Yep....we have 24 days until our team of 8 leaves for Sao Paulo. This trip will be from July 23 - Aug 4, 2009. We will be working with Restoration Ministries. They minister to kids in 5 different favelas (slums) of this huge sprawling city of 20 million people. Check out the RM website at www.themotas.org For most of our team, this trip is a first experience in Brazil. For one, Jim Record, it is his 3rd trip. For me, my 6th. I feel passionate about what this ministry does and how God works through them in the lives of these children and families. We will be running two camps for 80 kids on each of the weekends. RM owns a beautiful property called Camp California just outside of the city. There we take the kids away and teach them about God and how much he loves them. We have a lesson time, crafts, recreation, games, competitions, free time where they can swim, zip line, play on the play structure or just hang out. They get fed 3 great meals a day. They drink fresh o.j. made from the oranges grown on the trees right there at camp. They have clean cabins, showers and a nice bed. All of these things are luxuries we just take for granted. During the week back in Sao Paulo, we will get an overview of what makes up life in the favelas, run a VBS type ministry program on the streets in two of the favelas, visit home and families and pray with them, teach Engligh, participate in Capoiera (Brazilian martial arts) and just hang out with and encourage the staff of Restoration Ministries. Most of all we will be hugging and loving kids all week and making them feel special.
One thing we know....we wouldn't be doing this trip without God and prayer being a huge part of this! And without the prayer and often financial support of our friends and families! Muito obrigada (thank you very much...in Portuguese, the language of Brazil).
We have good internet access while in the city, just not from the camp. We will try to update the blog as often as possible. All of our team members will have access and be able to update before, during and after the trip. We will try to post pictures as much as possible too.
For videos of past trip, check out these YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GJSGNBEjng and also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUnsTxo5boM&feature=related
More soon......Diane Slusher
Team members for July 2009: Jim and Patty Record, Christina Christie, Karen Ruth, Robin Drummond, Lauren Jimison, Rodain Soto, and Diane Slusher
