· They camd
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This week has been full with passing out invitations for the party (which is next Tuesday, October 25th) and putting together all the plans. In Paudalho, Mercia, one of the older girls, has been kind enough to take me (Rachel) around many of the homes—she knows everyone. Most of the time we have a whole train of children around us, little ones running ahead to yell, “Tia Raquel is here! And we are going to have a party!”
Even Marcone, my deaf boy (who is now taller than me!) was grunting and making guestures to one of the kids to go get an invitation. I ask them how they’ve been, and tell them to make sure to come because there will be unlimited cotton candy and popcorn and clowns and a bounce house. I’ve missed my kids from Paudalho so much.
Paudalho is where Living Stones began, and I started volunteering in 2007. In 2009 I worked there full time, but when I returned to Brazil in 2011, the program ended. The church was under construction, and the government was corrupt and didn’t care enough to provide the funds that it had promised to continue the program in a different location. We have tried to work hard to stay connected, having the Christmas party in January, the Easter party in April, and now the Children’s day party. We hope to reopen Living Stones Paudalho before the end of the year.
I have been around to visit the homes of the children over five times now, so the mothers are getting to know me and warm up to me—except for the occasional one who will stare at me like an alien and say “I don’t understand a word she is saying—what kind of accent does she have?” Some of the mothers shyly ask if they can come to the Children’s day party too. “Of course!” I smile.
In one part of town, They came running down the dirt road with puffs of dust scattering behind them. They were wet and happy, just come from the river, where they swam and pretended to help their mother wash clothes. She walked slowly behind them, a big tub of clothes balanced on her head. They saw me from a distance, and I waved. Neto, wearing torn underwear, came running, with Erasmas and Polyana close behind him. Hugs were given freely and fiercely. And I think I was born for moments like these: two children tucked under my arms with two more holding my hands, looking up at me with big smiles.
I am so excited and amazed at how many people are involved and contributing to make this party a success:
· Patricia and Cacau, with their advice and knowledge of how to do the children’s day party, since they have done it the four previous years
· Everyone who donated to the jewelry that was made in Brazil (and Nicki for her special gift)—you guys provided for the party package with clowns and balloons and a bounce house and trampoline and pool of balls
· Cherrylynn and her VBS children who decorated and donated almost 90 school notebooks, pencils, erasers, crayons, and other school supplies
· Donations from Disneyland (thanks to my Mom and that nice lady there)
· Candy from the Youth Center (Thanks Mr. Elliot!)
· Toys from Karianne and her mother’s group from Michigan
· Toys from Sandra in Brazil
· Toys from the International school children
· Snacks from the ladies in Cajueiro Claro
· Volunteers from Paudalho church to help at the party
· Volunteers from the International school to help at the party
It is truly a time to celebrate these special ones who are so close to the heart of Jesus. There is still time to give and be a part of this! If you would like to help out with some of the last minute expenses (because those always happen), please go to www.wribrazil.com to donate. Please write in the comment area that it is for the Children’s day party. Thank you for your prayers! I will post pictures soon after the party.
A BIG PRAISE THE LORD! In Cajueiro Claro, Flavio has worked it out with one of the restaurants in Carpina to donate a big pot of soup every day to Living Stones. This means that the children are not only getting a hot lunch (and a breakfast snack as well), but have soup for dinner! This has been a really ministry to the families, as there is enough soup for the whole family to come and enjoy together.
(Daniel, at last year's Children's day party!)
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