Our passion goes beyond Football!!

Our work in the community continues during the world cup, with more than two weeks over and still more than two weeks to go.... we are getting excited about what more God is going to do through us in this special community... and hoping Brasil will go all the way to the final!!! 

In our programme the evening before the Brazilian matches have been doing a Bible Study in groups - kids, teenagers, women and men... each split up. We have been doing our studies on the 'Wordless Book'.... a book of colours. Each study is a different colour representing something different, but each telling the Salvation Story:



Orange = heaven/relationship with God
Black = sin/separation from God
Red = love/God's open door for us to return to Him
White = when are sins are washed away-return to God
Green = hope for Heaven and growth in our relationship

We have been limited with space and have to be very flexible, so the first night the kids were sitting on the ground in a circle and not far away the teenagers huddled in a corner. But God is bigger than the area we are in and He used these times with the kids to speak powerful to the young people. We have moved it around a bit now with the kids inside.

Praying at the end with the teenagers

We also had some times with the women and the men. The first time was positive but after that they weren't so open to receive, but by just building relationships with these precious people they are beginning to open up again. Pray for these relationships and continued opportunities to share God's love for each individual in the community.

It has also been positive as our team have one on one chats with different people in the community. I had the opportunity to share last night with an amazing young man called Douglas. Pray that he opens his heart as God calls him to 'come back home to Him.'

Pray for a mum in the community called *Fabia. She has been a blessing to us so far, making popcorn, boiling eggs in her house for the egg and spoon race. She spent time with the women receiving and has requested a bible. Pray that we may bless her in return for her blessings, with a message so powerful it will turn her life around.

Of course we continue to support Brazil and watch the games with the community and continue with our activities with many games and much fun.... PRAY with us, for the Transformation of the Community Uniao. Not because of our presence but God's presence through us.

Football and a little bit more!!!

So, today we didn't have any programme in the community so we decided to do something a little different. God has been opening the doors in the teenage detention centres over the last year. So today we entered through these open doors with our DTS (Discipleship Training School) and had an AWESOME time.

We went into two different detention centres, one in the morning were our goal was FUN!! The DTS began with presenting themselves and then doing a drama then we enjoyed some time with 14 teenage boys. We did the sack race - was all fun until they made me and Helen participate!! Then 'Capture the flag' and of course football!!! In the end we finished by telling them how special they are to God and one of the boys prayed. It's so powerful to hear the boys pray...

   

praying at the end with the boys: my FAVOURITE TIME in the detention centres.

Then after lunch we headed for a second detention centre nearly an hours drive away. We know 4 boys from the streets who are serving time there. Today was 'visit day' so there were some family members there. The DTS team presented some worship, a drama and a testimony, then they called forward anyone who wanted to receive prayer. At the end we handed out to each person (including the guards) a book of the Gospel of John. It was super encouraging to see many participating and sharing their stories with the team.

worship

Drama

praying

One of the boys we know and his neice

PRAY with us that the seeds sown in 

each life today will bear much fruit!!!!

Goooooo BRAZIL!!!

The World Cup 2014 has begun!! And the atmosphere in Brasil is buzzing... of course because we believe that Brasil will win!!! We started the celebration with a service in a big church here in Belo with lots of dancing, singing and a famous footballer turned Pastor preached - Ze Roberto...

The Rescue House is stepping outside of our comfort zone and trying something different - focusing on a vulnerable community called 'Uniao' (Unity). Many street kids come from there, or hang out there or buy and sell drugs there. Our plan is to do activities on the day before the matches of Brasil and on the day of the match and finish the two day programme watching the game together with the community.

The first week was such a success..... we introduced our theme of 'Run the Race' as we plan to gradually share the Salvation message with each individual in the community. We watched the game together and there was a lot of cheering... especially as Brasil won the game!! 

Please pray for our team as we work together on this new project, pray for the community that they will be open to hear the Good News we share with them, because "Our passion goes beyond Football!"

Some photos of the first events there:
DAY ONE.....

Our team!!!

singing and dancing with kids

sharing about how special each child is to God and that we run the race together

Snack time

giving some attention to the little ones

Service in the evening with worship, drama and a 'word.'

Day TWO..... Game day....

Face painting.... Goooo Brasil!!!!!!

Lots more games and activities

Watching the game with the community on a big screen projected from the TV

The rain started so we moved inside!!

Brazil won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!