Day 6 BRCC Mission Trip

***editors note: Thanks to Sarah Gish for providing the remainder of the interviews.

Missionaries of the Day:
Kristin Sprague
This is Kristin’s second trip to Brazil and she has been surprised by how many of the people remember her. She has found it easier to adapt to the differences in the culture this time around and has been enjoying all the work she has been doing. “I’m more aware of how much I’m making a difference in people’s lives whether it’s through cleaning or working with kids or just talking with them.” Kristin enjoyed the English camp and being able to work with the children. “It’s cool to see how happy they are with the simple things here. The kids are more fun to play with because you don’t have to work to keep them entertained. You can just have a lot of fun with them.” Besides working with the children, Kristin has been learning about serving. “You don’t have to be anything special to be able to help or have an affect. I love being her and helping with whatever they need me to do.”

Matt Fern
On Matt’s second trip to Brazil, he has been enjoying seeing the differences in the Alcance. Since the 2006 trip, the Alcance has been retiled in a lot of places and many of the rooms have been converted into classrooms, libraries, storage areas, and a computer lab. In addition to these changes, the Grafica (an internet café) has been moved to the Alcance and a recording studio has been put in. Matt has enjoyed all the opportunities to serve in Brasil. “The work projects are strenuous, but when you finish, it feels like a great accomplishment. You know you’re doing God’s work.” God has also been working in Matt’s life while here. “God has been showing me that before I came to Brasil, I had a lot of anger stored up for no reason. I saw that I couldn’t do anything to serve Him until I gave that up and over to Him.”


Day 6 Activities

Once again, this morning was an early one. The Shout! cast traveled to the community church of Guadalajara. The performance went well and afterward, the church cooked us lunch. It was entertaining to experience a cultural lunch. The people back at the Alcance were having a worship service with the church that meets here while we were performing Shout. They were also able to enjoy the cultural meal, because we brought some back for them after Shout.
Most of the afternoon was free time and each person enjoyed relaxing or playing games. We then got cleaned up and went to different churches. We felt God moving in mighty ways even though we spoke in different languages. Some sang, gave testimonies, or mimed. We all enjoyed the chance to be involved in the churches we helped to plant.

Day 5 BRCC Mission Trip

Missionaries of the Day:
Caleb Hunter

Caleb is finding his second trip to Brasil much more exciting than the first. “I got to go back to Tracunhaem and share my testimony again. I got to share how I had grown since the last time and that was really cool” Caleb is also having fun seeing the little ways that God is working in this trip. “Before I came down, I worked on computers with Steve Turner. When I got down here, Jeff had hurt his arm and they needed someone to help him with computers so I was able to do that. God had prepared me for that kind of work.” In addition to helping out with the computers in the Alcance’s computer lab, Caleb has been performing SHOUT. One of his highlights was performing at Amexias church. “It was exciting to see the Amexias church and to hear the students there talking about their faith after the performance. It was beautiful to see them seeking God and growing in their faith.”

Sarah Gish
Sarah is enjoying her second trip and reconnecting with the people she met on her last trip. “ It’s so good to see those we met 2 years ago and see how they have changed and in some cases how their English has improved!” Sarah is a big fan of the food here. “The red beans and rice are to die for. One particular dish we were fed was called Feijoada” After one of our Shout presentations, our friends at Guadalajara (where Duda and Sylvia attend church) prepared this traditional meal created by the slaves. “It was awesome!” Sarah is also encouraged through the bible study we are doing as it picked up right where she was studying before she left. “A group of us have been praying for the trip and studying Acts before the trip. It’s amazing how the combination of Shout, the study of Acts and our prayers all point toward being bolder about our faith! I want to carry this home with me and live it out when I go to college next year.”

Day 5 Activities

Today was the final day of English camp and the kids enjoyed finishing up the week with fun games. The children liked the water games they played in the pool and the games they played with their small group leaders. The preschool children enjoyed playing at the playground and singing songs. As the English camp was going on some of the guys were working throughout the Alcance. They were helping to do various construction projects.

We also performed the musical Shout for the campers as practice for our future performances! The Spirit moved as we ministered to them through a new way. It was exciting to watch their faces light up at seeing “Americans” express their love for Christ!

