The final day

Well let me first apologize to you about not posting anything yesterday. I was overtaken with exhaustion and was unable to make myself go back down to the computer. So, we do really want to share with you about our truly emotional and spiritual day at Kids Place.

We started our day with an in depth prayer for the hearts of the women to be opened, their eyes to see, their ears to hear and that we could love them and share Christ effectively. We also prayed for security and strength as we headed into more homes.

The morning was so amazing. Sonya and Emilys small group took them upstairs so that they could focus closer attention on Brenda, who is a 16 year old girl who has a baby. They moved her because she said she couldnt talk with them because she didnt want others to hear. They spent 3 hours with her. She said that she doesnt know how to pray. Emily shared her personal testimony with her and that softened her spirit. She admitted she had been abused, that she didnt think she deserved to be loved. They promised her God loved her and shared with her that prayers can be anywhere and then gave her ideas about how to focus on God.

Sonya,Emily and Pams trip to their womens homes was tough. The environment was extreme poverty that they had never seen. People are living in 100 sq foot partical board homes built on sticks over the river. You cant walk in the home because of its instability. The conditions were devestating. They prayed deeply for this woman and everyone living as they were. Sharing the story and the pictures is difficult, but, it truly gives us a picture of why we are here.

Mariannas group also went into a home in the hardest part of the Fovela. They prayed for a womans uncle who was literally dying in the home. His body had deteriorated and they prayed with the family about how to prepare for his death. The smell was unexplainable: not being taken care of by modern medicine it was another tough thing for the team to witness.

In my small group, including Barbara, Jenni and Megan, had Valaria as our interpreter. Megan shared the Evangecube with the ladies and then we asked them to do it. DJanine took the cube and shared the gospel. The three women present said they knew Christ already. However, 2 girls came and joined the group at this moment. We asked DJanine to stand and share the Evangecube with them and she did. Then DJanine asked if she could share another story and she told them about the Prodigal Son. Valaria was amazed, she knew it word for word. The other ladies said they did not want to receive Christ. But, Valaria chose to continue teaching them from the Bible. The two homes God chose for us to visit were these two women. We prayed over their homes. One woman was 9 mos pregnant, and it was a high risk pregnancy. She has diabetes and high blood pressure: both without medication. The other woman asked us ot pray for her family, but, her mother came and we went to her house to, where we found out her daughters husband was a violent alcoholic. We prayed for both families. She was very closed to Christ, but, we are praying for her eyes to be opened and her heart to be softened. Roberta, however, spoke with Valaria about praying the prayer and speaking with the Pastors. She made the necklace and put a pure white heart in the middle(coincidence you think) and then during worship Kieria said she felt God tell her to bless the baby so I witnessed her place her hand on the womens belly and pray. She had never spoken to us. Is God good!!!

Djanine prayed with the Pastors and they consecrated her baby to God, she had a black witchcraft bracelet on the babies arm and they shared with her she cant be in both worlds, serve God or the world. She threw the bracelet away. Valarie, Megan and I gave her the Evangecube and told her she was a light in a very dark place and she needed to share her stories and the story of Christ with everyone.

Pastor Lesu spoke with the people, we sang and laughed together. Sonya gave her testimony again and we ended in a big prayer with Molly sharing humble and loving last words to the women.

God never ceases to amaze us. What a beautiful time with these women. We cried and hugged and kissed and did it again. Leave is tough but we know God was there and the seeds are being cultivated.

The evening ended with Pizza that doesnt match any pizza we have ever tasted: completely yummy!!! An ice cream bar by the ocean and the 2nd chapter of Valarias testimony. A beautiful reminder of our redemption and transformation in Christ.

Day of rememberance and sharing time with each other. Telling and sharing stories while we walked through the Cultural district. Lesu shared his testimony over dinner and empowered us to give and become a part of the ministry in Brazil and Volunteers for Christ. He walked us through an very, very old Catholic Church and then we walked the shops. We also visited an old prison that is now a big shopping market. It was great fun and we found lots of goodies to take home to our family!!!! Arent you happy. We ended our evening at a dinner very similar to Texas De Brazil and everyone is upstairs packing and preparing our hearts for our return to you. Please pray for safe travels, good health and yes, our bags. We would really like them to arrive on time!

We love you so very much and could not have done this without any of you! Keep praying for Gods love is on the move and those seeds need to be cultivated, watered and taught how to continue to grow!

Blessing fellow brothers and sisters in Christ,

Womens Brazil Team 2010