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RICH in Relationships

2009-06-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

One quality of Brazil that I truly love is the VALUE of RELATIONSHIPS.

Brazilians take time with one another to talk, share and often place relationship with one another as a high priority.

Although I do not have an abundance of earthy treasures, my life here in Brazil is RICH in relationships! Relationships really have NO PRICE...

Relationship with God and with one another is so important. Loving and investing in one another.

I want to live a life RICH in RELATIONSHIPS!

RELATIONSHIP with the CHILDREN from the SLUM

Currently there are 15 special children who participate in the children's group I co-lead with my friend Beckie from England. Beckie is a great blessing as a co-leader and each child in the group is truly unique and special. I often can feel God's heart of LOVE and JOY as we pray and work with the children and their families.

I delight in these children and can only imagine how much MORE our Father God delights in each precious one.

Here is Beckie, a volunteer from Germany named Annika and I with our amazing and SUPER special kids!

This year we have really been focusing on literacy with our children. Now that I am more fluent in Portuguese I am able to read more stories to the kids. Here is a photo of me reading one of my favorite children's books, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. First we read the story together and then we acted it out with the tree, various props and puppets. The kids LOVED it!

I really love the story, The Giving Tree because it is a story about relationships and makes me think about GOD. The main character- the tree is a lot like our Father God. He delights in spending time with us and having relationship with us... just as the Giving Tree in the story delights in the boy, loves to spend quality time him and also loves to see the boy happy. We taught truths about GOD'S LOVE using this great book!

Here we are acting out the story!

During our weekly center time the children drew and wrote about their favorite part of the story

A Avore Generosa .

I love to see these children reading and enjoying learning! They are really improving!

She is a SUPER reader!

RELATIONSHIP with PASTORS from the COMMUNITY

This year the Light House Community center has been working to unite and build relationships between the pastors in the slum. We know that GOD longs to see His children united, loving each other and working together. The Light House, as a ministry along, with these pastors are working together to bring the message of a loving and transforming Savior to the many hurting and needy families in the community.

This photo was taken last Saturday at a Pastor's prayer breakfast/fellowship. All these in the photo have the priviledge of being pastors here in the slum. The Light House is hosting a community prayer breakfast (once a month) for pastors and churches to unite to pray for Cafezal slum and to work together to see God's kingdom come to this special place.

RELATIONSHIP with my YWAM FRIENDS!

We recently had a BIG JUNE party as a Youth With a Mission base. Our YWAM base consists of many different ministries located throughout the city of Belo Horizonte and we unite together each week to fellowship and worship God. A few weeks ago we had a party to worship God through being in relationship with one another!

Not only were there YWAM staff members present at this party, but also some of the children we work also participated! Here is a photo of the leader of the Refuge Shelter, Carla - from Holland, dancing with one of the special boys who live at the shelter. He absolutely LOVED the party!

This is a traditional party in Brazil held in June and is called June Party or Festa Junina. People dress in clothing -from the country side of Brazil, there is dancing, a bonfire, games, prizes, and food from the north of Brazil.

Below is a photo of a few friends - the leader of the Rescue house, a boy recently going through a triage at the Rescue House- soon to live at the YWAM Restortaion House, and a staff member of the Restoration House boy's shelter.

Meet Ian - Felipe's best friend and co-leader here at the Light House Community Center. Ian is from South Africa and does an excellent job of managing the administration of the Light House. Ian will be Felipe's best man in our wedding. These guys were playing around at the party!

Below is a photo of me and my dear dear friend Rosangela.

She is a blessing in my life and she works together with us here at the Light House Community Center. God is using her in amazing ways to impact so many hurting girls in the slum. Rosangela is from Rio de Janiero and she is one of my bridesmaids in our wedding coming up soon!

Felipe and I enjoying dancing at the party. Everyone was having a great time dancing! We were all dancing a Brazilian country line dance that is typical at this June Party!

Felipe and I actually danced together at this same party last year when we were both beginning to like each other.... but we both did not know this!

RELATIONSHIP with my FUTURE HUSBAND...

I am thankful and feel blessed to have Felipe in my life and by my side! He is a faithful friend who demonstrates SO MUCH of the love of God to me. God continually uses Felipe to teach me valuable TRUTHS about the heart and character of God.

We are VERY excited about marrying soon on Friday August 7, 2009 and starting the next season of our life together. We both feel God has called us to love and serve one another and also to love and serve children who live in at risk situations.

Pray for us as we continue on this journey of knowing God and making Him known!

AMOR ~ LOVE

2009-06-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Was reading and meditating on this passage from The Message.

Each phrase is powerful. A challenge to LOVE. I want to LOVE like this...

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.

Mostly what God does is LOVE you.

Keep company with Him and learn a life of LOVE.

Observe how Christ LOVED us.

His LOVE was not cautious but EXTRAVAGANT.

He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us.

LOVE like that.

~ Ephesians 5:1-2 ~

OUR NEW CLASSROOM!

2009-06-08T14:12:00.001-07:00

Recently we moved from our old classroom (with walls falling apart and paint peeling off the walls) to our newly constructed classroom.

Before this area was a workshop. Years ago there was wood working and brick making equipment in this area. Now there is not a need for bricks or building material in the slum, like there was in the past SO......

We have transformed this space it into a classroom.

THE BEFORE PICTURE:

AFTER: The NEW CLASSROOM!

Our first day in the new classroom! It was decorated for a birthday celebration and also because we were finally revealing of the new classroom to the kids!

Enjoy another view of the classroom below...

BEFORE

AFTER

I really like this little shelf that we painted, restored and organized with all sorts of classroom materials. It's in a nice little corner of the room as well.

Enjoy the video below of the children seeing the classroom for the first time!

WE are THANKFUL for our new classroom that GOD has provided for us to learn, play and grow together in the grace and knowledge of the LORD!

Life Goes On...

2009-05-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

ABOUT US!

Felipe and I have a lot going on right now! Please pray for us...

We really want wisdom and balance between our work and our upcoming wedding and preparing for our marriage. We are in a BIG transition time and have MUCH more responsibility than we expected during our time of preparing for our wedding.

We thought we would be in the USA and would have time off to focus on preparing for our wedding. Now, since we are marrying in Brazil, we need wisdom in how to divide our time and step away from work responsiblities - so we can prepare for our wedding.

We really want to enjoy this season of being engaged. Pray for us!

This is photo of a "pretend" wedding ceremony that we jokingly had at a children's play area in a local park here in Belo Horizonte. You can't see in the photo, but we had a wonderful audience -our team and a visiting DTS outreach team from Mexico. On this day we also had a picnic, did some hiking and spent quality time together as a team. It was a great day!

LIFE and ministry continues at the Light House...

TEAM WORK!

Recently we had an afternoon of "team time" and did a fun team building activity as the Light House team along with a visiting DTS outreach team from a YWAM base in Mexico.

Everyone listening to the instructions and the objective of the game.

The challenge was for each team to work together and make it across court carrying two cups of water. The main rule was that we could not touch the floor. We had several materials to help us out - scooters, mats, wooden boards, and each other working together as a team! We also were challenged to make it across the court with as much water as possible in our plastic cups.

It was a great team building activity!

THE LOVE OF GOD!

The past few weeks we have been focusing on the LOVE OF GOD in our lessons with our children's group. Here we are sitting in a HUGE heart on the floor. The kids are loving this and it has been a great way to keep them sitting on the floor in an organized way.

I was teaching about HOW long, high, deep, and wide is the LOVE of GOD!

ROLLER SKATING FUN!

Last week we did roller skating for the first time with our group and they ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

Our house has a stock of donated skates of various sizes. Most of the kids were using roller blades WAY too big, but they loved every minute of their time skating. Many were falling over and over again, but they persevered and were full of laughs as well.

In the start of the skating session, most of the kids were falling and on the floor!

But with time most were soon on the feet and skating well!

Now they are doing better... Almost everyone is up now!

It was a SUPER FUN skating session!

LIGHT HOUSE SOCCER SCHOOL

In addition to working with groups of children here in the Light House, we also have a Soccer School. A Brasilian YWAM worker, who is currently studying physical education at a local university, leads the soccer school. He works with adolescent boys from the slum and does an amazing job training them. Through this program many boys are off the streets and spending time and energy in a positive way, while also learning Biblical principles for life.

Enjoy this video below of the boys training away...

One of my girls drawing a sidewalk chalk portrait of Felipe and I. Felipe's HUGE green afro is great! Pray for this precious girl who participates in my group. Her adoptive father is in the hospital with stomach cancer. It has been a hard few weeks for her.

FAMILY!

Felipe and I spent last weekend at his family's house celebrating the birthday of his mom. They all live here in Belo Horizonte, but on the other side of the city. Here is a photo of Felipe and I with his brother, sister and mom. It was a great weekend! We rested, spent time wedding planning and were also able to personally invite several extended family members to our wedding.

BRASILIA.... update about the VISA

2009-05-14T07:56:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately, Felipe was not approved to receive a Visa to come to the United States.

This was a difficult and extremely stressful process for us, but very rewarding too - even though Felipe was not granted the visa.

It may seem strange to write that it was a "very rewarding" experience, but it is true! Through going through this visa process A LOT of GOOD came out of the situation.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

~ Romans 8:28 ~

In all the preparation we were both thrown into stressful situations and together, as a team, we had to work through them. God was really using this in our relationship - to help us talk through things, know one another better, work through conflict and frustration, and through it all respect and love one another even though we were under an extremely high level of stress.

Felipe was so great! Really he works so well under pressure. I was really "freaking out" at times and he was such a blessing to calm me and speak truth to me...

THE BIG QUESTION - WHY did he not receive the VISA?

Basically because he is a missionary and does not receive an official salary. All YWAM missionaries do not receive a salary and we live by offerings and donations from friends, families, and churches. So for the last 5 years that Felipe has been working with YWAM, he has not received a salary.

In order to receive a US visa, the applicant must show that they have strong ties to Brazil, which is shown usually through a steady income from a profession of some sort. Although Felipe had prepared many official documents about his work as the director of the Light House, during the interview the focus became his salary - how he "makes MONEY." Because Felipe is a missionary and does not receive a salary, this was the determining factor that led to the VISA denial.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

So our NEW plan is to marry here in Brazil and then come to the USA in the future- hopefully sooner than later. Felipe will have more of an advantage in obtaining a visa when he is married to me!

After thinking about our new plan we saw MANY MANY POSITIVES to this change! Both our families will be able to be a part of our special day (rather than just my family in the US), this plan works better with our work schedule, we will save money marrying in Brazil, and when we visit the USA together it will be a more quality visit.

This factor of having a more QUALITY visit in the US was really a positive one for me. We can really enjoy our time in the US with family and friends and sharing about our work - rather than just rushing to plan a wedding.

So...please pray for us as we are changing all our plans! We want God to lead us in all our decisions as we STEP forward in FAITH together!

MORE about our time in BRASILIA...

Here is a photo of the YWAM base in Brasilia, where we stayed during our trip. It was blessing to stay with our YWAM family there. We wished we could have stayed longer. The heart and vision of this base is beautiful. The leadership longs to see the rejected and unaccepted embraced. Relationship with God is the focus!

When we suddenly had to change our plans to go to Brasilia, we sensed God wanted us there to encourage and spend time with the DTS students who are on outreach at the YWAM Brasilia base. Our times of talking with friends on the team was significant - for them and for us. We were able to speak many encouraging words and God showed us HIS love through the team as well. We felt supported, valued, and "at home" because we had friends in Brasilia with us. It is beautiful to see God's hand working in every detail of life.

The DTS team preparing a drama for a children's presentation.

GOD is GOOD and FAITHFUL! We are trusting and resting in HIS loving arms...

VISA INTERVIEW

2009-05-11T03:31:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday on May 13th, my fiancé Felipe has an interview with the American Consulate to see if he can get a visa to come to the USA.

Please pray for Felipe! For peace, favor, and wisdom in all that he says.

Felipe and I are traveling to Brasilia and will be staying at the Brasilia YWAM Base. We also will be visiting a team of Discipleship Training School students (who recently completed 3 months of DTS training at the Light House). They are on outreach in Brasilia and it will be great to see and encourage them!

Thanks for your prayers for us!

THY MERCY

2009-05-02T05:05:00.000-07:00

Thy mercy my God is the theme of my song

the joy of my heart and the boast of my tongue

Thy free grace alone from the first to the last

hath won my affection and bound my soul fast

Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here
sin would reduce me to utter despair
but through Thy free goodness my spirit's revived
and He that first made me so keeps me alive

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart
which wonders to feel it's own heartless depart
dissolved by Thy goodness I fall to the ground
and weep for the praise of the mercy I've found

HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!

Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
and the covenant love of Thy crucified Son
all praise to the Spirit whose whisper divine
seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine

Was recently listening to an old Caedmon's Call CD and the above song brought me to tears...

God is taking me through a season of revealing HIS unconditional and continual GRACE, MERCY, and ACCEPTANCE. I struggle to really receive, accept and understand His GREAT mercy for myself. I often can give MUCH mercy to others, but when it comes to me I feel I do not deserve the GRACE God offers.

The truth is that HE GIVES GRACE because of WHO HE IS, not because of anything I DO. GOD IS LOVE... I am accepted as HIS CHILD and therefore free grace is mine. I am in such need of a revelation of this.

This beautiful hymn was written in 1776 by John Stocker.

The words are powerful. Profound TRUTH to meditate on...

April Moments ...