A number of students played soccer after the English camp was finished. We had a great time taking on some of the Brazilians. After the game of soccer most everyone jumped into the pool to cool off. We then got cleaned up to go out for pizza. It was an upscale all- you- can eat pizza restaurant that had its own unique charm. Ben holds the record with 15 whole pieces of pizza! Afterwards we came back and played games. Some of them were tag, cards, and charades.

Enjoy some additional photos of the trip.

May God Bless you!

Day 4 BRCC Mission Trip

**editors note- Sorry for the delay..it's been busy busy here! Thanks Alex Romoser and Laura Hedrick for the daily activity updates starting today. We'll try to catch you up as soon as possible.. Pastor j

Missionary of the Day: Rachael Sexton

This is Rachael’s second trip to Brazil and she is enjoying seeing all the changes that have taken place since she was here 2 years ago. Along with all the excitement of being on a mission trip, Rachael is really enjoying working with the first graders in English camp; especially little Dadi. “He knows English and can understand it” says Rachael “but he’s shy about responding.” Her quiet time has reminded her the verse in Romans 8; ...nothing can separate us from the love of God. Sometimes it can be hard to be with a bunch of people over a long period of time, but she knows that in Christ, the Lord encourages me to love everyone like He loves me.” She is also excited to perform Shout and looking forward see how the Lord will use it.


Day 4 Activities

Today was the second full day of English camp. The children enjoyed participating in wheelbarrow races, various water games and mini- soccer. The children also played two versions of cheerleader. It was fun to see all of the kids, both Brazilians and Americans, helping to teach each other the rules to the games. It is cool to see that with God there really is no language barrier. The construction crew continued to work at the new playground site. They mixed and laid cement, as well as built brick walls using traditional Brazilian methods.

Following this, we got another cultural experience playing soccer with many talented Brazilians. The teams were Americans vs. Brazilians. Guess who won? Neither – we tied. After dinner, there was a Shout! rehearsal.


Continue to pray God's blessing of strength and health for the team as we prepare to share the love of Jesus through our work projects and the musical!

Day 3 BRCC Mission Trip

Missionary of the Day: David Nolen

David has been looking forward to Brasil for quite some time now. Since this is his first trip, he has enjoyed the thrill of seeing first hand what he has heard from his dad, Hubert. “It’s really inspiring as far as getting to know what God is doing down here and seeing him work.” David was part of the team that helped the English camp today. “I really enjoyed the team work that was required to make it all happen” says David who also sited several opportunities to work with fellow mission team members and Brazilian staff. “ I really learned a lot from teaching the 9th graders at the English camp.”

Day 3 Activities

Today was an “early morning” getting up at 7 for Breakfast to prepare for the English camp at 8. The English camp is a series of games spoken in English from singing songs like the "The Hokey Pokey" in the K-1 grades to water balloon volleyball all designed to create a “natural” method of communication between the campers and our missionaries. Before a student can play or receive a prize, they must say it in English.

Also, construction projects such as painting shelves in the new children’s library for the international school, the building of a 20 foot long brick wall for an additional playground and finalizing the set for Shout were taking place during English camp. The team really went all out today! On the spiritual side, we continue to work through the devotional we brought with today's theme centered around Jesus' instruction to Peter; “Feed my sheep” and how each of us are here in Brasil to feed Jesus’ sheep.

Of course, no day is complete without a day of soccer and a few rousing games of Euchre, snacks (at the canteen) complete with Guaraná.

Please pray for the team's strength as the days get longer and more active. Click here to enjoy some additional photos of today's activities.

Blessings to all!

Day 2 of the BRCC Mission Trip

Missionary of the Day: Brittney Sweet

This is Brittney’s first mission trip. Today she spent a full day at the Alcance and got to bond with her friends while she worked on sorting and organizing the things we brought from USA. When asked about the highlight of her day she replied, “We started a devotional and had an amazing worship service to finish our day. I also enjoyed learning a little bit more about the culture when we went to visit the flip flop factory. The colors and multiple patterns were really cool.”   


