Partnerships

This past week we were blessed to have a visit from our Brazilian friends. Pastor Eli and his wife Sylvana joined Charles Stafford, the director of Amazon Vision Ministries (AVM), on a tour of Itec. You may remember these friends from photos and stories of our trip to Brazil in October. Pastor Eli and Sylvana live in Manaus, Brazil, and work with AVM, traveling the Amazon Region working with local pastors. It was a joy to see them again and to have the opportunity to show them around Itec. Pastor Eli was especially impressed with the Maverick. I think he has visions of himself navigating the Amazon in the flying car.

Pastor Eli and Sylvana seized the opportunity to be trained in the I-See program.  In a short time, Sylvana was fitting Charles Stafford with Itec glasses.  Along with Rosie, a young woman we trained while visiting Brazil, AVM is well equipped to use the program.  The goal is for Pastor Eli and Sylvana to train other national believers in the program when they return to Brazil in late December.

AVM is in the process of incorporating Itec's training programs into their ministry. The ministry uses a boat to travel to river communities within Brazil. The plan is to outfit a boat as a training center.  Charles and Pastor Eli see the need for pastors in the region to be equipped with skills that will help them care for the needs of their people and that will help their ministries to be sustainable. Itec's optometry, dental, medical, and mechanical programs will complement the Bible training these pastors are receiving from AVM.

Itec is looking at partnering with AVM in this venture.  Please pray for both Itec and AVM as they move forward in this partnership.  Wisdom is needed as this partnership is formed.  Please also pray for us as we look at our possible role in this.