2009-04-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

During the month of April many memories were made.

I experienced beautiful moments with the children I work with celebrating the Easter season and enjoyed the beauty of Brazil.

Some beautiful photos, taken at sunset, of a hillside which is just one side of the huge slum of Cafezal. These are the types of homes the children and families we work with live in...

Felipe and I enjoying one of the many beautiful sunsets. The city of Belo Horizonte is known for AMAZING sunsets. The literal translation of Belo Horizonte is "Beautiful Horizon." We enjoy the beautiful painted sky almost every day!

A rose in the Light House flower bed. I was so enchanted by this rose and consequently found myself taking many photos of it. It is one of the most beautiful roses I have ever seen, and it slowly began to bloom revealing it's beauty more and more each day. Felipe really wanted to pick the rose for me, but I would not let him. It was a gift to all of us to see!

The beauty and love of GOD revealed to us through NATURE.

LEARNING ABOUT EASTER!

Here are the KIDS that Beckie (my co-leader and friend from England) and I work with!

They are doing a good job of remembering to raise their hands! They participated well during a Bible Study about Jesus!

The kids coloring a picture showing Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people waving branches and shouting, "HOSANNA!" We did a great lesson on this Bible Story and even acted it out as a group. The kids LOVED waving branches and shouting, "HOSANNA, GLORY TO GOD!"

We made donkey puppets to remember that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey!

We talked about the REAL reason we celebrate EASTER.

Jesus is the REASON!

We taught the children about Passover, how Jesus washed the disciples feet and also had Communion with the disciples. For each lesson we first told the story and then we acted out the story with the children.

Washing our little disciples' feet...

Taking Communion together...

The kids writing in their SONG BOOKS!

This year to encourage the children to read and write we are posting many many songs in our classroom. The children are making song books and writing the songs in their notebooks. At the end of the year they will have a book full of songs for them selves to take home and sing! These kids are copying the song, "Celebrate Jesus! Celebrate!" It is a song that speaks of how Jesus has RISEN!

We did an really neat activity with cut up flowers. The children received the folded up flower. They place it in a cup of water and then the flower slowly opens revealing a message. The flowers said, "He is RISEN!" We did this activity after teaching about the ressurection of Jesus Christ!

Showing off his bracelet that we made in class!

Each color represents a different point and all the colors together tell the gospel of Jesus, his life and death and how we are forgiven, his promise of new life, and growing in grace in HIM. We are teaching the kids about having a relationship with the Lord.

Other FUN MOMENTS!

Playing soccer in the big court area!

Playing JUMP the CREEK in the grassy lawn area of the house! The kids loved this game.

Celebrating a birthday in the Light House PARK with my group of boys and girls!

Hear us singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY in Portuguese!

Felipe and I enjoying a typical Brazilian treat!

ACAI!!!

It is a purple-colored fruit that is super delicious and made into frozen cream. This is one of my favorite things to eat in Brazil! Acai is super yummy mixed with bananas and granola too!

My friend Rosangela found this interesting looking insect in her classroom.

Don't let this photo fool you. The bug is the size of a small key chain, but it is still pretty big and unique! Brazil has very interesting plant and wildlife. The butterflies here are sometimes as big as a regular sized bird. I will have to post a photo of one of those butterflies...

Continue to FOLLOW this journey we are on here in BRAZIL!

CALL2ALL

2009-03-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

During the last week of March, Felipe (my fiance) and I went to the city of Curitiba, Brazil to the CALL2ALL Conference. We went as representatives from our YWAM base here in Belo Horizonte. To learn more about CALL2ALL go to www.call2all.org.

Below is a video of a time of worship we had during the conference. Many people are entering carrying different flags of many nations and we are all singing, "Powerful God! My soul longs for you! To Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb, be all praise, be all honor, be all glory, be all dominion for ever and ever!"

It was an amazing time of worshiping God and meeting with staff from other YWAM bases, pastors, and people from various ministries. We are all working together to see all the people on the earth come to know the LOVE of God and have relationship with HIM.

Here is a photo of Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM, speaking at the CALL2ALL conference. Being able to listen to Loren share from his heart and teach several different times was a great honor for me.

Felipe and I also had the honor of participating in a special meeting only for YWAM workers, which was led by Loren Cunningham. I felt like we were all sitting in a big living room talking and listening to Loren share personally. We had about an hour and a half of asking questions to Loren and just listening to his wisdom. It was cool!

PRAYING FOR THE NATIONS!

During the conference we had special prayer times of commiting ourselves to the Lord as missionaries and also praying for the nations. One morning a HUGE MAP of the world was rolled out onto the floor and we worshiped and interceded for the nations. It was a beautiful time!

At this point in the prayer time we were all to stand on LAND. No one could step into the ocean and we were to pray for the nations we were standing on. You can see me in the photo above. I prayed for Alaska and Canada!

I had to find my home state... NORTH CAROLINA!!!

During our worship and prayer time for the nations, a young guy (who is a member of a ministry group to reach youth through break dance) felt led to break dance over the world! Check out the video below!

For fun Felipe and I also went to the famous Botanical Gardens of Curitiba.

I love this first photo that Felipe took. He is a great photographer by the way!

Overall, it was a great week for Felipe and I. It was very refreshing to be at the CALL2ALL conference and to spend time together. God was really speaking to us both, reminding us WHY we are serving in missions. It is because we LOVE the Lord and we desire that others encounter this LOVE and MERCY that we have found.

We were reminded of the simplicity of life as well. Life is about knowing and loving God and and each other. We desire to live that and make it a priority by the grace of God.

TIME FLIES when you are having FUN! ...and when you work with YWAM!

2009-03-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how quickly time passes here in BRAZIL. I am constantly making new relationships with volunteers from all over the world and they always say this too,

"Time goes by SO fast here in Brazil!"

Maybe it is our way of life and even living in the YWAM community. My life is rich, full, and busy so time just seems to be passing by SO quickly. It is hard to believe that April is just around the corner.

Here are some fun photos of a few activities here at the Light House during the last few weeks. ENJOY!

SUNDAY WITH GOD!

Felipe and I were cast as Adam and Eve in a funny Creation drama for a regularly scheduled children's outreach here at the Light House. The Outreach is called Sunday with God. To be a little silly for the kids I wore my hair funny!

The theme of this Sunday with God was to care for the environment!

At the Light House we desire to set a better example by caring for the environment and teaching the children in the slum how to do that as well. This will help the slum become a healthier and happier place.

IN the BEGINNING...

In this photo you can see many different characters that represent what God created on each day!

Let there be LIGHT!

My friend Cida representing all the living animals!

The words- "Clean Town, Beautiful Town" are written on the wall behind her.

God created male and female... Adam and Eve!

Felipe and I had fun doing this drama together!

Felipe leading the kids in some songs afterwards!

Each child who participated in this Sunday with God received a cup full of dirt and the opportunity to plant sunflower seeds!

Two beautiful girls leaving the Light House Community Center with the sunflowers they planted in hand.

THE CHILDREN'S GROUPS!

This year I am working with a group of boys and girls (ages 6 to 8) Monday through Thursday afternoons. We are with the kids from 2:00 until 5:00 singing, doing educational activities, telling Bible stories, teaching, swimming, playing games and sports - you name it! I am enjoying my time with these precious ones!

Here I am reading a Bible Story to my group of kids! I am becoming a little more fluent so now I able read more stories (on a really easy level) to the kids! I am enjoying this! Reading to children is one of my most favorite things to do!

We are doing educational centers in our group time! The kids enjoying a game of memory!

One of my boys drawing his family with some cool Crayola Markers that were donated by my cousin's church! The kids are loving these markers! THANK YOU for sending them!

SUPER FELIZ with the special new markers. The black markers are specially scented!

Working away in our classroom! As you can see the walls are in terrible condition. As I am writing this, a much needed new classroom for our group is being constructed with a few offerings we recently received. YAY!!!

The PLAYDOH Center! We are still enjoying the great donation of playdoh that was sent by my parents' church! Thank you to all the churches who have blessed these children and also blessed my life through giving finances and also sent boxes with supplies to bless the groups!

THANK YOU! The kids are enjoying!

Doing a drama with the kids! Each child represents a different member of one family. We were talking about families and why they are important to us and why God gave us our family!

Playing in the park with my BOYS! It takes 3 boys to balance me out on the see-saw!

The children truly LOVE playing in the Light House park! Just last week many of them were playing in this clubhouse a very interesting game of cops and robbers with imaginary guns in hand. I observed their reality through their play time. In certain areas of the slum there is heavy drug, crime and police activity.

Below is a video of Felipe leading a singing time with a group of boys!

They are singing- Jesus is good! He's good! He's really good!

Sit down, stand up, spin, and jump! Sit down, stand up, spin, and jump!

I will praise - WOAH!

It brings joy to my heart to see the boys having fun and praising God!

Just the Start of 2009!

2009-02-21T05:38:00.000-08:00

The LIGHTHOUSE 2009 Team!

We are a team of many nations. Brazil, Holland, South Africa, England, New Zealand, and the USA serving to bring TRANSFORMATION and the LOVE of JESUS CHRIST to the people living in the slum of Cafezal, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

After many missionaries returned from holiday vacation time, we as the Light House team began our yearly staff preparation and training time. The Light House functions much like a school. We have an intense time of preparing, organizing and training and then all the programs run from February until December.

This year we are already working with a total of about 200 children in both the children's groups (after/before school program) and the soccer groups.

Our Opening Meeting with just a few of the kids who participate in the children's groups!

Felipe, my fiance and the director here at the Light House, explaining the house RULES .

Here are just a few of the beautiful children I am working with this year!

School functions differently here in Brazil. These children study only in the morning at school and then spend their entire afternoon (Monday- Thursday) participating in my group.

Below is a recent photo of Felipe and one of the boys who has most impacted Felipe's life. This boy has been through much in his 11 years and through participating in the activities and programs here at the Light House this boy has truly encountered LOVE, which he so desperately needs.

It is for children at risk, living in in situations like this young one, that we are here living and investing in children and their families here. We want to see the children who live in the slum grow into people who know and love God and have a lives rich in faith, hope, and love.

This boy participated in Felipe's group just a few years back and God taught Felipe much through experiences working specifically with this boy and his family. Please being praying for this boy. He is in much need...

Here is my friend and co-leader, Beckie (from England), teaching a Bible Study about prayer. This is a small glimpse of our classroom!

Beckie and I are stepping out in faith, as we are leading our group of children totally in Portuguese. We are two foreign ladies who are still learning to speak this beautiful language - so please pray for our speaking abilities. We want to be clear in all we say to the children and understand all they want to communicate as well.

FUN in the Brazilian SUN! The kids enjoying the pool during our first day of swimming!

BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!

This year I am working with BOYS and GIRLS! Last year I just had girls in my group, but this year we decided to mix both boys and girls. We have a goal to have about 10 girls and 10 boys in our group of children ages 6 to 8 years old. Currently we have 9 girls and 6 boys and we are inviting and speaking with families to take in more children (specifically boys) in our group soon. Please pray that that God would send the children who MOST need this group - our way.

Meet the newest addition to the Light House. This is one of the first photos I took of little Humble. He was abondoned on the street outside the Light House and rescued by Beckie and her family. Lady - the Light House guard dog - is loving her new little brother.

Just a few weeks later and Humble has grown SO MUCH! Puppies grow fast!

We decided to allow our children to play with Humble during our play times in the Light House playground area. Here is a photo of Beckie and two kids from our group truly enjoying Humble! I believe there is something special about animals and children playing together. God is using Humble to bring much joy and healing to the kids here.

Below is a photo of Felipe and I planning and working together in Felipe's office!

This year, I am helping Felipe to lead the leaders of the children's groups. I am meeting with the group leaders on a regular basis to help give teaching ideas, feedback, and guidance to them. Many things that I learned through teaching are coming in handy. I see how God was really preparing me through my years of teaching in the USA.

Felipe and I will also soon be visiting many nearby schools to create relationships with school directors and teachers and also to better know how to help and work with the children we attend here at the Light House. I am very excited to partner together with the schools to help improve the community here in the slum of Cafezal.

So on a personal note... I wanted to include a photo of the sweet, thoughtful, and HUGE Valentine that Felipe made me on Valentine's Day! He gathered huge rocks and made this heart and placed a L for Laura and a F for Felipe. So sweet and creative! I loved it!

BIG NEWS!

2009-01-26T13:59:00.000-08:00

So the BIG NEWS is

that Felipe and I are officially ENGAGED!

I have been sharing the news little by little, in an effort to tell people personally, but now I am officially telling the WORLD!

Felipe did a wonderful job with the proposal! He had a lovely table set up overlooking the grand city of Belo Horizonte and also the slum where we live. This part is kind of funny- we ate pizza and drank coke! In an effort to surprise me, he had the table set up and was doing the last finishing touches on everything while I was preparing our dinner - heating our frozen pizza in the oven. When I had it all ready Felipe grabbed the steaming pizza and said, "We are going to eat somewhere special tonight."

Our special table was covered in a white lace tablecloth with nice dishes (which are only used on special occassions at the Light House). Felipe even bought candles and really cool flower shaped candle holders in honor of the special night. It was just at the end of sunset, the sky was beautiful and the lights of the city and on the hillside where the slum is located were all lit up and sparkling.

Here are some night photos that kind of shows you the view... I did not actually take any photos on this special night because I did not know what was going on... and once I knew, I just wanted to enjoy the moment!

Felipe also had his laptop set up and a latern set up near our special table- to give us light. The laptop was playing the song - "You are so beautiful to Me." He actually played this song on the guitar and sang it personally to me the night he asked if I would begin a relationship with him.

Actually this proposal was very similar to our first night of talking and then deciding to begin a relationship. Felipe planned it that way. He wanted significant things to be a part of this night as well.

Felipe took me to stand under our special tree (where we had our first serious talk and decided to start dating), which was just a few steps away from the table. He had me close my eyes and wait for him while he was going to get something. He had hidden a dozen roses for me and ran to go get them while I was waiting with eyes squeezed shut. I could hear the crinkling of the plastic wrapped around the roses and thought, "Wow, he is getting something big." He told me to open my eyes and before me were a beautiful bouquet of red roses.

Felipe began to speak many many beautiful things about LOVE to me (unfortunately I can not remember everything that he said because it was such an emotional night!). He told me for the first time, "I love you" and he explained that he only wanted to say that to me when he could follow it up with a commitment because love is not just a feeling but a commitment, a choice.

At this moment he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He had a small heart shaped red box in his hand and opened it revealing a beautiful and simple, gold diamond ring. I was shocked and happy and felt many emotions all at once!

I said YES and then we sat under the tree talking for quite a while. It was a special special night!

I was very surprised! AND was very happy to hear that Felipe spoke with my parents, via email, asking them if he could ask me to marry him. This was one of the first things he told me as he was asking me to marry him. He said, "I have talked with your parents and they have given me permission to ask you..." That was really important to me that he speak with my family.

We are SUPER happy and hoping to marry in the United States this fall sometime, but it all depends if Felipe can get a visa to come to the USA. Unfortunately, because there are many illegal immigrants living in the USA it is a very strict process for foreigners to enter the country.

If all goes well and we get the visa, Felipe and I are planning to visit family and friends, get married, and afterwards share about the Light House Community Center while in the US.

FOR SURE- we are coming back to Brazil to live and work with YWAM in the Cafezal slum. Felipe is the director and team leader at the Light House Community Center, and we both feel God is leading us to stay in the slum to continue to build deeper relationships with the children and families living there.

Please pray for us...

As a couple, the ministry of the Light House Community Center, and our plans for the year of 2009 to hopefully come to the US to enjoy family and friends and share personally about all God is doing here in Brazil...

Also, PLEASE pray for Felipe's VISA process!

THANK YOU!!!

Praise the LORD, O my soul!

All my inmost being, praise His holy name!

Praise the LORD, O my soul and forget not all His benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5

Christmas in BRAZIL!

2008-12-26T02:50:00.001-08:00

This year I celebrated Christmas with my Youth With A Mission family here at the Light House Community Center! Enjoy photos of our special lunch on Christmas day!

My two Brazilian friends preparing some yummy food!

A family from England serves here at the Light House

with us! Here is a photo of Felipe with the men from this family. It was so nice to celebrate Christmas with a family with children!

(Josiah, Felipe, Gideon-being silly, and Dave)

Gideon snuggling with Lady before lunch!

The table, set up nicely and me preparing a special salad in the background.

Cool table shot...

My beautiful and fruity salad! It had strawberries, apples, raisins, walnuts, and two different types of lettuce!

Notice the Christmas tablecloth! Our table of food beginning to fill up!

We even had TURKEY!!!! This is not a common meat to eat in Brazil! Dave had the special honors of carving the turkey.

Everyone getting ready to pray and eat! We celebrated with an international mix of the following nations; Brazil, United States, Holland, South Africa, New Zealand, and England!

Beckie, my friend from England and her son Gideon enjoying Christmas together! It was so fun to celebrate with her kids!

Having fun playing with spoons! We all started playing with spoons after our Christmas meal. Josiah started with just 2 spoons, but soon managed to have more hanging off his face!

Playing the Christmas present game- white elephant in Dave and Beckie's house! They had Christmas decorations and a nice tree so it was really a special treat to celebrate as a team there!

After opening gifts, a white dove got trapped in Dave and Beckie's home! Gideon saved the day and rescued it. Pretty cool!

Felipe and I on Christmas Eve all dressed up, riding the bus to visit his family!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

END of the YEAR - OPEN HOUSE PARTY!

2008-12-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

To celebrate all the kids groups and soccer groups coming to an end, we as a staff threw a big end of the year event here at the LIGHT HOUSE Community Center. It was a RAINY day, but the kids had a blast!

Felipe welcoming the kids and explaining the various options of all the FUN stuff the kids could choose to do during this OPEN HOUSE day! We offered many different types of games and fun activities.

Here is one of the girls who participates in my morning girls group. She dressed up SO NICE for our party! We were all a bit surprised and many people asked, "Why is she so dressed up?" She just wanted to be! Isn't she beautiful?

In the classroom I played hang man with Valeria from my afternoon girls group. I first wrote a message saying, "I love Valeria a lot!"

Then she wrote the same message back to me, "I love Laura a lot!" Read it below in Portuguese!

Swimming in the Rain, Just Swimming in the Rain...

I have never seen the Light House pool SO FULL of kids! The children LOVED swimming in the rain! It was actually a little chilly too, but it did not phase them one bit! The pool was FULL!

COTTON CANDY!!! Each child received a FREE cotton candy!

Waiting patiently in line for a cotton candy treat!

Checkers in Brazil! Great rainy day game!

PLAYDOH! PLAYDOH! PLAYDOH!

Many of the children from the slum have NEVER had the opportunity to play with PLAYDOH. I received several boxes full of playdoh, sent to me by my parents church (Bethesda Presbyterian Church located in York, SC). Thank you for the donations!!! The kids have LOVED playing with the playdoh, and it is a great rainy day activity!

We were AMAZED at how the big, tough boys reacted

to the PLAYDOH! They loved it!

It was great to see them enjoying and playing and being kids! Usually kids get playing with playdoh out of their system at a young age, yet these boys have never had the opportunity to really play with playdoh... Here they have arrived at 10, 11, 12 years of age and are loving every moment of playing with playdoh! I think that the boys spent MUCH more time at this activity station than the girls.

Concentrating and mesmorized by the COOLNESS of PLAYDOH!

I love it!

At the end of the day, kids were heading home in the rain! Now that the rainy season is here, it RAINS and RAINS and RAINS for days on end. Although it was rainy day, we still had fun and the kids thoroughly enjoyed our end of the year event!

My GIRLS of GREAT WORTH and VALUE!

2008-12-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

I just officially ended my girls groups here at the Light House Community Center! We finshed the year with fun activities and a BIG party which focused on celebrating the GREAT WORTH and VALUE that each girl in our group has!

Enjoy the photos below!

At our party, each girl had the opportunity to sit on a special throne and be crowned as a princess - a precious daughter of GOD!

Beautiful PRINCESS CAROL!

Singing, dancing, and worshipping the Lord with my girls!!!

Dancing FREELY!!!

My girls giving me a BIG GROUP HUG!!!

I love this photo!

One of the girls who has really touched my life this year. She has a special life!

I love to see her smile!

Another side of my life

2008-11-30T06:49:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be fun to share some photos of special people and memories I have made during this past year.

I am thankful for the friendships I have made with people from many nations, as our YWAM base receives people from all over the world to serve here in Brazil.

Life is about being in RELATIONSHIPS and sharing LIFE together!

Enjoy seeing another side of my life...

Easter Day 2008 - Hiking in the beautiful Brazilian countryside!

A big group of us hiked for almost half the day on Easter in search of a waterfall located out in the country side.

It was quite an experience! Fun, tiring, and unforgetable!

Below- My two FUN friends from NEW ZEALAND- Kate and Kirsty! Having fun along the way as we walked and walked and walked...

The Final Destination! This photo was taken looking straight up. It does not capture the actual size of the waterfall and river at the bottom. It was BIG!

A night out on the town with my friend Eveline, from Holland! I met Eveline last year here in Brazil and we became GREAT friends! So... this year she returned to Brazil with the main goal of visiting and encouraging me! What a blessing! God really used her to speak much truth to me during a time in the year when I really needed a friend!

My BIRTHDAY!!!

We had a fruit and chocolate Fondue and Movie night!

I felt so loved by all the girls who threw this Birthday party for me!

The Light House staff had some really special times as a team this year making bonfires, singing songs, talking, and just enjoying being together.

LADY, the beloved Light House Community Center dog! It is SO nice having a dog around the house - I feel more at home with a pet. I like this photo of Lady and it shows our beautiful view of Belo Horizonte! Lady truly has been a blessing to our ministry and to my life this year!

My mom also came to visit me this year! I am so thankful that she had this opportunity to come. Here is a pretty photo of mom at a local park in the center of the city!

Mom, me and the night skyline in Rio de Janiero, Brazil!

My mom and a cool view of the ocean...

We were visiting a beach near Rio de Janiero called Buzios!

American Friends in Brazil! A girl's night out!

Me and Stefanie, the only two Americans working here at the YWAM Belo Horizonte base!

Meet a very important person in my life! This is Felipe, the leader of the Light House Community Center (where I work) and also my boyfriend. Below is a photo of us on our first date. He took me to a restaurant overlooking the city and had roses delivered to me as well! It was a very special and memorable night. I feel very blessed to be in a relationship with a guy who has a such a beautiful heart for the Lord, kids and missions. God is using Felipe to teach me so much.

I am thankful for a YEAR full of blessings... There were many tears, challenges, and hard times,but also there were many many joys, triumphs, times of laughter and fun! It has been a year of major growth for me and I am thankful.

At the moment a song that I love is playing in my heart.

I pray that my life can express the following lyrics.

JESUS, My passion in life is to KNOW You

May all other goals bow down to this Journey of Loving You MORE...

JESUS, You've Showered Your goodness on me

You've given Your gifts so FREELY

Now there's one thing I'm longing for...

Hear my heart's cry and my prayer for this life.

ABOVE ALL ELSE

GIVE ME YOURSELF

This truly is the cry of my heart. I am SO thankful for the blessings of this past year and I look forward, with all the blessings and challenges that are ahead in the year to come. My cry continues to be- through it all, "Above all else, LORD give me Yourself!"

Thoughts about life...

2008-11-19T05:50:00.000-08:00

This is YOUR LIFE...

Are YOU WHO

you want to be?

Don't CLOSE YOUR EYES...

Is it everything you dreamed it would be?

When the world was younger and you had everything to lose...

Above are a few lyrics of a song by Switchfoot that I have been meditating on...

I really like this song because it is CONFRONTATIONAL.

This year the Lord has really been challenging me and I have been thinking many thoughts that are expressed in this song.

I am thinking and asking myself many questions...reflecting...

God has given me the gift of LIFE. How am I going to spend my life?

Is my life REALLY what I want it to be?

Am I who I want to be?

Am I who God is calling me to be?

Am I closing my eyes to the world around me?

God has placed HOPES, DREAMS, and VISIONS in me. God is changing the way I see the world, people and how I see Him too.

Through living here in Brazil I am coming to know GOD in new ways, I discover more and more about His heart and character every day...as I sit and talk with children, as I have relationships with the people God places around me, as I go to the humble homes of the hurting families in the slum, as I share a Bible story or sing with the precious girls

I work with, as I pray and worship with my team here at the Light House...

God is challenging me to live this life He has given me, walking hand and hand with HIM, yet going after the dreams, hopes, and visions... He has given me dreams worth FIGHTING for and unless I fight - purposely live to fight for these things He has placed on my heart - my dreams and hopes may not ever come to pass.

The children that I work with are worth fighting for. Many of them have no one who is really fighting to speak truth into their lives, to tell them of their great worth and value.

Once again thinking about WHY I am here in Brazil...

I want to live my life with purpose, with intention, with eyes WIDE OPEN focused on Jesus and ready to see the world around me. I want to SEE God's great compassion and SEE His reaction to reality. I want to join with Him. I want to respond and do whatever He longs to do. Be His hands, His feet, His voice, expressing His heart.

Living simply to LOVE...

Our ZOO Outing!

2008-10-31T05:50:00.000-07:00

As a missionary at the YWAM Belo Horizonte base, I work with two different children's groups at the Light House Community Center, which is located in one of the many slums of Brazil.

I work with a girls group in the mornings and another girls group in the afternoons. My co-leader or "teaching partner" (so to speak) is a Brazilian named Rosangela! She is a great friend and team member. She is from Rio de Janiero!

Here we are preparing snacks before the field trip. We made many sandwiches!

Me and Marta on the bus getting ready to head out to the ZOO!

We actually went to the Belo Horizonte zoo two different times. Once with our afternoon girls group and the other time with the morning girls group. Many of the girls had never been to the zoo before so this outing was a treat for them! We had lots of fun!

The morning girls group!

Look closely in the photo below! At the top you can see a free roaming monkey. The zoo is like an open park and many monkeys roam around freely in the treetops.

Here in this photo, one of my girls is reaching towards the monkey in the tree!

Beautiful Raiane enjoying the animals!

ALL SMILES!!!

One BIG attraction at the zoo are the elephants! This one elephant was SO FRIENDLY and he came SO CLOSE! The girls LOVED him!

Check out the video below with our friend the elephant, and listen to us talking in Portuguese!

SNACK TIME!

The afternoon girls group enjoying the sandwiches and resting a bit!

It was a tiring trip with MUCH walking involved! Some girls were so extremely tired by the end of our time at the zoo. Lizia was trying SO HARD to hang in there, but the outing really made her sleepy. Rosangela had to carry her at the end and she also fell fast asleep on the bus ride back home.

