March 2023 Update

I have more exciting news regarding our involvement in the Sertao, Brazil. I have just returned from a follow-up visit since our LifeStraw/Gateway Outreach team distributed hundreds of filters a year ago. As I interviewed families, team members, and health officials for the school systems regarding the effectiveness of the filters, I heard the word “miracle” more than once when describing LifeStraw technology. This is encouraging, and only confirms that we are partnering with the perfect company for more permanent solutions to the water crisis in the Sertao. One of our families in Quixada, who was initially skeptical of the home filter, reported that prior to receiving the filter, her entire family experienced daily stomach issues & diarrhea. She indicated that they rarely experience these symptoms anymore. (You can see their photo in this update.) This is what we have dreamt to hear! The school health official in Palhano verified that the filters make a significant difference in the health of the students who use them on a regular basis.

Gateway Outreach will be branching out into the area of economic development in our Sertao communities over this coming year. We are exploring beekeeping as a very definite possibility. We’ve made contact with a university professor & a post grad student who specialize in this area. (Our hopes are to recruit the grad student to be part of our team in this effort, as he is a close personal friend of our Brazilian team members.) These experts have identified 6 different species of bees in Northeast Brazil (Sertao). They have informed us of unique vegetation that only grows in this region of the world, and when the bees pollinate it, they produce a light sweet honey with great nutritional value. With our experts’ continued research & assistance, we will select the best area to launch an operation and recruit a family who is ready to learn. We will let you know about the need for equipment donations when the time comes, but financial donations will help us get started with this project. Once we select a family to sponsor & train for this project, we want to send financial support until they get on their feet and are able to train other families. Isn’t this exciting?

A fringe benefit to this trip was meeting new people to become part of our team, but the greatest benefit to me personally was being able to look people in the eye and thank them for making all of this possible. Thank you all for doing your part! In 2019, I said, “I don’t know what the future holds for Gateway Outreach, but it’s sure to be exciting & rewarding!” I know this to be true, and we invite you to be part of our journey. Together we will change the world! (Matt. 10:42)

-Jeff