"Cup of tea, please," said the prison boy

Tea, scones and egg sandwiches.... can we BE any more British??!! This was a very unusual Wednesday afternoon, not just because it was a bit too British for the Brazilians.... in fact they loved the tea and scones!! Let me tell you why...

For about four years now the Rescue House has been teaching english in a 'detention centre' (prison) for teenage boys. It is always an enjoyable afternoon despite the long drive there. We have had the opportunity to teach these boys not just english... english was our 'open door' to bring the gospel to these precious boys. Through the lessons and through our presence there we bring joy to the boys, a new way of learning, encouragement, raising their self-esteems, finding their value and sharing God and much more. 

We can see our relationship with this institution growing and developing. This year I haven't been going as often as last year, with so much work and so many other areas to address, I stepped back a little but continued to go as often as I could... especially when a driver was needed! 

One of the boys this year came up with an idea.... we often talk about our house, The Rescue House, and our other work, the boys are always interested. So one day one of the boys said, "why can't we go there?!" This question, became an idea, the idea became a question, a possibility and last Wednesday it became a reality!!

Two guards came checking the house out, advising us on hiding knives, scissors, sharp things etc .... these boys are coming from a prison and top thing on their minds... escape!! After protocol and the 'go-ahead' we decided on a date and got to planning.

Wednesday 31st July 2013 was a busy but a wonderful day. Many preparations were done, I felt like we were all little ants running around building our castle...

At 11am, I headed out in the kombi solo to get the boys. four boys and three guards piled into the kombi, excited!! Freedom from their cells.

On arrival we began our plan... as usual... when you pray "God's will be done" he takes over... and that's a good thing!! We shared about YWAM, our work here in the Rescue House and showed a little video. Then Edivando, a guy who passed through the Restoration House and later became the leader of this project came to share his testimony. The boys... and guards... were so interested and asked many questions! It was a great time to really minister into their lives. 

We had made a 'Prayer Box' for the boys, if they wanted to write something specific for us to remember them in prayer, they jumped at the chance, even a guard wrote some prayer requests (we found out, the 3 guards with us were Christians! What a blessing!)

Some requests....

"I need to change my life, but I think the detention centre is afraid I will escape and run away. I want you to pray for me to bless my family and to ask God for people who will believe more in me. Thank you so much for helping me think more of my life.

I hope for a better life. I am planning in changing my life. I need someone who can support me.

I would like that you pray for my family. For me too because sometimes I find it difficult to seek God's word (read the bible).

WOW, amazing how God is moving in the lives of these boys. How God is using this difficult time to really speak to them and change their lives around.

The afternoon finished with some games and then an english lesson. The english was all about requesting food... "I want tea and cake." We had an english style snack provided for them - tea, coffee, juice, scones, cake and sandwiches with Egg, ham or cheese. It was great to see them coming to the table and speaking in english to request something to eat or drink. The boys were unsure of the tea... especially the idea of adding milk and NO sugar... but they were open to experiment!!

We prayed for them at the end and left them each with a card with their name and it's meaning and a verse that God had spoken for them during our intercession time in the morning!

As I returned them to the detention centre in the kombi, I asked them for a mark out of 10 on how they liked they day, one said 10!! and 100!! Another, "It was so good I want to sing hymns to God!!"So the kombi became filled with joyful spirits, singing worship songs and laughing. Until of course we arrived back at the unit where they would have to return to their cells, but I believe they didn't return to their cells the same person who left... how can you after a day like that. God is moving in these boys lives and it is an honour to see him work.

Please pray for these boys and each boy who comes to the class, praising God for their lives and the opportunity they have to hear Gods word. Pray also for the next "English class outing" which we hope will be 14th August. "Thank you God for such a successful afternoon."

How does a missionary girl spend her birthday??

Hey all... so 29th of July passed again, and it was my birthday, again!!! At least this year it wasn't my 30th again!!! But I had a very special day for my birthday. I was greeted in the morning by my roommate singing happy birthday, then greeted by other staff members singing again... all before 8am!

In our daily time of intercession set aside to start the day my co-workers prayed for me which was very touching.

We climbed in the kombi with bread, coffee and CAKE!!! And I brought some special treats from home that I had secretly stored away for a special day - chewits, dairy milk buttons etc. We arrived on the streets and began to wake up the kids sleeping there.... I was slightly louder and slightly more excitable than my co-workers shouting "Acorde! Acorde!... hoje é meu aniversário!!!" (Wake up, wake up! It's my birthday today!!!)

The kids gradually stretched, rolled over and eventually sat up... waiting...knowing I would have cake!! heehee

We decided to sit in sun and have a 'breakfast' picnic on a blanket!! It was a really special time as two of the boys prayed for me and they all sang 'Parabéns' (Happy Birthday Brazilian style). Then we had a nice time hanging out, eating and singing!!

I had sneaky dessert called açai with Helen... before lunch!!!

After a quick lunch back home, I had a great skype date with my family.... they sang.. four times to me, They had a cupcake with a candle that I had to blow out (with the help of my sister!) all the while sharing around a 'birthday cake hat!!' I also opened my presents with them that they had sent.

Even Granny had the hat on!!!

you can just about see the candle on the cupcake in the bottom of this one!!

In the afternoon we went to visit a teenage boy in prison (detention centre) and then we went to Dorton's family with a cake.... to celebrate together... unfortunately, as is the reality of our work, the families forget when we mark with them and so there was noone home. After leaving a note, Helen and I sat in the kombi... eating the yummy chocolate cake that Jessica had made!!!

When I returned home I was able to have another skype date with my sister Debz and her husband... they both sang to me and gave me an 'air hug'!!!

Monday evenings is bible study night with a fantastic group of english speaking girls! We are studying 'Breaking Free' by Beth Moore. A co-worker and his wife very kindly made an enormous carrot cake.. at my request, which I the took with me to the bible study. It was great to share tea and cake with these lovely ladies. 

God is so good and I can say that he was so good to me on my birthday, I had a wonderful day. Thank you for the many emails and facebook messages sent to me wishing a Happy Birthday.

The cake is so huge we had to put it on the chair!!! It was sooo yummy.. thanks João e Lydia