 190,000,000.
Until now Catholicism is predomi-
nant, while, according to the latest
statistics, the evangelicals and the
charismatics (including charis-
matic Catholics) make up 49%.
We, as the International Mis-
sionary Society of the Seventh-day
Adventists Reform Movement, are
represented in 11 of the 27 Bra-
zilian states with 300 members
but have church buildings in only
seven states.
 This enormous territory and
immense population present us
with a great challenge, feeling on
one hand a sacred obligation, and,
on the other, having a fervent
desire to evangelize this land.
In 1927, Pastor Carlos Kozel
began the work in Brazil, in the
city of Apucarana, state of Parana.
After a while, his first health books
were translated into Portuguese
and so, through colporteur work,
the message could be spread. This
was one of the most successful
means of working. There were
times when the colporteur work in
Brazil supported the missionary
work of pastors and Bible work-
ers. Now we are passing through
a great crisis and the colporteur
work has declined. One of the rea-
sons for this decline is the fact that
our publications do not meet to the
needs of the people.
We are certain that through
colporteur work the preaching of
the Gospel will have a great impe-
tus. The Servant of the Lord con-
firms this: "This is a work that
should be done. The end is near.
Already much time has been lost,
when these books should have
been in circulation. Sell them far
and near. Scatter them like the
leaves of autumn. This work is to
continue without the forbiddings
of anyone. Souls are perishing out
of Christ. Let them be warned of
His soon appearing in the clouds of
heaven.
­Review and Herald, Aug.
13, 1908." ­Colporteur Ministry, p.
25. For this reason, we are in con-
tact with the Publishing Depart-
ment of the General Conference,
to which we are grateful for their
concern and support in this very
important branch of the work of
God. With the purpose of reviving
this department, and in coopera-
tion with the Publishing Depart-
ment of the General Conference,
we wish to translate into Portu-
guese and publish two important
books: Healthy Life and Healthful
Nutrition.
From the neighboring coun-
tries we have received requests
for youth colporteur work, and
therefore we have a good prospect
of success, because in this country
of continental proportions we have
plenty of fields for those who wish
to labor. Sadly, we find ourselves
without resources to carry out
this project and so we turn to our
dear brothers and sisters in all the
world to ask for your cooperation.
Come and help us, extend us your
hand across the ocean and be an
active colleague and sower in this
Cause, remembering always: "...
he which soweth bountifully shall
reap also bountifully." 2 Corinthi-
ans 9:6.
We gratefully look forward
to your cooperation and may our
loving God recompense doubly your
generous effort.
 ­Br. Adalicio F. de Souza
Brazilian Field
Produced and Published by
The International Missionary Society
of the Seventh Day Adventists Church
Reform Movement
General Conference
12631 East Imperial Highway B 202
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
USA
Phone (1) 562 863 7188
Fax (1) 562 863 7559
E-mail:imssdarmgc@yahoo.com
www.imssdarm.org