This year, from February 6-10, many of the different churches made sure to have a camp, get-away, or some kind of positive purpose for Carnaval week. Cajueiro Claro had church camp at one of the near-by beaches. Throughout the time, 17 children and adults had a wonderful time filled with rest, fellowship, worship, and God's Word.
The highlight, as most years, is the last evening, when they set up a time of prayer and worship right on the beach as they watch the moon rise over the water. Thank you to those who made sure that the children from Living Stones had the opportunity to earn a scholarship to come to camp!
In the rural town of Cajueiro Claro, many of the families do not have indoor kitchens, regularly running water, or consistent food for their children.
Dream with us again, as we prepare to build a full-size kitchen, a cafeteria, full-sized bathrooms/showers, and in the future, a place for workers to stay.
This past summer we dreamed big, about bringing computer to the small, rural community of Cajueiro Claro. That required a lot of cleaning, organizing, construction, and even rewiring (there weren't enough/safe outlets), but we are pleased to announce that Computer classes have started this week!
Our youth room also looks incredible, with great resources!
Special thanks to Shelbyville, for their help, and to the kids from Brookville Road, who gave so generously this summer at VBS to make this happen.
This past September, Mercia (Pastor Flavio's wife) suddenly had horrible abdominal pain and was hospitalized. After many tests (and stress-filled weeks), it was discovered that she needed gallbladder surgery. It was a relief to identify the problem, but then began more issues. The public health system in Brazil is a mess, and after going to various hospitals in various towns, she was told that she couldn't even make an appointment for surgery until 2016!
Unfortunately, her gallstones were growing so quickly that she was in danger of her gallbladder bursting. She immediately had gone on a strict diet, and lost over 25 pounds, but the gall stones still grew. With much praying, she and Flavio began to save for private treatment--something that would cost them thousands of dollars (that they didn't have). At one random (not so random to Jesus!) hospital visit, they ran into an old friend of Flavios who just *happened* to be involved with the surgery process at a different hospital in Recife.
Mercia was immediately seen and tested, confirmed that she needed surgery right away, and put on the fast waiting list. November 30th Mercia had a successful gallbladder surgery, and is now at home, recuperating quickly! She, Pastor Flavio, and their young daughter thank you for your continued prayers and rejoicing with us!
November is our celebration of when it all began--Pastor Flavio walking over half an hour each way each day to come minister to the children, and then inviting the families to come for church on the weekend. To start off our month of celebration, with the money raised on Independence Day
Cajueiro Claro was able to buy the paint to make the church look all pretty. This had happened since painting it last year:
And now:
Pastor Flavio and Mercia's daughter Heloise is 10 months old already
Please keep Mercia in your prayers, as she has been having serious issues with her gallbladder. She needs surgery, but the public hospitals will only allow her to schedule it next year. Flavio and Merica are seeking out other options, as she has serious pain if she eats anything fatty, or does anything strenuous. Private hospital surgery would be very expensive.
We had the largest celebration ever at Cajueiro Claro for Children's day!
It was also Mission's Sunday, so we had a wonderful message from Pastor Assuerio, who is being sent to Africa, where his heart has been for over 20 years. The Kombe was a blessing as always, as we were able to bring children from Belem and Mussurepe to join with us: we even ran out of chairs for people to sit!
After church, and a wonderful lunch for everyone, some of Flavio's friends passed out presents for all of the kids.
The kids loved the trampoline, ball pit, cotton candy, and popcorn, and enjoyed them all afternoon.
A different day, the kids from the International school also came to help Living Stones celebrate Children's day--and had a reading class:
Meet the kids from Cajueiro Claro this semester! We are so excited to see the older kids step up and put together a wonderful worship team. God has used the team to lead Paulo to rededicating his life to Jesus. Please pray for him, as God has great things planned.
September 7th was Independence Day in Brazil, and like every year, Living Stones and the Cajueiro Church put together a food tent (Barraca) to raise funds to paint the church. Everyone had a wonderful time, the money was raised, and many people were blessed and shown the love of Jesus.
