September 26, 2009

• i live where goats interrupt my English classes, rather than cell phones. we had to stop class so Cleyton could catch the stray goat that wanted to learn to count in English.
  

  Eduardo came up to Patricia and said “i am saving all my money. All of it. because i am going to buy some band-aids.” because band-aids are the new cool thing at Living Stones. i used up my first box in two weeks of finding scrapes and burns. They wear them with pride. i wonder how long Eduardo will be saving up…

  I heard Rodrigo talk for the first time this week. he said “Thank you” to me…in English…after i filled up his cup with water. Rodrigo doesn’t talk. he doesn’t play. he stays to himself. out of the way. always. i don’t know all the deep psycological implications going on…but it made me really happy to hear him talk.
  
  Cacao told me the story of Diego. and it must be repeated. Diego got kicked out of the PETI government program a couple years ago. but Patricia and Cacao asked him to keep coming to Living Stones, and he did. him and all his trouble-making. For over a year and a half they patiently loved this guy, until he turned 16, got a job, and couldn’t come anymore. They were sure…this was one that fell through the cracks. and you want to forget that sometimes they do…but it happens. it is true. and they left it alone. Three weeks ago Diego shows up at church. with his bermuda shorts and baseball cap (typical beachwear, not churchwear) and attitude. And when then the invitation was given, Diego raised his hand. And Patricia and Cacao didn’t have words, but Diego gave his life to Jesus that night. Diego is now attending discipleship classes…and didn’t fall through any cracks. it just wasn’t on the same time schedule as we were.

  We have a new project at Living Stones. saving aluminum popcan tabs. if we get a kilo (2.2 pounds), it can be sold for $150R. a kilo is A LOT. but the kids decided they want to save up for a pizza party. half the kids have never had pizza, and the other half want to have pizza again.

  Breno climbed up the coconut tree outside the church and picked me a coconut. i told him that when i grow up, i want to be able to climb up coconut trees as well. he gave me my first lesson in how to. but i only made it two feet off the ground. all the kids were surrounding the tree yelling “Forca Mulher! Forca!” (Strength, Woman, strength–or…put some power into it…kind of idea…).
  
  We had all the food we needed this week. lots of food. the cook/janiter got pink eye, and his replacement only stayed long enough to cook the food…not help serve or do dishes or what not. so Cacao, Patricia and i juggled serving, dishing out, and washing for 40 plus kids. i get more convinced every day that my spiritual gift is really just doing dishes. We will also have enough food for next week. and…i am beginning to grow in faith…and think we might have enough for the next as well.

  Please pray–next Wednesday we are having a parents tea. not really with tea, but that is what it is called. we will have cake. and there will be special presentations of all the work the kids have been doing…in English (my class) and art (Zeca’s class) and health (Patricia and Cacao’s class). The kids have been working since March to make these nice decoration hand towels–with hand painted fruit on them, and fancy crochet (*i looked up how to spell it on google. be very proud of me) outlining. So each mother will recieve a box (we are still decorating and making those) with the towel and a soap. i am amazed at the patience and persistence and personal effort that Patricia and Cacau are putting into doing this. i. would. not. and that is why i am learning from them.

  Patricia and Cacao are doing a class and health, and talking about the food pyramid. so before we eat, we go over which part each food is in. I decided to get the kids some Tapioca, a very healthy, very yummy tradicional snack. The kids loved it. and it was about $10US. those kind of opportunities…pop up and you have to grab them. the best ten bucks i ever spent.
  

  “I am nothing and have nothing: make something of me. You can do it, you’ve got what it takes–but God, don’t put it off.” Psalm 40:17 the message

  • 4:06 pm
  • 2 Comments