Christmas, Birthday Parties, Texas and Easter

What do these things have in common? They are the themes that each family team is using during our teaching times with the kids. Each morning this week, we’re responsible for teaching a group of about 20 kids a Bible verse, telling them about one of the above “American curiosities,” and leading a playground game.
The day started with a great devotion and singing time. Rick and Chad Rizenbergs challenged us to think about what a servant really is. It was a great way to start our day of service.
The kids are delightful and so eager to be with us. The playground time is especially fun. The Miltenberger men proved themselves to be great playground equipment. Lew toted at least a dozen kids around on his back, while Cole was dogpiled by several kiddos. So many of these children don’t have dads at home for one reason or another; they loved the attention from all the dads on our team.
After the morning classes, we had the opportunity to serve the kids lunch. I think I speak for the team when I say that serving these children has been more of a blessing for us than them.
We enjoyed another delightful – and delicious lunch – laughing with the Brazilian translators. They are a wonderful group of men and women.
I’m not sure whether the morning or the afternoon was more fun. Today was our first day to spend time in the homes of four of the families in the favela.
The mothers picked us up at Kid's Place and took us to their homes. With the help of the translators, we evaluated their needs and fixed what we could. The Miltenbergers and and Elstons repaired a roof for a precious widow. They saw the Lord provide in a big way when the woman’s skilled neighbor arrived to help make the roof repairs. (The roofs are easy to fall through, so we had to be careful not to cause more harm than good.)
The Reding family surveyed a home and realized they wouldn’t be able to make all the repairs needed. So, Sarah entertained the beautiful twin girls. Everyone had a chance to get to know the family.
The Dodds also encountered a roof that was beyond our level of expertise. But, it was an amazing afternoon nonetheless. When we first arrived, the visit seemed very “official,” not relaxed for any of us. But, as the afternoon went on, it began to feel like we were just visiting with friends. Lucienne’s delightful mother-in-law dropped in, full of personality. Then the Lord turned our conversation to Him. Lucienne told the translator she was afraid of what her family would say if she asked Jesus to be her Savior. As we talked, her heart truly opened to Him. It was a privilege to be present as she became a daughter of the King.
The Baileys and the Risenbergs spent hours with the family they were paired with learning and sharing their respective lives. Rick said he feels like the people in the Favela saw them as Christ's representatives and one neighbor took the opportunity to come and ask for the group to pray for four of her family members who are currently in prison and need our Lord's grace.
Sonya Bailey continues to be a behind-the-scenes wonder. I’m not sure how she does it, but she always seems to be helping everywhere.
Thank you for praying for us. The Lord’s presence was definitely felt today as we went into the favela.
Please pray for the children to feel Christ’s love through us. Please pray for open hearts for the women/families we are spending time with. Please pray for our submission to the Lord’s direction as we go through our days. `
Laugh out loud moment: After a great lunch and full stomachs the men were asked to unload large and heavy roofing tiles from a van parked out back into the Kid's Place play area. Within in minutes of feeling satisfied of a job well done, a decision was made to deliver the just unloaded tiles directly to the homes in the Favela. So immediately back they went much to the dismay of our sweaty and tired selves.