Brazil: Piauí
About Piauí
We are Iris Piauí located in the sertão (outback) in the town of Acauã in Piauí State since 2014. Acauã is a small town of nearly 2,000 people in the urban area with another 7,000 in the surrounding 40 rural villages. Our two main areas of ministry are church planting & discipleship and community development. Since we started ministering here, we have planted 9 churches where we hold weekly services and discipleship classes. Our community development projects were started to combat the endemic poverty and accompanying hopelessness so many suffer from. All of these projects include discipleship and introduce Jesus as the ultimate source of hope and joy.
Sertão Seminary
In 2016 we started the first Seminary class in Acauã to train local believers to be pastors and missionaries. We offer two sesions, one in the town center and the other in a distant village. Our greatest need now is for equipment so we can accommodate more students.
Soup Kitchen
We assist locals who cannot meet daily needs with food. This includes preparing a meal for approximately 40-45 people per day, Family Food Assistance, The Elderly, Teenage moms and their babies.
Soccer School
Soccer is the national sport in Brazil and we find it to be an easy way to build relationship with kids in our community and introduce them to Jesus. In our soccer school we work with more than 200 boys from three villages ranging in age from 5 to 17. Needless to say, they are hard on equipment and we are always replacing balls, nets, and proper shoes.
Guitar Shop
We produce acoustic guitars completely made of wood. We have trained nine locals to manufacture guitars under our own label: Acauã Musical Instruments. While this project is thriving, it is our dream to purchase a wood joiner to improve the quality of our finishing and increase production speed.
Connect with Piauí
For those interested in a short-term visit, long-term missionary opportunities, or other general questions, please email piaui@irisglobal.org
Facebook: facebook.com/irispiaui
Instagram: instagram.com/irispiaui
