God does beyond what we hope or imagine

God does beyond what we hope or imagine. The opening of the baby house was a grand day. We had a record number of friends and well wishers who came to encourage and support our work. After being in the new house for a little over a week, my workers and I don’t know how we survived living in the small house that we did with the number of kids that we had, and with such primitive conditions. All of the babies are very happy now, and even to the point of great excitement. Sometimes God prepares things for us and blesses us in such a way that we are truly overwhelmed with His kindness toward us and those we love. If Paul and I had tried to build the baby house on our own, we wouldn’t have gotten very far, but God provided many friends and finances and excellent workers to make the baby house a dream house which we rightly named, “esperança” which means “hope”. Until the end of the year we still need to see 15.000 dollars come in to pay of all the bills for this Hope House. Pray with us

MONDAY MORNING

Monday morning! I arrived at the baby house to prepare the babies to come down to the dining hall for a time of singing and prayer. Things were running late, and the monitors were still giving the morning showers. I was trying to locate all ten pairs of shoes and turned back around to find the babies had for fun removed some of the plastic plates and cups from the kitchen cupboards and had opened up a box of tea and had passed all the tea bags round, wondering what on earth those were used for. Finally, after some shuffling, we got them ready for the singing time, which they seemed to enjoy and at least sat quietly throughout. We then walked to the other farm to see the animals and ride horse. Miss Liberty, the horse seemed to be somewhat lazy this day, and I had to really force her to ride one more lap for one more baby. On returning home, more showers, then meal time and one of the small girls again refused to eat. Every day the same thing happens and today again she refused to eat even a bite. We brought her to her room and later after all the others were in bed for naptime, she decided that today she really would like to eat. I talked with her and promised her more visits with her older brother, and she ate two whole bowls of food! It was a good Monday morning.

Saying Grace In A Restaurant

Somebody sent me this story today, I thought it was too beautiful not to share with you..........Last week, I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, 'God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!'

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, 'That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!'

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, 'Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?'

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, 'I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.'

'Really?' my son asked.

'Cross my heart,' the man replied.

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), 'Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.'

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, 'Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already.'

"Lar Feliz supermarket"

Last Saturday we had such a nice opening party for the new home for the babies and toddlers. What a difference for those 16 children and 10 staff.
Lar Feliz has been filling up. Last Tuesday another 4 kids were brought to us, which brings the total of children and teen-agers to 78!! Wow.
We are introducing a new activity at Lar Feliz. So many kids have been asking for a job, but the laws for children working in Brazil are very strict. We came up with a system that they could apply for little two hour jobs on the project. They had several choices; working in the baby house, with the animals, gardening, in the kitchen, cleaning the offices etc. All these jobs will pay the a little money per month. the classroom and computer room will be moving to the former baby room and the former classroom will turn into; "Lar Feliz supermarket" This will be the place where they can spend their money on some candy, ice-cream or pop but also on other things like clothes and hygiene products. All the children receive their hygiene kit every month, but some of them do not take care of it very well and then before the month is over ask for more. With this little store we hope to teach them that nothing is for free and it costs time, effort and money to get what you need or want.
With Lar Feliz filling up, we need an extra dose of wisdom, patience and love. Will you continue to pray for us all?

A DREAM COME TRUE?

The baby house is coming together, and it is looking like a dream come true. The colors of the interior and exterior, the layout, the playground equipment, the newly laid grass, the beautiful kitchen and spacious veranda: all things are coming together in a beautiful way. Today we will be moving the babies’ clothes and belongings. We pray and hope their new home will deeply touch their little spirits, and give them a profound knowing that they belong in this world, and are chosen and made by God.

Today....

Today is our 19th wedding anniversary. On Saturday, October 10, Paul turned 40 years old. This weekend in Brazil is celebrated everywhere, the Day of Children. I would like to thank God for Paul, for the friend that he is and my partner and husband. I also thank God for how he has used Paul’s life to touch the lives of many children here in Brazil. It is an incredible blessing to see God move in our lives to help these needy children here. Without Jesus, we would never have made it this far.

All things are possible....

One of the saddest things that I have seen in my life is seeing a small child who at a young age had already been sexually abused by his parents. Working with these kids in the baby house has been a wonderful painful experience. These children have many different behaviour problems as a result of this abuse. Problems in interacting with other children, eating disorders, aggression toward the workers and other children, the list goes on… One day one of the little boys began to cry, for no apparent reason, and had lain down in the dirt, wanting to stay and be left alone. It was in the hot sun, so I scooped him up in my arms, though he was kicking and screaming, and I carried him inside the house where his cries eventually stopped. Slowly with time and the Lord’s healing work of love, we see those children change, have brighter smiles, give hugs, say they are sorry to other children, and learn to love and be loved. All things are possible with God who loves us.

nature walks....

Whoever likes to spend time in the garden must realize how Adam and Eve must have felt, to walk in the presence of God. My extended family always had gardens, and my uncle told me that he could feel God’s presence in his garden. Whenever I take the baby house to the woods for a hike, their little natures seem to transform. They are calm, they look everywhere with delight and wonder, and they always find new treasures. They use sticks to practice horseback riding; they find little seeds from trees that are like money, big leaves, and long blades of grass they use to tickle someone’s ears. No matter how often we go, it is always a nice time when we go for a walk in the nature.