We are doing very well down this way.  

This coming week we will be encountering colder temperatures (lows of 8c to 10) and without heat and higher humidity it will feel much colder. 

Keep us all in your prayers as we work.  So far we have been kept from harm.  However my back is not happy and is complaining quite loudly lately.  

This weekend we spent time with Lyndell and Paulo, doing a tour of Porto Alegre.  and then the Barbecue house that has a traditional Gaucho (cowboy) show.  It was very entertaining, but we came back so full that we could hardly eat this morning.  

This morning we went out to Cidade de Deus (city of God) which is a spiritually based drug and alcohol recovery center.  They were celebrating their 7th anniversary.

  They presented certificates of completion to 12 men who completed the 1 year program and were now free from addiction.  It was a very moving ceremony with all of the testimonies.  They had a picnic and as you know,, what is a picnic without rain?   The guys had been hard at work putting up a shelter for everyone to be dry and reasonably comfortable.    

Tonight we were at the Boas Novas Baptist church.  They had the farewell for Filipe and Jessica Pinheiro (Bayer)  Then the message from Diego.  It was excellent and most of it I understood and translated the highlights to Jean and Ross

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Good evening everyone.

So, how's it goin' eh??  

Going pretty good, eh.  

We have finished our first week here.  We have almost finished sanding and painting the shutters and window frames of the house.  Even though it was a holiday (labour day) we were working.  

We did take a Zacchaeus moment and enjoyed time with a family at lunch.  It was a very precious time spent with Enaldir and Nair.  They have always been open and inviting to us. 

We have visited most of the families on campus.  It is a blessing to us and a great opportunity to get to know them.  

This evening there was a parent's meeting on communications.  Most of the house parents attended so we were on guard duty for the compound.  

Ross is really enjoying the work, the culture and the people here.   His heart for God and for the people and children here is really shining through.  It is a pleasure to work with him.  (just don't tell him I said that,..  

Tomorrow is the trip into Porto Alegre.   pray for safety for us and that all will go well..

Deus ti abençõe...  God bless you ..

Good evening.  (Boa Tarde)

The last couple of days have been pretty heavy, work wise.  We have been sanding and painting the windows and shutters of one of the houses.  

We have been at this for hours and we hope to be finished this house this week.  There is still much work to do.  

It is not just for the work that we are here.  We have been able to spend time with some of the children and house parents.  We have gotten to know some of the newer children and renewed relationships with many of the children that we knew from before.  Some of the houseparents have shared their struggles, for which we can pray.  They have shared how encouraged they feel when they know that people are praying for them.. Thank you for your prayers for us and the children and parents who are raising the children of the Chain of Love.  

Friday here is a holiday.  It is Labour day.  Most everything is closed so it will be a day off for us.  

Saturday we will be going into Porto Alegre to spend some time with our missionary couple, Lyndell and Paulo Réquia.  

Sunday we plan to go out to Cidade de Deus (City of God) It is a drug and alcohol recovery farm setting.  All of the church has been invited to celebrate the 7th anniversary.  of the founding of this ministry.  We look forward to spending time with friends.  

Monday and the first day of work.

The staff arrive today and were overjoyed to receive the donations that were collected in the last couple of months.

Arseli (the school teacher at Chain of Love says  a big thank you for the school supplies that were sent with us.

After that we were able to tackle the work set before us.  we dismounted the first 2 sets of shutters and started sanding off the old baked on stain. Jean is applying the new stain once they are ready.

 It is hard work, but will be worth it in the end.

End of the first workday.  Time for some rest and getting ready for tomorrow which is more of the same.  

Boa noite,  (Good night)

After a walk to the downtown area of Campo Bom and the purchase of groceries, which is an adventure in itself, we returned to the Chain of Love Campus.
Shortly after we were able to present Bruna with the gift that was sent to her from the children of Power up.
Attached is the photo of the presentation.

 She was very happy to receive this special gift and really enjoyed looking at the pictures that the children drew for her.  She sends her love to everyone at Steele Heights.
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Hello from warm and sunny Brazil..
Yes! we arrived safe and sound, a little tired but safe and sound none the less.
All of our suitcases made it safely and it appears that all of our supplies came through without a hitch.

Thank you

Continue to keep us in your prayers for safe travel.

THIS IS IT!!!

We're out of here...

We head for the airport this morning.  ready for take off.
The next message will be from Campo Bom Brazil.

Pray that all of the donated supplies will arrive intact with no questions asked.

Thanks for all of your prayers.