...and RELAX!!!!

We as YWAM Belo Horizonte had the wonderful opportunity to RELAX on friday the 18th of October. God put on the hearts of a local church to CARE for missionaries serving in their city! They arranged a day away for all of us, including some other organisations such as WEC. It was a great day!

We had an early start as we had to arrive there for breakfast... driving an hour - which turned into an hour and half as we got lost.... and so did every single car or kombi trying to arrive!!! But once we arrived at the Camp we were well received with smiles, hugs and a great breakfast.

In the morning we worshipped and received a word from the Pastor. Then we split up to get to know others from other organisations and pray together. It was a wonderful morning.

After a tasty lunch and some good chatter we had the chance to RELAX! The place was beautiful. There was a lot of space. The boys played football and the kids swam in the swimming pool. There were many activities provided also if we wanted: massage, hair cut, manicure, we could chat to a doctor, dentist, lawyer, social worker, pscyologist, pastor etc. The day finished of with some more worship and fantastic snack; hotdogs, cake and sweets!!!

I had fun painting all the kids nails!!

Even some of the kids got a new hair cut

Overall, it was a day in which we all felt: BLESSED! It is so nice to feel served for a whole day and to just spend a day enjoying each others company! Hands up who wants another 'Missionary Day'!!!! Praise be to God who takes care of all our needs (the sun even came out near the end of the day!)!

God moves again...

Second camp for some boys who lived in the Restoration House.

The aim of these camps is to bring the boys together - to remind them they are not forgotten, to encourage them to continue strong amidst the difficulties, to encourage them to keep running toward their goals, but most of all to fill them with the word of God.... (so they can do all thee above!!)

We had another wonderful camp in September, on the Sunday morning God moved in an incredible way. I was afraid to get my hopes up that the same thing would happen.... but God showed up, again, as usual, and moved again in an incredible way. 

We had a time of praying for them and praying specifically against the 'demon of drugs'. We ministered, we washed feet, we prayed individually, we shared scripture, we told them they were wonderfully made and finished the morning by praying and singing. I love to watch God move... it is so exciting...!!

Watch this little movie to capture the amazing time we had.... 

"No speak English!"

The Rescue House has been running an afternoon 'English Class' in a juvenile detention centre for teenage boys aged between 14 and 19, for 5 years now. The intention of these classes is ... to teach english... and so much more! Build confidence, renew a desire to learn, perseverance, dream again etc ... but most important - to share Gods love for them. To teach them God has a better plan for their lives, but they need to choose to follow Him.

A new project this year was for the boys to have a goal at completing at least 10 classes and then they could participate in a graduation and receive certificates. Two weeks ago we had the graduation IN THE RESCUE HOUSE! Six boys completed more than 10 classes and 5 of them came for the graduation (the 6th boy is now completing a course in the afternoons and so could not participate).

The 5 boys came with 3 guards (from the detention centre) to our house it was so special for them, they even put on their best clothes for the event! We were super excited to receive them in our house and perform a graduation especially for them.

A YWAM  missionary Felipe took photos for us during the day. He is very talented even with the limits of not being allowed to take photos of the boys faces! Thank you Felipe.

We started with a special word from Michelle (who has been heading up this project this year), then we handed out their certificates one at a time, by a different member from the Rescue House. Whilst presenting the boy with their certificate we took time to bless each boy with specific words of encouragement and then we prayed for the boy. We finished with some worship and then a tasty snack and a special cake! Here are some of the photos that capture how special the day was: