amazing love

hungry eyes & hungry heart,
existance in a world apart
so much pain & so much fear
but shead they not a tear

lonesome faces, sit & stare
open ears, yearning to hear
a beautiful sound
of acceptance, of love…
so with the softness of their cheek
close against my own
I carefully whisper:
“He loves you
so much more
than you shall ever know”

desperate hands & eager hearts
simply longing
for a tender touch, a loving embrace…
& tight in my arms, I wish
I would never
have to let them go

beautiful eyes, innocent and wide
but behind them I know
behold a darkeness untold -
a hidden story,
a terror, a fear…
each of these, provide I not cure

little hands, little feet
tiny fingers, tiny toes
skinny arms, skinny legs…
& little bellies swollen
from a hunger
so much greater
than any I have ever known

these images, these scenes
these momories remain inside of me
etched in my heart,
it breaks me apart…
you made me to feel
a glimpse of your love,
precious little hearts
held tight to your own

in view of your love
I can only wonder, only stare
that as I love them
& feed & care -
my hands are not my own,
my heart, my love, my tears…
each of these are yours
that you have shared with me

& as I share that piece of you,
I find that these little hearts
have given me
a bigger gift
than they shall ever know

…
these are my random thoughts, rambling emotions, and desperate attempts to verbalize and express an experience that I have found is impossible to adequately relay… but God blessed me with an amazing glimpse of his love for these precious little lives… I would like each of you to know that God was working through you and he used you down in Sao Paulo, Brazil just as I know that He used me as well. my prayer is that His work will be continued through me and you, in the lives of the Brazilian children on into the distant future. I thank the Lord for gifting me with your encouragement and support and gifting me with this incredible experience.
con amor da nos Cristo, Christina McGee

 

A few pictures from Brazil!

 

Love, joy, pain, sorrow… Laughter, tears, hellos and good-byes… An emotional rollercoaster, this is what this trip has been. So much has happened, so much has been said, so much has been done… So many children I have met and yet each face and each story has been permanently etched into my heart and will never be forgotten.

That is all from me for now… Your sister in Christ, Christina McGee

 

Amy´s Thoughts for Wed.

 Our time is going very well, I am not doing the painting in the music room, we decided against it, but the construction is coming along very nicely.  Our work in the favelas has been awesome.  Our arms are constantly full of children, older kids walking arm in arm with us… Our hair is ALWAYS touched and our cheeks kissed 1000´s of times a day.  We feel very loved.  They run to the bus at the different stops, like they were waiting for us.  Crowding around the opening door, they call us “Aunties” and “Uncles”,  they grab our hands and have a million things they want to say to us, show us and ask us.  Even those on our team that do not speak any Portugese, get talked to as if they understand everything.  The kids love looking into our eyes.  I have some beautiful pictures of them.  They love to sing and really belt out the songs that they are familiar with. I have been praying whom I should leave my art supplies with and God has given me 2 boys that have shown great interest and ability, so I have encouraged them a bit and have divided the supplies that I brought among them.  They seemed quite pleased.  I pray that God will bless their hands and abilities and use it for His honor and glory.  Both boys are older and help out with the younger kids.  Whatever it takes to keep them around and out of drugs!   Atleast one of them has really struggled off and on with it, he was a dealer and involved with drugs himself. 

Tomorrow is the most dangerous favela that we will be visiting.   It is called Vila Rosa.  One of the volunteers at Restauraçao lives in this favela and we will be able to see her home.  We are excited to meet and bless the kids that live there day in and day out.  Our whole group will be going to experience this, previously we have been spitting up to work on the music room and work in the favelas.  It will be a great time, I am sure! 