Day 2 Activities


Our day began with a hearty breakfast of fruits, meat, cheese, bread, pastries and eggs. Following breakfast, one of our major tasks for the day was to organize and sort the materials we brought in trunks so they can be distributed throughout the School.  We also prepared for the upcoming English camp with direction from our friends from the Alcance by distributing the work and what will be taught as well as dividing up activities of the day.   Mike Mills and crew worked on construction projects while others cleaned up around the Alcance.   Amy, Pastor Jay, David Moraes and Roberto began preparing the backdrops and translations for Shout!  

Of course, no day would be complete without a little soccer (football) followed by dinner, devotionals and some worship time. We finished off our day with singing a rousing version of Happy Birthday to Sarah Wells who turned 16 enjoying some cake and a nice swim in the pool! (see photos..)

Please pray for the team as they encourage the Brazilian English campers with the love of Christ. Also pray as we prepare and adapt the translation of Shout so it will be understood and received by the Brazilian people.

Enjoy a few pictures of the day.

Blessings to you all!

38 arrive safely to Carpina, Brasil!

What an exciting (and thankfully uneventful) day of traveling for the BRCC Mission team. Although there's not much to report on the misson trip itself, I thought you might enjoy some candid shots of us along the way.

Saying good bye....

Waiting for the plane in Atlanta (after being delayed for 2.5 hours... they were troopers)

We made it to Brasil!! (we're in Rio!)

The race is on! "Moving" from Delta to TAM in Rio.

Cramming us and the luggage on the bus.

We made it!

Keep watching for updates! May God bless you as you pray for us!!

Medical Team has left

The medical team left really early this morning to go back to the USA. The team was able to help about 1,000 people. After Cha de Alegria they went to Pauldalo then to the Dump in Carpina. Here are some pictures from the Dump.

The medical teams started seeing people at the Dump in 2006. Before they helped out there, the local medical clinics wouldn't go there. But now since this ministry took the step to help this community the local medical clinic sends people there each month.

Dr. Taylor was able to sit down and talk with the local medical clinic staff after the Dump clinic. The staff usually only stays an hour and a half and sees 200 people. They said it was very good and amazing to see the US team take their time with each person and the love that the team showed toward the people.

Prayer request

Frank Penna's father passed away and Frank had to leave Brazil early. Please pray for his family during this time. Frank Senior's funeral is Wed. 2 pm at the First Friends Church, Denver CO. The below mortuary is handling the service. WRI will send flowers.

Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary
7777 W 29TH Ave Ste A
Denver, CO 80033-8129
Phone: (303) 233-4611

Medical Clinics Starts

First medical clinic was in Amexias. It is a town about an hour and a half away from where the group is staying. They got a slow start because of the rain and not a lot of people knew about the clinic, but as soon as word got out it was very busy. They saw just under 300 people. Click on the pictures or the Picasa link to the left for more pictures of the clinic.

Today the medical team is at a town called Cha de Alegria. The community church of Paudalho has an outreach in that town.

Medical group arrives safely

All 8 people on the medical short-term trip have arrived safely and are already hard at work sorting medicine for tomorrow's clinic in Amexias.

Emily's Impressions

Jeff has decided that it's high-time I write a blog. I don't like writing. We fought. He won. So, with a black eye and a bloody nose, I am writing this blog.

The past 3 months have been full of new experiences. Moving to Brazil brought new people, new opportunities, and a new culture. My experience here is beginning to become a little more "normal" but the first few months here wasn't quite that. While most people come here after months of prayer and preparation, I came after 2 weeks of prayer and preparation. While most people come after preparing so much that they just want to get on with it and get down here, I came trusting the Lord but not quite sure what I thought about the whole idea of being in Brazil for an extended period of time. Over the past 3 months I have learned a lot about the ministry here. I have become excited about the work that God is doing. I have made new friends. And the Lord has taught me a lot about trusting in him even when my mind calls it contradictory. God has provided me with everything I need. He has given me purpose and a reason to be here. He has given me good friends. He has given me joy and he will give me a future.

Just to give you a little idea of what I've been up to down here, I've been teaching Kindergarten, 1^st, and 2^nd grade at the International School, 2 classes for children in nearby towns, and 1 class for the teachers at the school. I've kept busy but not too busy to neglect the playground. Over the past few weeks, Lindsay and I have designed a new English program for the school. We are very excited about the possibilities that it brings for next semester. We are praying that the Lord will use it to his glory and that the English program will grow with the school. The next month brings forty-some Americans. This is gonna be a crazy place. But it's going to be a lot of fun, especially considering that part of the group is my family.

~Emily Taylor

Safe & Sound

The first of the short-term trips have arrived. Kenny Smith, Frank Penna, and Steve Turner are safely in Brazil enjoying guaraná and fresh fruit.

Kenny is here to build several bookshelves and other wood working needs. Frank is here to assist Kenny and also lend his voice talent to several of the Churches. Steve is here to coordinate the trips and be the go to guy for everyone.

The Medical Team comes next! July 2nd.

Intl School Program

School is almost done. Just one more week.

Right before Easter, the International school kids went on a field trip to Olinda and other historical sites. This program last Friday was to show off what they learned from the trip. Some of the kids had special projects they did on the field trip. This was a good way to present to the parents what their kids did and what the school is about. Now we just have one more program to do this Friday. It will be a world culture program.

No Camera No Service

I (Jeff) have been without a memory card for me camera for 3 weeks or so. I just recently was able to borrow a memory card but I have yet to be able to get good pictures for the things that have happened. So no pictures until I get another chance to go to the locations.

The Community Church of Lagoa de Itaenga was in trouble this month, because they found out that the place they were renting was going to be sold. They were being kicked out and in this small town there wasn't any other place to rent. But, God is good! Through one of Pastor Ricardo's relatives they were able to purchase land for cheap in a good area close to downtown. They had R$3,000 saved up already for this land and only needed R$2000 more. For a while they thought there was some money with the World Renewal Headquarters for Lagoa de Itaenga, but there wasn't any. They only had 3 weeks to raise this money or they would not be able to purchase this land.
While Pastor Zecarlos (a retired pastor that helps with this church) was on a trip to his home town of Sao Paulo, he received a gift of R$2000 for the new Church building. Well the money is going to buying the land which needs to be paid for before the Church can be build. God provided!

Don't forget that we need your help with building the new Church in Tracunhanhém.

A little way to say Thank you to people in Ministry

This summer there are over 40 people coming to visit WRBrazil on short-term trips. Each of those people will be allowed one personal bag and one bag of ministry items.
This is a great opportunity to supply the ministry with things that are difficult to get here in Brazil and also bless the people in ministry here.

The devaluing dollar has made travel more expensive than ever and the short-term missionaries (many of which are teens) are struggling to meet their expenses.

And so, we still need help purchasing and gathering many of those items.

Here is a list of families in ministry here in Brazil and some items they might enjoy. Everything on the list is just a suggestion, please feel free to personalize.

Please pray and consider picking one or more of the families listed. We have never done this big of a list before and we really want to show the people in ministry here that we appreciate their lives in Christ. We are praying that we will be able to give a gift to every family on the list.

Please contact Steve Turner at (317)840-1270 if you decide to participate in fulfilling part of this list.

P.S. I believe the Pen Drives have already been purchased for these families.

