Thank God we were able to bring food, drinks, tracts and Bibles to the children in the streets this week. 
Faces from the Streets
May 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Missionary Moments
May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Here I am. In the kitchen. There’s a big pot on the stove, bubbling away. I have my extra long wooden spoon and I’m poking things down into the boiling water, as they surface for air.
I wish I could tell you that it’s a delightful batch of my homemade ravioli that I’ve risen, like the Proverbs 31 woman, at dawn to prepare.
No. It’s my clothes that are in the big lobster pot Holly Ramsay gave me for a shower gift, back in ’88. I could never have imagined, at that pinnacle of naïveté, any items of mine gasping for air, in that very pot. (Actually, at that point, I don’t think I could have imagined these particular garments either.)
We have been plagued with ticks. It’s just the latest in many insect and wildlife plagues. I am no Moses–as I pointed out to God, just last week!–and I have been going crazy. We had an exterminator in, last Monday on our anniversary (so romantic!) and they promised a two part annihilation-bombing-thing. They came and we had to evacuate the house for several hours.
So, imagine my surprise, at five-thirty this morning, to find several offspring, alive and well, marching across one of my very favorite Target purchases; apparently there were survivors of the tick-apocalypse from last week.
That’s why I’m at the stove. Whining to the LORD about not having hot water in the taps here. Whining about the ticks. Just whining in general.
It occurs to me, once again, that it doesn’t matter what you’re going through; it matters how you handle it. I may have blithely sailed through the last two weeks, with all the violence on the streets. I may have calmly smiled at the Military Police while they pointed the huge automatic weapons in my face. But this? This seemed harder. This wasn’t a blaze of possible glory; this was a massive inconvenience, and something that really schifo-ed me.
The difference? I didn’t move a foot without praying, out there on the streets. And the results were apparent. I was calm, peaceful and very aware that God was right there.
Unfortunately, my prayer about these ticks included me telling God what He needed to do for me, accompanied by much complaining. I never asked for His Grace to deal with this plague. I never asked Him to take over my reactions, so that I could see Him in this, too. Once again, especially in the little things, He wants to teach me that His Grace is sufficient. And that my reliance on Him is very sweet to Him, as well as very necessary to me.
Sunday School Class
May 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Sunday School class in Aningas. Children learning the gospel.
Mother’s Day Celebration
May 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
It’s a relief, for me to be able to write and tell you about our happy, loud, boisterous, sugar-filled evening, last night in Aningas. In the middle of lots of stress and worry, there hasn’t been much good and upbeat news, and I’m thankful for the chance to give you a smile!
We had made these crafty little gifts, filled with candy, for the Sunday School kids to give their moms. We also had candy treat bags for the kids, and three large (3 gallon) buckets of ice cream to serve everyone. We were a little skeptical about the ice cream because each bucket cost only R$15, which is US $7.50! BUT, we stepped out in great faith that the kids wouldn’t be evaluating the cream content, and would inhale it as if it were Ben and Jerry’s.
Electricity in the Galpão was out, so we had our little gathering in the school. I got a little nervous at the crowds entering the school–oh boy, are there enough gifts and treat bags, enough ice cream?!–but we set up and were singing choruses in no time. The kids were so pumped up, at having so many of their moms there to hear them sing, that they were just shy of screaming. It was quite impressive, even if it wasn’t exactly on tune!
Rayane was there, with her mom, Fatima. All five ladies, that we had recently taken to a medical clinic, were there. There were 25-30 moms and they listened and clapped at the kids’ singing and stayed around for ice cream and conversation afterwards.
The ice cream, meanwhile, turned out to have a split personality. It was creamy, until we got towards the bottom of the bucket, where suddenly, it became like Italian ice. But, as predicted, creamy or icy, it had just enough sugar to make the whole lot slide down just fine.
It was so good to celebrate Mother’s Day, surrounded by my two children and about 90 more, and to see the kids so proud to show their moms just how we do things on Sunday nights in Aningas.
Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. (Psalms 96:2 NASB)
A Call from the Streets
May 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I was just starting to write you an update. I wanted to thank you for your prayer and encouragement. It is such a huge help to us. It’s actually a thrill to think of so many praying and our hearts are thankful and full, just thinking of you.
My brother, Paul, texted me and asked how things were, and I told him things have been calmer, and we are planning, Lord willing, to be on the streets this week, with food and the Word. I sent the text and my cellphone rang.
Anderson, from Igapó was calling, collect, to say there were three more killings. One was in Igapó, another in the favela Beira-Rio; both are places we visit regularly. I’m not sure where the third was.
