DECEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER: A TALE OF TWO SARA'S A TALE OF TWO SARA’S: Her name is Sara. She is 7 years old. While she has the same name as our daughter and is the same age, her precious life is very, very different. Sara has never been to school (which we are working on). Her father left before she was born and recently her mother abandoned her leaving her to live in the favelas with her 68 year old stepfather José and 4 year old half-sister Laura. She has no family. No one.
About a month ago, Sara and Laura began coming to the Afogados church with Andreá and Valdemir, one of our couples who have embraced this family helping to cook for them and to watch the kids. Andreá told Teresa last Sunday about Sara and Laura’s situation and Teresa sprang into action. We decided to buy them clothes and a few toys for Christmas. You should have seen the smiles on those girl’s faces! Boy, were they happy! The church is also making an effort to hug these girls and make them feel welcome. José has started coming to Bible study on Thursday night at Adriano’s house and has also begun attending church at Afogados. Our Sara was excited to participate in getting things for both kids and now has two new friends. It has been good for her and I think it has really helped her see just how blessed she is. Check out the photo of Sara, Laura, and José.
5000 TRACTS! I am really excited that I have my testimony, why we need Jesus, and the plan of salvation all on one tract now! I had made a testimony tract back in early 2008 and by the end of this year, had given out all of the 4000 of them to various people. I like to give them to anyone I meet on the street, store, or office. Brazilians enjoy reading how Jesus can change lives. You never know how God will use a simple tract to change someone’s life.
CHRISTMAS CHURCH PARTY! This past Monday night, almost the entire church at Afogados gathered at a restaurant to celebrate the year and the gift of giving. We did a thing called “Secret Friend” which is kind of similar to the one they do in the States, but with a Brazilian twist that made it enormous fun. Brazilians like to joke and give people a hard time, especially their friends. Whenever someone would get in front of everyone to give out clues to who their secret friend was, everyone would start clapping and cheering so the person couldn’t even talk! This would go on and on. Finally, after 5 minutes, the person could give out their clues. It was a BLAST.
BUILDING? We have not heard word yet about a building but are waiting for the owner of the house that we have contacted to make a decision about our offer (the church will give her $22,000 Brazilian Reias they have saved, about $12,000 USD) and then make monthly payments. All this without any US funds involved. I’m trying to keep a low profile so that they will make the decision themselves and keep it indigenous.
CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE! We’ve got some new stuff on the website this month: check it out when you get a chance!
We love you all! Have a blessed holiday with your family and friends! We miss our family greatly and look forward to seeing you all next Christmas while on furlough! Keep the faith…because it is all we have! Chris, Teresa, and Sara
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