World Help Partnership

Living Stones is pleased to announce that we are partnering with World Help to provide some child sponsorships; creating more impact and opportunity for children in Northeast Brazil. 

We will be starting small, and the process is long, but it is exciting to see how God is opening doors. As you know, we have not done child sponsorships in the past, due to our focus on church planting and lack of staff. We have always encouraged people to invest in children through a local church community that was already passionate about making a lasting change. That has not changed. 

World Help is about partnership, not ownership. They come to assist what God is already doing in communities and local churches that just need some financial help and encouragement to keep going—and to grow. As we met with Kraig Cole, the director for child sponsorships, we were excited to see how World Help and Living Stones shared the same values and goals. Our partnership will not limit or change how Living Stones is working—it just adds to our team. 

We will make sure to keep you updated on what God is doing through World Help in the future (probably starting middle of 2016), as the beginning phase is mostly just paperwork. For those of you who are currently partnering with us in prayer and financial giving—please don’t stop! Your involvement is what enables us to function. World Help will not be taking over any of our programs—only enabling us to reach out in new ways. 

Thank you for joining us in welcoming World Help to our Living Stones team!

100 Birthdays

Our "10 for Them" program has been on hold for awhile, since the Fergusons were busy having a baby, but now it is back in full swing. In the past we celebrated individual birthdays--and this worked well in areas where the children lived close, and when we only had about 60 kids. But now we have 200-250 children to celebrate!
We now celebrate once a month with each group of Living Stones children (between 2-7 kids at each party): Cajueiro Claro, Lagoa de Itaenga, Mussurepe, Guadalajara, and the Trash dump community--having cake, birthday cards, and of course, pictures in the Birthday hat:

We have been working on gathering all the pictures and birthday dates of the kids (a BIG job, since many of them do not know when their birthday is), and will be putting together an updated Birthday/prayer calendar for 2016!

Instead of presents for my (Rachel Ferguson) birthday this year, I am asking for birthday parties for the Living Stones kids--I want to celebrate 100 Birthdays! It only costs $10 for one of these group birthday parties at 10 for Them

Father's Day in Brazil

In Brazil, Father's Day is the second Sunday in August. This August 9th, Living Stones children will be inviting their fathers to a special celebration at church. It is common, especially in rural Brazil, to see a church full of women and children--the only man there being the pastor.

Living Stones focuses on working with children, and has already had a special Mother's Day celebration, but now we are looking to the men. These families--these communities need the male leadership for lasting change.

Funds given to Living Stones goes to basic costs unless otherwise specified. Help us with the cost of food and party supplies for our Day for Dad (look under Brazil outreach projects). This year, with the US dollar being high, we only need about $100.

Mid Year Update on Living Stones

Video updates instead of newsletters this summer! If you ever want more information about Living Stones, specifically or generally, make sure to write to amobrasil99@hotmail.com. Here is the update on Caid and Rachel Ferguson:

Announcing Ana Sofia Carol Ferguson

For those who enjoy the video blogs: 

For those who enjoy reading blogs

Caid and Rachel thank you all for your love, care, and prayers as we begin life with 

this new "Living Stone." Let the adventures continue! 

Thank you to our Trekkers!

Thank you to all those who participated and/or gave to our 6th annual Trek for Transportation! We appreciate you!

Caid and Rachel Ferguson put together a short video blog thank you:

Thinking about an Upgrade?

Caid has had his Iphone 4S for almost 3 years now. We were told that Sprint Iphones could not be unlocked or used Internationally, and if we wanted to sell it back, it was worth $20. Then a friend told us that a law had recently passed that after two years, phone companies were obligated to unlock your phone (if you ask) since you had essentially (over) paid for the phone. We called up Sprint once more and were transferred to their international department, since we let them know we were moving to Brazil. In 20 minutes the phone was unlocked and has been an amazing asset to our ministry here in Brazil (and my first smartphone).

Having a camera/recorder has enabled us to make vlogs (video blogs) and updates quickly on Facebook and Youtube. Having Whatsapp has enabled us to be part of ministry groups, knowing who is sick, who to pray for, and what ministry opportunities come up last minute (it is also much cheaper than texting in Brazil, and very widely used!). We now have Skype and Facetime to talk to family abroad, and have never been so connected.

That said, if you have a nice smartphone (Iphone, Samsung, or LG work in Brazil), but are thinking of upgrading--here is a great idea: unlock your old phone and give it (and a sturdy case please--life is tough on phones here!) to Steve Turner to bring to Brazil for one of the pastors/ministry workers. Getting a decent phone with a camera and communication apps into the hands of these dedicated workers can enable them to send updates and document their work much easier. Thank you technology!