Lots of workshops and Grace…and a bit of Noah.

A few weeks ago we said goodbye to a group from Grace Fellowship; a team of 10 who have blessed us with their grace and servant hearts. The team came to build us a workshop and left having nearly completed two; one for metal and the other for woodwork here on the farm. The photo shows Avisi (one of our amazing staff) teaching some teenagers at a workshop in another project run by YWAM Fortaleza.

This is the third time the team have come down from Connecticut, and we pray that this relationship will continue! We are amazed to see how much the boys are impacted by the willingness and love shown by folk that come to serve us here. The team was able to go to a youth prison, be involved in the work in the slum of Oitão Preto, and visit the streets and our friends who have made it their home. They were even able to go on some family visits to deliver two pigs to the families of Paulo and Mardônio who live here with us. We praise God for the relationships we have with all of you who love and support us and the work we are doing here.

We are busy building here on the farm. With workshops and reforms to the existing building, I (Peter, leader of the project) have often said in recent days that I feel a little like Noah - building with no sign of rain! But we believe that God is continuing to allow us the necessary time to build a strong foundation for the many years to come and generations whose lives will be transformed.

Please pray for us to have the wisdom to know when to bring more boys so as to further enhance and not destroy the work that is being and has been done in the lives of Hemerson (Jonas), Claudio (Mateus), Paulinho (Jonatas), Mardônio (Micah) and Paulo (Timothy).

Snapshot from "Grace Farm"...

Peter, the director of ”My Father’s House” shares:

”On going to watch a little of Pauliho's training session for the Brazilian sport/art of Capoeira - I was invited by the leader of the group to give a word of advise to the 40 some youths involved - but to prelude this, I was presented to the group by the leader who expressed how our boys are simply well manered, well behaved, respectful and dedicated . . . . what an honour to hear those words in public - Our God has done a mighty job of restoration in the lives of these boys in the last 2 years - and promises to do more . .”

Be praying for the work at "Grace Farm" (the restoration farm part of the project where street boys can come to be restored by the love and grace of God).
Pray for the 5 boys who live there. And pray for the staff, that they would have strength and passion and a love for God and for the work, and also that more would feel the call to come and join them in this amazing work.

Intense Warfare on the Streets.

As we were getting ready to leave the Terminal da Lagoa (a bus-station where we meet a lot of street children) Marcos decided to kick up a fuss, trying to steal, making unreasonable demands, and in short wanting to manipulate the situation. Although only 13, Marcos has the street experience of an adult, and even if he is a small and very skinny boy, he has a huge temper and is often very violent.

This Friday we had a small team of people, and so it wasn’t the best time to deal with a violent Marcos (although there is never a good time for these situations). The team left the square where they had visited the street children, and headed off towards the car. Marcos and another boy decided to follow the team and started threatening all kinds of violence. It was one of those situations where you don’t know what to do.

Somehow Marcos managed to sneak himself into the van and refused to get out. It looked impossible, and so one of our young volunteers did the only thing you can do when faced with a situation like this one; he started to pray! As he prayed for Marcos’ life and the situation, Marcos started crying and ended up getting out of the van. The team promptly set off back to the project.

Getting back it is needless to say that the team were pretty shaken up by it all, and had also become incredibly aware of the fact that the war that is being waged on the streets of Fortaleza isn’t a war against drug addicted and violent little boys like Marcos, but a spiritual war. And it is intense!

To make a difference in these kids’ lives we need to fight in the spiritual realm, and we need spiritual cover as we literally step out into the enemy’s territory.

YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE VICTORY! Stand with us in prayer every Friday as we head out to the streets. Pray for protection for the team and also for God to bring His power into the lives of the young and old like Marcos, who have made the streets their homes.

If you feel like you can commit to pray for us every Friday, let us know! It would encourage us greatly to know that you are praying. Either leave a comment in this blog or drop us an email at: casademeupai@hotmail.com to let us know.