Ruth and Saulo de Barros

Brazil is a country of extremes , famous for football, carnivals and coffee and larger than Europe, Brazil is a nation rich in natural resources , yet many of its people are living in dire poverty, with nearly a third of the population living below the breadline.

The Church in Brazil continues to take seriously Christ's concern for the poor and the marginalised.  However , the Church in Brazil is currently struggling with its dependence on overseas funding and the lack of people (lay & ordained) to continue the vital work. The people currently working in the communities for the Church are covering the vast areas alone.

We at St Barnabas Church Linslade, through our outreach group , as our international project with the USPG, the major mission agency, are currently supporting a project in South America , led by Ruth and Saulo de Barros.

Together Ruth and Saulo with their four-year-old son Thomas, love and serve their community , offering a holistic approach to caring for people , so as to help people to thrive physically and to grow spiritually.

In Brazil, missionary Ruth de Barros’s ministry is to encourage people's development in a practical way.  She has helped the women in her community to develop embroidery skills , so that they can earn money for their families and to gain some independence.  She also set up a community group , who identify the needs of the community and the results have been a community bakery, a secondhand shop and an after-schools group for children from the poorest families.

Saulo, Ruth's Brazilian husband, is an ordained minister , who provides theological training, nurturing and pastoral care.  He has spent time setting up ‘youth encounter’, a festival that brings together young people from across the region to explore and share their faith through fellowship.  Saulo also leads the Sunday school for adults, professional courses and education programmes.

Over the year Outreach and St Barnabas , raise funds in various ways for Ruth and Saulo’s project.

Originally from Essex, Ruth, Saulo and young Thomas , are visiting England , and have offered to visit St Barnabas Church, take part in the service and talk about their project near the Amazon.

The Outreach group and St Barnabas Church would like to invite those in the community of Leighton Linslade to join us in finding out more about the missionary work and projects Ruth and Saulo de Barros are currently involved in Brazil.

We need to remember , as in the words of their prayer , god of all people, we are members of your worldwide family.  As we work together, give us wisdom to learn from each other, Grace to support each other, and faith to trust in you.  Amen