School is flying by!!Two months gone and one to go!! As we explained in our last post, we started a school within YWAM here in Belo Horizonte, called "Foundations in Community Development." We were very interested in doing this school as a team as the ministry of the Rock House works in the area of community development. We have been challenged on our worldview, what is poverty and development... and what the Bible says about these issues.
We have been in a group of seven students and it has been great to learn together.
Although we have really been enjoying this time of learning we look forward to the 10th November, when the school will finish and we can start thinking and putting into practice what we have been learning.
It has been a demanding time with the school, all the homework's and continuing the work at the Rock House. But we are happy that it has been possible to do everything!
 |
| Paying attention in class! |
She opens her arms for a hug!!! Then she asks if I will go to her house to pray for her husband who was sick!!! Generally, in the slum I wouldn't be so shocked or astounded at this request, but this was MaryLee. MaryLee started coming to our ladies water aerobics group about a year ago. She would always arrive late, rushed, nodding to say hello, all hunched over her bag making it look like she didn't want to the world to see her. She would be the first out of the swimming pool, grab the donations we offered and ran off home. We asked ourselves, why does she even come to the class, she doesn't complete the class, she doesn't talk to anyone, she doesn't stay for the word and prayer at the end. It seemed hopeless.
But gradually MaryLee began to relax a little more and Dora another worker visited her home a few times opening up a love and commitment we had to her and her family. MaryLee really didn't want the world to see her, although still together with her husband, they sleep in separate rooms, one daughter is married but is too ashamed of her family that she never visits another daughter has depression, one son died many years ago due to getting involved in the drug trafficking and another son has been hiding indoors for 8 years because of a death threat from these same drug dealers. MaryLee was trying to keep her family together but was failing miserably.
Gradually MaryLee began to stay a little longer after the class and was able to hear about God who loves and cares for her and her family. MaryLee began to open up more and more. Now on this day, she instigated the hug! The most we would get from her before was a light touch from the hand in a form of a handshake. And now she was asking for prayer for her husband!
WHAT A TRANSFORMATION!
So I went with another staff worker, we prayed, shared a word with them and encouraged them, At the end we offered more hugs and both MaryLee and her husband accepted. Unfortunately, about month after this visit her husband was readmitted to hospital and passed away. It is so amazing to see how God can work in situations when we really see no resolve! He is greater and He is seeking out the hearts of the lost. I thank God so much that I could be a witness to this transformation in the life of MaryLee!
Boys Group
So we decided to try to do the group at night. The first week no-one turned up. then two boys, then three. Now we have about nine who come! We are happy that they are coming and although a young group of 13 to 15 years old we see great potential in each of these boys. We received free cinema tickets to see "The Case for Christ" so we took seven from this group. It was a great night and they loved the film!Nico Preaching
Every now and agian Nico has the opportunity to preach in churches in and around Belo Horizonte. Although this creates a lot of extra work in a very busy schedule we see it as a blessing to be able to share about the Rock House and encourage members of the family of God. These opportunities when they arise also bring in a little offering toward the work of the Rock House which is always much appreciated!
The last church Nico was offered a slot of one hour, after setting down the phone, he exclaimed, "How can I preach for one hour!?" After some thought we decided to invite the three girls who went to the Kings Kids Camp in July (remember them?!) we invited them to the Rock House and we chose two songs and practised til they were feeling confident and excited! Then on the Sunday we went along with their families and they performed wonderfully!! Nico's preaching wasn't too bad either! haha. He did an awesome job! What a great opportunity!
Druming around!
"We are making a band!" exclaimed one of the students from the drum class! His eyes were bright and excited. The teacher had told them that they were going to put together what they had been learning and this was the best thing ever in Kauã's life, it is his dream to play in a band! There are only four students in this class, Nico and three kids! But they are very faithful and love learning together! After the class had finished we asked if they wanted to perform for us (to the staff) they were so nervous but did so well! They were all pleased when we gave then a round of applause! It's amazing to see these precious kids fulfilling their dreams here at the Rock House, finding what talents God has given them and being able to have the opportunity to use it! We are so thankful for our faithful volunteers who come and are as excited to teach as the kids are to learn!
No comments:
Post a Comment