Oi!

Although this is late, please read about our progress. We've been all over without internet, so we wrote about what's been goin on down here:

Oi!

It is Saturday morning and we are finishing up here at “A Sombra.” Here is what’s been going on since our last post:

Tuesday night we went on a late night expedition to the grocery filled with sheer bliss and happiness and food. Needless to say we haven’t been sleeping much. Bill bought vanilla cream ice cream and nutella, his new favorite spread.
The remainder of the week we’ve separated into possums and jaguars. The possums dug trenches for the sewage and the jaguars continued construction at Robert’s house. Robert is from Scotland and is hilarious. Robert runs a children’s evangelism program that prevents kids in the favela from running away to the streets. Anywhere from 12 to around 50 kids can come at one time. Because Robert has served there for many years, he has gained the trust of the parents to take the kids in everyday and even to kids camps for one week. Robert serves along with his wife and 2.5 kids (one is on the way) in this new children’s home. It was purchased in February and is placed right outside the favelas. By Friday, the jaguars had constructed several walls and places for windows.

One day, Bobby spent the whole day on scaffolding laying brick. The jaguars were beastly in their efforts this week. Much destruction was needed before erecting walls and laying floor. They hauled rubble and stone up two flights of stairs to help lay new flooring for their church room. The ladies sanded then painted the lower level section near one of the classrooms. At Robert’s, Megan, Lauren, Carol and one of the interns led craft time for the kids while Whitney busted a move in honor of Michael Jackson. The kids were stoked out of their minds in awe of Whitney’s mad skills. Jake hopped in his construction boots -- see pics for more!
Possums have been on ditch digging duties for the week and concluded by laying most of the pipe needed for the septic system. We’ve had some trials along the way like pipes from the past that have been left underground, rain the last couple days, as well as lack of quality supplies/tools. Through God’s strength we’ve overcome a lot. It has been very enjoyable, however, to work outdoors and get to see the results of our work. Both the possum and jaguar teams have been able to meet some wonderful people here. Luis, the foreman for the possums, has been a pleasure to work with, as well as the interns at Robert’s house.

It has been an incredible journey as we’ve wrapped up our week of serving at the different places. Now this weekend we have host home experiences, church, and the beach. Each student will be off with a Brazilian host family from a local church. As we conclude the week with nightly sessions, it has been incredible to see the Lord work in each person’s life, both students and adults. We’ve discussed community, the church, gifts and roles within the body of Christ, and enjoyed encouraging each other while seeing how God has worked in each other’s lives.

Personally (Jake) it has been truly encouraging and refreshing to be a part of something where God’s people are involved, interacting, serving and challenging one another. The last couple years have been a spiritual uphill battle, and joining up with the ABC team is a joy, and I am thankful God has used such a tremendous group of brothers and sisters to remind me how sweet it is to be a part of the body of Christ.
Thanks for your continued prayers, thoughts, posts, and support to us while we’ve been here. We can’t wait to see ya’ll in a few days. We will be leaving for the beach Sunday night, for a time of debriefing and relaxing. Continue to pray for those working with ABBA that they would be refreshed this weekend. We will be leaving on Tuesday, and while our time here has been incredible, it will be hard to say goodbye.

In Christ,
Rae, Whitney, and Jake for the ABC team