Meantime I am still trying to get some pictures on here… bear with us…

Amy 

 

Wednesday report from Brazil

Another wonderfully incredible day….lives touched (ours included)…..the word of God shared….children hugged….a music room dream coming to life (lots of progress today on this work project)…..and something not mentioned before….awesome food consumed. They have a wonderful group of ladies that provide meals for us and it is wonderful and tasty….lots of rice, beans and some meat. Always fresh fruit for dessert….but makes us really think about the fact that the kids that we are ministering to don´t have meals like this…in fact many of them are lucky if they get a meal a day. During the VBS programs, we do give them bread and a beverage….a huge treat for them…humbling to us.
I know that pictures didn´t get posted last night. We are still hoping to have that happen but it may not work tonight either. If not, we will definitely get some of the best on when we get home. It will be hard to narrow them down….just MY camera has 400+ photos on it….and I´m just one of the people getting pictures!!
For tonight…..obrigada….please keep praying.
God bless……Diane

 

From Diane

As we sit tonight at an internet cafe near our hotel, you are hopefully going to get many entries from our team including some pictures. They are working on other computers so I am assuming it is working.
We have just finished the 5th day of our trip here in Brazil. Over the weekend, we helped run an awesome camp experience for 44 kids, age 10 – 14. To say that these kids come from some of the poorest of the poor sections and the roughest of lives is an understatement. We have a disadvantage with the language barrier in actually having them personally share stories with us but the staff fills us in and we respond with hugs and smiles. We pray that the words of love shared from the Bible and from our lips takes root in their hearts. Yesterday, we met with some of the staff from Restoration Ministries and as they shared many of their own backgrounds, we were touched deeply by their stories…..not only opening us up to the world that many of them had come from….and what a blessing on how they all give praise to God and see His hand in their lives thru all of it….but it also gives us more of an idea of the reality of life for the kids that we are blessed to be ministering to this weekend.
Back to camp….not only a weekend of Bible lessons and singing, but just a time for the kids to hang out and be kids in a safe environment. The pool was probably the biggest attraction….but we also had a horse for them to ride, playground, soccer field…..we look at these things and think how fun and great for them….but then realize that probably one of the best parts of the weekend for them is actually getting 3 meals a day. They are so excited about a warm breakfast….all of a cup of hot chocolate and a bread roll…..would we be excited about so little?
Sunday night we were back in Sao Paulo and worshipping at one of their churches. As several on the team said: THE MUSIC ROCKED! That is an understatement…..there is so much power in their worship….even not understanding the words…you could just feel the praise of the Lord! And we all commented on how sad it is that they are not a demonstrative people….NOT! Hugs and kisses are the norm even when you just meet someone. They are so warm and so loving….our team is way beyond blessed to be here.
Monday brought a chance to learn more about the favelas and what living conditions are like for the people that live there. We will probably later post more of the facts that we learned about the favelas but let´s just say that crime, poverty, drugs, prostitution are a daily fact of life along with no services, horrendous living conditions….it is really an unbelievably rough existance….and yet you meet those people there that just love God and praise Him for the smallest things….it is very humbling. Again, we met with the staff during the afternoon and cried buckets as they shared their testimonies and we shared some of ours.
Today sent most of our team out to lead VBS type programs both morning and afternoon at one of the favelas. Some of the same kids were there from camp but many more…..again, a chance to not only share from the Bible, but play, hug, laugh and hang out with these adorable children. Also a highlight was getting to pray in 3 different homes with families (Restoration Ministries ministers not just to the kids but tries to reach the whole family). The stories that came back were great and hopefully others are sharing more about that.
Because I was one of two of us that stayed back at the main day center and “got physical” working on their music room that we are helping to create. Music is such a huge part of their culture that reaching the kids with music is a big deal. We are helping them to realize their dream of having a room to teach in and also dividing that room so that there will be a recording studio end. Work is slow as their aren´t adequate tools for us to work the “American” way (quickest, easiest…know what I mean?)….but we still got a lot done. They love to tease and we have fun as we learned new Portuguese words for tools and things….and I think the thing they teased me the most about was when I was chasing cockroaches with a serated knife! (Well…I was using the knife to cut out the electrical box spots in the styrofoam acoustical pieces that we were gluing to the walls….the cockroaches seemed to be attracted to the glue so they were running out like crazy…..and since the knife was in my hand…it seemed the logical thing to attack them with!!)
Enough rambling for now. Hopefully this has made sense since there is a very small box to type in so I can´t see much of what I have previously typed.
God bless….please continue praying for our team. The next two days will be more of the same as today (VBS plus music room) and then we will run another camp next weekend. We do covet your prayers…it has been so awesome to see God working in and through our team. We are growing closer to Him and to each other through this process.
Obrigada and Chaio…..
Diane

