A Unversity of São Paulo study has counted almost 3,000 species of fish in the country. Previous estimates hovered around 1,300. By comparison, the United States contains 790 species, and 700-800 are believe to be in China's waters. The differing terrains in Brazil, larger than the 48 continental states of the U.S., offer a rich diversity for the fish.

by Tim Brumfield

[Note: Tim sent this today; I assume the student was at the main Sunset school in Lubbock, Tex.]

Yesterday evening (Wednesday 3/12/03) Vladic Romizov, one of our Russian students from our Branch School in Barnaul, Russia, suffered a sever stroke during prayer meeting. The Ambulance Paramedics were able to restart his heart and he was taken to UMC Hospital (because he has no insurance, Covenant Hospital would not take him). He is still on a ventilator and is only trying to breath on his own from time to time. Around 11:00PM his blood pressure began to rise. He was then taken to Covenant Hospital where they have equipment to help deal with the apparent aneurism. After Svetlana signed papers to permit risky treatment, the doctors were able to insert a tub, releasing the pressure from the brain, thereby reducing risk of further brain damage. He was highly sensitive to the blood pressure medication; therefore his blood pressure fluctuated to extremes.

Now that they have been able to stabilize the blood pressure, Dr Howard Smith hopes to do an angiogram, injecting dye into the blood to detect the location and reparability of the ruptured blood vessel (possibly without surgery).

The doctor said last night that Vladic has about 50% chance of survival but that if he does survive, things do not look good for recovery. He added that chances of full recovery are very slim. He also said that the next couple of days will be critical.

Our dear sister Svetlana is suffering considerable but at least was able to call and tell their children last night.

Please pray to our all-powerful Father in heaven to take care of our dear brother and his sweet wife.