Mid-year Report

So far in 2014, over 10,000 meals have been served, and over 200 children have been impacted on a weekly basis.

We had a wonderful year in 2013, with 17,000 meals served, 280 children regularly enrolled in the program, 250 birthday parties, 300 in the literacy program, 600 hearing the gospel, and a vehicle purchased for Living Stones. 

2014 started differently, with Caid and Rachel Ferguson in the USA instead of serving on the field. Pastor Flavio Travassos has continued running Cajueiro Claro (livingstonescajueiroclaro.blogspot.com) and Mussurepe (livingstonesmussurepe.blogspot.com), and opened another Living Stones program in Belem (livingstonesbelem.blogspot.com). Pastor Ricardo has had to limit the program in Lagoa de Itaenga (livingstoneslagoa.blogspot.com), due to lack of funds and workers. Those working at the trash dump (livingstonestrashdump.blogspot.com) have moved, but the ministry continues with new volunteers from Firm Promise Baptist church. The ministry at Guadalajara (livingstonesguadalajara.blogspot.com) has changed leadership, but others from Athletes in Action are stepping in and doing a wonderful job. 

The Living Stones programs have done well, with special events such as Carnaval camp (Youtube: “Carnaval and Children in need”) , Easter celebration (Youtube: “Easter Celebration Rachel Ferguson”) Mother’s day celebration (Youtube: “Moments for moms Rachel Ferguson”), and World Cup Evangelism outreaches. 

We are thrilled to see different US churches come alongside and support their brothers and sisters in Brazil. Some of those who have blessed us with support include: Brandywine Community church adopting Lagoa de Itaenga, Lifepoint helping with the Literacy program (wribrazil.com/literacy)  , Brookville Road Community church assisting with the Birthday party program (wribrazil.com/10forthem), Greenwood Community church supporting Caid and Rachel Ferguson, and Shelbyville Community church sending a vision team to Brazil to further support Living Stones. Special thanks to Morning Star Friends church for all they did this summer (buildinglivingstones.blogspot.com/2014/07/morning-star-friends-mission-trip.html), and for everyone who helped us raise over $3,000 for our transportation expenses (wribrazil.com/trek). 

A List of Needs

Most of the time giving money is the most convenient and helpful, since mailing supplies to Brazil is a hassle. But as we are getting ready for a mission's trip in October, we are filling up our suitcases with lots of goodies for the kids. Please pray about contributing some of the following needed items:

For the mission's trip:

1. Fifteen durable plastic table clothes (colorful party kind)

2. Individually wrapped candy for 400 kids 

3. Gift/goody bags for the kids to take home candy, prizes, craft, and Bible

4. Carnival style games to play at each Living Stones (6 programs) 

5. Prizes for games (small fun things: Hot wheels style cars, kites, small “build it” kits for boys, Hair supplies, nail polish, drawing supplies for girls—think dollar store items)

6. Craft things to do for 400 kids 

Bring to leave for Living Stones

1. Shin guards and socks for playing soccer

2. Soccer balls and basketballs

3. Pregnancy clothes for Mercia (she is about 5 foot 4)

4. Baby clothes for baby Travassos (don’t know if it is a girl or boy yet)

5. Milky way candy bars for Flavio

6. Games (that don’t require a lot of English: Uno, cards, connect 4, memory, dominos)

7. Zip lock baggies of all sizes, gift bags for presents 

8. Small lotion/perfume bottles: gifts for mothers

9. MP3 players (that plug into speakers) and Speakers (powerful, to have/teach music to a classroom, use in mime ministry) 110/220v

10. “Scripture Pictures” 52 visually interactive Bible stories for kids

11. Hot wheels style cars, kites, small “build it” kits for boys

12. Hair supplies, nail polish, drawing supplies for girls 

13. “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy” types of books, storybooks with lot of pictures and few words

We can also use donations to buy food for the parties in Brazil, books in Portuguese, and other supplies that are cheaper to get in Brazil. 

Morning Star Friends Mission Trip

We are so excited to have Cassie Hlebovy back in Brazil and working with Living Stones! You can read her blog here. She has returned with a missions trip group from her church, Morning Star. They have been busy blessing others through many talents, like cupcakes, visiting Belem, visiting Mussurepe, Basketball in Guadalajara, and VBS in Cajueiro Claro.
They are also helping at the International school with construction projects and English camp! A big thank you to them, and to everyone who gives/invests in these mission trips!

Our Fourth Trek for Transportation

It was a beautiful day at Southeastway park, as 25 people walked so that some amazing children and workers in Brazil could ride.

Walking or running their way over four kilometers, they raised $3,100

Completing in 13 minutes, Stephan Morris won first place, with John Winzeler (21 minutes) in second place, and Jason (23 minutes) in third.

Special thanks to Gary Wright, World Renewal President, for praying and sharing what God is doing. Thank you to everyone who came, and to those who supported them. 

Since we received the Kombi last July, ministry for Living Stones has been able to multiply, delivering soup to over 50 people every day, bringing families to church, and getting worker into those hard to reach rural areas. Fueling and maintaining this Kombi is 35% of our monthly budget--and this Trek makes sure that we can make it! 

Trek for Transportation is coming!

Mark your calendars for June 7th, 2014. At the beautiful Southeastway park (5624 S Carroll Rd, New Palestine, IN 46163) at 10:00am, we will have our annual 4k run/walk to raise funds to maintain the Kombi that we purchased for Living Stones last year. 

Information and forms are all located at the Trek website. You can donate online if you cannot attend yourself. Our goal is to raise $5,000 this year! 

Meet Caid and Rachel Ferguson

Rachel has been coordinator of Living Stones since 2009, and Caid joined her in 2013. Together they serve to connect Brazilian leaders with resources and American churches with opportunities to get involved. They run the blog, sent out e-newsletters, various paperwork, and visit churches/individuals interested. When they finish training, they are praying about where to go full-time. Please write us if you are interested in hearing more about Living Stones (amobrasil99@hotmail.com).

Celebrating 20 Years

On May 1st, Alcance Brazil celebrated 20 years of ministry and partnership with World Renewal International. Many of the original people who helped begin the ministry flew down to join in the celebration. Jeff and Lindsay Turner also returned after their time in the States.
Here is the post from the celebration: http://wrbrazil.blogspot.com/2014/05/20-years-of-world-renewal-brazil.html

Here is a short video and history of the 20 years: