April 24, 2013
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Mom and Koral in Brazil–Week 2
From Koral:
Brazil has been a wonderful experience so far and I’m learning and seeing new things every day. We broke from the normal schedule this week to take a trip to the next state over to see two children my family sponsors through World Vision. It was nine hour trip, but worth every moment of it. Not only did I get to meet two of the most adorable children that have ever walked the earth, but I got to see a way of living that is different than that even back here at Living Stones.
That area is suffering from one of the worst droughts in over forty years and driving down the road you can count at least a dozen different animals in an hour that have simply dropped over dead from the heat and lack of water. You can hear about droughts and famine and a single farm loosing over 100 cattle, but nothing makes it quite as real or makes you realize just how good you really have it than to see a field of dry bones dotted with a few….more intact remains.
In other news, I want to kidnap at least half the children here, or at least hug them until my arms fall off, and I almost die of an adorableness overload at least twice a day. I FINALLY made a basket while playing basketball with the children from Guadalajara, an accomplishment I never thought possible –insert cheers and standing ovations here, accompanied by a marching band and confetti-. I’ve also learned I fail at bubble blowing, but the kids forgive me for that and have a good time laughing.
From Cyndi (also known as my mom):
Having slightly twisted both ankle in a fall last Wednesday night, I am keeping things to a minimum of getting out right now—but enjoying a wonderful retreat with the Lord in Rachel’s lovely apartment. What I have been able to do has been to watch her ministry in singing, serving, and teaching character, hygiene, and English all over the area.
The first thing I attended was where she helps with a World Renewal Community English class outreach where Tele Moraes preaches as his son David interprets, and they all singing before they teach English to the students in their classes. During the week she works in both Guadalajara and Carpina (like everything else, a long bus ride and a walk) various times a week with Glory Sports, where first the girls get over an hour of basketball training and a character lesson with Rachel, and then the boys are treated the same. They are a part of the Living Stones program, but the main projects are continuing at Mussurepe (at Grandma Bel’s, who makes them lunch) and Cajueiro Claro (the church where Flavio pastors and lives in the back, and where Marlene—the mom of the home where Rachel stayed some—does the cooking).
They all sing together and then Rachel takes the girls (Pastor Flavio takes the boys) for lessons. There are more intact families at Mussurepe, so they are able to do more teaching with them: Flavio and his wife, Mercia, have the awesome responsibility of showing the families of Cajueiro Claro what God can do in a marriage and family.
Her other Living Stones ministry is with Massa Humana at the dump, where she (and other volunteers) sing, tell a story, and do a craft with all the kids while Washington drives back for donated soup to pass out into all the pots the kids bring to take back to their homes.
In the city, traffic is contained by using “Lombadas” (giant speed bumps everywhere), but at the end of town they—and all the houses, streets, and pavement abruptly end. The families that live at the dump are Brazil’s “recycling program”-using and selling out of all they pick through, often even making a place to live. Some do have normal, Brazilian homes right there and even travel in boots, but most have sandals at best, and not even gloves or any protection from the potential disease, buzzards, or smell of the place. But the children generally notice none of that, smiling and creatively making toys in it all.
In keeping up our account of the days, April 18:
Mussurepe
Guadalajara (home of Koral’s infamous shot)April 19th:
Koral’s first experience of playing soccer in the rain. I find it funny that Gustavo did the same hand gestures as I did.
Church in Cajueiro Claro and passing out the presentsApril 20th:
An amazing time at the dumpApril 21st:
traveling to Amaxias for church and (not eating) the decapitated TanajuraApril 22nd: After traveling all night by bus, getting to Alagoas, where Koral’s World Vision children were:
The workers–27 works helping 3,500 children in 98 small rural community groups (on the map)
They have incredible agriculture assistance for the families, making sure they get water in this dry area, can be a part of a seed bank, fruit/vegetable cooperative, raising chickens and goats, and many other programs. For the children, they also have great literacy, music, and computer classes.
Koral’s World Vision sponsored children: such cuties!
April 23rd: A nine hour bus ride back to Recife where we went to the new (largest in South America) mall:
