2013 In Review

We are so excited to see what God has done in 2013!

Massa Humana is planning a special Christmas celebration to serve dinner and make sure that all the families have food for Christmas. Please join in with them at http://www.wribrazil.com/5for5

Building Living Stones: Jackson Visits Brazil

Building Living Stones: Jackson Visits Brazil: The dump. I’d heard of it before, of course — it’s one of the many stories that Rachel uses to pitch her Living Stones projects in Brazil...

Rachel Remembers it's a New Day: Washington's Car

Rachel Remembers it's a New Day: Washington's Car: He left early, to deliver food baskets for the families that needed it, and to get the children from the dump ready for the bus that was ...

Children's Day

Nothing went as planned. It was raining off and on all day. Everyone and everything was late. Things broke. Things were forgotten. Things didn't work. But it was wonderful.

We were flexible.We changed locations. We changed plans. We played and got wet and muddy, but smiles stayed on our faces. And the children loved it.

May God richly bless everyone from Living Stones, Massa Humana, ETE English Class, and everyone else that came to help! Thank you to those who gave.

Children's day 2013 served at least 150 children and families in the city dump. 

Toothpaste Smiles

From the kind donations of the American groups this summer, we were able to make 75 bags of toothpaste, toothbrush, and a comb:

We had a great time talking with the kids and evaluating their literacy levels

And then Massa Humana came in with generous clothing donations

The shoes might not fit yet...

43 Bundles of Food

Though Massa Humana, the group from the baptist church, 43 bundles of food were donated to the families at the trash dump!

Our literacy program has also began:

Giving and Receiving

When we made bracelets at the dump, Eduardo made one for all the workers.

We loved having Molly's dad with us--fresh off the airplane!

The children always remind us how it is better to give than receive, but when you give, you receive so much more.

Rachel Remembers it's a New Day: Sunflowers

Rachel Remembers it's a New Day: Sunflowers: Mateus stood on top of the biggest pile of trash, with a look that said he was king of the hill. Eduardo sat a bit to the side, dangling on...

Infographic of the Trash Dump

In Progress

The houses for the 42 families from the trash dump are being built:

But as yet, no real plans or working to move/prepare the families have begun. As written earlier (for a review of the situation, go to http://buildinglivingstones.blogspot.com.br/2013/03/how-to-relocate-your-heart-trash-dump.html?spref=bl), there is a federal law to shut down the current trash dump by 2014, and put a more sanitary landfill in its place. There is also provision in the law that says they must help the old trash workers to relocate and work at the new place.

 As you can see, the houses are being built, but this is a huge relocation project (from being way outside of town to being near the center of the opposite end of town), and the trash dump community is not prepared to move, especially psychologically. They are scared, and as they told us, "This (their current home) isn't a good place for us, but at least here we know we can survive." Some of them have said they will refuse to move. 

There is also worry about the follow through on job training. The local government can build and give these houses to the praise of the local news, but investing the money to retrain the workers doesn't give any instant glory, and past statistics are grim. They are scared they will move and then all be jobless and transplanted. Please keep them in your prayers. 

Water Balloons

We loaded up two Kombis of American's just about to return to the United States, and made one last stop: the trash dump.

Loaded with arts and crafts, waterballoons and love, we arrived.

Singing and celebrating

Praying and sharing about Jesus

Making things

And blessing little ones.

One more reminder that no matter what you look like, and no matter what you have or don't have, Jesus  loves you and your hair.

And then, way too soon, it was time to go home. 

Birthdays Arrive at the Trash Dump

Due to the extreme difficulty of the situation at the trash dump, we hadn't been able to celebrate the birthdays there until now. Gathering the information about the children is time consuming, and often invalid. The children would give one date, their mother another--when re-asked, it often changed. Most of them replied, "Oh, it is near (such and such) holiday." That is how those in poverty in Brazil live: from celebration to celebration.
The place where we meet also provides challenges, as it is simply a piece of shade on a pile of dirt next to a mound of trash. We ended up using the hood of the car to cut and give out cake.

Lastly, we have not been receiving the amount of funds needed for our general budget ($1000 a month), let alone any donations for birthday parties. But we start out in faith, and hope that you will come along side us to help provide birthday parties for these children: www.wribrazil.com/10forthem

In June, we have been catching up and celebrating birthdays in mass--starting in July we will then celebrate them in the proper month:).

(If you would like to provide a birthday card for one of these children, with a $1 bill inside, you can give them to my mother who will send them to Brazil. Call her at 317-784-1535. We need at least 50 more to finish out this year)

Catching up, January birthdays were Gleyson (January 1), Justino (January 3), and Cauan (Januay 17)

February birthdays were Mona Lisa (February 2), William (February 2), and Vitoria (February 8)

March birthdays were Geovania (March 1), Mistoline (March 2), Tiago (March 10), Ricardo (March 13), Juliana (March 22), Ivan Lucas (March 27), Camila (March 28), and Jose Gabriel (March 31)

 

April birthdays were Gustavo (April 4), Maria Edivana (April 11), Maria Eduarda (April 11), and Italo Martinz (April 27)

 

May birthdays were Anderson (May 2), Iris (May 5), Carlos Eduardo (May 17), Jose Henrique (May 17), Daniel Marcos (May 21), Ricardo (May 30)

 

 (Eduardo--we got to go to Word of Life on his birthday)

June birthdays were Thais (June 9), Ana Vitoria (June 20), Otavio (June 24), and Davi Manuel (June 26)

Thank you for your prayers and support in making this happen: celebrating 28 birthdays for children who have never had this opportunity!

 

 

Mother's Day

Around 30 mothers came to celebrate with us at the trash dump, at our little shade spot:

We had fun activities, singing, sharing, and presents for everyone:

After passing out the soup, we also had chocolate cupcakes:

 

It is hard to explain the trash dump to people, and to imagine what these mothers do day in and day out

But they do. And we together we hope for a better future for their children