Devotions

As many of you know, Mike and I were youth pastors for 8 years...and as we began teaching devotions this week to the eight older girls, all of our expertise with messy games came flooding back! Our theme for devotions this month is family and this week we focused on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. We stressed that families help each other and that they were going to help each other to make and eat a special dessert. While one laid on the floor, their partner stood on a chair above them and tried to drop jello, strawberry syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry into their mouth. The result was lots of laughs, lots of licks from Maggie and Mocha...and a fun, family memory for us all to share.

First Day of School

I've always loved the first day of school...from when I was a little girl, throughout high school and even as a teacher. But this was a different first day...this time, I experienced it from a parent's perspective! After waking the kids up at 6am, they quickly dressed, ate breakfast, brushed their teeth, and begged me for their bookbags. I had put off passing them out because we didn't know for sure when school would start and by the kids' reactions, you would have thought I was giving out bags of gold! I had hidden a small card in each one with a scripture and a message from us and I think they found them before they left the house.

The school day here is much different than in the states. The children are only in school for four hours and parents choose if they will attend in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Each class has an average of 35-40 students who must only maintain above a 60% to pass. There are no teachers for special needs children, no music or drama classes, no extra-curricular activities or sports. Most teachers are paid so little that they need to work two and sometimes three shifts each day to make ends meet, sometimes seeing over 500 different children in one day. You can see how many children can fall through the cracks. Especially ones like ours where early childhood trauma has resulted in learning delays and difficulties. Thank you for praying for a successful school year.

Thoughts from the Missionary Dogs

Many of you have emailed to ask how the "MDs" are doing. Maggie reports, "I'm in HEAVEN! I have tons of kids to throw ball for me and I can swim almost every day. The kids always call for me and want to play." Mocha adds, "There are so many things to chase here. I almost caught a huge rabbit last week but my tail injury slowed me down (I got a little too close to the tractor tire! OUCH!)...but besides that, the kids are always giving me extra food and I love it!"

Some random thoughts:

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Anonymous
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
-Roger Caras
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
-Phil Pastoret

"Dear Lord, Please help me be the kind of person my dog thinks I am."

"The Piranha"

This is my new nickname for Mariane...she is small but boy, does she have a fierce bite! Weighing in at only 21 pounds, this three year old came to us from the Malnutrition Center after being removed from the home of her alcoholic parents. She is a very bright and affectionate girl who knows how to defend herself. She is extremely independent and wants to do everything for herself. When she first came, we were warned that she feared men but when she saw Mike, she yelled, "Paulo!" and ran into his arms! Since then, she has learned his name but will often call him, "Papai" (Daddy). Please pray that she feels safe with us and will no longer resort to biting, pinching, and hitting to communicate her insecurity.

Robson and Jordan

Last week, we said goodbye to Jordan, a young man who has been serving with us for the past six weeks. One of the children that was especially touched by his time here was Robson. Robson is an 11 year old boy who arrived at CLM in November. He has spent a majority of his life on the streets, facing danger, violence, and fear. Up until now, when Robson would have problems with one of the other kids, he would go for the nearest knife and talk of killing or hurting that person. He needed to be physically restrained until he calmed down. On Sunday, one of the other boys punched Robson in the stomach--the old Robson would have retaliated immediately, but he didn´t. Instead, he came into the dining room doubled over and crying. That night the other boy told Robson how thankful he was that Robson did not have a violent reaction, knowing that the result would not have been pretty. We thank God for His miracles in Robson´s life and for many more that we believe will be happening in his and other´s lives.

Saying Goodbye

We have had the wonderful blessing of serving with these 10 Hungarians for the past month. The amount of work, money, and time they have given has been overwhelming. Their team came with the goal of remodeling one of the girls' rooms and bathroom, laying tile in another room, building several closets, and adding a porch to the side door of the big house. They have also helped with cooking, cleaning, and laundry. They didn't quite reach their goal because they had 32 children to love on! In order to finish the work, three of them bought a new return trip ticket and will stay an additional three weeks. Please pray for a safe return for the 7 who left today and that God will continue to bless the remaining three.

O Vencedor!

We ended the first month of our behavior management plan and Geovane was our hands-down winner! He is constantly looking for ways to help with jobs around the house, as well as being a great example to the other children during his normal everyday responsibilities. He is also a caring big brother to his three younger siblings, Patricia, Luquinho, and Diogo. Of the list of choices he could win for his diligence, he has chosen R$20 and will have an opportunity to spend it this week.

You might remember he's the one that ran away several times when he first arrived and was often very disrespectful to the adults. It is amazing to see the changes that have happened in his attitude and behavior in such a short time. We praise God for his life and the fertile soil that the Holy Spirit is preparing in his heart.

Mariane

Yesterday was an exciting day...Mariane arrived! All the kids welcomed her and surrounded her with hugs, kisses, stuffed animals, and cookies. I would think that most (almost) three year olds would have been overwhelmed by this...but Mariane accepted it all in stride and actually gave out some of her own hugs and kisses. Last night when I took her picture, she let out the cutest giggle and then would say, "Mais um!" (One more!) Please pray for her smooth adjustment into the family and also for some health problems that she is facing.

Janete

Janete was chosen as our Star of the Week. She is 10 years old and has a younger brother, Elielton and an older sister, Lucilene at CLM. She is a very quiet hard-working little girl who has really strived to shine with her chores, as well as with helping others without being asked. She will be going with Edit to CLM's favorite pizzaria this week for her special dinner. She and her brother and sister have recently been released for adoption. Please pray for the perfect family for these precious children.