In 1998, the Living Stones program began in northeast Brazil under the name of Growing Kids. The founding pastor of Paudalho, Asuério Naque and his wife Miriam started the first outreach after seeing a great need in the community. At different times, churches in other communities also started similar programs, but because of the devaluation of the dollar, lack of new support, or lack of workers those programs had to end. Past/current programs have been held in Guadalajara (in the state of Pernambuco), Carpina (also in Pernambuco state), and Cajueiro Claro.
In Paudalho however, an agreement was reached between the church and government program called PETI (Program to Eradicate Working Children). The government could use the church building, paying only for the water/electricity it used, providing the meals for the children, and some workers to come along side the church members to run the program.
This allowed the program to go from serving 30 children to 150 for the past couple of years. I (Rachel) began visiting and being a part of this program in 2008 (This is where all our pictures come from). Living Stones had a special trip for some of the kids to the zoo, movies, mall, and McDonalds—all for the first time! There was a wonderful Mother’s day program for the families of the children, Our first lice killing party, and a Children’s day party, where many of the children celebrated for the first time the day made for them. Christmas was a special meal, where the pastor shared the story of Christmas and they shared in communion.
2009 brought new connections with those in the church, as well as many difficulties with government funding. At Easter, each child received a bag of necessary and fun items from the US. They received new uniforms, celebrated the second lice killing party, Children’s day party, and Mother’s Tea party. November was a trip to Word of Life camp and pool, and for Christmas, each child received a Bible—for many, the first book they´ve ever owned. I (Rachel) considered it an honor to “intern” at the program for six months.
Since that time, Living Stones has grown in my (Rachel) heart, and it is my goal to help start/assist 10 Living Stones programs in 10 towns in 10 years. Rebecca and David Johnson have felt led to work on the United States side of things, raising support for the programs, while I work with the local churches and see how God moves.
Beginning of 2011 the Living Stones program was turned back over to sole church leadership and financial responsibility. In early 2011 the Living Stones program was revamped to fit a new more cost-effective budget. Churches and church plants now have the option of opening half programs for two hours a day to lessen the burden of meeting staff and financial needs.
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