Tuesday, November 17, 2009, Brazil
Dear Prayer Warrior,
CLM ENTRE
RIOS:
Needless to say, the focus of our
prayers and concerns are with Mariane. As I already wrote, I had a very
disappointing doctor´s appointment with a "hand specialist" yesterday. But, I
have come to realize that it was necessary to reconfirm that God is in control.
Two doctor´s have indicated that there is a very large possibility that she will
lose half of her finger. But, God has confirmed to us that He has saved it and
it will be perfect. We are believing. It is easy to start doubting but we are
coming up against that through His grace. She personally seems to be doing
fine, not really suffering pain. She says she can move her little finger, but
it hurts to do it. If she is actually moving the top half and can feel it, it
is a good sign. Please declare her finger healed with us.
This morning, we had a little bit of
excitement. Lucas was taking a shower and was yelling my name. I went there
once and resolved his problem. A few minutes later, he started yelling my name
again. I took my time, but was ready to let him know that yelling my name like
that wasn´t necessary. He could just send someone to call me. When I got to
the bathroom and before I could say anything (thankfully), he said that there
was a fire. The wires to the shower had caught on fire and flames (not so big
ones) were coming out of the outlet. I called Kevin, who also didn´t really
further, not realizing what was up. The two of us were trying to think what to
do and ran out the boys´ hallway door and ran into the fire extinguisher with
big letters - "for electrical fires". Oh, yes that is why we have those. The
whole scene ended up pretty comical as Kevin tried to figure out how to get the
extinguisher to work. In about two squirts, the fire was put out and the
breaker turned off. We are thankful for brick walls, instead of wooden ones and
of course, that no one was hurt.
On Sunday, we had a special lunch in
honor of our CLM employees to show our appreciation and love. Our 6 employees -
Lizena (laundry and childcare), Marilda (secretary and childcare), Julia
(laundry and cleaning), Clarice (cook), Doni (garden), and Luiz (barn and
fields) - and their families were invited to our Sunday morning Sunday School
and then for a churrasco (barbeque). Luiz, Doni, and Lobinho took care of the
meat. Viktoria got all of the other preparations ready. We also gave them
their Christmas presents early. We are indeed thankful for the Christians who
work for us and their influence on our children.
Viktoria and Kristen left for Foz do
Iquaçu last night. Today they were to be renewing Kristen´s tourist visa. We
are praying that they will grant her 3 months this time. Kristen will be
returning tonight if all went well today and Viktoria will stay another 2 days
for some R & R. Pray for their safety and that they will accomplish their
objectives.
We have been working with some
rebellious spirits in some of our older girls and boys for quite a while. It
appears that the Lord is directing an all out attack against it in the last week
or so. He has given us some very powerful teachings and the discipline for
disrespect and disobedience has been upgraded. We ask for your prayers for
wisdom and consistency until the battle is won.
There is one birthday at Entre Rios
this week and that is Luquinho´s. He will be 8 years old on Sunday, November
22rd and he is counting down the days. He is the younger brother of Geovane and
Patricia and the older brother to Diogo. He came with his siblings because of
the mother´s drug addiction. He is in the first grade and after several
evaluations and medication, he is doing much better. He still can have
behavioral problems but they are a lot less than before. One of Luquinho´s
biggest problems is that he does not think before he says or does something. He
also tends to be very destructive and disrespectful. On the other side, he is
very creative and intelligent. He is also very charming. Pray that Luquinho
can grow and mature and obtain much more self control.
This Saturday, we will be having a
Bridal Shower for Loeci. It will be in the city at her church. There are a lot
of people invited and should be a very encouraging and exciting time for her.
Please continue to pray for the wedding plans and for God´s preparation of them
as a couple.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) Mariane - we declare in the name
of Jesus the complete healing of her finger, pray for guidance as to how to
proceed.
2) CLM Employees - pray for each of
them mentioned above that they will be blessed as they work and serve at CLM,
blessings on their families.
3) Kristen - that even though she
only got another 30 days that she will be able to continue to renew it to be
able to complete the 6 months, may God continue to grow and stretch her as she
serves Him and the children, blessings on all of her relationships.
4) Viktória - that the Lord would
minister health and renewal to her, for God´s protection and a safe
return.
5) The Battle of the Rebellious
Spirits - that the Lord would continue the battle until the victory giving
guidance and wisdom, that it all can be balanced with love and understanding of
each child´s or adolescent´s needs, for perseverance and unity.
6) Luquinho - for continual progress
in school, for more maturity and self control and improved behavior, for inner
healing, for the future that God has for him and his siblings.
7) Loeci´s Bridal Shower and wedding
plans - that hte Lord would continue to guide, that all of her friends
and family can gather in support and encouragement, God´s preparation for the
wedding and the marriage.
8) Josiele - that she would have the
courage to confront the problems she is facing, that she can trust that each of
us only want to help her, for a rededication to her walk with the
Lord.
9) Mike - for the opening of the
inner canal in the ear that colapsed and has been causing deafness for the last
month or so, for total restoration of his hearing.
10) Budget for 2010 - Mike has
worked on the budget for next year and we have come up with some policies, new
and old, to cut cost especially because the exchange rate is so low. Pray for
God´s blessings and for diligence in maintaining the budget.
11) Claudemir - finding of a new
job, that he will see his college course through to the end, that he would
determine where he wants to live, for spiritual growth.
12) Studies - may God in all of His
grace help our children to have a successful school year.
CLM
TURVO:
On Saturday, Fabio and Edit moved
their belongings to Turvo and have been working hard to get their apartment set
up, before totally initiating their ministry together at CLM Turvo. They
are excited and looking forward to all the Lord has for them and will be
teaching them. We praise God that He has called them to Turvo. Please keep
them in your prayers.
Marilda, Al and Lydia, Meghan,
Joacir, and Isabella are in Turvo for several days. Al was able to help a lot
with the electrical needs in Fabio and Edit´s apartment. Meghan´s parents will
return to Canada at the end of the month. Joacir has received his visa to
Canada and they are planning to travel there before Christmas.
Several of the older kids and sibling
groups have been freed for adoption and their cases have been sent to Curitiba
to CEJA for consideration for international adoption. Please be praying that
the Lord could provide them with a forever family.
Allan has been out of High School
since last year and has been looking for a job and an opportunity to study.
Please keep him in your prayers so him can be given that first
experience.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) Fabio and Edit - praise to God
for the calling He has given them, help to adjust and see the areas in which God
wants to use them, for pacing themselves according to God´s principles, for all
of their relationships.
2) Al, Lydia, Joacir, Meghan, and
Isabella - blessing of their time in Turvo with good fellowship, God´s blessings
on their plans to go to Canada, that God would guide all of the
preparations.
3) Studies - that all of the
students will apply themselves and do their very best this last
quarter.
4) Grants - that the Lord would
bless the writing of the grants and provide the extra funding that CLM Turvo,
especially pray for the collections of 6 % of income tax.
5) Adoption - that the Lord would
convict Christian families to the ministry of adoption.
6) Letricia - continued healing of
her broken arm, for physical development and strengthening, for help with her
learning difficulties.
7) Budget - for the development of a
2010 budget and maintaining of it.
8) Natalia - for the restoration of
her strength, spiritual and maturity growth.
Thank you for keeping us in your
prayers.
loving God,
Mary
