2018 comes to an end!

What a year!!! This will be difficult to write little as we reflect back on the end of the year, so much has happened! 

We have had a dream for a while now to have 10 workers in the Rock House, considering when I started here we were 3, this was a big dream! But the end of 2018 found us closing off with 10 workers! How awesome is God! For the second semester we had two Brazilian YWAMers come to join us for the semester and we had a volunteer finish the year with us! It is amazing to see God's faithfulness to fulfil this dream but also His timing.... as the second semester saw me slowing down a little as my belly grew bigger and then eventually Lorenzo arrived so I was "out" of the work, but to see God provide staff to continue and even grow the work during this time, that's awesome!

I have officially 4 months maternity leave here in Brazil with a potential 2 extra months. But when you live where you work it's hard to shut yourself away from the work... this has it's positive benefits and also negative! Positive is that I stay connected with the work and I could participate, when possible, in the end of year parties etc.

The team did a fantastic job of planning and organising the closing of the groups etc. This year a church wanted to give the kids a present. This was so special as many will not receive much at Christmas. One group received a shoe box personalised for them by a family from the church, with a card written by a child from the family. The kids were DELIGHTED with their gifts!

In the other kids group, we had workers from a make up shop that wanted to offer present to some kids participating in a social project. They organised a campaign in their shop to be able to buy presents for the kids. They all loved it, those who received and those who offered!

Then we had a big party inviting the families of the kids, approximately 15 - 20 families arrived! This is a great accomplishment and as I looked around at the families present, I felt that this was the fruit of the work we did this year investing in the family visits - investing in building relationship with the families.

The team also organised a "thank you" night for all our external volunteers... what a special night that was! As I sat enjoying the dinner the team cooked and looking around I could see the goodness of God through these faithful volunteers, and I thought about how much we are accomplishing because of them.

After all was closed off, we went on a retreat with our team, including a new worker who will join us next year. The idea of the retreat was to reflect on 2018 and evaluate and look forward to 2019 praying and seeking God for the Rock House, and also some team bonding as we spend time together! I was a little worried how it would go for me joining with Lorenzo, if he would adapt well, if he would keep the rest of the team awake at night etc. But God has blessed us with an amazing boy! He was fantastic! Which meant I could take advantage of the times together discussing the Rock House but also hanging out with the team! The team are wonderful with Lorenzo also, they just love on him and are very understanding when yet again I can't do dishes because Lorenzo needs fed!

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The retreat was a really special time for our team. It was so nice to see everyone get along so well together and have fun! But also our "sessions" together were so good as we reflected back and looked forward! We could see how faithful God has been to us over this last year and He stirred our hearts for 2019, we are all so excited for what God will do through us. A word that God gave me was, "You can see how much I did this year, but next year, I have more!" Wow!!

One of our team members had a desire to make a video... the following is a video of the ten workers telling you what impacted them the most in 2018!!

LORENZO'S first Christmas! So this year was a special one for us, although it is always sad to be far from family at Christmas time this year was the first for us as a family of three!! Lorenzo was so excited for Santa to come!! haha



Christmas eve was spent with a Brazilian family from the slum, friends of ours, along with another family. It was very nice to be together, eat good food and we even played Secret Santa! Nico received a t-shirt and I, flipflops! 

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 The 25th December was just us three, we woke up and opened some presents with Lorenzo. Then we made a special lunch... my mum brought me ingredients for 'stuffing' when she was here, so it was truly enjoyed along with chicken, potatoes, carrots and runner beans and of course some gravy... finished of with some apple crumble! It's always helps to have some "home" comforts while away from home and Nico also enjoyed the gravy and stuffing!

The year finished off well as we went to the airport to collect Nico's parents!! They will stay with us for 3 and half weeks! They were so excited to meet Lorenzo and are enjoying every moment possible with him! 

                        

We want to wish each and every one of you a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We hope that 2019 sees your dreams fulfilled, your relationship with God grow deeper and many new memories made!

We are so thankful for each and everyone of you in our lives! Thank you for your continued investment in us. May God bless you richly for your love and care for us.