Family of four and more changes...

Well so much has happened since we last wrote - we are now a family of four…. And that is really enough in itself but I am here to write and tell you a lot more!

Our Family

But first, we know you love to hear about us and how we are doing and I am sure you are wanting to see some recent photos of our little family and especially of Keoni!

He is doing really well, he loves his milk and is gaining weight fast… this has been an answer to prayer as with Lorenzo we had a lot of difficulty in this area which resulted in having to give him some formula milk along with breastfeeding. So far Keoni is exclusively being breastfed and it seems to be going well. Another thing Keoni loves is his big brother… Lorenzo has so much affection for him and is constantly kissing him, rubbing his head or talking to him. This has recently been making Keoni smile and he tries to talk back...also he loves watching Lorenzo as he plays.

It's been a challenge adapting to life as four especially being so far away from family who would be so helpful if we were closer. Also so sad that no one has been able to visit, but we are managing and are very grateful for our co-workers who love to cuddle Keoni and love playing with Lorenzo…. And Lorenzo loves them - he prays every night for each of them!

News from the Rock House

When Keoni was born we were just at the end of another lockdown here in Belo, so it was great to have the team that first week to be more hands on to help us since there was no work allowed. But the week after the lockdown was lifted the team decided to go back into the community to do family visits and to give out the food donations again (we receive weekly perishable foods that we donate to the families who have registered). We have also been blessed to receive more food packages and so were able to organise giving these out, approximately 75 in the last 6 weeks. It's such a privilege to bless the community in this way knowing that there is such a need and especially during a time when we could do so little.

"Find me a rehab!"

During one of these “food package” collections one mum blurted out - “can’t you find me a rehab so I can stop drinking”. Her situation had gone from bad to worse and even her 14 year old son had gone to live with his grandma because of the situation. She herself had suddenly realised the desperate state she was in. To find a rehab for someone our first requirement is the desire of the individual to go...as this is what will help them stay in the programme as it is not easy to leave their addictions. Following a number of visits that we set up to make sure they really want it, we finally arrived at the day to take her to the rehab. She has been there a month so far and is doing really well although she is complaining about how much weight she is putting on now that she is eating well!! 

Last week the team went to spend a morning at the rehab to be a blessing to all the women there. They took some time leading the women in worship, bringing them a word from God and praying for them. They then spent time chatting with the women individually, encouraging them and praying for them. The women are already asking for the team to return!

Restarting life again...

The situation with Covid-19 is still very serious but with each level of government saying something different and the president himself still taking the situation so lightly, it's time to make some wise decisions for ourselves. So as a team we decided to start up some groups - just little groups not like before Covid. So we have 2 weekly ladies groups and 2 weekly kid's groups and there will be a monthly men's group.

The groups have started but to protect us and those coming into the community centre there are some rules - wear a mask at all times, on arrival have your temperature taken and wash your hands with alcohol gel. So far each group member is complying with these restrictions.

Friends together

Nico and I have developed a strong friendship with a couple from the slum - Nivaldo and Tiane, spending time with them doesn’t seem like work to us but rather time with friends. They are a Christian couple who came to know the Lord through the work of the Rock House. They are participating in a weekly discipleship session with another couple who work with us and are hungry for more of the Lord. Tiane suffers from depression but is stable with medication. Their sons' 16 year old girlfriend just gave birth to a little girl called Helena and they have a 15 year old daughter. Recently Nico and I have been trying to spend more time with them - we are trying to do weekly dinners. It's really good because the whole family now come, normally it would only be Nivaldo and Tiane. At our last get together I made a Northern Ireland dish (adapted with Brazilian ingredients) - Chicken and Broccoli bake - they loved it!! It’s always a great evening of chat and building deeper relationships and eating of course!

Shelter boy gets married!

Another event that happened during this time was the marriage of Jonatas. Jonatas was a “boy” in the YWAM shelter when I arrived in 2010. I was there to witness his “leaving the shelter” and starting up a life for himself outside of the shelter. It has been amazing to follow his story over the years. I was even invited with a small group to his small home to have dinner one night! How cool to see a boy who previously needed to go to a shelter to be able to find success in life. It has been a real encouragement to watch him grow in his faith also, as when he left the shelter he wasn’t fully convinced of his faith in the Lord but through his own decisions today he is a great witness to others. And now he is has just married a lovely girl called Raquel. 

We got invited to the wedding in March but it had to be postponed because of Covid. They had planned a small ceremony on that first date but they rescheduled and had the wedding and party in May. We were planning on going even though Keoni was only 6 weeks old but I wanted to see Jonatas get married! But that week one of our staff members had some covid symptoms…. So that meant we had to isolate ourselves and were not able to attend the wedding! I was so disappointed!! (especially when it turned out not be Covid so we could have gone!!)

A friend and I arranged a small party for the newly married couple and invited people who couldn’t attend the wedding. We had a time of prayer and through zoom we invited some of the ex-staff who had worked with Jonatas during his time in the shelter…. This was very special as it included Eliude in Salvador, Brazil and Milton and Mia who now live in Finland! Those who came to the party included 4 other ex-boys from the shelter! It was a great time and felt a bit like a reunion. It was lovely to bless the couple in prayer and of course finish our time together with a cake. It’s such an encouragement to see Jonatas and these 4 other guys doing so well, all walking with the Lord and having success in life (2 are now missionaries in YWAM!)

A wee thought

It’s rare we “see” the fruits of the work of YWAM or from our own investment so when it happens it's very special! But God reminds us constantly that we need to be faithful to the Calling He has on our lives…. And many times that is not to “see” the fruits but our job is to plant the seed and sometimes to “water the seed” planted by others. 

1 Corinthians 3 v 6 - 8

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labour.”

 

So whats next...

Seeing Jonatas get married and thinking back over his story I realised I have been in Brazil nearly 11 years! That's a long time! 

For over a year or so I have had a desire to go home and take a more decent time at home - a proper sabbatical. Over the last year this desire has grown and added to it many other reasons for an extended time at home. One being the year we have all had with Covid, as we have shared before it has been very difficult for us trying to lead an unmotivated team during this crisis. Because also the situation hasn’t changed dramatically here in Brazil we feel this an ideal time to take some leave. Coming home for an extended time is also with the goal for Nico and I to spend more time in each others cultures - getting to know our families better and to appreciate life in France and N.Ireland. Previously we only spent a month in each country and the time was so busy seeing everyone, connecting with our churches and supporters etc. Also now we have Keoni too! Lorenzo met our families for a month when he turned 1 now he is nearly 3 years old and our families only know him really through Whatsapp calls! We would love our families to be able to spend time with Lorenzo and also to meet Keoni and for our boys to have time with their cousins! 

So our plan God willing is to come home at the beginning of August and return to Brazil after Christmas! To travel we need Keoni to have a European passport. We got the french passport for Lorenzo and the french consulate was very efficient. This time we booked our appointment - in Rio de Janeiro and 4 days before the appointment they sent an email to say it had been cancelled and the consulate will be closed until the 19th July. We are very frustrated at this situation but with many emails and phone calls we have discovered that it is okay for Keoni to travel on his Brazilian passport and as soon as we arrive in France we need to apply for his french passport to be able to travel to Ireland. Please pray with us that this plan will work out and there will be no complications upon arrival. 

THANK YOU again for your faithfulness to continue following our story here in Brazil... thank you for your financial support, your emails, and most of all your prayers! We know it's been a difficult time for everyone so we appreciate that you haven't given up on us!! Thank you

Just some cuteness to finish off....