Dec. 13 Invasion

There are 34 children staying at the Real Dream Community Center, in addition to Ernesto, his wife and 5 children.

Marlon Marcos, Paulo Tomas, Kelvin Gonsalves, Beldario Lucia, Flora Max, Calisto Laguesa, Ana Tomas, Tania Salomao, Eugenio Eduardo, Rita Omate, Vasco Jose, Celeste Clara, Aurelio Clara, Stelio Carolina, Elias Batista, Vasco Bernardo, Racio Luiz, Francisco Boaventura, Julio Antonio, Elidio Julio, Reinaldo Joao, Salomao Paulo, Catia Preciosa, Raquel Armando, Jorge Pedro, Izidro Junior, Armando Fernando, Manuel Estevao, Maria Pedro, Ivone Rogerio, Cassia Jose, Albino Paulo, Julia Amizcar, Angelina Xadreque

Please pray for them by name and we will continue to love them and teach them as we pray for them here. In my writing I do not call their residence an “orphanage” as I do not believe it to be one. These children are not orphans, they have the love and protection of a father and mother in Ernesto and Filema as well as our Heavenly Father who has provided them a safe family on Earth to reside with.

After choir practice today we spilled out of the church into the street and adjoining lots as we separated into three groups. Ric taught music in the church, I taught the smaller children outside under a shade tree. Lorraine and the women went to the property next door

These children are strong and healthy. Ernesto, Mike and I worked together to photograph each child individually today, it was a blessing to my heart to see each on through the lens. To my surprise, they will smile and laugh with us and in group photos but when the camera is on them alone, they stiffen and grow somber. Some were even smiling with me up until the moment I snapped the photo. As you look into their eyes you can see many emotions, as I love them, touch them and hold them each day I see HOPE. I am teaching Bible Studies to the smaller children and I am preaching to them that they are to never give up HOPE.

I am amazed at how every Bible Story I tell them has is either a story of Hope or Jealousy, sometimes both. Disobedience, repentance and perseverance runs like thread throughout our Bible and Jesus is the HOPE of all man. The children are listening and learning.

While I am teaching the small children, Ric is teaching music to the teenagers and Lorraine is with the women. I am seeing the Lord’s transformation in most of the children but I am seeing it in all of the women. The words of LIFE from the Bible is food for their soul. They live in a community where true Christianity is hard to find so they must rise up and set a standard for themselves first and then their children. There are many men here, and many children but there are not many fathers or husbands.

Pray for the work here as if it is a seed – our Lord is concerned about us bearing fruit. These wonderful people will produce good fruit once the seed planted in them takes root. Praise God that we have been allowed to come here as the first team from Impact Christian Fellowship, please God let us not be the last as there is a harvest here for the Lord.