Sleeping Beauties!

These girls fell asleep on the bus ride back to the Light House. After MUCH walking they couldn't resist a good nap.

Overall, our outing to the ZOO was a BIG SUCCESS with our girls!

YWAM Belo Horizonte Night of Praise and Celebration!

2008-10-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

We recently had a night of PRAISE and CELEBRATION to thank and honor God for all he is doing in and through the ministry houses here at the YWAM Belo Horizonte base! Some of the girls from my afternoon girls group had the honor of representing the Light House Community Center through WORSHIP and DANCE!

All dressed up before the service!

My friend Michelle, who has been teaching the girls ballet, received a special offering from her church of dance outfits for the girls!

Each girl got to wear a special dance costume.

The girls were absolutely BEAUTIFUL and loved dressing up in the fancy outifts!

This first video shows the girls singing and dancing to a worship song called Apaixonado, which is translated as "Falling in Love". The song is about being in love with Jesus because He LOVES us, died for us on the cross and has transformed our lives. It is a fun song full of the message of God's love and truth!

The girls LOVE this song and created this dance to it. We sing this every week during our times of worship in our girls group!

The second video is some ballet moves the girls have been learning.

This video is beautiful! The girls look so graceful and I can just see God smiling with GREAT love over them as they dance for Him!

I hope you have enjoyed this post!

To read more about the different ministries here at the YWAM Belo Horizonte base go to www.bhcentro.ywambrazil.org.

My Girls! Minhas Meninas!

2008-09-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

It is not how much we do, but how much LOVE we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much LOVE we put in the giving.

Mother Teresa

These are the beautiful lives that I have the priviledge of working with here in Brazil. All of these girls live in the Cafezal slum and many are living in extremely difficult family situations. Please pray for these girls and for TRANSFORMATION in their homes and lives!

God's love and message of HOPE and LIFE can bring great change to these girls, their families, and their futures. We are praying that they will choose this abundant and love-filled LIFE of knowing God and being in an intimate relationship with Him.

Ballet in Brazil!

2008-09-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

PRAISE HIM WITH DANCING... PSALM 150:4 During the month of August the Light House was greatly blessed by a Brazilian volunteer (named Michelle) who taught ballet to the girls in my groups.

Warming up.. Point and Flex, Point and Flex!

Michelle also shared about the beauty that each girl has! God has created each one perfectly, wonderfully, and beautifully! They are princesses and they have worth and value because they are daughters of the KING.

All of the girls LOVED the Ballet lessons!

You can see the JOY on their beautiful faces.

For the girls to have the opportunity to learn some ballet was truly a special thing! Many of these girls come from families that have very little money and they could never afford to pay for a ballet class.

Dancing with beautiful scarfs!!! The girls loved this part of the Ballet class!

Enjoy watching these precious girls dance in the video below!!!

ALL BECAUSE OF LOVE...

2008-08-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

There are so many things that I love about working with the girls groups here at the Light House Community Center! But one thing that especially touches my heart is the way the girls enter into our house each day.

We keep the doors locked except during the Light House working hours. Whenever it is time to unlock the main gate to start the morning or afternoon sessions there is always a great CELEBRATION! Children are eagerly and expectantly waiting outside the Light House to enter and participate in our daily activities.

I love this part of the day! I usually stand at the top of a hill near the entrance to greet the girls (unless I am the special one to do the honors of opening the door). Whenever the gate is opened my girls come flooding in with their big, beautiful brown eyes searching to find exactly where I am. When they spot me they call out my name, “Laura! Laura!” and come running full speed towards me, arms wide open and upraised - ready to give me a BIG hug!

As they enter our house, I can see such a relief and a joy on their faces. They are finally inside!

The girls know they are SAFE here…
They are now in an environment of love, affirmation, discipline, and protection. They are off the streets, out of their troubled and chaotic homes, and away from the harsh reality of life in the slums.

They know they can RUN to me...
I am always there waiting, with arms of love available, to embrace and accept them.

They know they can find LOVE…
Through my life, my words, my actions, my attitude, my presence - I am here to offer the LOVE of Jesus Christ to each child. It is my prayer that each girl will encounter the unconditional and unfailing LOVE of God when they enter into the Light House! This is the reason I am here in Brazil, working with hurting children who live in poverty…

It is all because of LOVE! The love of Jesus Christ!

OLYMPICS in BRAZIL!

2008-07-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

Last week we held the 2008 Summer Olympics here at the Light House Community Center!

Every year the center holds these special games. A YWAM Go Team (visiting from Holland) also helped organize and run this special event! Enjoy the photos below of our amazing week with the kids from the slum!

The Olympic flame being carried by the son of one of the missionary families serving here!

MY AWESOME TEAM!!

We represented the nation of BRAZIL!!!

Painting our flag and preparing for the opening ceremony and the Olympic parade of nations!

Our parade of nations on the streets in the slum. It is a beautiful view of the city here and you can even see the United States team (in the blue shirts) just in front of Brazil. You can also see the US flag in this photo.

The Holland team cheering and singing with much spirit! This parade on the street was such an exciting experience. I thought of the words of a famous song,

"Open up the doors and let the music play, let the streets resound with singing!"

Each day we started our Olympic events with prayer! Here is a mighty man of God praying to start our day! What a precious one he is...

We also had a time of singing and worshiping the Lord! Here are my sweet girls helping me lead the worship time.

The Olympic teams! From left to right - New Zealand (black), Brazil (yellow), England (red), Holland (orange), South Africa (green), and United States of America (blue). We chose these six specific countries because they represent the different nations of the Light House staff members.
The South Africa Team!!!
Jump the Creek! We measured which team could jump the farthest.

A swimming obstacle course in the Light House Pool!
GO Brazil team!

A obstacle course in the park!
The team with the best time won points.

A team building activity. The goal of the game was to get a banana out of the tree without stepping inside a boundary line that was placed around the tree. The team had to work together and received points for how well they worked together and included everyone on the team.
The Brazil team in deep thought and discussion!

A bowling game! Each team won points for knocking down the bottles.

Sporting TEAM SPIRIT!!!! GO BRAZIL!!!

The leaders revealing the FINAL SCORE for the Olympic games!

The MEDAL Ceremony! Cheering the kids on as they were receiving the medals!

This little guy is so serious about receiving his SILVER medal!

One of the girls from my morning group happy with her medal!

Beautiful Bliss!

The New Zealand team got the GOLD! Here is the New Zealand team doing their team war cry and dance which was so cool! They did a traditional native dance and song of the indiginous people of New Zealand!

Now he is PROUD with his SILVER medal!!!

Happy and at home in the Light House...

AN INSIDE LOOK...The life of one little girl living in the slums of Brazil

2008-06-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

The following story I orginally wanted to include in my summer newsletter, but that was getting WAY too long. So I decided to post it on my blog.

I wanted to share this story so that people could get an understanding of what life is like in the lives of children and families who live in the slums of Brazil.

Every life has a different story. Many children are born into complicated family situations and histories, full of harsh realities such as death due to the drug trade, disease, poverty, abuse, neglect...

This is just one story of one little girl living in the slum of Cafezal, Belo Horizonte.

"The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty."

Mother Teresa

Beautiful Maria* is eight years old…

Her parents are separated. Maria, her three brothers and one sister (all under 13 years of age) were all living in their father’s house – yet this father is hardly at home and when he is at home he spends most of his time with his girlfriend. Maria’s mother abandoned the family a year ago. She had no contact with the family, but then in April returned for a visit and is now thankfully a part of her children's lives again.

Maria’s dad often leaves his children to live alone in their small, dirty house for two to three weeks at a time. He travels with his job and although he works a lot, the children do not have the basic necessities--consistent daily meals and proper care and clothing. A few weeks ago, Maria and her two brothers went into a neighbor’s home and stole food because they were so hungry. It is very dangerous to steal within a slum community because the drug lords enforce their own set of laws. If someone steals from someone else who lives within the slum the drug lords will beat or torture the person as a form of punishment.

Maria’s hygiene suffers as well due to not being properly cared for. She often arrives to our morning girls group wearing old, dirty clothing with many holes and smelling of urine. She also recently had a terrible case of lice! I spent some time trying to comb the lice eggs out of her hair, but after three weeks Maria still cannot seem to get rid of them! Maria is hungry for affection from a mother figure. She struggles to express her true emotions and is constantly seeking attention through unusual behavior.

Maria often spends hours playing in the streets. She has no concept of what day of the week it is or what time it is. She often has arrived late to the Light House simply because she has no one to help orient her with what time it is and what day of the week it is. Many times she would ask me, "Laura, do we have YWAM tomorrow?" I have always tried to help her remember the days of the week and when we have our girls group.

Due to many concerns about all the children in the family, some leaders from the Light House recently met with the father and mother to discuss the situation of this family. Thankfully some important decisions were made by the parents and hopefully the overall care and living conditions of the children will improve.

It was decided that Maria and her younger brother, who is six years old, are going to live with their mother and her new boyfriend (on the other side of town). Now these two young ones who need the most care and attention will be living with their mother. Hopefully this will be a good move and the children will transition into a new school and new neighborhood well.

The three older children will continue to live with the father. Both the father and the mother have agreed to do a better job of caring for the children. The parents are starting the process of getting an official divorce and the children will be allowed to visit each other and their parents on the weekends.

Please pray for this family! For healing, protection, restoration, and for the family to respond to the LOVE of God that is revealed to them over and over. There is HOPE for each child and the parents as well through the LOVE and REDEMPTIVE POWER of Jesus Christ!

All five children have participated in some way in the programs offered here at the Light House and we as a staff are going to continue to work with and monitor this family's situation. We desire that God will give us wisdom in how to approach and truly help this family.

* For her protection the child’s name has been changed and the photos are of other children from the same community.

Dia da BIBILIA!!! BIBLE DAY!!!

2008-06-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

Recently we had a special BIBLE DAY to celebrate the BIBLE here at the Light House with the youngest children that participate in the children's groups here!

Our house leader, Felipe, starting our day with prayer and singing songs!

The children singing and doing motions to a popular kid's song here.
"Read your Bible pray every day, pray everyday, pray everyday...
If you want to grow!"

Me presenting a skit about the value of hiding the WORD of God in your heart.

Two precious ones standing in line near the decorated doorway!

TREASURE HUNT!!!

Searching for SILVER and GOLD!
We taught the kids the following verse

The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:72

Then we sent them on a treasure hunt to find their own piece of silver or gold.
And they're OFF!

Each child finding their piece of silver or gold!

My sweet girls showing their treasure. Each piece of gold has the verse from Psalm 119:72 written on one side.

The afternoon girls group with their pieces of gold and silver!

This smile is priceless!

The children completing a problem solving activity. Each small group organized the words from different scriptures in order - like a puzzle!

We shared with the children about different countries where people can not worship freely or even have their own Bible. The stars are placed on the map marking the top ten nations where there is no religious freedom and in most of these nations Bibles are illegal.

The children SUPER FELIZ with their new, cool and colorful Children's Bibles!

The afternoon girls' group with their new Bibles!

A THUMBS UP for the new Bibles!

Reading away in his new Bible!

Enjoying snacks and our Bible Party in the park!

Our girls coloring a follow-up activity with a Bible verse!

Our BIBLE DAY was fun and each child was SO HAPPY to receive their very own personal Bible!

Thanks again to White Plains United Methodist Church of Cary, NC for donating the money to purchase these Bibles. This community has been blessed by this offering!

Tea and Bibles for the Ladies!

2008-06-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday I gave a special TEA for the women from the slum who participate in the water aerobics class here at the Light House!

Here is a photo of the beautiful women, the Light House lifeguard/water aerobics instructor (Professor Nunes) and me!

Enjoying YUMMY treats!

The dessert in the tray on the table is a special apple cobbler recipe that my Grandma Bookout makes. I called my grandma the night before the tea to ask for the recipe and ALL the ladies liked this treat the BEST! Many people want the recipe now!

Delicious Orange Cake!!!

I presented a video about the life, death, and resurection of Jesus Christ! It was beautiful and set to music that spoke of the MAJESTY of KING JESUS.

I recieved a SPECIAL donation from White Plains United Methodist Church (Cary, NC) to buy Bibles to give to the families and children we minister to here at the Light House.

I am happy to say that we were able to bless each woman at this special Tea with a brand new Bible!!! They were very thankful and blessed by this gift!

Women already reading in their new Bibles! They are hungry to read the WORD of GOD!

This sweet elderly lady told me that the Bible I gave her was the first Bible she has ever had in her whole life. I am pretty sure that she can not read, but still I was overjoyed to be able to place a Bible in her hands! Now she has a Bible and even if she can not read, some one may be able to read it to her.

After I gave this women a Bible she said to me, "Laura, this is the best present I have ever received. I never had a Bible before and now I have one. Thank you so much!"

I was surprised to hear that she had never owned a Bible as well and was again so happy that now she has one. Soon afterwards I saw her already searching the scriptures and I snapped this shot.

The woman on the far right with the yellow shirt is currently in two courses here at the Light House. She is in a literacy course, learning how to read and write and in water aerobics.

After I handed her a Bible I said to her, "I know you are learning to read right now so I will be praying that you will continue to learn quickly and be able to soon read this book!"

She said, "Yes, I want this! In Jesus Name!"

HAPPY with their NEW BIBLES!!!

It was a wonderful TEA to celebrate these ladies and honor them by giving them each a Bible.

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary, NC for donating the money to purchase and distribute these Bibles! God Bless you for giving to this community here in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. May the WORD of God that is going forth produce MUCH fruit and bring transformation here!

Stay tuned... NEXT week we will distribute Bibles to some of our kids groups! I am excited about this!

Teaching the girls about Hygiene!

2008-05-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

Recently we received a donation from people in Holland who gave to a volunteer working here with us. We had the idea to teach the girls about hygiene and then give them a hygiene kit!

Check out the fun stuff the girls received! Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body soap, tissues, a toothbrush, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and cool stuff too like hair bows and fun sunglasses!

Kelly, my teaching partner, sharing specific ways the girls can have good personal hygiene!

Ilse, a Dutch volunteer who helped with this project and the girls with their hygiene kit bags!

Some of the girls leaving the Light House very very HAPPY with their new hygiene kits (inside the plastic shopping bags) in hand!

Camila with her goodies from the hygiene kit! She was waiting for her mom to arrive to help her carry all this stuff home.

On behalf of the girls and the Light House staff we want to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of those who gave to this Hygiene Project! We appreciate your support and prayers!

Chase the Lion!

2008-05-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Chase the Lion. Grab life by the mane...
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
Set God sized goals. Pursue God ordained passions.
Grab life by the mane.

Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.
Keep asking questions.
Keep making mistakes.
Keep seeking God.
Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution.
Stop repeating the past and start creating the future.
Stop playing it safe and start taking risks.

Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences.
Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey...

Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.
Live like today is the first day and last day of your life.

Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God.
Burn sinful bridges.
Blaze a new trail.
Criticize by creating
Worry less about what people think and mroe about what God thinks.
Don't try to be who you are not. Be yourself.

Laugh at yourself.
Quit holding out.
Quit holding back.
Quit running away.

Chase the Lion...

Read this today and it really speaks to where I am at. I am here in Brazil by faith. I am chasing the dreams He has placed in my heart. I am walking in obedience, taking a RISK - I don't want to hold back but fulfill all that God wants through my life...

Hope you are encouraged by this challenge as I was to CHASE the LION. To passionately chase after the Heart of God and become who God has uniquely created and destined you to be.

Mother's Day!!!

2008-05-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

Enjoy photos of the Community Mother's Day Event
we hosted to honor the many mothers here in the slum of Cafezal!

Happy Mother's Day written in Portuguese!

The literal translation is "Happy Day of the Mothers!"

This was posted on the wall behind us while we gave our presentation!

Me with a few of the girls from my afternoon group.

In a drama we presented, the girl sitting beside me needed to be covered with kiss marks all over her face. I made the kiss marks with my dark lipstick just before this photo was taken.

We both laughed so much as I was getting her make-up just right!

Dressed up for the drama!

The afternoon girls group presenting the drama for the mothers! Each girl said a reason why they know they have a special place in the heart of their mother. (For example - because my mom feeds me, takes care of me when I am sick, plays with me, reads the Bible to me, prays for me, ect...)

The girls who participate in my morning girls group singing a song of blessing for the mothers. Click on the video below to seem in action!

After the presentation we all ate cake! A sweet way to end the celebration!

A beautiful photo of a girl from my afternoon group during the refreshment time.

To all of you who are mother's reading this post- I hope you had a very Happy Mother's Day this year and may God Bless you as you continue to be used of God in this role as a mother.

Your love as a mother truly is an expression of the LOVE of God!

I also want to dedicate this special post to my Grandma Dyson who is very sick and in the hospital this Mother's Day. I want to honor her as a Mother and a Grandmother this day. May the Lord bless, comfort, cover her with HIS peace and unconditional LOVE like only He can do...

Living Miracles

2008-05-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to the 1st birthday party of a one year old boy who is living with his mother, Joyce, in the YWAM girls shelter for girls with babies, called the Reborn House. I worked closely with this young mom and her baby last year when I was working at the the Rescue House. I wrote a blog about them about this time last year.

As you can see they both are doing well! Mom is growing in her walk with God and is currently taking classes at night. Baby is healthy, happy and is now 1 year old!!!

Here I am with Joyce and her nieces and nephews that attended the party! Many of her family members live in the same slum as me! Joyce actually spent many years living in Cafezal slum as child. She later lived with her mentally handicapped mother in a hospital for three years, on the streets, in another YWAM girls shelter called Recanto, off and on in the homes of her sisters (here in the slum), and now she is living safely in the Reborn house with her baby.

Enjoy the video below of everyone singing "Happy Birthday" in Portuguese!

It is beautiful to see how in the last year God has worked in the life of this young, teenage mom. Both mom and baby are true miracles and testimonies of God's faithfulness!

A special guest at the party!

This precious girl is another MIRACLE of God!

This beautiful girl was unfortunately born with the HIV virus. Her mother, a girl who is still on the streets, passed the virus onto her. Last year I also worked with this precious baby and her mother while working at the Rescue House. The mother of this girl lived at the Reborn House for a while with her daughter but ended up returning to the lifestyle of living on the streets. Her daughter has been adopted by a lovely couple from Holland. Oh, how this couple loves this precious girl and their unconditional love has brought much healing to her life! Her health is stronger than ever now and she is a happy and lively baby! When she first came to the YWAM shelter she was extremely sick, unactive, and an unresponsive baby. God has brought much life to her!

I love to see God at work in these lives.
Living Miracles of God!

He is working - bringing life, love, change, and healing.

He listens to the cry of the needy ones...

He is a God of LOVE!

Confronted With Reality...

2008-04-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

As I walk through the slum, dodging puddles of dirty water and trash littering the street,

my eyes are open to see ...

Children are playing in the street, a crowd is waiting at the bus stop, a scraggly horse is standing attached to an old, rusty cart waiting for his workday to continue, teenage girls pass by carrying their babies, people are entering and exiting the small corner store and fruit shop, and unemployed men sit on the curbside and in the local bar drinking and smoking their day away. Loud music blares, stray dogs are barking, motorcycles whiz down the steep, narrow streets, the strong sun beats down on my face, and I smell the pleasant fragrance of fresh bread baking nearby. With each step, I take in the world around me. I climb my way up a steep hill and enter a narrow alley way.

This is the path I take as I go to visit the families of the girls I work with. Each week we spend time visiting families in the community and during this time ...

I am always confronted with reality.

The brutal reality of life in the slums of Brazil continues to shake and compel me to share my FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE. Just the other day I went on a family visit and was greatly impacted. The story of this family is just a taste of the reality of the many people living throughout thousands of slums in Brazil.

I work with three girls that come from the same extended family. The mother of one of the girls recently shared with us that she has been abused by her husband and even tortured by him due to his desperation for money. (This family is now living with other family members for safe refuge). The niece of this lady is a single mom who is rumored to be involved with drug trafficking. She has two beautiful daughters which are also in my group. The father of the oldest daughter was shot and killed (drug related) when this girl was just a baby, and the father of the younger daughter abandoned the family years ago. This is just one family that I work with.

Another girl in my group also suffers from the reality of her father’s murder, which was drug related. Many kids who live in this slum only have one parent figure as well, due to the unfortunate fact that either their mother or father has abandoned the family. Most of the children we work here at the Light House live in an environment of neglect, pain, poor living conditions, abuse, and lack…

Sometimes it is easy to just shut your eyes to reality. It is easier to shut your eyes than to see the pain and suffering in the world around you… Honestly, that is usually my first reaction to pain and suffering – to just shut my eyes or turn away.

I feel God is saying to me, “Open your eyes...”

He has placed me here to see each child, each person- individually, to understand their pain, sufferings and difficulties, and then to respond with His LOVE. To do what He would do and bring them HIS LOVE.

I feel privileged to be here. It isn’t always easy, but I know Jesus has called me to follow Him to this corner of the world full of much pain and beauty.

The Lord is faithful to all His promises

and loving toward all He has made.

Psalm 145:13

We all can find HOPE in the LORD!

Domingo Com Deus ~ Sunday with God

2008-04-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

About once every other month the Light House Community Center hosts a children's program for all the children who live in the slum of Cafezal.

Enjoy photos of our most recent Domingo Com Deus/ Sunday With God!

A group of students who are doing their YWAM Discipleship Training School led this outreach.

It is a fairly quiet Sunday afternoon. Children are beginning to arrive outside the Light House doors while students are walking the streets inviting children to come to the program.

Faces in the Crowd....

My good friend Kirsty (a volunteer from New Zealand) and some boys who participate in a boys group here at the Light House.

Enjoying life with BIG, CRAZY clown hair!

Waiting for the show to begin...

One of my precious girls from my morning girls group!

A beautiful smile from a girl from my afternoon girls group!

Precious and beautiful are these little ones...

This is a girl from my morning group with her brother who was recently hit by a city bus while riding his bike. You can still see the wounds on his face in this photo. Due to the accident, he also broke his leg and suffered from a slight head injury. He is now continuing to heal and is doing well!

Having fun taking photos!

Clown entertainment!

Making music unto the Lord!

Two girls from my afternoon girls group singing along!

My friend Michelle (from Brazil) reading the story You are Special by Max Lucado (in Portuguese) and a drama presented by the DTS students to illustrate the story!

It was a fantastic way to tell the kids how special they are to God!

Eli, the main character who represents Father God, telling his creation how special she is!

After the program we split into small groups so the kids could complete a follow up application activity. Above is a girl from my morning girls group working hard!!!

Happy and smiling! Another precious one from my morning group with a clown!

This Domingo com Deus was a success! About 150 children from the slum participated in all and many were impacted and touched with the Love of Christ!

Easter Activities!!!

2008-03-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

This week we celebrated Easter with our groups of girls!

We did many fun activities with the girls and it was beautiful to see God working in their hearts.

Here is one of the girls sharing the salvation story through a book we made called, "A Book Without Words." Each page is a different color and represents a different part of the gospel message.

Watching portions of the Jesus film with the girls!

We taught the girls about Jesus washing the disciples' feet and let them experience what the disciples experienced during Passover...

We also taught the girls about the Last Supper and we took Communion.

The bread represents the broken body of Jesus Christ and the wine (or grape juice) represents the blood of Christ poured out for us...

Sharing a lesson about the amazing and GREAT LOVE of GOD!

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD!

Each girl was to look into the mirror and proclaim,

" God loves __(their name)____."

This activity was so interesting to observe the reactions of these girls. It was difficult for some of the girls to look into the mirror at themselves and speak the truth that GOD loves them. Some of these girls never hear the words, "I love you..." from their parents so it is powerful for them to hear and learn that they are greatly loved.

GOD LOVES this precious one!

This week we talked a lot about the LOVE of GOD! During this activity each girl placed her photo inside this heart that represents the heart of GOD. We will keep this bulletin board up as a reminder of the EVERLASTING LOVE of GOD!

The afternoon girls group!!! They are greatly LOVED!!!

Kelly showing the girls a really cool Lego cartoon about Jesus, His death, and ressurection.

This is an Easter activity we did with the girls and the phrase written at the top of the page says, "Jesus is our Passover!"
We talked with the girls about Jesus being the passover Lamb

and that HE is the reason for this Easter season!

The service with the ladies from the slum! These ladies were encouraged by the worship, the word that was shared, and yummy snacks!

Happy Easter to you and Your family! Feliz Pascoa!

Thank you for your prayers!

Playing Follow the Leader!

2008-03-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

News About Lady the Light House Guard Dog!

2008-03-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that Lady can no longer have puppies! Thanks to a donation given by my sister, Lady had surgery this past week and is now a fixed puppy!

Here is a photo of her before she went to the Vet for her surgery! YES- the Melhor Amigo (Best Friend) Vet came and picked Lady up in their cute little decorated car. Now that is what I call service!

Lady is now in her recovery stage... She has a HUGE collar on to keep from hurting her incision from the surgery. She is a sweet natured, obedient dog and a BIG joy bringer to many living at the Light House Community Center - esspecially the foreigners who miss their family pets back in their home countries.

We are happy that Lady´s quality of life has now improved and we don´t have to worry about her getting pregnant! That would be A LOT of extra work for us as well!!!

My First Week with the Girls!

2008-02-23T02:06:00.001-08:00

This week we started our work with the children here at the Light House community center which is located in a slum called Cafezal in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

I am working with two groups of girls with ages ranging from 5 to 9 years old. I, along with my coleader, work with a group in the morning and a group in the afternoon. In Brazil children only go to school for half of the day so for the other half of the day they come and have fun and learn about the Lord here at the Light House.

It is much better for these children to be here at the Light House than to be on the streets playing or home alone. A lot of the children come from difficult family situations and have many many spiritual, emotional, and educational needs.

I had a great first week with my 2 groups of girls! Enjoy these photos and see some of the fun stuff we did!!!

Playing on the playground! The girls LOVE this part of the day!

A girl who just turned five so now she is old enough to join in on the activities here at the Light House! She is happy about that!

This was her first time on a swing set and she is 9 years old!

There are no parks in this slum (except inside the Light House property) or even close by. I was surprised that this girl had never been on a swing before and happy to be able to document and take a photo of her first time ever on a swing.

She was a little afraid to swing too high but she really enjoyed it!

This sweet one loves to swing! She would stay on the swingset the whole time if we let her!

We did a name activity with the girls during the first week to get to know the girls. Here one of the girls is presenting her name creation! This little one is 5 years old but has some developmental and growth problems. She is very smart though and tries so hard to do things independently, even though it is challenging for her.

