Please be praying for…

Fluidity in visa process

Care for the students

Mercy on the institution of Reencontro

Passion for the teachers

Finances for the school

Sanity

Life seems to be a little chaotic at the moment. It’s been awhile, but I couldn’t quite gather myself recently to put this altogether until today. So here it goes…

I left Brazil on the fifth of May to come back to the states for a few weeks and take part in some pretty climactic events in a few lives that I am incredibly close to. The weeks flew and in the process I began the paperwork for a new visa to gain proper credential to re-enter the country come the seventeenth of June. Plans didn’t pan out so smoothly.

I am currently in the Bay area and will remain here and in southern California mostly for some three months due to the volunteer visa process and the research that must be carried on for me to obtain it. Security has gone up at all consulates recently so the process has been drawn out quite a bit leaving many people hanging in the balance.

The last week I have been floundering to find what I am to make of the situation beings that I left my students and everyone/thing that is dear to me back in Brazil. I am learning great lessons of patience as there is nothing I can now do about the situation I am in except make responsible choices both for my students and myself for the benefit of Gods work.

I will take up working again in southern California to be able to save since it isn’t fair to be living off of missionary funds while I am here in the states. Eventually, when God wills it I will be back in Brazil to tie up loose ends and make sure that there is a structure that has been left through the work that God brought me to. We shall see. I am trying desperately to keep my head upward as this has been an incredibly rough spot. He has a purpose in all things.

Thank you everyone who has been supportive and remains to be through this process.

To my financial supporters: Thank you for truckin’ through this with me. I will continue to gather monetary donations for the benefit of the school. I would like us to be able to equip the school with their immediate needs, forever being school materials and funds for new uniforms for the school. The monthly goals (refer to chart) will remain the same, as the budget would be equivalent counting in new expenses removing me from the situation. Please be in contact if you have any further questions.

Pray for my students.

Pray for the provision of more school materials.

Pray for the needs of the seminary.

Pray for my awareness of assignment.

Pray for funds. (refer to graphs on front page)

Pray for fluidity in the visa processes.

Pray for a new living situation.

Pray for stamina and strength.

Thank you.

Well fall is in full effect here, constant rains and it is finally cooling off. So much so that I find myself bundling up in seventy-five degree weather, I know. I am well and so is this place that I am still realizing that I live everyday. Truthfully, I don’t know if that will sink in before I leave but I look forward to the freshness of every new day knowing that there is so much to discover.

I quite recently broadened my horizons and attended a youth camp over the Easter weekend with about 150 high school students from my church. Lets talk about an emersion experience.  Four days of non-stop interviews, question after question. It was really good for me to be able to see how incredibly similar every country is in terms of behavior at certain ages. We had cliques there like the rest of ‘em, slang, obnoxious music blaring from mp3 players, and the like. I made some good friends out of the weekend who will rarely let me misspeak a word in Portuguese. I am sure I will appreciate that later on, right? Based upon the weekend I am now a regular at the youth services and am helping throughout the ministry. This has been a huge blessing in my prayers for community.

What else is going on? I am still attending seminary twice a week, which has been such a phenomonal experience as well. It is something else to sit in on a class where every fourth word I catch and then I throw them all together to make something that is probably not being said at all. Altogether though, I am learning a lot, whatever interpretation that seems to be. The students at the seminary as well as the professors have been incredibly welcoming and I was actually asked to perform a sermon here in a few weeks for the entire school, ekhem…I am not so sure how it will turn out. Lets pray over that one.

In addition to prayers for the seminary please continue lifting the causes of expansion for the school. This is a place that is fostering many great hearts after God and my highest hopes would be to be able to claim a great victory for the potential service of these students. They are still in great need of more computers and funds. The Lord will provide in his timing I am sure of it.

And lastly the cause that you are all most familiar with, Reencontro. School is so good right now. I am very pleased with the ways that things are turning out as time passes. I have been able to develop deeper relationships with my students and find many of them often lingering in my class after school just to chat which is so fun for me.

 I had mentioned before that I had a few students that seemed to stand out a bit Bruna, Kaitlin, and Thales. They are well. Bruna and Kaitlin are continuing to perform well in school however Bruna only frequents school here and there, and Kaitlin has an older boyfriend, which is scary to see beings that she is ten years old. These behaviors although normal in the favelas, still break my heart as I have created relationships with them. Thales has begun to act out quite a bit in my class and that’s been really rough for me, but we are trying to work past it. Home-life for him is anything but ideal and it is affecting his attitude at school.

I am finding more and more these are the stories with most of my students. One heartbreak after the other. It’s all I can do not to just break down during my classes when I see new wounds both physical and emotional. I have about seventy students now, each of them with a story. Pray with me for them.

