aspen grove // brazil

a few more pics...

2008-07-02T04:12:00.000-07:00

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!

More info from Camp Cali...

2008-07-02T03:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Pictures from Camp California...

2008-07-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

Monday

2008-06-30T13:44:00.001-07:00

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!

Pictures from Friday

2008-06-30T07:17:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the Tolstoy favela...

Camp California

2008-06-27T09:13:00.001-07:00

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!

favelas...

2008-06-26T17:12:00.001-07:00

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...

...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...

Travel...

2008-06-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-06-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

...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!

14 hours away...

2008-06-23T11:28:00.001-07:00

from leaving for Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Current prayer needs // safe travel

Brasilian Dinner...

2008-06-23T11:01:00.001-07:00

Special thanks to Thais for serving us a Brazilian feast

Sao Paulo...

2008-06-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

A little bit about where we're going...

Sao Paulo is located in southeast Brazil, and the most populous city in South America and south of the hemisphere. Sao Paulo is also the 4th largest metropolitan area in the world with an urban population of nearly 18 million.

Sao Paulo is ethnically diverse, boasts itself as a concrete city and is renowned for its cuisine. While Rio de Janeiro is known for its stunning natural backgrounds, Sao Paulo is known for its flamboyant culture and style and its people.

The language of Sao Paulo and of Brazil is Portuguese...Brazil is the only country in South or Central America not to speak Spanish.

prayer needs...

2008-06-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

This time next week we'll be traveling to Sao Paulo, Brazil...wow!

During our most recent team meeting we shared prayer requests concerning the trip and I'm now posting our requests for you to pray for:

Not knowing what to expect/need for peace
Fear of not being prepared
Courage for the unexpected
Emotional stress of everything else going on in life
Difficulty of communication
Safety
Preaching/teaching/leading in various ways
Health leading up to and while in Brazil
Being organized
Fear of being overwhelmed by poverty and conditions
Ability to relate to Brazilians
Willingness to step outside comfort zone
Details - being prepared and not forgetting details
Peace and calm when things go wrong

We also invite you to join us as we pray for God to do great things in and through us! Thank you for your support...we could not do this without the support of family, friends and church!

supply needs...

2008-06-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

We're less than two weeks away from leaving for Sao Paulo! But we still have a few needs.

Below is a list of supplies we are taking with us to Brazil. Maybe you have one of the items below laying in your garage or closet? Donations will be accepted at our office location (8122 Southpark Lane. Ste 102, Littleton, CO 80120) or at church on Sunday morning, June 15 or 22...

iron (2)
air pump
guitar
water balloon launcher
hot glue gun
iron-on 'western' patches (100)
whistles (5-10)
squirt bottles (3-4)
white bed sheet
water balloons
large button up shirts
candy
old ties
hand percussion
crayons
old shoes
footballs (deflated)
pixie sticks
kid scissors
nuts & bolts
screws & washers
markers
post-it notes
glue
small paint brushes
soccer balls (deflated)
balls (variety)
small prizes
craft paint
nerf footballs
koosh balls
'dot' stickers

Thanks!

our team...

2008-06-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

from left to right, front to back...

Nancy, Sarah, Rachel, Natalie, Lindsi, Jon, Allison, Brad, Meaghan, Steve, Steven, Christine, Kelly

less than a month away...

2008-06-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those who participated in the Amazing Race! And a continued thanks to all those who are continuing to send money. And for those who are praying for our team...thank you! We covet your prayers.

Today we send away for visas...and it has not been an easy process! Please pray that the Brazil consulate is kind to us and that the process runs smoothly from here.

Interested in learning more about our trip? and Restoration Ministries? Check out http://themotas.org

Current prayer needs// visa process. our focus on God and the ministry we're doing

first post

2008-05-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

We leave for Sao Paulo, Brazil in less than 5 weeks! Our team will be serving alongside Restoration Ministries, a ministry that reaches children who live in the favelas, or the slums of Sao Paulo.

current prayer needs // That we would expect great things of God. Our preparations for the trip. Team chemistry