God of Wonders: 2012 Kids' Club

In my last post, I mentioned that we had had a special prayer time at church for our upcoming kids' club and asked that you all join with us in prayer.  The first day of club, the rain came pouring down and the weather forecast was for pretty much nonstop rain the next several days.  We were somewhat discouraged and came up with a backup plan to have the club that day and see whether any kids came.  If none did, we would postpone the club until the following week.  But God was testing our faith, I guess, and He graciously brought out almost 30 kids that day even though it was still raining and the next days were beautiful and sunny.  There were 50 kids total who came to at least one day of the club and follow-up visits are already being made to their homes.  

We rented a trampoline for a couple of days and it was a big hit ...

Lots of fun games ...

Reciting the memory verse

Song time

Story time ... Our theme was God of Wonders and we taught about creation, the fall, and the Savior

The puppets helped emphasize the main point of the story

Snack time

Being silly

We have much to thank God for:

* answering specific prayers regarding the weather
* bringing out a good number of children
* our neighbor who graciously offered to watch Gabriel and Juliana so that I could be freed up
* two teenagers whose family has recently joined our church.  They were a huge blessing to us, helping to give out invitations, get the decorations set up, help with game time, music and puppets
* a lady at our church who made yummy snacks for the kids
* a 12-year-old girl who has come back for services and brought along a cousin of hers
* supporters who give generously to us so that we are able to host these kinds of events
* people who lift us up in prayer; God hears and answers
* the opportunity and privilege to share the gospel with children who have never heard before and hopefully have an impact in their lives that will last forever

Coming Together for Prayer

This past Sunday our church group had a potluck lunch after our Sunday morning prayer time.  We wanted to encourage our people to come out and pray together, something which has been very difficult.  It was also a way to welcome a couple of new families of believers who have joined us recently and get them to interact with our regulars in a more informal way.  These families have already been such a blessing and a help to us and we are thankful God sent them our way. 

Here are some things we prayed for that you can be praying for us as well:

* That God will be glorified through the kids' club we are having at church this week

* For good weather during the kids' club (it ALWAYS seems to rain, regardless of what time of year we have the club.)

* That many children will come and be impacted by the gospel

* For good opportunities for follow-up visits

* Spiritual growth in the lives of our church group -- those in leadership as well as the newer converts ... we all need to continue to be transformed by the gospel

* Salvation of several who have attended our church, including the husbands of two of our ladies

* For several children who come regularly on their own.  They have little or no encouragement at home to be going to church.  In fact, recently the mother of one girl has prohibited her from coming.  Pray that God will save these children at their young age and use them as shining lights in their homes.

Thank you for your interest in our work.  Wherever you are right now, will you please just take a few minutes to lift some of these requests up before God's throne on our behalf? 



Year-End Activities

Here is a picture summary of the past couple of weeks around here ...

Six new puppies!

Having fun at the Christmas playground in the mall (Mom, do we HAVE to stop and take a picture?)

Making lots of Christmas goodies

Working on a 2000-piece puzzle (WHOSE idea was it to get a puzzle with so much blue sky?)

David's debut as master turkey griller

Christmas Eve meal (we're SO glad that David's parents could spend the holidays with us)

Our creative fireplace and opening stockings on Christmas Eve

EVERY year, there is the discussion: What IS that animal on David's stocking?

Christmas morning breakfast is not complete without homemade cinnamon rolls

Reading the Christmas story and finishing the advent calendar with baby Jesus in the manger

Fun opening Christmas presents

Fun playing with Christmas presents

Christmas service

Children's Christmas presentation

After service food and fellowship ...

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New Year's Eve get-together at our house

Several church people came by

Playing video games

Setting off firecrackers at midnight to bring in the New Year (a big tradition here)

Little fire poppers for the little boys (I don't know what they're actually called)

Bringing in 2012 with loved ones

Total Impact: Christmas Outreach Event

This past Saturday, we hosted a neighborhood outreach event at our church in which we offered several different services, as well as clothes and other items, for free. The idea was to give of our time and resources freely as a way of demonstrating the gospel, in which God gives forgiveness of sin and eternal life to us through His Son freely.

Things didn't quite go as planned. For example, one of the things we wanted to do was a car wash. We were all set up, with a pressure washer, lots of soap and rags and tire cleaner. God even gave us a beautiful, warm sunny day. However, as is often the case on Saturdays, there was no water. The city can't keep up with the water demands, so frequently on the weekends, they will just shut off the water. But we were able to provide other services, such as ...

Manicures

Pictures taken, edited and printed on the spot, and given in a frame

Haircuts

Blood pressure checks (sorry, I don't have an "action shot" of that)

Lots of free stuff to choose from

One on one gospel presentation for everyone who came.

Our church building is located beside a bar. This is not a problem on church nights since the bar is closed. But on Saturday afternoon, there was a lot of activity over there and a few of the drunks came over to get their blood pressure checked. One joked that when he drinks, his blood pressure drops to a normal level, but the next day, it will sky rocket. So sad to see people enslaved to something that is so damaging to them physically as well as spiritually. One man insisted that God would let him into heaven because God is love and won't turn anyone away. He saw no need to repent of his sins and follow Christ in this life.

I checked one woman's blood pressure who had come along with her friends just to look around. At first, she didn't want to check her blood pressure, but her sister insisted, so she agreed. As a former nurse, I have checked hundreds of people's blood pressure, but I have never personally seen someone's pressure be so high as this woman's. It was 210/100 (normal is 120/80 or lower). I had to take it twice because I couldn't believe how high it was reading. I told her she needed to be seen by a doctor right away.

We were encouraged that all of our church people came out to help at some point during the event. It is so good to see young believers learning to give of themselves. We are praying that God will use this event to touch people in our community and bring some tangible result in the near future. One woman who agreed to have us visit her had just buried her brother that very day. Pray that God will open her eyes to the fact that life on earth is short, but it matters because who or what we believe in for salvation determines our eternal destiny.

How Christmas is a Little Different in Brazil

I thought I would do a little cultural blog and point out some things that are different about celebrating Christmas in Brazil. For example, the big celebration is usually held on Christmas Eve with a big meal (often beginning at midnight) and presents. Also, since it is summer time here, you can ...

Go swimming in your kiddie pool with friends ...

Hang up your Christmas lights outside in your summer clothes ...

Have a yummy cookout ...


Buy your Christmas decorations along with your beach toys ...


and make Christmas tree shapes in the sand.

Since we are in the tropics, you can also find palm trees decorated in Christmas balls and lights (although most of the decorations are very American-looking),

but you might have to shake the termite wings out of your artifical tree from when they took over your house last Christmas season.


One of my favorite Christmas foods in Brazil is Panettone. I think it actually originated in Italy, but it is a classic here this time of year. It is a sweet, soft bread with either chocolate chips or crystalized fruits. Prices range from a couple dollars to $20 or more, depending on the size, brand, extras, etc.




I don't know how much an 8 ft. artificial Christmas tree would cost in the States, but this one is R$199, or US$110. But if you notice on the paper on the box, you can pay for it in 10 easy monthly payments of R$19,90 or US$11. That way, you can be done paying your Christmas tree off by next September.


I hope this video works for you because you won't want to miss hearing the gingerbread men singing a traditional Brazilian Christmas song. :)