They love art more everyday, taking the time to enjoy it and savor each moment. I love that. We recently started a star chart in my class for behavior because it was becoming more than I could handle. Everyday now the students look forward to performing well to see that star next to their name. (Oh the things I learned from my elementary teachers.)

As for myself in all of these things, my heart wavers. I often get distressed in these conditions and have to remember more often than not that these are matters that only the Lord can handle, and so I shall let him. I am healthy and am finding more time here and there to take time to study the things I want to know more about and meditate over the things I need assistance with. I am preparing for the next month as I have more visa nonsense to deal with and I will be heading back to the states for a month to continue in my quest for support in this project, and receive a bit of love from those I miss greatly. I should be in both Northern and Southern California during the month. Lets arrange a time to meet?

All that said. I am praying for all of you and always look forward to the times that we will share again together down the road. As for now I am here, trying desperately to be a part of the will of the Lord. Thank you so much for all that you do. Know that you are an active part in the blessing shared with these children and all those that I encounter because you are a part of me in this journey. My love sent your way, in Gods strength.

Kim Love.

Pray for finances. (refer to graphs)Pray for the seminary.
Pray for my health. (stomach issues)
Pray for that I might obtain my temporary visa with ease.
Pray for community.
Pray for a new place to live. 
Pray for my students.
Pray for the development of new children’s curriculum.

Thank you.

So I have started this update and not finished it about ten times now and I have realized two months have passed, woops. Hopefully this will be my last attempt and we can all move on with our lives knowing that Kim is, yes, still alive and doing her thing.

Hmm…where did we leave off. Somewhere around I just came back from a Christmas break and was on summer break with the rest of Brazil. Well all that fun ended about three weeks ago and I returned to school. I was able to obtain my own classroom for art instruction which is such a blessing considering that I was bringing my materials back and forth last school year. Things have started off wonderfully and I continue to look forward to the experiences my students and I will share. We are already learning so much together and I think that they are beginning to adopt the idea that art does require a bit of patience but when you slow down a bit it can be enjoyable. I teach three separate classes now as opposed to the mass of students I had before. They come in groups of twenty which makes my job sooo much easier.

It was just recently that I looked a little harder at their faces and could identify most of them as the children that I once taught in the two and three year olds class several years ago. Very cool. There have been a few that have stood out to me more than others and I am excited to be able to channel a gift that I see God blessing in them more as time passes. God has highlighted a specificity that I would ask you to pray for an appointment in the lives of Thalis, Bruna, Kaitlin, and of course the rest. I will try my best to keep you updated on their happenings.

In the progression of learning more and more Portuguese Brazilians are now becoming individuals instead a mass of people that walk around making strange unidentifiable noises. Amazing! My students know that I can understand them more times than not but they have not yet understood that when I say, “speak slowly” it doesn’t mean “speak loudly”. Bless ‘em. The teachers also are now recognizing me as something more than a mute which is a huge answer to prayer, continue to throw that one up to The Big Guy though beings that it will be awhile before I will be able to manage this foreign tongue.

I was recently asked by a Pastor at the seminary nearby for help in developing their program. As of now they are not an accredited institution solely because of facilities, they are currently working on building a larger library, but they also need a computer lab. The issue with these two things is that they have no computers (need approx. 18). Pastor Flavio pleaded with me to get in contact with my American friends and programs and try to make this need something of the past. Quite a to do if I say so myself. This seminary is a place that God is pushing out Pastors and Missionaries that are only certified to serve within certain barriers, we would like to see those gates let down. Pray with me and if you have any ideas please let me know. In my promise to help Pastor Flavio has allowed me to begin attending seminary classes at no cost, such a neat experience and great for language. I have been so blessed here by the referral of Brazilian speaking to Brazilian about me and the things that God plans to use me for here. Faithful and True!

In my own study time I have continued to read quite a bit as well as paint and draw. I have found a gold mine in the art store world here. I buy huge pieces of paper (2×3ft) for sixty cents each, little taste of heaven for me. However, finding that there is less and less time for that Patricia and I have managed to organize study moments a couple times a week. I have also been able to arrange weekly meetings with some people from home, which is so nice. Thank you for that. I love hearing what everyone else is learning it adds a bit of a context for things in my head sometimes. 

I have currently dabbled a bit into a self-pity mode that I had to snap out of right away. It lasted about a night, but I fell apart realizing that community for me here is non-existent. God and I had a good chat about what that looks like and what it is I am to learn through it. He knowing that I am a go getting kind of girl requested I find that community and he would make appointment for me to run into it. Its just so hard already knowing what and who you love as well as being able to a trust a new fellowship. Furthermore,  recognizing what you once had you now don’t, in what I feel like is such a crucial spot at times. God is my community. He is teaching me that there is a difference between the relationships I think I need and and the importance of the relationship I have with Him, making it all the more obvious how those relationships that I do have with others should be treasured through the blessing of him allowing me to have them. In a study I did before I left we talked about how people can take the place of conversation directly with God (ie “I really need prayer for yada yada” and continuing the conversation, or “what do you think God is teaching me here” and never seeking it yourself) I see that in myself at times, at least at home, and now I have no other option than to directly converse with him. There is a blessing in moderation of the two. I am just trying to find it right now. 

I feel like I bled my heart out a bit, but as prayers and supporters I feel vulnerable enough to let you know what is really going on in this head of mine. I will continue to pray for all of you as you are constantly on my mind. Bless you all, I love you so much. Please keep in contact and thank you again and again for your ever vested interest.

Ms. Love

Pray for Peace. That would transcend all understanding. Pray for Purpose. Walking into the appropriate positions. Pray for Funds. I am supported for this month and nothing more. Pray for Health. My stomach did not love the Brazil to US to Brazil switch.

Back on Rua Princesa Isabel, spending most of my days close to home trying to figure out what’s next. Not my choice of course what it is I will be doing as God always has a new surprise up his holy sleeves.

Brazil more or less has gone on a summer break. I am not talking only about my students, I am talking everybody. Seems so strange to see all these already brown bodies lounging on the beach on a wednesday afternoon, just because its summer and thats what you do here. I’m not speaking against it but it does throw me off to literally have nothing to do. I know you all can agree that we Americans even have an itinerary for our vacations, hence my disillusion. I have begun this new system checking on my efficiency on what seems incredibly inefficient days. I have claimed this time as crucial moments to work harder on language, read leisurely, study God’s word, and more rigorously work on developing a childrens curriculum for the churches in the favela areas. I am incredibly excited for things to start up again. I am not very good at sitting still, and/or being alone for weeks at a time. Coping all the same.

I returned a week ago from spending three weeks in the states with dearly loved people in my life. The trip did go without hold-ups, lay-overs, nights spent in weird places, and lost luggage, but all easily forgotten in the company of loved ones. Most of the moments were spent in Florida celebrating the holidays with my family whom all ventured out to my sister and brother in law’s place (expecting a boy in May!!!). Seemed so strange not only to spend a part of the Christmas season down here in Brazil’s baking sun, but to come to Florida and go to the ocean nearly everyday with my beach starved Washingtonian family. Great memories made. I hope that you all had a beautiful Christmas’ as well.

Reencontro closed out the year beautifully. I was honored to be a part of their annual Christmas/End of the year festivities. Each child received a gift per the money from their sponsers. It was so perfect to be able to see the anticipation of receiving that new soccer ball or doll, most likely the only gift they would get. Something so magical about being a child, a what was more that moment was encapsulated within all of them, I having the privilege of witnessing it about 200 times. Very cool. We said good-bye to a couple of the staff for various reasons and children who would no longer be apart of the program. All that aside we shared in Gods victories.I was able to compile quite a few fun activities for the students in the last weeks of school, and upon my return we will be doing even more. Thank you so much to all of you who gave materials so generously, we are bound to have some good times. Before school let out the children were always shocked at what I would pull out of my activity bag, and at the finish of the project they would always ask, “Tia, can we take this home?” They couldnt even wrap their minds around the fact that they were able to take these bits of talent with them to share and keep. All that much more rewarding. To God be the glory in all this.

I am elated to see what’s next. Hoping to take part more effectively in my teaching role at Reencontro at the start of the new year as the last couple months were more or less a test of my abilities lets say. I also should be stepping into the English teaching position in Itaipuacu soon, prayers up about that as well. The Lord has many a door open here, its a matter of stepping in at that proper timing. In my more casual moments this past week I am discerning a great specificity to my months here, Lord be praised for what is to come.

Prayers and Supporters, consider all these things with me in your times of meditation. Also continue to pray for the employees of the school as they are behind in their pay and the school suffers the consequences of a great financial deficit. Pray along similar lines for me. I am quite literally at zero in my support come the end of February. I have great faith in the providence of God and am not anxious that the provisions will come but I do beckon you to examine this situation quite seriously. He is faithful and He will call those who are appropriate for the work in time of need. This is a time of great need. Thank you so much for the great blessing of fellowship and encouragement.

Be loved.
Kim

Pray for the safety of the children during the summer months as there will be no daycare/safehouse (Reencontro) for them during the day.

Pray for travel mercies, (fluidity) I should be obtaining another visa upon my return.