My co-leader Kelly, who is a Brazilian, teaching a Bible Lesson to the girls about Creation! My co-leader is an awesome story teller and is wonderful with the girls! I am so thankful for all the ways she is helping and teaching me during this time. She is a blessing to work with- esspecially because she can speak Portuguese! She worked here at the Light House last year and loves working with children. She is teaching me SO MUCH.

Playing Games and doing Puzzles!

I think the favorite activity of most of the children is SWIMMING!!!

Here are the girls getting ready to jump in and enjoy the pool!!!

Once a week we give one meal to the girls and every day we give one piece of fruit.

These children are so beautiful and precious. I am so thankful to be here working with them!

PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!!!

Please pray for the girls, their families, and for our times working with the girls here at the Light House. We are praying for all of the girls to know the Lord personally and to grow to become strong women of God who walk in His ways. Our hope is also that they would have a good life- not trapped in poverty or poor choices. We want them to have an abundant and happy life!

The reality here is that often the girls get involved in relationships at an early age. Many are pregnant as young as 10 or 11. There are many broken relationships in the families of the girls and also much abuse and drug involvment in this slum. We are praying for a better life and praying for protection and transformation in the lives of each girl and their families.

I invite you to pray for these girls and for me and Kelly as we lead them.

We want to be a blessing in this community!

Update on Marcos

2008-02-18T08:41:00.001-08:00

I met with a friend of mine who works at the Boy’s Home called the Restoration House.
She told me more of the story…

Marcos did NOT run away. He had to leave the house because he was using drugs in the house. If a boy gets caught using drugs he automatically has to leave the home because the boy could influence the other boys to use drugs too. He is NOT allowed to go back to the YWAM home because of his drug involvement and his age. I learned that he is actually 17. If he was younger and having this problem he could possibly have a chance to return.

I also learned that because of his involvement with drugs Marcos was supposed to be in a teen prison . My friend was VERY surprised that we had seen him on the streets.

During our conversation with Marcos, he mentioned he may try going to another shelter that is known to be a fairly good place. Please continue to pray for this boy. He really has a lot of potential! I am praying that he chooses to make good choices and follow a better path! The path God has for Him.

Divine Appointment

2008-02-05T13:09:00.000-08:00

Today me and my friend Janete had a divine appointment.

After getting lost in the city of Belo Horizonte and walking and walking for at least two hours in search of two different banks to run an errand... we both decided it was time to STOP and just go home. We walked to a nearby bus stop, sat down, and began waiting for the bus.

Throughout the whole afternoon we had seen many street boys sniffing paint thinner, laying on the streets, or hanging out in different areas. We both had been surprised with the number of street boys we had seen during the afternoon hours and our hearts were heavy for these youth. As we sat talking, I saw behind my friend Janete three street boys walking towards us.

As they came closer I asked Janete, "Is that Marcos*?"

She glanced back and said, "Marcos from the Restoration House... No, I don't think so."

As he walked closer, we learned it was in fact Marcos.

Last May Marcos came to the Rescue House and completed a triage. Both Janete and I worked there at the time. The government here in Brazil had refered Marcos to the YWAM boys' shelter, but before entering the shelter Marcos had to successfully complete a trial program at the YWAM Rescue House. He passed with flying colors! He had a good attitude, was laid back, and had no problems during his time in the Rescue House.

Marcos moved on and lived at the Restoration House until January... then he ran away.

Marcos is a quiet kid, with a kind and genuine smile. He has lived in shelters for most of his life and on streets when he has not been in a shelter. He doesn't have any parents, only an aunt who he isn't close with. He basically has no one... He has been through much in his 16 years.

Janete and I stood to greet Marcos. He was offering his kind smile and was happy to see us.

His friends continued walking and I honestly thought he was going to speak to us only for a moment and then go on to be with his street friends. BUT instead of moving on, Marcos stayed. He walked over and took a seat where we had been sitting. He wanted to sit and talk with us.

We began asking him questions.

Why are you back on the street?
"I had a fight with another boy in the house."

We encouraged him that he could work it out. We encouraged him to return!
Marcos can return and make things right. If he really wants to... He will have to undergo some disciplines for leaving the shelter, but he will be given another chance if he returns.

How long have you been on the streets?
"About a month...more or less..."

Marcos had his right arm in a make-shift sling (made of some cloth material) and he had red marks all over his arms.

Why are you all marked up and your arm in a sling? Who did this to you?
"The police. We were staying in an abandoned building and the police entered and beat us all up."

Unfortunately, it is normal for the police to beat and abuse street children.

Have you eaten today?
"No."

I gave him the only food I had. Two granola bars and a box of cereal that I had just bought at the store. He was a lot thinner than the last time I had seen him. Life on the streets will do that to you.

Janete and I sat with Marcos for at least twenty minutes encouraging him to return to the boys' shelter. Telling him that it is not too late to return.

Marcos listened as we spoke words of truth and life to him,
"What do the streets have to offer you?"
"If you stay on the streets what kind of future will you have?"
"If you go back to the boys' house and keep studying and keeping walking the right way you will have a great future! God has better for you than this! God has the best for you! NOT this life on the streets. All you have to do is return to the boys' house. You can work things out there... We love you Marcos. God loves you SO MUCH! The people at the boys' house love you. Return Marcos! Return! You are worth more than this. Your life has value. God doesn't want you to be in the streets being beat up by the police. Your life has value!"

He listened... His only response was, "O.K. O.K. Maybe I will go back... "

I could see him really thinking about all we were saying. He was taking it all in. He was really thinking.

Our bus was now passing for the second time. We had missed the first one because we were talking with Marcos.

As I gave Marcos a hug good bye I told him, "I want to see you again. Return."

I then ran to catch the bus...

I know the Lord ordered our steps today.
We had been lost earlier in the day and we were annoyed at not being able to do an errand we wanted to do, BUT God had other things in mind. He ordered our steps to meet up with Marcos.

God wanted us to speak words of life and truth to him. To challenge him to return.

Please pray for Marcos to return back to the boys' shelter... God has a better life for him than a life on the streets. Pray that he can believe this for himself. He is worth SO MUCH!

PLEASE pray for this precious son!

*name has been changed

My New Home!

2008-02-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

My new home!

This is the Light House Community Center (in Portuguese known as Luziero) which is located in a slum called Cafezal. The goal of the center is to impact the community around us with the love of Jesus Christ through offering programs to children and families. This year I will be working with groups of children here at the center! I am excited that I will be working with groups of younger children again.

This is a photo taken from one side. There are actually many different levels with many different parts to the house. Keep scrolling down and you will see more of the house!

The Light House is located on a BIG hill that overlooks the city of Belo Horizonte.

I have a great view of the city!

I like this shot, showing homes on the hill in Cafezal. Check out the dog sitting on the roof of a nearby home.

This is my bedroom! I am on the top bunk!

I share my room with two Brazilian girls who are working as staff for the YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) here in Belo Horizonte. The Light House offers DTS, a type of missionary training school, twice a year. Currently there are people here receiving training from England, Brazil, and Holland.

The view from my bedroom window!

One of the classrooms where we do educational activities with the kids!

The soccer court/hockey court/basketball court area where the Light House staff leads physical activities with the kids! AND the YWAM Hockey team practices and plays hockey (with rollarblades)!

The pool area! I will be swimming lots with the groups of children I will be working with. The kids LOVE the pool! It is a BIG treat to come and swim here.

This is Lady! She is the guard dog here at the Light House. I am so happy to have an animal at our house. I want to give her lots of love too!

Beautiful flowers blooming here at the Light House.

They remind me of the quote, "Bloom where you're planted."

God has planted me here at the Light House and my prayer is that I will grow, bloom, and bring joy to God's heart (just as flowers do...) as I serve the children and families here in Cafezal.

I am excited about the year ahead and thankful to be here!

It is all part of the adventure!

2008-01-30T14:24:00.001-08:00

“It is all part of the adventure!”

About a year ago, a good teacher friend (who I worked with at Swift Creek Elementary) encouraged me with this phrase.

“It is all part of the adventure!”

I will never forget these 7 words . I have thought about these words so many times and often spoken them to myself in the midst of hard situations. When things are not going my way, when my plans have totally turned and taken a nose dive, when I am really disappointed, pushed out of my comfort zone a little TOO far, or I am faced with challenges and hard truths --- I encourage myself to remember that, “it is all part of the adventure!” On this journey with God- the good, the bad, the beauty, the wonder, the ugly…every part is valuable and teaches you SO much!

I just arrived back in Brazil and actually was reflecting and writing this during one of my many layovers. Due to many various situations (some expected and many more unexpected) my travel time back to Brazil lasted MUCH longer than I anticipated. I was traveling for about 45 hours total!

“It’s all part of the adventure!”

Coming to Brazil this time already feels SO different. As soon as I arrived, I was understanding conversations in Portuguese, I know more of what to expect because I am more familiar with the culture and country, I know how to communicate better therefore I am capable of taking care of myself much better, I can solve my own problems better, and I even know how to get money out of an ATM all by myself. Last year when I arrived I could not do any of these things and I felt like a small child in a grown up body. I wanted to be independent, yet was unable and through that God taught me lots. Humility and dependence on the Lord… and this lesson always continues as I am living beyond borders, here in Brazil.

"It is all part of the adventure!"

Knowing Jesus… Through my life here in Brazil, through going to live and work in a slum with children and families living in poverty, through following Jesus as He goes to the hurting and needy ones... I am learning… I am learning WHO Jesus is.

There is a song that I love (written by Jonathan Helser) and the lyrics of the chorus are:
“Most of all, I want the likeness of Jesus.”

That is my heart’s cry. As I am on this adventure with Him, may He teach me HIS heart and transform me to be more and more like Him.

A New Year's Blessing!

2008-01-07T18:59:00.001-08:00

Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort

at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships

So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,

So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,

So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and

To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

To believe that you can make a difference in the world

So that you can do what others claim cannot be done

To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

SEE WITH MY EYES...

2007-12-13T18:56:00.001-08:00

I have been living in Belo Horizonte, Brazil over the last 8 months, working with YWAM and children in need. During this time something the Lord spoke to me is that

HE is giving me NEW EYES to see - EYES to see the world and children with His heart and His great love.

I have learned so much and wanted to share a small glimpse of my life the last 8 months. Enjoy!

A precious orphan at an orphanage our YWAM team presented at.

Teaching these boys- who are now living in the boys shelter - how to play the guitar!
May they grow up to be WORSHIPERS and men after God's own heart!

Worshiping in spirit and in truth...

Shachelle- one of the first street guys I met when I arrived in Brazil. I visited him on the streets consistently every month since April. He once was in the YWAM Boy's Shelter, but ran away many times. Now Shachelle is too old to live in the boy's shelter. We have helped him into some rehabilitation centers, but he runs away from those too. He is addicted to the streets... Pray for a miracle and that he would have TRUE change in his life! There is HOPE for Shachelle- in Jesus...

Another street shot...

Teaching guitar to a street guy...

Pedreira - This is the 2nd largest crack producing slum in Brazil. The 1st is in Rio and here is the 2nd... YWAM is starting an outreach to this community and my heart has been really burdened for the people and lives here.

The scripture on my heart for the slums of Brazil is,

"How can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?"

So many need to hear of the LOVE and TRUTH of Christ.

God longs to give this little one a crown of beauty instead of these ashes...

Flying kites in a favela...

His eyes speak of suffering...

Cafezal - this is the favela or slum I am going to live and work in soon.

A singing clown and puppets! Kids LOVE this stuff!
I am the 2nd puppet over with the short black hair.
Our team presenting a children's program in Cafezal!

CLASS- This is a typical day in my training course called Children At Risk.

So MANY awesome topics were covered and I learned TONS!

God shuts the mouths of lions! We can TRUST in HIM!

A sweet little one at an outreach we did in Cafezal.

Capeira - A former street kid and YWAMer showing off their moves...

Favela Girls! These girls live in Cafezal- the slum I am going to live in!

A TEST on Thanksgiving day??? YES!!!

2007-11-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

I woke up to the sound of an alarm going off...

I am currently sleeping in a BIG room of eight girls and one of the girls in my room had set her alarm for 5:00 am! But, unfortunately I had not realized the time yet... I rose from my bed thinking, ¨OK- 6:00am... Time for a new day!¨

I started getting ready for the day... once I realized it was super early I decided to just stay awake.. I was already up!

Today was actually my last day of class in my Children At Risk Course AND we had a test!
A TEST on Thanksgiving day??? YES!!!

SO, early this morning I enjoyed my coffee and breakfast while reviewing my test notes.
BY 8:30 am I was starting my test and then at 9:30 our last class for the course started.

Today in class Johan ( the base leader) talked about helpful points to stay mentally healthy while working in missions. It was a good teaching about caring for yourself as a missionary! A very helpful teaching I know will be useful in the future!

At 1:00 I was eating the normal Brazilian lunch! BEANS and RICE! Today along with the beans and rice we had some roasted beef, fried eggplant, and tomatoes! Very exciting- I know!

By 2:00 I along with the other students in the course started a special time of cleaning on the YWAM base. I spent about 2 hours today scrubbing a wall that looked like it hadnt been cleaned in ages! The wall turned SO white-it transformed!

Tonight I will be having a Thanksgiving party with all my friends in the course!

So today I will be celebrating my Thanksgiving with people from all over the world!
People from these nations will be present at my Thanksgiving celebration: Korea, Norway, Germany, Brazil, USA, New Zealand, Holland, and England!

I want to say a BIG thank you to all of you who have supported me through prayer, encouragement, and finances this year!

Lots of Love and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Boys will be Boys!

2007-10-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

See what´s going on in BRAZIL...

Meet Davidson and Alex! These two boys are now going through a 2 week trial period at the Rescue House (this is the ministry I worked at for my first 5 months here in Brazil). I am on a team of 5 students from the Children At Risk Course and we are spending 2 weeks working the various ministries here at the YWAM Belo Horizonte base. It is cool because we are learning about all the ministries and getting to know a lot of the kids!

These boys are moving into the boys shelter - called the Restoration House - very soon! All of the students doing the Children At Risk training are currently living at the Restoration House, so we will be able to continue to build relationships with these boys.

Pray for these boys and their transition into the house. They both have been through lots in their short lives.

Walking with the boys to get ice cream!!!

TALENT NIGHT AT THE RESTORATION HOUSE!!!

We as students of the Children At Risk Course helped organize a TALENT NIGHT for the boys living in the Restoration House. There were many fun and funny acts! This night was to honor the boys, to encourage them to be creative and to share their special talents and abilities. Here are just a few photos from the special night! Hopefully I can post more photos soon...

Loren (from Germany) juggling with Jonatas! She taught him how to juggle for this night!

Welver won the craziest hair contest for the night!

This was a silly dance with hands and heads!

Leo rapping! The boys LOVE Hip Hop!

(It is funny because in Portuguese the way to say Hip Hop is Hippie Hoppie!)

Me and a boy named Hobson, sitting in the audience enjoying the show!

Having fun and enjoying the after-show treats!!!

Children At Risk Course

2007-09-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

Restoration House
I am now in a YWAM training course receiving specific training to work with children at risk. All of us students are living at the YWAM boys shelter called Restoration House. We are really getting to know the boys and the ministry here at the Restoration House. Above is a photo with me and a boy who lives here at the house. I first met him and worked with him at the Rescue House. He did triage there and then moved here. He is such a sweet boy and the Lord is doing beautiful things in him.

Here are some more photos of some of the boys during a recent birthday party here in the Restoration House!

Children At Risk Course

So currently I am spending each day in class and I also work in the different ministry projects here at this YWAM base. I have weekly assignments, papers, projects, and books to read! I am learning lots! I am so thankful to really learn more about YWAM Belo Horizonte and understand a part of each ministry. I think it is important as a staff here to understand each ministry project.

I have been learning about the many different kinds of children at risk in the world and different projects and methods to help to reach and restore these hurting kids. Sometimes it is lots to process when I am hearing about all these needs. So far we have learned about God´s intentional plan for the family, children´s ministry techniques, disciplining children at risk, working with people and children with HIV/AIDS, and working with sexually abused children.

Recanto House

Below are a few fun photos from my time working at the YWAM home for ex-street girls. The name of the house is Recanto House. The translation of the word Recanto is cozy little nook...

Two girls (below) working on a collage project we did with them during a devotional time.

Two sisters (below) who live at Recanto!

These girls have been living at Recanto for many years.

A girl having some fun with my camera!

Friends
There are people all over the world here taking part of the Children At Risk Training and working here with YWAM. Here is a photo of me and two of my friends here in Belo! One friend is an American (Kris) who is doing the Children At Risk Course with me and the other is from Germany (Alex) who has worked with YWAM and is studying here in Brazil.

Going to the Mountain...

2007-09-01T03:26:00.000-07:00

I recently heard a message at a church here about going to the Mountain to be with God. It challenged me a lot to go to that secret place... away from everyone and everything... every distraction and just be with the Lord.

The Mountain represents so many things...

Sacrifice
It is a place of sacrifice. Abraham took his son Isaac to the mountain and was willing to sacrifice his promised son. He was willing to give to God someone (not just something- but someone) and this someone was SO precious to Abraham. He let go of His rights and in Abraham´s obedience and faith, God provided another sacrifice, another way -- God met Abraham and was pleased with Abraham.

Intimacy
Jesus went alone to the mountain to pray and spend time with the Father. Being with the Father... Being intimate with Him, talking with Him, worshiping Him, spending time alone with the Father was a priority in the life of Jesus.

Direction
Moses went to the mountain and recieved direction and guidance from the Lord in how to lead the Israelites. God revealed His purposes to Moses and divine guidance on the mountain.

I feel like God is calling me to the mountain now...

He is calling me to a place of sacrifice. I am laying down my life daily here and learning more and more about the cost of being His disciple. But, oh what a priviledge and joy it is to lay down my life for the sake of knowing Him more.

He is calling me to deeper intimacy. He is challenging me to fast and pray and to press into His heart more... At times I think, ¨Oh Lord, I want this deeper intimacy... but how the spirit is willing, and my flesh is weak...¨ How I need God´s grace to choose to hide away with Him. I have to PURPOSE myself to GO to the mountain. I have to plan this time, or somehow and in someway I don´t make it up there... I don´t enter into this place with the Lord, because my time has been stolen away.

He is calling me to seek Him for direction. This is a special time in my life. I am starting a YWAM training course called Children At Risk. I will be learning about how to work with hurting children who live in poverty, or who have been abused or experienced trauma in their lives. I will be learning how to help children who are at risk of giving their lives away to crime, violence, drugs, and a life on the streets. I really feeling like God is going to give me specific guidance about my future during this time.

The mountain is such an amazing place to go... It is beautiful.

There is SO MUCH to see and take in at this sacred place.

I want to take in all that the Lord wants to show me... on the mountain...

Singing Over Joseline

2007-08-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you.
He will quiet you with His Love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
~Zephaniah 3:17 ~

One of the most special moments I have had occurred during a triage we had here at Rescue House with a 15 year old girl named Joseline. Her mother was murdered when she was three, and her father later abandoned her. She has spent most of her life living with various family members in poor slum areas, and she has also spent some time on the streets. Thankfully she is now in the YWAM home for girls!

One of the most special moments I have had occurred during a triage with Joseline. I was the staff worker on duty for the night to hang out with Joseline, do Bible Study, and make sure she followed her triage schedule. The rest of the staff went into the city to attend a special event.

Joseline was not happy to stay at home this night. She did not want to have a Bible Study, talk to me, look at me, or have anything to do with me. She was pouting and angry that she could not go out into the city with all of the other staff workers. She wanted to do something fun and exciting, but she was stuck at home with me.

When it was time for Bible Study, Joseline slowly walked the stairs up to the triage room with her head hanging down. I knew right away that she probably would not get anything out of our time together with that attitude.

I also knew much was on her heart too. She had only two days left of our triage and she would be moving to Recanto, the house for girls. She was nervous and scared about this change. Joseline flopped on her bed and still would not make eye contact with me.

Since she was in no mood to start our Bible Study or listen to me I said,
¨O.K. I am going to just sing a few songs.¨

I grabbed my guitar and began to play and sing worship songs. I sang songs proclaiming the truth and love of the Lord over her life. She turned her head, trying to hide her tears as I sang. Eventually she layed down , closed her eyes and rested in the loving arms of our Father God as I sang songs of love over her.

She fell fast asleep...

I eventually woke her up and we started out time of Bibler Study and prayer. Her attitude was much changed, God had touched here heart with His love. She was open, talking with me, sharing her fears, asking questions, and hungry to hear what God was wanting to speak. My times with Joseline were so special to me. God worked so much in her heart during her time here with us. She started to learn what it means to have a personal relationship with the Lord. She is continuing to do well at the Recanto, the girls house.

This time of with Joseline was such a beautiful picture of how God sings over us. He sings songs of love. When we are full of fear, we are angry, when we aren´t getting our way-- He continues to love us in spite of our weaknesses and struggles. He lavishly LOVES. He pours out His love over and over again... What a faithful and loving Father we have!

See through my eyes... a typical day of work...

2007-07-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

Every day in Brazil is started with COFFEE!!! Brazilians LOVE coffee and drink it every day throughout the day. This is the typical Brazilian breakfast, freshly made bread (made at a local bread shop) and coffee. I enjoy thisevery morning with my team here at Rescue House.

After breakfast, we as a team have a time of prayer and intercession. We pray for each other and also divide into groups and pray about different things God is placing on our hearts. I love starting our days putting God first and seeking His heart for our work with street children and street people.

Marian, Eveline, and Mariska (from Holland) praying during our time of intercession one morning.

We have open house every Monday morning. Street people come to our house to take showers, change clothes, and eat something. During this time we share the love of the Lord with the people and talk with them about opportunities that will help them leave the lifestyle of living on the streets. Here I am sitting with some of the street men at open house.

Here is one of the street ladies that we work with on a consistant basis. She visits our house every week and we are trying to help her and encourage her to make steps of change. Please pray for her and her daughter. Soon her daughter (pictured here) will be doing a triage with us here in the Rescue House. She is going to live in another YWAM ministry shelter here in Belo Horizonte.

This is a typical Brazilian lunch! In Brazil, you eat the biggest meal of the day in the middle of the day. This meal usually consists of beans and rice and also some kind of meat and vegetable.

I am learning how to cook Brazilian style! After lunch we get back to work doing various things. We may go on visits to the streets or fevelas or work within the house!

Here are a few photos of our work!

Here is one of the girls that just did a triage with us. She spent two weeks living at the Rescue House and just moved to the YWAM shelter for girls this past Sunday. Her mother died when she was 3 years old and she does not have contact with her father. She was living in a fevela with other family members and then spent some time on the streets, but thankfully she is now in the YWAM home for girls! My times of working with this girl were really special. We shared times of prayer, Bible Study, going out and having fun, and working around the house together. God is working in amazing ways in her life and I am excited to see how she continues to grow.

Me and my Brazilian friend Janete visiting in a fevela!
We visit families frequently throughout the week!

A young street boy of 8 years. He has a family and a house, but chooses to live on the streets. I don´t know his whole story or the condition of his family. Many street kids choose this way of life over living at home though due to family problems. They like the freedom they feel from living on the streets and also many become addicted to sniffing paint thinner.

Street boys on the streets here in Belo Horizonte. Usually groups of street kids live together.

We visit and talk with different groups of street kids every week.

A girl playing on the streets. I saw her one morning as we were visiting the streets. She wouldnt talk with us, but her face alone speaks so much...

Some afternoons we spend working in the house. Janete and Faith are sanding and painting this cabinet to hang up in our house.

We have a FULL house! Currently all of these people (short term volunteers and staff workers) are living and working at the Rescue House! Our family is made up of many nations- people from Brazil, Holland, United States, Uraquay, Argentina, and England!

At night, after a long days work, we often rest, spend time together, go out into the city to visit friends or run errands, and some nights we have other YWAM meetings as well!

This night we were enjoying yummy Brazilian breads and cakes!

Pedreira

2007-07-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

PSALM 22:24, 27-28

For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one;

He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help...

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD,

and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him,

for dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.

Last Sunday the Rescue House team went to a worship and prayer event that took place in a very hurting and needy fevela here in Belo Horizonte called Pedreira. This fevela is known as one of the worst fevelas in the city and is also the 2nd largest crack producing slum in Brazil. It was sad to see the lives of so many who feel trapped in this lifestyle and in a culture of povery and destruction. I saw that so many desire to know the Lord and to change their life situation, but they don´t really know how to change or feel hopeless to change. We shared the LOVE and GRACE of the Lord this last Sunday and how He can help bring change and true life.

Also, YWAM will soon be starting a project in this fevela to help this community. YWAM Belo Horizonte will be opening a community center in Pedreira that will offer programs to encourage adults and children to better their lives in practical ways and also point them to the One who brings LIFE more abundantly- JESUS!

Here is our worship team of three nations- Brazil, United States, and Holland. We spent over an hour worshipping the Lord and proclaiming His LOVE and TRUTH over the lives of the people living in this fevela. Thank you for praying for us! As the Word says in Isaiah 55:11-- I know that HIS words will not return void, but they go forth and accomplish all that He desires! We saw transformation before our eyes on Sunday and hearts were being touched and changed as we sang of the LOVE and FAITHFULNESS of God!

After our time of worship children and different people continually came up to us to talk and to ask for prayer. We were not going to them, but they were coming to us asking for prayer. Desperate hearts... many people were in broken places too... many people wept as we prayed for them. I know they sensed the LOVE and PRESENCE of the Lord.

Here is a beautiful girl that lives in this fevela. Pray for this young one. May she know the love and mercy of God and have a life of HOPE and LOVE! She has already experienced much trauma.

More beautiful children! There were SO many children at the worship and prayer event on Sunday. We spent time playing, talking, holding and loving on them throughout the day. It was such a sweet time. I truly felt the LOVE of our Father as I held the little ones in my arms. They were so needy to be held and loved. Pray for these children of the slums, that they would find a way to escape the cycle of poverty and destruction that is so prevelant through living in the fevela.

Fevelas

2007-06-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

The word `fevela´ is the Portuguese word for slums here in Brazil. Our team goes to the different fevelas throughout the week to visit families that we have relationships with. Here are some photos of one fevela we visit on a regular basis.

Some of the fevela families we visit have children living in the YWAM shelters and other families we visit with the hope and intention to share God´s love and share oppertunities that we can offer to help improve their living situations. Many families are in really desperate and difficult situations. Pray that we can bring them hope and love in the midst of their pain and poverty.

The boy in this photo is actually flying a kite. Often in fevelas, the houses are built on a hill right on top of each other. This fevela is actually very spacious compared to most!

Beautiful face!

In the same fevela, Faith (from Virgina), me and Janete singing for an small audience - there were more kids and people there than you can actually see in the photo! We spent the afternoon visiting and worshiping with a family and then playing games and singing songs outside with some kids. It was a great time! This family does not leave the fevela often due to problems with the police, so we brought the love of God to their home. Pray for the 5 children living in this house. The family we visited is in great need and we are hoping to help them. Pray for wisdom and the Lord to move in this family.

Jewels of the Lord; Joías do Senhor

2007-06-03T08:44:00.001-07:00

During the last few weeks I had the priviledge of working with some precious daughters of God, and one newborn baby too! I truly feel that they are jewels of the Lord!

Meet Carlos* Here is the son of the beautiful girl you see in the photo below. He is 3 weeks old and is doing great. Carlos and mom are now living in a YWAM shelter here called Reborn House. There are currently 3 young girls with babies living in this house.

Here is mom! She participated in a 5 day triage here at Rescue House and then moved from here into the Reborn house. It was great to have mom and baby at the Rescue House! I got to help this young mom with caring for baby Carlos- baby baths, crying in the night, diaper changes, and lots of love and fun with this little one.

My times with this young mom were really special to me. I really connected with her and could see the Lord touching her heart through our times of prayer, talking, and reading the word. She has a difficult past and recognizes that coming to live at the Reborn House (shelter for teenage moms) is a really great opportunity for her and her son.

Please pray for her. She is 17 and actually lived in the YWAM house for street girls, for about 2 years. She ran away from the girls house and now has returned to live in the Reborn House with her new son.

This is Ana*. She came to our house consistantly every day for the last two weeks. She also participated in a special day-triage, for street people. Ana successfully completed the triage and this past Thursday we took her to a recouperation house. There she will recieve help and treatment that she desperately needs. She desires so much to turn her life around, to get off the streets, and to be free of her alcohol addiction. Please pray God would meet her and help her as she is in this recouperation house.

My times with this lady were also really special. She loves to sing! I would sit with her and I would play the guitar and we would sing together. She loves this one song in Portuguese and she taught me how to sing it. The song is about the "Dreams of God" and how God wants to restore to us the dreams in our hearts and heal us. This song gave her much strength!

I was truly touched by her heart and at times I would just sit and think- wow I can't imagine what this lady has been through in her life. She is 33 and has lived on the streets for 18 years. Has 5 children, 3 adopted and 2 in shelters. She has been through so much, but her heart was so hungry. Please pray that this time of recouperation would be a powerful time of God freeing her and leading her into an abundant life, wrapped in the LOVE of our Father.

*For the protection of these people, the names have been changed.

Visits to the Fevelas in Belo Horizonte

2007-05-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

Throughout the week our team often goes to different fevelas here in Belo Horizonte to visit families who have children on the streets. We pray with these families and talk with them about their children. When we are visiting the streets we also try to look out for the children of these families. Here are some photos from our times in the fevelas.

Children playing soccer in the fevela!

Here are some of the beautiful girls that live in the fevela! They have captured my heart and I know these girls have captured the heart of our Father. Pray for these girls! The protection and love of the Lord over their lives. Pray that they would not turn to a life in the streets.

Jovens com Uma Missão - Youth With A Mission

2007-05-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

My life in JOCUM (YWAM in Portuguese) has been really busy the last few weeks. We have been going to the streets to spend time with the street kids and we also have been making visits to the fevelas. Earlier this week, we received two volunteers in Casa Resgate (Rescue House) from Holland and they speak English! I have been helping them some with adjusting to being here in Brazil, and I have even been translating a little for them. It is great because these guys really want to learn the language so I now have some study buddies! I have been studying Portuguese lots and speaking more and more everyday. Some days I feel I am really understanding and then other days I feel like I am not understanding much at all. In time... I know. God is faithful in helping me!

This past Friday night was such a wonderful time! My team- the Rescue team- spent time praying over the city of Belo Horizonte. From midnight until 4 am, yes in the middle of the night, we went to three different places in the city and spent time at these places praying for needs in the city and worshipping the Lord and proclaiming His LOVE. I took my guitar and got to sing and help lead the music/worship time. I sensed the Lord really moving and changing things through our time of prayer. What a privilege to serve the Lord in this way...

Meet my friend Janete! She is a Brazilian that works with my team here at Casa Resgate (Rescue House). God has called her to go to Cape Verde off the coast of Africa. She hopes to go there sometime in the next year to start a community center to reach out to the poor in this part of the world. She has been serving with YWAM Belo Horizonte for three years now and is excited about going out to another country to serve the Lord.

Janete has been such a blessing to me and has taught me SO much, as I am transitioning into life here in Brazil. She is a great friend and is truly an answer to prayer. It is so neat because our hearts and the ways we feel God is calling us to serve Him are very similar (in worship, prayer, working with children, teaching, etc...), so we really understand each other well. Janete is now helping me in so many ways too- with learning the language, culture, and also helping me learn to cook. Please pray for her as she is preparing to go to Cape Verde. Pray that God would continue to order her steps and provide for all of her needs as she is following the Lord´s leading.

I experienced a BIG part of Brazilian culture the other week. I went to a soccer game with some YWAM staff workers! It was great! The people here are so passionate about soccer and my prayer is that this same passion would be in the hearts of the Christians here too. A passion for Christ that would be contagious!

At the game there was dancing, singing, people playing drums, and people wildly cheering the teams on. It was such a neat experience! Whenever a team would score a point everyone would go wild. Men would take their shirts off and swing them around over their heads and couples would embrace and kiss as a way to celebrate the point.

Here is a photo of my team. One day last week we went on a team outing to the countryside of Brazil- we were two hours outside of Belo Horizonte. We stayed the day at a beautiful farm to rest and spend time together as a team. It was a wonderful day and the Lord really spoke to my heart during our time there!

On the Streets of Belo Horizonte

2007-04-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

On Friday night the Rescue House team went to the streets to sing, talk, play games and hang out with the children and people who live in this area of Belo Horizonte. The Rescue House team has been visiting this area of the city for over 10 years now. This was my first time visiting and I loved talking with the kids in my broken Portuguese and singing in the streets. Please pray that the LOVE of the Lord would flow through our lives during our time on the streets and that God would impact lives of both children and street people in a powerful way.

These two girls are about 15 years old and they both live on the streets. In this photo the girls have their hands drawn to their mouth because they are actually inhaling paint thinner to get high...

Many street children and street people hold a small balled-up piece of material of some type that is drenched in paint thinner. They constantly inhale the paint thinner to stay high. It is so sad to see such young children and teens high on the paint thinner. Please pray for these children.

How precious are these boys... Both of these boys play on the streets at night and they live in a fevela in Belo Horizonte. Pray protection over their lives, that they would not turn to a lifestyle of living on the streets.

Kids on the streets of Belo Horizonte. Some of these kids live on the streets and others live in a nearby fevela (slum) and often come and hang out in this area of the city. Pray that the children still living with their families would not be drawn to the streets through their interaction with the street children.

This week I spent a lot of time playing UNO with several different street children, some teenagers and some younger. The street children LOVE to play this game and have their own special way of playing. By playing games and spending time on the streets, we make relationships with the children and talk with them. My Portuguese is limited, but the kids enjoy hearing me speak English. By visiting the kids and talking to them we can share the LOVE and HOPE of Jesus and let them know how they can get off the streets. Throughout the week, our team also visits some of the families of the children and try to get the children reconnected with their families.

My life in Belo Horizone, Brazil so far...

2007-04-13T03:53:00.000-07:00

This is a photo taken from the front courtyard area of the house where I am living. The city of Belo Horizonte is surrounded by beautiful mountains! The streets of the city actually remind me of San Francisco! There are many steep hills and walking around the city is great exercise. After being here a week I am starting to walk places and take the bus by myself. It is so neat because whenever I have a problem or need help with directions or which bus to take, God always provides a person to help me at just the right moment. God truly has been with me every step of the way. I am so thankful!

Here is picture of my room-I am on the top bunk! I share a room with two other staff workers. One girl is from Brazil (Jeanete) and the other one is from Holland (Mariska). They are great and have been so welcoming to me! I am so thankful that the girl from Holland speaks English and the Brazilian girl is very patient with my Portuguese.

This is the place I am taking my Portuguese course at! On Wednesday I started my Portuguese class through a local university here in Belo Horizonte. I will go to class two days a week. In this class there are about 12 people from many different countries. I am very thankful for the opportunity to study in a classroom setting. I know it will help me progress more quickly in my language skills!

This is the Rescue team-minus one guy who is taking the photo! Also the two boys on the right are street boys who just completed a two week trial period in the house. They just moved into the home for boys- Restoration House- this past Tuesday. Please pray for a good transition into their new life there.

On Monday we begin the regular schedule of opening the house to people and children in need, and then we will also go out on the streets every day throughout the week to reach out to children and families living in the slums (in Portuguese- fevelas). We will also be building relationships with many of the street kids too. Through getting to know the street kids, we will see if they would potentially want to come and live in one of the YWAM shelters. The Rescue team literally does what the name of the team is called- we will go to the streets and RESCUE children who are in great need.

I am in Brazil!

2007-04-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

I am now in Beo Horizonte, Brazil! I am so thankful!

I am working at the Rescue house and so far my transition here has been good! Currently we have two boys staying at the Rescue House and today they are moving into a permenant home for street boys- called Restoration House. We are about to take them over this afternoon. They have been living here for 2 weeks, as a transition time and to prepare for life at the house. This trial period is a good way to ease them into a new lifestyle. Living on the streets is very different. The boys must know they are expected to behave, help do chores, and participate in bible studies and prayer times. The two boys are a little nervous about going over, but they are excited too.

After we take the boys over I am going to a local univerisity to sign up for a Portuguese class. I will go to this class every Tues. and Thurs. from 4:00-5:30. I am VERY excited about this because I know it will be very helpful in learning the language. I am SO thankful that there are 2 people in the house that I am in living in that speak English. I am not totally lost, thanks to them. They have been so helpful to me!

I will try to write more later... Wanted to post a little update.

2007-03-31T08:40:00.000-07:00

FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions...

Where are you going?
Belo Horizonte, Brazil ~ The translation of this city’s name means beautiful horizon. Belo Horizonte is located northwest of Rio de Janeiro and has a population of over three million people. It is the third largest metropolitan area in Brazil and has a high level of urban poverty, with many children and adults living on the streets.

What missions organization are you serving with?
Youth With A Mission, also known as YWAM. It is one of the largest and most respected missions organizations in the world. To learn more about YWAM and the Belo Horizonte YWAM base, visit these sites: www.ywam.org. www.bhcentro.ywambrazil.org

How long will you be in Brazil?
I have a two year commitment to serve on staff with YWAM Belo Horizonte. If the Lord calls me to stay longer, I am very open to it.

What language do they speak in Brazil?
Portuguese ~ The first three months I am in Brazil I will spend half of my day studying Portuguese and the other half of my day serving in some capacity. I am very excited about this special time of language learning. I know it will be very beneficial!

What will you be doing in Brazil?
I will live and work at a ministry called the Rescue House (in Portuguese, Casa Resgate). Several days throughout the week, street children and teens are invited to come to the Rescue House to take showers, eat hot meals, play games, and learn about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

At the Rescue House, the children also undergo a special time of counseling and prayer. The Rescue team makes contact with the child’s family (if the child has a family) and then helps reintegrate the child back into his/her home.

Some children cannot return home due to abusive parents, broken homes, and/or parents addicted to drugs and alcohol. These children are invited to stay at the Rescue House to participate in a two week trial period where they are prepared to enter a (long term) YWAM home to be cared for.

In the city of Belo Horizonte, YWAM reaches out to many children through various shelters and outreach centers. These ministries are changing lives as staff workers love the children with God’s heart and share the healing message of Jesus Christ! I am privileged and excited to become one of those staff workers!

Rescue House

2007-03-09T09:38:00.000-08:00

When I first arrive in Brazil, I will be living and working at a ministry of Youth With A Mission called Rescue House. Click on this link to see pictures and read all about it!
www.bhcentro.ywambrazil.org/en/index.php?shelters:rescue_house

I got my visa!

2007-03-05T19:16:00.000-08:00

Today, March 5th I finally received my visa!

I can now go to Brazil! Thank you Lord!

This has been such a journey. In February of 2006, the Lord clearly showed me I was to go to Brazil to serve with YWAM. I started the visa process April of 2006 and finally almost a year later I am going to go! I plan to fly out some time in the beginning of April.

Throughout this whole process the Lord continued to tell me to trust Him and to keep moving forward, by faith. There were times I wanted to give up and just stop pursuing going to Brazil, but the dream and the Lord calling me to this could not be denied. There were many problems and disappointments along the way, but the Lord continued to speak, "Don't give up. Perservere. Have faith. I am with you. Dare to believe I am going to do this. Dare to believe my words to you!"

His faithfulness is amazing! Today I finally got to see and hold my passport with the visa stamped inside. It is funny that this little piece of paper has effected my life so much in the past year.

In spite of it all, this delay has been such a gift to me. The Lord has taught me so much and blessed me with many beautiful relationships.

The Lord has been teaching me patience, and has been equipping and preparing me so that I will be complete and lacking nothing... He has confirmed and assured me over and over that this is the way He desires me to walk. This path of missions... of being Jesus to the hurting and sharing His saving truth and love... I have much to learn, but I am willing!

God is SO faithful!

I am so THANKFUL!