Kita, who is 23 years old, just had her 5th baby! After four boys, she now has Stefani. Weberson, her husband, works long hours, and helps with the soccer school in his free time.
A girl, after having 4 boys.
Family pic, except for Weberson, the dad and husband.
Weberson and baby Stefani.
Quita is 23 years old, and thrilled to have a daughter.
2 days old
Grandma is doing needlework in the background.
Kita and Stefani.
We celebrated children this week, along with the rest of Brazil. October 12 is a national holiday here, called Children’s Day.
The children are the most accepting when we move into a new neighbourhood. After a few years the mothers start coming. And then the dads.
Musical Chairs
The Puppeteers.
Adriana seemed exceptionally happy at this event. She has gone through a lot in the last couple of years.
Games, Bible Story, Food, Lot’s of Love
The puppets tell their stories.
About 120 children to feed a sandwich and a drink.
About 120 children and about 20 moms each got a sandwich and a drink. The 20 helpers did not. We estimated we would need 80 sandwiches. Then we bought bread for another 40. We were still about 20 short. So…good turnout.
Emma watched over the slackline challenge.
The soccer ball skills game.
The Race Through the Tires game.
Some of the Moms and Young Girls.
Everyone loves the puppets!
Mark 4 –
Jesus teaches us that our words and our actions make huge difference in other people’s lives. We all have stories and perspectives that will help those around us.
Mark 4:30-34 Our words have great power in them.
Mark 4:35-41 Jesus talks to the wind and to the waves.
A family in the islands on the Xingu River is on their way to a church meeting. (Painting by Rick Bergen, 2013).
Last summer we were out with some friends doing a special church service among the islands of the Xingu River. As we wait by the church in the mission boat, many small boats carrying families and individuals, just like this one in my painting, arrive for the meeting. They sometimes use umbrellas as shade from the tropical sun. Naldo, who oversees these churches, comes from a violent background involving drugs, knives, and guns. Many people among these islands are now giving their lives to Jesus because of Naldo’s message and testimony, and because of the church he pastors. Naldo himself is helped along by other pastors, friends, and missionaries, who in turn are encouraged and helped by support teams. The Holy Spirit is using us as a team to make an important and eternal difference in people’s lives. How cool is that?
Aline and Eliel are the first couple in our church to get married without living together first. Our church is five years old. They wanted a big wedding, which would include as many people as possible, so that the neighbourhood young people, and especially the young girls, could start dreaming of a wedding, and marriage, and a family structure different from the ones they grew up in. I think they accomplished their purpose. We are very proud of Aline and Eliel.
The Wedding Party
The front yard of the church is transformed.
The ceremony begins.
Bella and Emma are two of Aline’s bridesmaids.
All the girls got dressed in Emma and Bella’s bedroom.
Ivanildo loves to see that first kiss as a married couple.
Husband and Wife!
Marco’s conks out.
The church really pulled together as a community this Saturday to help prepare for Aline and Eliel’s wedding. We have a lot to learn, as a church, about how to do these large celebrations, but we are pleased with how God is helping us get started. This is our second wedding on our property here. Weddings are an important part of social justice and neighborhood improvements. Most people who come to our church are not married. And their relationships are not everything they hoped they would be. We are sowing hope into these relationships.
Marques and several others worked all day on the lighting and electricity for the band.
Eliel had his hands full, trying to keep everything organized.
Railan was a big help, and worked a lot of hours.
The front yard of the church is transformed.
Maria and Monica work in the kitchen, along with many other ladies.
Kelsie describes a big situation to Eliel. (I am assuming it is a big situation). 🙂
The bridesmaids helped for hours to prepare.
Table decorations.
Bella has lots of friends.
Luana was especially helpful, and worked for many hours.
Kelsie and Emma prepare the backdrop for the cake and photo area.
Vera is on her motorbike, talking to Elda, who was in charge of decorations.
Fransisco gets the lighting decorations in place, from the top of the scaffolding.
Paula works in the kitchen, preparing food for more than 300 people.
Adão helps get the roadway ready for parking the cars.
Ivanildo keeps everything moving in the right direction.
Elda explains the table layout to Ivanildo.
“I rest my case.”
We had our first church wedding here in Marabá. A couple of years ago Nadeson worked as a bricklayer on our house. More recently, Suzi enjoyed the Alpha course, and ended up giving her heart to Jesus. Yesterday, Saturday, September 21, the city government hosted a group marriage where 1,000 couples could sign up and get legally married. Suzi and Nadeson were one of these couples, and they followed this legal wedding downtown with a Christian wedding and ceremony in our church. Their three beautiful daughters were in the wedding with them.
The ceremony! Ivanildo did a great job!
Both of their families drove about one whole day to come to the wedding. The church joins Ivanildo to ask for God’s blessing on this new marriage.
“We’re married!”
Suzi and their three daughters.
Our second Alpha Course started with mostly women. While this is normal for young churches, at least in our experience, I am sure Ivanildo and I could have done a better job inviting our friends. Those who come love it. Deanna made soup, and even little AliceMaria ate it all up. Her mom told me she doesn’t eat like that at home. Everyone loves Deanna’s soup. And everyone likes the Alpha style of hanging out and visiting around spiritual topics for an evening.
Mostly women showed up this first night.
First night of our second Alpha course.
Everyone loves eating together.
First meal…potato chowder.
