Thank you...Thank you...Thank you! You have been a blessing to us and we have coveted your prayers, love and support!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
a few more pics...
We'll be spending our last day in Sao Paulo today and flying out tonight towards New York City...so the posting will be coming to an end for now. We'll eventually post more pictures once we're home for those who are interested to see. And we'll share and show you more on August 10 at the missions luncheon.
Thank you...Thank you...Thank you! You have been a blessing to us and we have coveted your prayers, love and support!
Thank you...Thank you...Thank you! You have been a blessing to us and we have coveted your prayers, love and support!
More info from Camp Cali...
Beautiful describes Camp California. Acres of beautiful land covering the hills outside Sao Paulo. And the children love it...they have the chance to be children and to run and laugh and play. 7-year olds struggling with drugs have an excuse to escape and children facing horrible homes have an opportunity to retreat to a safe place.
And I should mention that our kids loved it too! Camp was exhausting, stretching and loco (crazy), but a blast. Our students did an incredible job running the programs, serving the Brazilians and loving the children.
One story that's stood out time and time again throughout our stay is the story of Tevez. Tevez is an 8 year old Brazilian living in the Tolstoy favela.
Tevez watched as his father was shot in his home and Tevez hid underneath the bed. Since then Tevez had dreamed of becoming a killer and killing the men who shot his father. But at Restoration Ministries Tevez found a love like no other. At a camp during their summer (our winter) Tevez was part of a futbol championship team. Earlier during the week Tevez told about his dream to be a killer. One particular day Tevez said he was happy and sad. When asked why, Tevez replied, "Happy because the man who killed my father is dead and sad because I was not the one who killed him." But God changed Tevez's life and by the end of the weekend Tevez said his dream had changed...he now wanted to be a futbol player when he grew up...not a killer.
The cycle of violence and hurt seems never-ending here. 3 year-olds play "drug dealer" rather than "house" and anger comes early in their lives. But God is breaking the cycle and through Restoration Ministries making new creations of the children here. Tevez is a shining example of hope and of God changing lives.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday
This is Nancy. I'm filling in as the "blogger". We are back from Camp California, and we had a wonderful time. Brad will post about it soon and add some pictures. It was such a wonderful experience for the kids, the staff, and for us! So...stay tuned.
Here is an update on today:
We had a break this morning. It was a much-needed one since we have been "on the go" since we got here. We enjoyed the rest and got to Restoration Ministries for lunch at noon. This afternoon we spent time with the Restoration staff during a staff meeting. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement. We've only been here a short time, but it's amazing how well we have already gotten to know these people. They are so committed to their ministry, and their lives are a challenge to each of us. God has brought such unity in the group and has used all of us to encourage each other. We are excited to continue to pray for this hard-working staff when we return to the States.
We are about to go out to eat with their staff at a Rodizio. Today our team has been practicing what we learned from the "Restaurant" section of our Portuguese book. It should be a very fun experience.
Tomorrow we will do a VBS in the morning and in the afternoon. Please pray for energy and connection with the kids. We are so excited to tell you about all that we have seen and learned. God is good!
Here is an update on today:
We had a break this morning. It was a much-needed one since we have been "on the go" since we got here. We enjoyed the rest and got to Restoration Ministries for lunch at noon. This afternoon we spent time with the Restoration staff during a staff meeting. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement. We've only been here a short time, but it's amazing how well we have already gotten to know these people. They are so committed to their ministry, and their lives are a challenge to each of us. God has brought such unity in the group and has used all of us to encourage each other. We are excited to continue to pray for this hard-working staff when we return to the States.
We are about to go out to eat with their staff at a Rodizio. Today our team has been practicing what we learned from the "Restaurant" section of our Portuguese book. It should be a very fun experience.
Tomorrow we will do a VBS in the morning and in the afternoon. Please pray for energy and connection with the kids. We are so excited to tell you about all that we have seen and learned. God is good!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Camp California
The post below was supposed to be posted last night, but the internet here is "spotty." Our apologies.
This morning we held our first "vbs" with children living in the Tolstoy favela. We sang about bananas and Abraham, played with water balloons and trashcans and taught them about Joshua and waves. Our message was that God is always...always with you.
