Beckie´s football skills (or not)!
Today during our group we had free sports time, several of the boys wanted to play football (and 1 girl), the only problem is that they needed another player, and one suggested that I play. Little did they know my inability with football. At first they put me in goal, then swapped me (after I let 2 goals in), then they realised I wasn´t desirable on their team. Nevermind, we lost! It was good fun though, maybe next week they won´t ask me.

Churches together in the slum....
We have just returned from a time of worship and speaking in the main park of the slum with lots of churches together. It was really great to have the enthusiasm of several of the pastors, and to hear them preaching about all being different but together wanting to reach people for His kingdom. Not many from the congregations came, but it was a really good start and was a great example of unity. The idea came from "Pastors breakfasts", that had been meeting together here at the lighthouse. During these breakfasts they had discussed what they wanted to see in the slum, and how to get there. The next pastors breakfast will give feedback from today´s open air event, and discuss where to go next.
We are really giving praise to God for this as many people said the pastors would never get together and there would never be any unity. Yet, 2 of our dutch friends who hadn´t been here very long were determined to see this happen, as they really believe it is a key for God to move here. I really admire the way they have persevered and also been bold in inviting the pastors, even if they are still learning Portuguese.

Hello everyone. Last weekend we went away for a few days to rest and relax as a family as often we do not get the opportunity to do that. We went to a place called Serra do Cipó which is a nature reserve about 2 hours drive away from Belo Horizonte. It has over 200 waterfalls amongst beautiful scenery. On one occasion, Gideon and Dave went on a river walk and discovered many waterfalls and pools. The following day Josiah and Dave went canoeing on a quiet piece of river where they found some fresh-water turtles and animals called capybara.
We stayed in a place called a pousada which is like a bed and breakfast but with chalets. A great time was had by all.

I (Dave) have just come in from starting the car!!! This may not seem something strange to most car users who are reading this but for the past few weeks we have been involved in team building exercises to start our car.....namely getting a bunch of people together to push it. So, this weekend, Josiah and I have replaced the old generator in our 1970 VW Beetle (Fusca) with a brand new alternator. This involved taking most of the engine apart, fitting the new part and putting it all back together again, and rewiring some parts too in creative ways. It was a great father/son thing to do together and I am putting it as a blog entry simply because I am so pleased that it all works.
I am not a mechanic but i am confident when I do practical tasks so am willing to undertake almost anything (bricklaying is a challenge for me though). There is a secret to this which I learnt a long time ago and which I put into practice nearly every time I need to fix something. It is this: God knows all things, therefore He is the best person to ask when I do not know how to do a certain job. I simply pray and then the ideas just flow. It works every time. So, my confidence comes from Him. Something too difficult for you? Ask the One Who Knows....and wait expectantly for an answer. God is a practical God too.

Just a photo, taken and edited by a volunteer here, of 2 boys from my group, sitting and contemplating the world.

I thought I would tell you a little about Brazilian culture. It is very important for the women to look nice, nails and hair are especially important. Many women spend hours straightening their hair, then make sure that they avoid rain.
Today, my group had a swimming lesson, I was surprised when one girl brought a note from home saying that she could not swim, I was even more surprised when I discovered the reason....her hair had been blow dried, and it musn´t get wet. I thought it was such a funny reason to miss a swimming lesson.