Uniforms for Cajueiro Claro

Pastor Flavio was able to have uniforms donated for the children at Cajueiro Claro Living Stones. Having changed the program to be both in the mornings and afternoons, we have been able to reach out to many more children--especially younger children.

(Notice even the church dog is praying in the middle)

Thank you for for your continued support!

Through the Living Stones program, many more of the families from the community have been attending church. March 8th we had a special celebration for International Woman's Day, and over 40 women in attendance (including the dog again).

5 Things You Should Know About Carnaval

1.            Spelling = Carnaval. That isn’t a typo. If you haven’t heard of it, don’t let the Brazilians know. It is their claim to fame: The biggest party in the world. Wikipedia says that 70% of annual tourism to Brazil happens during Carnaval (This is where New Orleans got the idea for Mardi Gras). Only Brazilians can turn a three day holiday into a month long celebration: not much gets done in the new year until Carnaval is over.

2.            Blocos. The official picture of Carnaval is one big party that revolves around parades that are presented by different Blocos. Think Macy’s day parade with sexy women dancing the samba instead of Snoopy. Blocos are different groups/clubs that get together and give themselves names (like "o cachorro lambeo tua cara" --the dog licked your face), sell matching shirts or crazy outfits, have a band, and at least one Trio Electrico (fancy ones have floats), which is a truck with huge speakers on the roof and a dance floor on top of the speakers with singers/dancers going crazy on top of that. Carnaval is the time to forget, it is the time to dress up and be someone else, to let it all go.

3.            A Catholic holiday. Carnaval culminates on Fat Tuesday. The basic idea is to get in as much as you can before Ash Wednesday, which begins Lent, the 40 days until Easter, and traditionally a time of self-denial. That is the only part that resembles anything religious. For most Christians in Brazil, you do what you can to get away from Carnaval, so most churches have a church/beach camp. Carnaval leaves a big mess everywhere, especially in people’s lives with violence, addiction, and prostitution. Carnaval accounts for about 80% of annual beer consumption in Brazil, and probably the same statistic for prostitution.

4.            The dark side. While Carnaval is full of bright colors and laughter, for the many in poverty, Carnaval is dangerous and victimizing. Many with money come and take whatever they want--and then leave the pieces. The ones who suffer the most are the children, whether they are at home and their parents/neighbors are drunk, or they are in the street selling beer and snacks, or pick-pocketing. It is not uncommon for children go to missing or get lost during Carnaval. There is also a high level of drunk driving and violence.

5.            The bright side. This year, Pastor Flavio and Cajueiro Claro had church camp, and some of the children from Living Stones were able to join them for a time of worship, fellowship, and fun on the beautiful Brazilian beach. It was a wonderful time where the children were able to be a part of families who loved them and showed them what it was like to live a healthy life. Please pray for the children who were not able to have this experience. We thank God for his protection and safety this Carnaval (Which ended last Wednesday).

Eduarda, from Living Stones, came with her mother, who recently gave her life to Jesus

Personally Involved

It is always a wonderful time when someone gives their time, money, and energy to come to Brazil in person. This year, we have summer trips and opportunities ( wrbrazil@gmail.com to learn more), as well as some different people coming for a semester to teach English at the school (wribrazil.com/teach to learn more). But three people are planning on coming to assist specifically with Living Stones: Cyndi Winzeler (my mother), Koral Potter (my good friend), and Caid Ferguson (my boyfriend). If you would be interested in helping them out with funds, or presents for the children, they are working to bring something special for each child.

Please keep Cyndi Winzeler’s health in your prayers, as this is a step of faith for her to visit 150 of her god-grandchildren. Cyndi and Koral will be coming from April 12-May 7^th, and assisting with our Mother’s day programs, doing home visitations and encouraging the families to be strong in the Lord. Caid Ferguson will be coming later in the year, teaching soccer and basketball with Living Stones/Athletes in Action, and sharing his passion for Christ. To help with their trips to be God’s hands in Brazil, please go to www.wribrazil.com/rachel.html and then type their name into the comments area. It will go directly to their needs while they are in Brazil.

Carpina Trash Dump January

(food baskets)

On December 22^nd , the church got everyone together to bring a special sit-down holiday dinner for the families at the trash dump. This included sending home a food basket with each family, to make sure they had enough for the holidays.

In January, someone donated some bicycles—the most coveted of gifts for the children in Brazil!

They are almost finished building a home for one of the families!

Mussurepe January

In December, Vovo Bel (Grandma Isabel) had a wonderful Christmas party for all of the Living Stones children. She also invited and had food baskets for each of the families, making sure they had enough for the holidays. In January, they have continued to have church services once a month, and this month Marco’s mother gave her life to Jesus. Vovo Bel is praying for the day when a church building can be built and services can be every Sunday! Pray for leaders to be raised up for this community.

Cajueiro Claro January

(Mercia, with some of the food baskets that were donated)

Pastor Flavio and his new wife Mercia enjoyed a lovely honeymoon and vacation in December. January they have begun again, working together with many new projects including changing up the program at Living Stones. Since the beginning, it has been open four mornings a week. But, with the school system, only half of the children could attend, since many of them went to school in the mornings (Public school in Brazil is 4 hours a day, either morning, afternoon, or evening).

This year, we are trying out having two morning and two afternoons, to be able to expand the influence and opportunity to more children. One day the focus is on literacy and basic math, the other on sports and activities (the first must be attended to receive the privilege of the second). On January 20^th, Pastor Flavio had a parent meeting and lunch to explain and begin the new system. Things are going well, and everyone is looking forward to the special Carnaval camp coming up next week. The church put together a snack booth, selling food to raise money for some of the children from Living Stones to go to church camp during Carnaval, one of the few ways to get away from the many drunken parties, that are often dangerous for the younger children.

There was a big disagreement and problem with the soup ministry in December, and the owner of the restaurant was close to ending to program that provided over 12,000 meals to Living Stones families last year. But thank God, everything has been worked out and is running smoother than ever this year!

January Summer Break

January is Brazil’s summer break: when people relax, head to the beach, and wait for Carnaval (Brazil’s big Mardi Gras party) to begin. But at World Renewal, they had an intensive training and outreach time in Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, a town a couple of hours from the headquarters in Carpina. Many people from different community church plants came together to infiltrate this town with the love of Jesus. We are excited to see how things went, and what God has in the future—perhaps even a Living Stones ministry to help begin a church there. More information is at http://www.wrbrazil.blogspot.com