Moraes Family (Tele, Heather, Karine, David, Alyssa, Johnny, Christopher) Special Teas, Bath & Body Works stuff/ Victoria's Secret - smelly-good stuff Marshmallows, Folgers coffee Fig Newtons, Whoppers, Twix, Sour Skittles, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, Dove Dark Chocolate, Crunchy JIF peanut butter , Cool Ranch Doritos (or any other flavor other than cheddar), Maple Syrup and/or Maple Extract, Mugs (Heather has a mug collection), Dr Pepper & Diet Dr. Pepper , BBQ sauce, Chile Powder, large sized cinnamon container, cream of tarter, chocolate chips, Poptarts (not strawberry), Cheese & peanut butter crackers, Stickers, Taco Shells (hard or soft), Pepperoni	Ricardo Silva & Family (Kattia, Rebeca -2) Baby clothes/Shoes (2T-3T) Toddler toys Mountain Dew Body spray, lotions, etc. Chocolate Pop Tarts Cool Ranch Doritos Peanut Butter Jewelry Sour candy & other unique candy English kid’s CDs & DVDs Non-English games Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.)	Dona Lucia & Family (Roberto, Roberta, Roberto Jr, Renata) – Principal of the International School & teachers, graphic design shop Cool Ranch Doritos Birds of prey books & stuff (English or Portuguese) Peanut Butter Body spray, lotions (Bath & Body Works) Candy Jalapenos Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.)
Assuero Naque & Family (Mariam, Lorena -13, Tiago -15) Ameixas’ Pastor Body spray, lotions, etc. Pop Tarts, Mt Dew, Dr. Pepper, candy Play Station 2 games Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.)	Arthur & Fiancée (Jaciara) – Guadalajara’s Pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate	Carlos Antonio– Guadalajara’s Pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Chocolate Pen Drive Christian music CDs Laptop
Jorge & Family (wife, Debora -13, Jorge Jr-15)– Timbauba’s Pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Music items (CDs, sheet music, etc) Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate Lotion & smelly-good stuff	Anselmo & Family (Carmem, Livia-5, Neto-8) – Tracunhaem’s Pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Toys – Barbies & Hot Wheels Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate	Augustino & Family (Nadja, Milena-5) - Seminary Director Sour candy & other unique candy Toys – Barbies Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate
Daniel Junior & Family (Sisters – Aninha, Patricia, Cacau)– Paudalho’s Pastor & Living Stones program there Jewish heritage items Haircutting scissors Lotion & smelly-good stuff Tea, candy Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.)	Silvio & Fiancée (Rafaela) – works at Carpina’s church Sour candy & other unique candy Non-English games Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate	Valmir & Wife – part-time pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Non-English games Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate
Josemar & Wife (Marcia)– Carpina’s Pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate, candy, etc.	Gilson & Fiancée (Valdilene) – Acacias’ Pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate, candy, etc.	Orlando & Family (Flavia & baby)– Acacias’ Pastor Baby Girl clothes (1 year old) Sour candy & other unique candy Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate, candy, etc.
Paulo & Family (Eline, Raquel – 14, Rebeca – 9, Daniel -8, Davi -5) – missionary family at the International School Sour candy & other unique candy Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Chocolate, candy, etc. Jewelry Body lotion & spray(Bath &Body Works)	Pastor Jose Carlos & Family (Eunice, Fernanda) – missionaries & teachers Sour candy & other unique candy Non-English games Nice household items (placemats, table clothes, home décor items, etc) Chocolate Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works)	Ivana –Bible teacher & Vice-Principal of the International School Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Dove Dark Chocolate, Peanut butter Body lotion & spray Christian music –Michael W Smith, DC Talk, 4HIM Portable CD drive
Edjane – Seminary receptionist & community outreach Sour candy & other unique candy Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Crunchy Peanut butter Mountain Dew Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works), chocolate, candy, etc.	Geselia & Family (Laurindo & Daniel-9)– Receptionist & teacher at the International School English games Computer games Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.) Craft supplies: sewing supplies, ribbons, beads, etc. Legos, candy, chocolate	Duda & Family (Karina & Gabriel-7) – Maintenance Man for Alcance, seminary student, & irreplaceable! Sour candy & chocolate Body lotion & spray (Bath&Body wks) nice pair of boy’s shoes – size 6 1/2 -7 Clothing items (men’s small, woman’s medium, child’s medium/large) legos, Hot Wheels, candy, chocolate Pen Drive, Notebooks, pencils, pens Home décor items (wall hangings, placemats, coasters, etc.)
Carlão – Carpina’s Pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Non-English games Chocolate Pen Drive Notebooks, pencils, pens	Airton & Family (Silvana & Joyce –age 3) – Teacher & guard at the International School & seminary student Sour candy & other unique candy Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works) Clothing items (men’s large, woman’s medium, toddler) Toys Pen Drive Toddler shoes Notebooks, pencils, pens Nice household items (placemats, table clothes, home décor items, etc) Chocolate	Silvia & Lenilson – Cook at the International School Sour candy & other unique candy Nice household items (placemats, table clothes, home décor items, etc) Chocolate Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works) Purses
Edmilson & Natali – Acacias’ Pastor & worship leader Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works) Pen Drive Christian Soundtracks Sour candy & other unique candy Nice household items (placemats, table clothes, home décor items, etc) Chocolate Peanut Butter	Edilene & Ci – Cleaning ladies at the International School / Alcance Sour candy & other unique candy Nice household items (placemats, table clothes, home décor items, etc) Clothing Items (women’s medium & large) Chocolate Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works)	Jose Carlos & Family (Mana, Lucas -15, Jonatas -13) Sour candy & other unique candy Clothing Items (men’s small & medium, women’s medium) Nice household items (placemats, table clothes, home décor items, etc) Chocolate English books – easy chapter books Video games Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works)
Rachel Winzeler- Teacher at the International School Games: Connect 4, Candyland, Sorry, UNO, Shoots & Ladders, Clue, Gestures, Twister, Mancala, Haircutting scissors (3 pairs), Horseradish sauce (Arby's), Maple syrup, BBQ sauce, Taco sauce (Taco Bell), Whip cream packets, Cream of tarter , Ranch sauce Books that have changed your life! Projector (for Paudalho) Good magazines	Celso & Family (wife & toddler -3) – Paudalho’s Pastor Sour candy & other unique candy Nice household items (placemats, table clothes, home décor items, etc) Chocolate Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works)	Israel & Family (Andrea, Tiago -14, Carla – 11) – Teacher at the International School & Word of Life missionary Sour candy & Chocolate Clothing Items Nice household items (placemats, table clothes, home décor items, etc) Body lotion & spray (Bath & Body Works), Pen Drive
Emily Taylor – Teacher at the International School Contact solution Borax Orbit Sweetmint gum Peanut Butter Smooth JIF peanut butter Milk chocolate chips Gummy bears	Lindsay & Jeff Turner – Teacher at the School & IT/Communication- Othello (game), 2-3 cute Hand Puppets, ESL Survival Kit # 1 by Elizabeth Claire ESL Smart by Margaret Bouchard Children's board books/baby books Toddler toys (2-4yrs old) Plain tortilla chips, Taco seasoning, Peanut Butter Dr. Pepper, Pop Tarts, Gummy worms, Mint Chocolate Oreos, Jelly Belly JellyBeans,

