Big Events

Our idea for this blog is to write one story at a time and more frequently so it doesn't become to heavy for you to read, unfortunately we are not good at "frequently" and so when it comes time to write a blog we have so much we want to share with you that it always ends up being quite long. We do apologise and promise that our aim is to improve this. But for this blog we have again a number of stories we just can't let pass by without sharing... here goes!

His Girlfriend (15 years old)

Bare foot, no cap, panting, "Come quick! I need your help. My girlfriend is possessed. I need your help." Nico, Fabricio and a couple from our church who were visiting us but have experience in this area, jumped into our car and zoomed to his house.

When they entered she was lying on the sofa all twisted and not like herself at all. The four started praying immediately, putting on worship music and demanding the demon to leave. The demon answered that he would not leave until he killed her and her family. The four continued praying. slowly his girlfriend started to relax until it seemed she was sleeping. She opened her eyes and wondered why there were four strangers close to her. Sharing with her about what had happened (she had no recollection) she shared that her step-father had made many unsuccessful attempts to rape her, her mother always sided with him. Also the house where they were living had been inhabited before by a lady who practised 'macumba' (spiritism) and had left many little statues in the home etc. 

Finishing with prayer, the four returned home.

The next day *J and his girlfriend arrived at the Rock House asking more questions and seeking help. What a privilege it was to be able to help this young couple and to see their desire for change in their lives, to be able to walk along side them, discipling them.

We have a dream that the Rock House will become a reference centre for the community, a safe place that they can always come and be received well, a place where they can seek help. With those we work closely with we can see this result, slowly. 

Pray that we can be used in this way for the community.

Family Day

Although our weekly "inside programmes" are mostly for children and teenagers our aim here at the Rock House is to reach out to the whole family. We do this weekly through our family visits, but when we have the opportunity we love to invite the families into the Rock House, one way is by hosting a "family day."

We decided as a team to set a date to host this special day and already we could see the favour of God as the very next day we received a gift of money that could be used to make this day extra special!

We planned a day full of fun for the families, as they arrived they had their photo taken as a family which would then be used later as the family together would design their very own frame for the photo! We were able to offer a delicious lunch for all who joined us!

During the afternoon they were invited to participate in organised games throughout the house, as a family. They started the afternoon with 15 pieces of dried corn and had to "pay" a piece of corn for each game but depending on the result of the game they could win back up to 5 pieces of corn. It was a competition to see who could raise the most pieces of corn! But more than the competition the families enjoyed time together working together as a team and having a lot of fun!

The day was finished with a special couple from our base who came to share a word with the families and then eating some yummy cake! It was such an amazing day and I believe we accomplished a lot, many of the families don't take the time together to eat around a table or to play games and enjoy fun together. We as a team really enjoyed seeing the families interact together.

Mother's Day

We planned a very special Spa Day for Mother's Day this year inviting about 50 mothers, unfortunately only 9 mother's turned up but we had such an amazing time investing and spending time with these 9. It was a time for them to relax and enjoy some "me time" which many of them don't have the time to do or the money to spend doing. We offered a manicure, hair cut, eye brow trimming, facial cleansing and hand/back massages, which was possible because of volunteers who came for the day to serve these mums. Having less mothers meant they could receive each of the treatments rather than the planned two options, what joy to see these mothers indulging in themselves for once.

We invited Simone a mother of 3 girls from our YWAM Base to bring a word to the ladies; she shared about the importance of spending time with God even though our lives are so busy. Asking us what is more important to die with a clean house or to die with a firm relationship with our Lord and Saviour?!

After the success of the photo and frame with the families we decided to do it again, so we took a picture of each mum and printed it for them and they designed their own frame. We then finished with a dinner and the "most important" a yummy delicious cake, celebrating them and their lives as a mother!

Picnic in the park

The end of July was our 'winter holidays' and generally the kids get about 2 weeks off. We decided to try to do something special with the kids, teens and ladies we work with during this time. One of which I will share here; picnic in the park with 30 kids!

The joy of the kids as they arrived at the Rock House - some arriving 2 hours before the arranged time! We arrived at the park and the kids were so excited, many of which have never had a 'picnic in the park'. Two little girls ran to the grass and bending down to touch it jumped with joy exclaiming "How wonderful!"

We enjoyed a simple picnic and then let them run free - they were jumping and spinning and loving being in the nature. During this week we were visited by my sister Bex and her husband Rob, being PE teachers we put them to work... they organised some really fun games using a parachute. The screams of joy could be heard echoing all over the park. We had more games planned but seeing the joy in the kids being free in the nature we let them simply enjoy.

What a special day for the kids and us too 'to be kids again'. It's so important to give the kids these kinds of experiences, opening their eyes beyond the community they live in, there is so much more that God wants to offer them.

A Growing Team

Our team is growing!! A dutch couple who were with us for a year returned home at the beginning of July, but God is so faithful and we were joined by Jamily at the beginning of August and this weekend we will be joined by a Brazilian family (with 2 kids) and another Brazilian girl. Altogether our full-time staff, we are 10, seven of them are brazilian! It has been our dream to have a team of 10 here at the Rock House and that we would have more brazilians than foreigners! God is fulfilling this dream! God is so good! Thank him with us (Photo will follow after when we are altogether).

Bex and Rob on Holiday

It was fantastic to have Bex and Rob visiting us! They enjoyed time at the Rock House meeting our team and seeing the work, and as mentioned above, getting involved! We had a week away with them to the beach and they also did some travelling alone. After their trip they told us their highlight was Lorenzo!! haha. It was a magical moment seeing Lorenzo meet his aunt and uncle for the first time. To see them immediately loving him brought a tear to my eye and Lorenzo loved the attention.

At the beach we had some lovely moments together exploring this beautiful country chatting together and spending time together. Lorenzo loved the beach.... eating sand and constantly wanting to swim in the water!

There is something super special about having family come visit and it's always sad at the end to say goodbye. This time was made a little easier knowing that our flight tickets are booked and we will be heading 'home' soon!

Some dates for the diary if you are around:

6th October - Ballynahinch Baptist Church 6:30pm

20th October - Grace Fellowship 10:30am

Thank you again for reading this blog, thank you for your continued support to our family while we are here in Brazil, we appreciate each of you so much. We look forward to trying to see as many of you as possible when we are home.

Prayer requests:

• For our time at home to be fruitful and that we will find time together as a family and to rest
• For the team, as we leave them with the new dynamics with new staff and a lot of work
• Thankfulness for a larger team and this opportunity to be at home and show off Lorenzo
• Thankfulness that Nico's trip to France was successful and we now have travel insurance again and Nico is now registered as an overseas volunteer!