We are welcomed and loved wherever we go...the Brazilians are so nice to each of us and their faces never stop smiling. Many of the children we see and work with come from extreme poverty and as rewards we give them candy...but what is always surprising is that once we give them candy they want to share and give their candy to us...
We are learning so much.
Today we leave for Camp California, a 2 hour drive outside the city. The children cannot wait and we are beginning to share their excitement. Unfortunately we will not have internet access while there, but promise to post again once we return, along with more pictures.
Obrigado (thanks) for all your prayers!
This morning we held our first "vbs" with children living in the Tolstoy favela. We sang about bananas and Abraham, played with water balloons and trashcans and taught them about Joshua and waves. Our message was that God is always...always with you.
We are welcomed and loved wherever we go...the Brazilians are so nice to each of us and their faces never stop smiling. Many of the children we see and work with come from extreme poverty and as rewards we give them candy...but what is always surprising is that once we give them candy they want to share and give their candy to us...
We are learning so much.
Today we leave for Camp California, a 2 hour drive outside the city. The children cannot wait and we are beginning to share their excitement. Unfortunately we will not have internet access while there, but promise to post again once we return, along with more pictures.
Obrigado (thanks) for all your prayers!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
favelas...
Late yesterday we experienced our first favela, Promorar, and today we spent the entire day visiting homes within Vila...another favela. Sao Paulo has hundreds of 'favelas' throughout the city. To better explain favelas...
And did I mention we learned capoeira (cap-o-eta)? It's a Brazilian martial arts form that mixes fighting and dance into one fluid motion...
...a favela is a community that people came to and placed their tents in hopes of any place to rest. The land is not purchased or sold, but claimed more or less. When the government chooses not run the families off, they begin to use wood and scraps to build a less temporary home and over time favelas transform into concrete houses. Poverty is a drastic shift from the wealthy backdrop of Sao Paulo.
Many of the people live with little hope...their stories are painful to hear. Today we listen as Paula cried, telling us that her family lost their home to fire and were sharing a home now with another family. She was fired from her job and her son is now falling deeper into drugs and refusing to go school...if he continues the government may threaten to come and take away all her children. She has no way of supporting her four children and cries her self to sleep...only one story of the many we heard today...
But there is hope. In their eyes and in their hearts many of them have hope in Jesus and hope that God is present. Though they have little, their hearts and their faith is tremendous. We had the opportunity to listen, to ask questions and to hug them, offering our prayers. But they offered us so much in return.
And did I mention we learned capoeira (cap-o-eta)? It's a Brazilian martial arts form that mixes fighting and dance into one fluid motion...
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Travel...
I personally brushed my teeth for the first time in 36 hours and washed my face...in other words, we have been far from beautiful as we traveled. But nonetheless we wanted to share pictures to let you know we are all safe as we said we were!
in Sao Paulo...
...after over 24 hours of travel...we are in Sao Paulo!
We've only just arrived and been blessed with breakfast by Restoration Ministries. Our heads are swirling from exhaustion and wonderment, but absolute excitement to be here!
The first child we met came to each of us and hugged us one by one...the people are unbelievablely kind and generous. We are beginning to wonder already how much of a blessing they will be to us as we try and be a blessing to them!
And for those curious...Brasilian airports are madness. Thankfully, God has blessed with safe travel and no major problems. Thank you for your prayers. We will download pictures of our travel as we are able to.
Prayer needs // Health - some of our team is experiencing slight illness from the travel. Adrenaline - we want to be able to express our excitement through the weariness we may be experiencing!
We've only just arrived and been blessed with breakfast by Restoration Ministries. Our heads are swirling from exhaustion and wonderment, but absolute excitement to be here!
The first child we met came to each of us and hugged us one by one...the people are unbelievablely kind and generous. We are beginning to wonder already how much of a blessing they will be to us as we try and be a blessing to them!
And for those curious...Brasilian airports are madness. Thankfully, God has blessed with safe travel and no major problems. Thank you for your prayers. We will download pictures of our travel as we are able to.
Prayer needs // Health - some of our team is experiencing slight illness from the travel. Adrenaline - we want to be able to express our excitement through the weariness we may be experiencing!
Monday, June 23, 2008
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