Karine Gone

Karine Moraes has left Brazil to go to England. She will be staying with family there until August. Then she will be going to Hungary where she will study at Word of Life for a year. Please pray for her time abroad.

Spotlight: The Community Church of Tracunhanhém

The Community Church of Tracunhanhém has been around for 7 years. It has been a very prosperous Church in attendance and raising God loving people. They have been meeting in a rented building this whole time, which is located on the 2nd floor of a Business. The building only holds about 110 seating people and there is no room for the youth group or a nursery. The Church has only standing room every Sunday and sometimes there isn’t even that room left.

Knowing all of these limitations and understanding that this could harm the work there, the Church decided to search for a land in the city to build a Church to assist their needs, however they didn’t have all of the financial resources for this and in spite of this, they believed that God would supply their needs. In that search they found many places but they always had a negative answer about them. It was very difficult to hear “no” after “no”! They almost lost all hope. It seemed that they never would find the land. It seemed that they should adjust to the limited structure of the building where they were having their meetings. However, to the eyes of God it was not the end and in the year of 2006, when the Municipal City hall of Tracunhanhém, in the Mayoress of the municipal district, knowing their need and recognizing the importance and influence of their Church in the local community, she made a donation of a land of 894 m², downtown – it was a better location than all the lands that they had already consulted. In the donation term there is a clause that determines that the church would have to begin the construction project within two years, in other words, until the end of 2008.

Recently their Council board of elders decided to choose a multifunctional structure for their church building, where they will have a sportive space which will be available to the community and to preach the Gospel for a large number of people. And they will be able to meet for Bible School and each class will have its own space. They hope to give a more comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for their members and visitors.

However, it still remains the challenge of the construction, because they only have this year for it or otherwise they may lose their land. The project they dream of is about 80.000 reais($47,000), which is much more than they are able to rise. And there is still the fact that the initial cost for the acquisition of the prefabricated concrete block structure is of approximately 25.000 reais($15,000), however they have faith that the same God who made great things in the History of His people (Ex. 36.4-7), is the same who is able to make the same today among them.