 

” Hello, ‘Bondia’ from Brazil.

After missing our connecting flight due to a series of delays, we were blessed with the opportunity to fly business class on our 10 hour leg to Brazil. The “one that counts”. There was much rejoicing.

We arrived safely yesterday and were greeted by warm hugs and beautiful mild weather. We arrived at Camp California on Friday and were plummeted right into a whirlwind of balloon relays, speaking Spanish when we were supposed to be speaking Portuguese and desperate hand gestures. The children are full of life and crave all of our attention.

During orientation, we learned that this camp was more than swimming, riding horses, games and stories. It is a chance for 3 meals a day- something that few are given. We count ourselves blessed to be able to serve them their meals. Along with speaking to them and teaching lessons. We want them to leave here feeling loved”

This was a message left on my phone from Amy regarding the trip so far. I’m sure there was more said, but it cut off and she did not call back.

At least we know that they are safe and at their final destination.

Thank you for your prayers as I am sure that was why they were able to fly business class! How good is God to give us all these little added bonuses.

Keep checking this site as there will be more updates.

 

On the road.

 Be in prayer! Our friends, family members, loved ones… are on their flight to Sao Paulo. Pray for the pilots, the ground crew, air traffic control and everyone else who goes into making a flight successful.

 Also pray as the team will most likely be tired upon arrival. Health and safety are key! I know that they are all excited and ready to jump right into work… I just hope that their bodies can follow the rigorous schedule that is planned.

 Hopefully we hear of a safe arrival by this evening!

 

Less than 2 days…

We should all be packed, or just about packed, by now… Props, toys, clothes, medications, toiletries, etc.  I feel like I am even bringing the kitchen sink.  My bag is seriously heavy!  At the same time, so is my heart.  It is hard to leave little ones, loved ones, even pets…  It is somewhat scary not knowing how everything will work out,  but it is also exciting. 

I am looking forward to sharing with my new teammates all the rich experiences of Brazil.  Culturally very latin, Brazilians greet everyone with kisses and hugs.  They are laid back with schedules, everything revolves around people.  They love to sit and talk for those extra minutes.   The children we will meet and the heartbreaking and encouraging stories we will hear will make us want to bring them home with us or do whatever we can to alleviate their circumstances. 

The Favelas, or ghettos,  of Brazil, like any poverty striken area, are a trap for those born there.  Through the great poverty comes crime, drug trafficing and prostitution.  Basically whatever people can do to stay afloat.  Due to those elements, children expend great energy merely surviving and rarely get a good education.  Traditional families, for the most part, are non-existent in the favelas.  As a means of self-preservation, gangs are a necessity for security and even law.  Speaking of law, the police are extremely corrupt and often cause far greater fear and harm than the criminals themselves.   It is like a giant vacuum that keeps a people oppressed, even putting your address on a job application will get you turned down if it is in a favela. 

So… we hope to take some children to camp.  A beautiful safe place, where we will teach them that there is a God who created each one and loves them very much, and that they are precious and special, each one of them.  We will wear them out with games.  We will feed them 3 meals a day, something not many of them get regularly.   And we will have our hearts broken as we listen to them tell their stories.  Then we will share it with you and maybe some of you will be returning to Sao Paulo with us next year to carry on.