I heard Anderson’s voice. He’s calling because we are his connection to a God that loves and he is scared. He wants the comfort of prayer and God’s Word. I’m scared for these kids. They are lost and they are helpless to save themselves. As we go, please pray for God to go before us and prepare their hearts. One soul is worth everything.
But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12 NASB)
Have you read the latest- Vá Livré Newsletter
May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
In case you missed the notice the latest issue of the Vá Livre Newsletter is now available for download: VaLivre 2013 Newsletter. This eight-page update details the latest work from Natal, Brazil and includes stories, photographs of the Lord’s work, and many things for prayer, supplication and thanksgiving.
- cover of the new 2013 newsletter
This is a PDF file that can be read in iBooks on your iPhone, iPad or computer. Click this link to view in your browser VaLivre 2013 Newsletter or you may right-click and select, “Save link as…” to save the newsletter to your computer or iOS device.
Street Wars
May 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Last week, we did not do a street/favela feeding and this week we will not, either. But, we did make the round of stops, and will do so this week, to be on hand to pray with the kids, listen to their needs, and be alert to any that might want to go to the rehab. As we head out, we ask for your continued prayer.
The mass killings on the street have resulted in more military police brought in from all over, and the streets are scary with armed presence. This morning, local officials announced that the head of National Security would be arriving today in Natal, and bringing with her 20 specialists of some sort, from the Department of Justice.
Thanks for your prayer. Without prayer, we are unarmed on the frontline of a far more serious battle than these street wars: the spiritual war, that is waged without ceasing, for each and every soul.
I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. (John 12:46 NASB)
Rayane’s Hope, Our Joy!
April 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
What an awesome day today! Dr. Madalena spent an hour and twenty minutes with Rayane, her mom Fatima, and me.
She wants Rayane to attend her program for autistic children, here in Natal. It’s a school that will teach Rayane to talk, read, write, use a computer, dress herself and interact with others. Rayane would attend three times per week, and Dr. Madalena says transportation can be arranged, through the government.
We sat there just overwhelmed by how much hope there is for this little girl now. Fatima is stunned to think of all that her daughter should be able to learn; she thought her daughter was “simple.”
And then, on the way back to Aningas, Fatima started asking questions about salvation! She asked if she had to forgive people that had hurt her before she could get saved. This started a conversation about the difference between God’s free gift and our works.
God is providing a doctor for Rayane and schooling. At the same time, He is showing Fatima that He is real and He cares for her. He is giving us a chance to tell Fatima about His salvation. And He is filling us with joy, just to think how faithful and true and wonderful He is.
Assassinations in the Streets
April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I sent out a Tweet, and posted on Facebook, on Friday, about six assassinations that occurred in a little over 2 hours. Here’s a little more information about that post:
One of the six killed was from Leningrado, which is a favela we frequent. He was stabbed and shot multiple times.
We went to talk to our kids, on Friday, but did not do a feeding in the favelas. The news on the street is not reliable, but there IS always a grain of truth going through all the possible exaggeration. Fact is, the kids are scared. The police are being provoked to respond to the following stimuli, and the street kids are scared about that response:
The bandidos have declared war on the Police. On Tuesday, two police officers were killed, and on Thursday one policeman’s house was assaulted and his wife and baby tied up.
A street bandido has sent the message that he’s going to kill every police officer. He’s responsible for assaults, drug trafficking and killings.
Also, I was told that government just closed the minor’s penitentiary in this state and the inmates are free. There is no jail for any minor. These kids know it and are bragging that no matter what they do, they can’t go to jail.
Again, we are not sure how these incidents fit together, but we do know that it affects the streets. It also affects us. It makes us increase our prayer for these souls. It reminds us of the urgency there is to tell them about the God that loves them and longs to rescue them and save them; each has a soul that is so precious to God. It also constrains us to beg for your prayer. Pray for the police here, for the bandidos, and for the street kids. Only God can save and free and change lives. Pray that He does.
Supporting the Rehab
April 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Outside the kitchen area, the guys show us their soap-making room. Bottles of green, purple, and white disinfectant soaps are stacked in neat rows, filling plastic crates ready for sale. They recycle two-liter soda bottles, scrubbing and washing them outside and then organizing them to be filled inside. There are two cement washing sinks filled with bottles caps ready for use. The guys are eager to show us their finished product. They smell fresh, clean, lavender, citrus.
Ricardo is one of the guys who takes the soaps to sell in the city. The two-liter bottles sell for five reais (about $2.50). They go door to door in the mornings, and then sell at the street lights in the afternoons. The guys responsible for producing and selling the soap, like Ricardo, get a cut of the profits to save for when they are ready to leave the rehab. Jobs like these give them a sense of purpose. Saving money helps them prepare for the future. And as they work together to provide for the rehab, and to work to make it more functional, they take pride in their responsibilities.
