Changes at CLM

As we prepare to move back to the orphanage on December 8th, we realize there will be much more changing than our address. Last Friday, the 14 missionaries at Entre Rios met for dinner and prayer. After each person shared, we realized that in the next two months, seven will be leaving CLM and another will be taking maternity leave in May. Bethany and Juan are expecting their first baby in June. Rosana is getting married. Rogerio and Vivien are taking on full-time positions at the church in the colony. Vagner and Jacqueline are moving back to Bahia. Edit is returning to Hungary. After receiving the last four children last week, there are 36 children...and soon only 7 missionaries to care for all of their needs!

We are reminded of the story of Gideon's army of 32,000 who were to wage war on the Midianites. God chose to get the job done with only 300. God isn't concerned about the ratios...He will supply all our need, according to His riches. We can be confident of victory when we trust in Him and not ourselves. Thank you for your continued prayers for us, as well as the other missionaries and children.

Early Christmas Present

Last Tuesday night at 1:30am, CLM received a phone call from the Child Protection Agency. Someone had picked up 4 runaway children and dropped them off at the police. They were filthy and smelled so badly that a man who was riding in the back of the van to comfort them had to move to the front! :( They were immediately fed, showered, and dropped off at CLM. The oldest brother, Robson is 10, and has obviously been the one "in charge" of the family. He didn't seem to know how to react to us "gringos" but smiled when we hugged and kissed him. His younger brother, Altair is 9 and is very sweet and affectionate. The twin girls, Caroline and Carolaine are 7 and are little bundles of energy. They had constant smiles on their faces and have easily made friends with the other children.

When I took this picture of the three younger siblings with Patricia, we were told Robson was talking with the director. Later, we found out he had grabbed one of the little girls and became very angry and violent when questioned about his intentions. It is so disheartening to think about what these children have seen and experienced, and even more troubling when they act out on other children. Please pray for a fresh start for these beautiful children, that they would feel the peace of the Holy Spirit and an overwhelming sense of love and acceptance from their Heavenly Father.

Letting Go

We are afraid that we will soon be experiencing our first heartbreak at CLM. Josiane, Mayara, Diana and Diego have had several visits with their father and his wife in the last month. They, along with their extended family, have expressed their interest for the children to come back to live with them. This was scary at first for especially Josiane because she has vivid memories of how alcohol affected her father's behavior. However, two years have passed while they have been at CLM, and he has made many positive changes in his lifestyle. The judge and our director feel very comfortable with allowing the children to return but it is still the children's decision. After this Friday's visit, each one will be asked what they want to do. As you can imagine, this will be a difficult decision for all of them.

Emotionally, we are torn, as well. Obviously, we want them to have their own family but they are already a part of our CLM family! We have to admit that in the flesh, we have fears about them returning to a potentially similar situation that brought them to us in the first place. Since we never truly know how long a child will be with us, we have to see each day as a gift from God, believing that He alone must be their rock and refuge. Please pray for God's direction for each of the children and for us as we face this new challenge.

CLM Turvo

Canaan Land Ministries has two orphanages, one in Entre Rios (where we will be living) and one in Turvo. The orphanage in Entre Rios was started over 30 years ago and currently has 33 children and 12 missionaries. In the past several years, many of the kids that came to CLM were from the city of Turvo, a very small city with extreme poverty...and the highest infant mortality rate in the state. The city officials in Turvo approached CLM about starting another orphanage in their city, about an hour from Entre Rios. A beautiful piece of land on a mountainside above the city was donated and the city built a road just for CLM. Enough funds were raised to complete the exterior and the first floor for its opening in February of 2006. It currently houses 15 children and 3 missionaries. When it is finished, it will be able to house 36 children and 12 missionaries. Finding the children is not the difficult part...unfortunately, there are many who need a safe refuge. However, CLM Turvo is nearing the point that they won't be able to receive any more children until God provides more missionaries. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few...please pray that God would send more workers.

Letricia

Evelim's prayers were answered when her brother and sister, Jonatas and Letricia, came to CLM Turvo last week. Letricia is 3 years old and weighs 22 pounds. She is extremely weak to the point that even walking is difficult for her. Her stomach was infested with worms and the missionaries were concerned during the first few days that she may have been rescued too late. Praise God that she is doing better and has been able to keep her food down. Jonatas is 9 years old and seems to be healthy. Evelim is very happy to know that they are safe with her. Please keep them in your prayers.

Paulinho and the Ferrari Expo

Paulinho came to CLM when he was 11 months old with his sister Valdecleia. He had a significant developmental delay due to lack of stimulation, depression, and malnutrition. He recently celebrated his 6th birthday and is a precious, creative, and active little boy. When we were getting gas last week, we noticed a sign that advertised for an "Exposição de Ferrari" and immediately thought of his love of keys and cars.

Today, we invited him into the city and gave him a Hot Wheels Ferrari. We then asked him if he had ever seen a real one. His eyes got really big as we pulled into the lot and he saw the Formula One racecar. But when we got out of the car, he seemed nervous and wanted Mike to hold him. Within a few minutes we could tell he was overwhelmed, and soon after he asked if we could leave. We had been so excited about making a special memory with him--we hadn't even thought about how the people, music, and lights would affect him. We were reminded again of how past trauma continues to impact the everyday lives of the children. Please pray Ephesians 1:18 for Paulinho, that he would begin to understand the wonderful future and rich inheritance that God promises to His children.