Pray for continued health.Pray for provision of materials (as I will continue in children’s ministry)

Pray for funds. (February) Thank you.

Is anyone else wondering how it is possible that time flies so quickly. I don’t understand! We are now in December and next month it will probably be next December which in a way is such a blessing to God’s ministry here, in a bitter sweet way. School for the children is coming to a close next week for the duration of a two month summer, which will open up opportunity for the other things that I had previously mentioned in other updates. I am terribly excited at those opportunities.But first, my parents surprised me with a the gift of a trip to Florida to spend Christmas with my family. I will be in the States for three weeks. It will be a nice moment of love and familiarity with those I am closest to. I am incredibly blessed. It is so soon into my experience here but I feel like this portion was the test drive and my return back will be the purchase and the investment for the long haul. For that I am elated.So, Thanksgiving came and went without a cornucopia in sight. How was it for all of you? I pray wonderfully blessed. I missed you all. I spent that weekend with some new friends, practicing my struggling Portuguese once again. Bless all of you who are fluent in more than one language, oh how difficult it is. I stay up late at nights trying to make a simple sentence just to say it the next day and be told “Oh, we don’t say it that way”, and I graciously respond, “Oh, alright” as my heart drops. The only way to learn I suppose. Trial and error, accompanied by a few giggles here and there. Lord help me. I am calmed, though, in the knowledge that I am not the only one that prays for a miracle of Portuguese tongues, God hasn’t humored that one yet.All that aside, school has been going well. I can say I am “vibing” better with the students, we have come to an understanding that we don’t always understand each other, but I’ve got the teacher lingo down. “Attention. Sit Down. Be Quiet. Yes. That’s Right. No. Perfect. Beautiful.” The important things you know? We have fun though. It is such a wonderful experience to be able to share art with children who quite literally have not done anything more than color on a piece of paper. We have sparkles, glue, pipe cleaners, et cetera involved. The best part is that the kids hoard these things, its comical/interesting, “Tia (teacher), I need to make one for my mom/sister/brother/cousin/dog…” So for all of you who are thinking about sending materials, do so soon, because Sparky and Fido always needed a paper bag puppet. But in all sincerity, it is a genuinely beautiful experience. I love watching “it” click. The love for it and new state of mind, and whats more the experience of just being a child.As I have mentioned before I work at two schools. One is in downtown Niteroi, where I live, and the other is on Boa Vista hill, within a favela. The favela children ( I dont know if you know much of the conditions within favela’s here in Brazil but it is less than glamorous.) are a more difficult crowd and have very little patience with much of anything, but what it more is that they are very easily discouraged. Throwing their projects, or refusing to believe that they are capable to do much of anything. It is deeply saddening to witness. These children have adult skin, no time for petty things, and whats more live life in a battle with everything, but the greater blessing is when that tough shell softens and they believe in themselves, as children. It is a glorious moment when the normality or the violence and defeat of their daily lives subsides and they can simply enjoy the moment of just being in whatever it is that they are doing. I love that. Bless them Lord!I will be at school for the next week and a half tying a few things up and doing some fun-filled holiday projects, before the school year closes. I am excited to see what will come of the ministry at Reencontro, and more than that the revival within the children that He might allow. Continue to pray for these children, pray for them all over the country, their hearts, their confidence, their safety.My friend Josh arrived a week ago, he has begun an internship/volunteer work in Rio. It has been nice to have a friend from home so close. Last weekend we went to as city that we found does not sleep. We were awakened to larger masses of poverty than I had seen in my time here, primarily among children. I encourage you to do some research on the statistical dilemmas here, as it is astounding. But for me it was simply further motivation to put me on my knees. God loves these people.  The country does not have the capacity within itself to come up out of what it has created, it has been excused as normal. There is not only your typical “third world” lack of justice here, but a greater corruption, and dismissal of hope in all entities, its a mess in its simplest form. First the entities with Gods name upon them must be straightened to be effective and in some ways I wonder how that will happen. There is much that accompanies the matters here, but what is important is that we recognize our God is Mighty. Pray for the Church, pray for the organizations.Thank you, my family of believers for being so faithful. I updated my November prayer needs with praise, so that you might see that God is ever steadfast, even in the small things. I will continue and try to keep you updated with everything that is at hand here. I do not and cannot doubt that the Lord will start small here, to create a greater resolution, maybe something so small as elementary crafts. Often days I wake in curiosity of purpose and it is in those moments that He is faithful to affirm me and lead me to believe there is something larger here than I can ever begin to understand. Bless you all in your daily lives. Bless you during the holidays. I am praying for each and every one of you, know that, but whats more know that God is present in these times, difficult or provisional. He is Good.Kim Love