Will you Join the Community Church of Tracunhanhém in faith by praying for and if God leads, to donate to the Construction of the Church building. They need to Build the prefabricated concrete block structure by December 08, which is about US$15,000 or they will lose the land.
To Donate send a Check made out to World Renewal Intl and Earmarked Brazil Tracunhanhém Building project.
P.O. Box 399
Greenfield, IN 46140
Or
You can Donate online. (under Description write Brazil Tracunhanhém Building project.)
Click on the Link HERE to Donate online

Giving Opportunity

What is Living Stones? What do they really do?

The purpose of Living Stones is to provide the poorest children with a safe place to keep them off the streets. Some of the activities they aspire to offer are tutoring, specialized classes (cooking, music, etc.), a Bible study, fun games, and a hot meal. It is the goal of the ministry for every church to have a successful Living Stones program and for the new church plants to incorporate the program as a main part of their outreaches. This, unfortunately, is rarely the case. Few churches have the resources or manpower to maintain the programs. The programs start well, but the funds run dry. Many times they are even unable to scrap together enough money for food for the children. Church volunteers help greatly, but most communities need an all day program - requiring a fulltime staff.

Despite these obstacles, the Community Church of Pauldalho has been able to keep its doors open to children. In Pauldalho, the project receives government aid and there are some workers who are paid by the government as well. It’s so exciting that the government is actually paying the church to reach out to children, but it’s not perfect. The government here doesn’t always pay the bill. There are many times that the government money won’t come and suddenly there is no money for food. The government doesn’t pay for any books, games, classes, or any other activities. If there is any need other than food the staff pays for it out of their own pockets.

The three women who run the project (and are sometimes paid by the government to do so) are members of the Community Church of Pauldalho - Cacau, Mamau, and Patricia. They act as social workers for the children under their care as well. They do house visitation and if a child is being abused or neglected it is their job to be an advocate on the child’s behalf. That is all that is done by the government. If it wasn’t for their visiting the parents (or grandparents) and asking for the abuse to stop nothing would be done. Children here are not protected from abusive parents.

Rachel Winzler has been helping out at the Pauldalho Living Stones project on Thursday afternoons for the past 3 months. She invited Emily Taylor and me along a couple of times to help teach some basic English words to the kids. This last Thursday we went to visit some of the homes with Patricia and Cacau. They were all tiny, home to very large families, and very dirty. The last one was the most difficult. It was home to a family of 12 - a small two room house that had no electricity, no plumbing, and no running water. The walls were splotchy brown from years of human touch and dirt. Filthy mattresses, piles of grimy clothes, and an old van seat served as the furniture. When we arrived the whole place was filled with smoke from someone cooking in the back. The shy children sat watching us as the 60-year-old lady of the house talked about her troubles through her blackened teeth. She told us how her grown children and grandchildren depend upon her begging for their daily bread. They often had to forgo purchases of “luxury items” like soap, conditioner, or shampoo in favor of rice. The adult children could help, could get menial jobs, but don’t.

There are currently 60 children being served at the Living Stones of Pauldalho, but the need is so much greater in that community alone. The Living Stones program is an ever-changing organism, as soon as the ministry attempts to define the project there is some variation, but as long as there are children with needs, the churches will be looking for ways to help them.

Visit: http://www.xanga.com/rwinzeler for Rachel’s take on our visit and for more pictures click on either picture here

Anselmo was ordained as a Pastor this last Sunday. Congradulations to him for finishing Seminary.

The World Renewal Brazil Website is coming along nicely. Most of the headers are finished and the content just needs to be proof read a bit more. Check out the site at WRIBrazil.com.


Lindsay and Emily have started to teach an English class in the newest Church plant of Lagoa De Itaenga. It will be ever other Saturday. The first class had about 7 youth attending. The youth really enjoyed it and we expect twice the number for next class. The same day the English class is there is also youth group. Jeff helped out with the youth group and the kids played the Nintendo Wii after a short Bible study. It was a lot of fun to see the kids faces when they were playing Wii Sports Tennis.

We got to visit the Community Church of Ameixas this Saturday and you can see pictures here.