Day 8- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Thanks for your continued prayers and posts, it means a lot to the team to have the entire congregation ++ on the trip with us!

Today we spent the morning in the favela (slum). It is an experience that we likely will never forget. To start our vacation Bible school session, we walked through the favela to encourage more children to attend. On this walk, Pastor Nimbu walked up these steps to this three room home that housed a single mother and 9 children. As you can see, this is a challenging environment. We managed to get 5 of the children to the class. It was heartbreaking.
Here's Pastor Nimbu, Jen, Stefan and Alex returning from this home convincing the kids to attend our VBS.

Here's Alex singing with the favela boys, they all know English lyrics.

At the VBS, Leslie set up a bracelet craft for the kids. It told the gospel story and was great for the kids.

Here's Jen with one of the children that came from the house shown above. Her name was Maria and she wouldn't leave Jen's side, she didn't want to go home.

Here's the group walking the children back home through the favela.

More favela views. This is an environment that you cannot imagine unless you can go there.

This boy was another one of the children from the house shown above. He had vision challenges and some thick glasses. His glasses were held on with a wire. It came off during the VBS and Pastor Nimbu helped him get it back on.

Another favela view.

Here's the team at the community center we used for VBS today. Ebenezer Lutheran church has a goal of renting this facility to do additional community service for the children and teenagers. If I was betting, they are going to do it.

Here's the team walking kids home in the favela.

Meet Iris, she came to both VBS sessions and had a great time, can't you tell?

Here's Jaoa, he had a great time too.

Here are all the children arriving at VBS.

Here's another walking home shot.

Here's Mike with his group, looks like fun! These kids all live in the favela shown above. Out of that environment they could all be residents of Palm Beach County, Florida. To quote Sally, "kids are kids wherever they are."

Here's Johnny Bravo with one of the twins. This all started with the girls asking Phil how tall he was, we tried to explain in feet and inches and weren't very effective.

Here's another girl from the house shown above. These kids have a tough environment, hopefully the message of salvation made a difference for them.

Here's the Schief with Guillermhe, he came both days as well and was a very smart little guy. Carl's a natural!

Here's Maria Louise and Clarice hanging with the shepherd from our puppet show. The shepherd gave them and autograph after the show.

Here's a great one. The Filman's from Colorado, former St. Paul congregants for a number of years and great friends of both Sally and Carl. They had been watching this project through the blog. Thanks for visiting, what a pleasant surprise!

Here's Kate with Larrissa, having a great time.

Here's Wagner, congregation President. He took the entire week off to be with us and has some very powerful dreams for Ebenezer. We cannot believe how strong of a ministry that this church has with such limited resources. They are truly touching people that have the greatest need.

Here's a photo from the Lutheran seminary down the street from Ebenezer. It is currently closed and rented by a school due to lack of funding. The current renter hasn't paid rent in over a year and the church doesn't have recourse. God gives us an opportunity here to help.

The seminary building. This served as the performing arts center and a church. If the seminary were operational again, it would act as an engine for additional clergy, provide volunteers for the favela and help spread the word of God throughout South America.

Michael as 007, shaken not stirred.

After, the kitchen. Almost done... What a difference!

After, the hallway...

After, the computer room. New desks are on order and will be here within a couple of weeks. The five laptops we donated will go here! What a great way to teach the community skills that will last a lifetime.

After, the main hall of the community center. WOW!

Here's a group shot of the mission team and everyone at the church. We are all family!

Cheronoba with hand paint on the face. We should have known that the paint intended for the soccer field wall would end up on someone. He plays in the band, Pirates of the Caribbean!

Here's the soccer field wall with the entire Brazil team hand (and foot) prints.