Especially in rural areas of Brazil, it is common to see a church full of children and mothers and the only man there being the pastor. Hard lives and often wrong choices have led to high drug and alcoholic rates—especially among the men. Northeast Brazil leads the country in violence, and these children are paying for it.
Father’s Day in Brazil was the second Sunday of August. I remembered why Living Stones never really celebrated Father's Day all the past years while in the middle of our lesson. The angry little face looked at me through eyes of pain: “I am not making this card!” He said, “My father doesn't even know me.”
I had made sure our activity was "all appropriate" as we made "superman" cards. I didn't write "dad" on it anywhere: they could make it for their grandfather, uncle, neighbor, pastor ... any superman in their life. Even with all that, it was still difficult.
This was the first Sunday in the history of Cajueiro Claro that we had that same amount of fathers as mothers in church. And before the preaching even started- when it was time to share and say thank you for the week- we already had smiles and tears, that incredible mix of emotions that only something really important can bring out: our fathers.
We celebrated the first Father's Day for Caid and pastor Flávio. We rejoice in Mercia's father coming, and victories over drinking in the lives of multiple fathers. And we cried for the fathers not preset- those passed on, and those who were invited but refused to come.
It is a battle, this celebration of Father's Day.
We had some amazing people join us in Brazil this summer to accomplish many things for Christ's kingdom. We are so grateful for everyone who came to Brazil for a short term mission's trip, as well as those who gave so they could come.
The group from Shelbyville did an amazing job training and running a VBS in Cajueiro Claro. Here are the links to some great pictures! Day 1 and 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 and 6
With the upcoming Trek, we want to thank you once again for your participation. Enabling Living Stones to have vehicles also enables us to bring volunteers to the program, expanding the blessing for the children--and for those who come!
Tuesdays and Saturdays Cajueiro Claro focus' on music training, with choir, mime, drum/guitar/keyboard lessons. Vinicius, a student from the International school, helps teach on Saturdays:
Caid has been working on choir and voice training on Tuesdays
Our friend, an amazing guitarist, came to help
And Rachel Shimrock, our summer intern, is doing a great job teaching the younger children some sign language/worship songs (and playing games afterwards).
Don't forget about our Computer classroom dream, bringing internet/classes to Cajueiro Claro for the first time! We are still in need of assistance!
Flavio has been talking about offering a computer class for years for the kids in Cajueiro Claro:
Four new computers are on their way to Cajueiro Claro! Now we just have a little more to be ready for them. If you would like to be a part of this exciting new step for Cajueiro Claro (and help us offer the internet for these kids for the first time in their community!), give here and put "Cajueiro Computer class" in the comment line.
We are so excited to see God working, not just in the children, but in the families at Cajueiro Claro. Three adults and one youth were baptized this week at Cajueiro Claro.
In the face of many challenges, and many of the older youth leaving the church and Living Stones program in favor of other worldly pursuits, this was a great encouragement to everyone present. Please pray for this community, that God would continue to raise up leaders from within to make a lasting difference.
*Note: The painted rocks you see in the video were the "eggs" we hid for the Easter Egg hunt!
Seventeen kids from the International school came and helped us celebrate Easter at Cajueiro Claro on April 10, 2015. Pastor Flavio brought kids from Mussurepe and Belem outreaches to join in the fun as well. Over 60 children heard the Gospel, got to be part of an egg hunt, and then enjoyed fruit, candy, chocolate eggs, and hot dogs.
Thank you so much to everyone who made this happen, and to Caid Ferguson and Lindsay Turner for the amazing pictures.
Ten children from Living Stones Cajueiro Claro were able to attend Carnaval Camp 2015! We are so excited to see how they are growing and becoming the new leaders of the church! Special thanks to John Winzeler for sponsoring some of the kids this year.
As you see, our wonderful Kombe, and behind that the beach house they rented.
A bit cramped, but the more the merrier!
Worship time and devotions
Please say a special prayer for the boys/men, as God desires to raise up the next generation in this community!
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