The last couple of months have been difficult for one of shelters – our shelter that houses both girls and boys. Due to a change in Brazilian laws, a change in staff and other difficulties, the shelter is being forced to close. The staff of the house have been searching for families and shelters to place the kids – most of whom were placed in the shelter as babies and now have grown into teenagers. God has been faithful, but there are still 3 boys left who need homes.
A few months ago the house started looking for a place for Dayane, an energetic and helpful 17-year old. Because she is nearly 18, it is difficult to find a family who would adopt her, and it wouldn’t make sense to put her in another shelter.
As a house – The Reborn House – our ministry is made up of 3 girls, Luciana, Jacqueline (Brazilians) and Marie (Norweigen) - who work in the nearby slum with adolescent girls and pregnant mothers teaching about pregnancy prevention and parenting. We all live downstairs in one house and have made a cozy little home together – (I live here too, though am not directly involved in the project.) The idea was presented that perhaps Dayane could come and live with us in the Reborn House, as we have space and staff who could assist her. We prayed about it as a house, and all felt God saying the same thing – that we are to be the answer to this problem. So a few weeks ago, Dayane packed up her belongings into a million suitcases (how many things can a 17 year old have?! :) and said goodbye to the shelter, which has been her home since she was just little. She now has her own room in our house, and is learning to be independent and prepare for life as an adult.
me with Dayane, and Jacqueline
FAMILY VISIT
My parents and little sister will be coming to visit me here in Brazil for 2 weeks! They will be arriving Sunday morning May 22 and leaving June 3rd. I am very excited to have them here to show them around my world :) We will be visiting the different projects here in Belo Horizonte as well as taking some time to sight see. Please pray for their journey and our time together as a family.
In other news – I have booked my flight home for the summer!! I will be returning to Canada for about 7 weeks to be part of my brother’s wedding and also do some much needed support raising to return to the mission field here in Brazil. I am really looking forward to sharing with friends, family and church community about what God is doing in Belo Horizonte, and also about the exciting plans to where I am headed in the future. I arrive July 20th and will head back to Brazil after September long weekend – assuming all goes well with my visa renewal. Please do be praying, as I have already encountered a few delays and although minor, the small annoyances and delays are stressful with this process!
Thanks for the constant prayers and encouragements – they are very appreciated!
Heidi
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