Tuesday, September 1, 2009, Brazil
Dear Prayer Warrior,
CLM ENTRE
RIOS:
Today is the day that I am going to
the city to have a conversation with the Judge. My desire is to re-establish
some contact with him, since it has been quite a while since we have talked. I
want to understand what actions he is taking with several of our kids to
understand how we can prepare them. I am praying for a comfortable and Spirit
directed conversation. Well, I´m back (obviously, I didn´t get much done on the
Prayer Warrior this morning). I think the conversation went well, although
different than I was imagining. He had a list all of our kids and where the
processes are and he went through each child or sibling group. He was glad to
be able to say that something was happening in every case. He also talked about
the new law and said that it is very good. He said the part that everyone is
saying that a child can not stay in an institution for more than 2 years has a
clause after it saying unless there is no other option or if it is determined
that that is the best option for the child. He asked me to read over the law.
After talking to him, I went to the Social Worker to find out a little more on
some of the cases. That was good, too. I think it was worth the time spent.
Some cases are kind of at a road block, where others are moving in a certain
direction. Some are quite complicated. Please continue to pray for the futures
of all of our kids. Also, Dr. Glauco (Judge) has asked for prayer.
Things are going very well for the
Stuber family. They are spending several days in Turvo. The idea was to go to
a familiar environment, but not as familiar as Entre Rios. The concept is
working. As the boys have spent their time at the waterfalls building forts and
so forth, Dale has spent his time developing a landscape design for CLM. Dana
has been able to spend much precious and one to one time with Nina, which she
has cherished. They will be returning to Entre Rios tomorrow. They will have 9
more days here before they move onto Curitiba on the 12th. They will be several
days in Curitiba then onto Rio de Janeiro on the 19th to get the American
passport for Nina and then leaving for the States on the 23rd. Dana shared in
her update e-mail, her thoughts of coming to the end of their stay in Brazil:
"............it makes me cry right now,
thinking of leaving here, and thinking of arriving home. Both are very very
emotional." Continue to keep the Stubers, including
their newest addition, in your prayers.
Tomorrow, the 2rd of September is
Josiane and Geovane´s birthdays. Josiane came to CLM when she was 11 years
old. She was originally from Guarapuava, but went to Rio de Janeiro with a
couple that said they had intentions to adopt her and many other children. It
was suspected there were other mal-intentions involved and all of the children
in their care were returned to their birth cities. Her brother, another boy,
and Josiane were sent to CLM. Josiane did not understand what was going on and
why she was abruptly removed from a family who she thought was her biological
family. It took her a good 6 months to begin to trust and even relate to the
adults of CLM. But once she did, she started to blossom. Today, she is a
beautiful young lady, with a very special heart. She will be graduating from
college this month (it has been cancelled many times due to the Swine Flu) Her
greatest interest is to work in a daycare. She loves children and they respond
well to her. She hopes to do a post-graduate course next year. Keep Josiane in
your prayers, as she faces many chances and challenges.
Geovane will be 13 years old
tomorrow. He is the big brother of Patricia, Luquinho, and Diogo. They come
from a very dysfunctional family. There is a total of at least 6 kids, most all
with different fathers. Their mother is a drug addict. Geovane was taught to
steal, spend a lot of time on the streets, and to resolve everything with
intense anger and violence. Geovane is an intelligent and outgoing young man.
He is studying at the German school and is in the 5th grade. He has done very
well this year and has worked hard at integrating with the other students.
Geovane is a good worker, if he so desires to be. He has some
extra responsibilities, such as milking the cows. He has a sensitive heart for
God. Please pray for Geovane to reach his full potential, overcome his traumas,
and have a blessed future.
Hellen (2 years old) went to the eye
doctor and will need to use glasses
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) Dr. Glauco - that the Lord would
mightily use him in determining the future for our children, that he would be
able to handle the work load, for a second Judge for the Family department to be
approved, for good relations with CLM.
2) Futures - that the Lord would
direct the decisions determining the future of our children, that the children
can believe that the Lord has a special plan for them and be patient to wait it
out.
3) Stuber Family - that the Lord
would continue to bless them and the journey they are on, for bonding and
adaptation for Nina, that the document work can go smoothly and on time, for
God´s preparation for their return to the U.S.
4) Josiane - praise God for the
special young lady that she is, for growth in her Christian walk, for
maintaining of her relationships and friendships, for finding a job and
continuation of her studies.
5) Geovane - for overcoming his
intense and out of control anger and mood swings, for motivation and
determination in his studies, for development of good work habits, for maturity
and assuming more responsibility at home, for his future, for improved
relationships with his siblings, that he would allow the Holy Spirit to work a
transforming work in his heart.
6) Mike and Mary - that the Lord
would continually guide Mike as he develops his new area of ministry as Staff
Coordinator, praise to God that he recovered from the flu, God´s orientation and
guidance for Mary as Educational Coordinator, for renewed strength daily to
tackle the homework, for all of their relationships.
7) Mary G. - for finalizing my trip
to the States the first 3 weeks of October, for scheduling in my absence, for
preparation emotionally for the trip and for being away from CLM.
8) Joan - will be leaving on Friday
to fly out on Saturday. Joan had most purposely come to be here for Josiane´s
graduation, but due to the Swine flu it was cancelled to be re-scheduled for the
end of September. Pray for a safe trip and a neat time of
reflection.
9) Cars - we have been having a lot
of car problems. One night, when everyone was ready for church none of our 3
Kombi´s would start. May God´s hand be over them that they may all function
properly, that we can find a reasonable and good mechanic.
10) Hellen - that she would adjust
to her glasses, that they would correct her visual problems, that she would not
break her glasses (as she has several pairs of mine!)
CLM
TURVO:
We are praising God that they now
have internet! If you want to write to them their address is
moreirafamily1913@hotmail.com . They would love to hear from
you. This will make communication between Entre Rios and Turvo so much
better. Pray that it continues to function.
Dale was able to come up with landscaping plans for CLM
Turvo. We now need to seek funding to make it a reality.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) Internet - gratefulness for the functioning internet
service, that we can make good use of it.
2) Landscaping Project - thankfulness for the design that
Dale has come up with, funding to make it a reality.
3) Aninha - praise God for the surgery she had, pray for the
Physical Therapy she will be having, pray for perfect and full recovery, pray
for patience to allow the healing to take place.
4) Pray for the children who have been adopted in the last
several months - Nataneal, Ana Paula, Zélia, Josefina, Elaine - for their
continual adaptation and bonding.
5) Students - that they all can be dedicated and motivated,
for a successful school year.
6) Andy and Katie - that the Lord would grant their visas,
for His timing for their arrival in Brazil.
We praise God for His faithfulness. Pastor Rogério has asked
for prayer for his mother-in-law who has been diagnosed for skin cancer and will
be having surgery to remove a spot on her neck. Pray for full recovery.
God bless you,
Mary
