Family Fun

We had the idea last week about beginning to talk about stewardship with our devotions group. We divided into teams of two and gave each team 10 reais (about 6 bucks) to buy something to prepare for all 10 of us. They had to plan the menu, shop for the ingredients and prepare everything themselves. It was an eye opening experience for some of them who had no idea how much things cost. The shopping experience itself took almost two hours! We had sloppy joes, salad, fruit salad, two desserts and pineappple juice. Since they are used to having beans and rice every day, there wasn't a lot of conversation at first as they devoured their delicious work! It was a wonderful evening and one that I'm sure we'll do again. Please pray for each of these girls that they become the young women that God intends them to be.

Luana

Our director received a call yesterday that a 6-year-old girl had been removed from her home in Guarapuava and was in desperate need of a place to stay. She had been living in one of the worst slums in the city in extremely filthy conditions. Her mother was only 11 years old when Luana was born and her father is a drug addict. Her grandmother had been taking care of her but decided that she didn´t want her either. With the recent adoption of Sabrina, we just "happened" to have one bed available for this precious little girl. When Luana arrived, she was crying and had to be led up the sidewalk to our house but within a few minutes, she was laughing and enjoying the tire swing that Mike put up last week. I had the pleasure of showing her around the house, helping her with her shower, sitting with her at dinner, and preparing her school supplies. Each new experience was met with eyes of wonder and a somewhat unsure smile that communicated, "You mean this is mine now?" Please pray for a smooth transition into our family for Luana.

A New Start

Sabrina started her new life with Marcos and Vanilde yesterday, leaving after lunch to drive back to Rio de Janeiro. We were so proud of her and grateful for the work that the Holy Spirit did in her heart in such a short time. It was truly a miracle to see this timid little girl wave goodbye to her CLM family and drive off with two strangers to her new home. I was also so thankful to hear that the parents are eager to keep in contact with us through pictures and emails...and that they are already thinking about adopting two other children here! Please pray for the special bonding that needs to take place between Sabrina and her new parents, that the Holy Spirit will use Sabrina to share Jesus with them, and for confirmation that they are also to adopt two more of our children.

Update on Everton

Many of you have written to ask about Everton...I am thankful to say that he slept well the night after he was bitten by the scorpion and today walked over to our house to tell us that all the pain was gone! Thanks so much for your prayers!

Another Goodbye

I was told yesterday morning that the couple that visited from Rio de Janeiro is coming tomorrow to finalize the adoption of my Sabrina. She has been my shadow for the last several months and has often called me "mom." My heart aches as I realize I may never see her again...but rejoices that God has allowed me to play a small role in her life. When she was told that she was going to be adopted and move away from CLM, she immediately and emphatically told our director that she didn't want to go. Our director asked me to talk with her and although I broke down in tears several times, I am grateful that the Holy Spirit spoke through my frailty. Today, she was actually referring to the couple as "mom and dad" and showing pictures they had sent of her "new home." Please pray that the Holy Spirit continues to prepare Sabrina (and me) for this sudden transition.

Scorpion Attack

Our sweet little Everton was rushed to the hospital this afternoon after being bit by a scorpion. He had been playing outside near a pile of posts when the kids thought they saw a crab. When they investigated, the "crab" stung Everton's finger and wouldn't let go. Luquinho quickly batted it off his finger and rushed Everton inside. He has been crying on and off for the last 5 or 6 hours as the pain comes and goes. When the pain comes, it is very intense and he screams at the top of his lungs. During one of these times, I asked in desperation if he wanted a piece of chocolate and he paused in mid-scream and shook his head yes! Fortunately, I had several Hershey's Kisses in my pocket which helped to take his mind off the pain. Our director was once bitten by a scorpion and she said the pain lasted nearly a week before subsiding...please pray for this precious little guy.

Exercising Our Faith

We are trying something different on Sunday mornings at CLM...and we LOVE it! Instead of getting all the kids ready to sit through an adult Sunday School class at our church, we are having a special devotion time for them at home. It has been wonderful to worship together with songs geared towards the children. Watching them clap, sing, and act out the songs has been such a blessing! We began last week explaining that we go to church on Thursday and Sunday nights to get fed but on Sunday mornings, we are going to exercise our faith by reaching out to others in our community. The children got in groups and brainstormed ways that we could help others. Many of them mentioned those that live near us in an extremely poor village in cardboard shacks with no indoor plumbing. They suggested taking care packages to them with blankets, food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities before cold weather comes. Other ideas included building better roofs for their homes, praying and telling them about Jesus, helping with cleaning, and making cards. This week, after a devotion on Ecc. 4:12, Mike shared about working together and I read their ideas from last week. We divided them into groups and shared that we would begin by praying for the families and making cards to put in the baskets that we would be making during the next several Sundays. All of the children were so excited and ran downstairs to gather their art supplies and begin working in their teams. We were so proud of our teenagers who were the leaders of each group, helping the younger ones to find scriptures and add special messages to their cards. After working for over an hour on their cards, each group gathered together and prayed for the families that would receive our gifts. Please join with us in praying for the needy families near us and that reaching out to them in Christ's love will impact their lives and the lives of our children at CLM forever.

Missing Kathy

Kathy Larson was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a friend to so many and her absence has been deeply felt here at CLM. Kathy had visited CLM 13 times in the past 26 years and has left a permanent impression on so many children. Shock is the only way we can describe our reaction to hearing the news that she had had a massive heart attack and died instantly. However, shock and sadness were overcome by the joy we have in our hearts knowing that she is with Jesus. He is always in control. Please continue to pray for Kathy's family as they grieve and for our director as she returns to us this week, after saying goodbye to her sister and best friend.