Peace & Blessings

Not really sure where to start...

  We have 4 full days left here.  

Saying that actually hurts a little.  

Ok, it hurts a lot...

  And on top of it already being sad, Maddie downloaded the sound track from the movie Spirit. So we'll both be listening to that on the plane ride home... crying. ha.

  What? It's really moving, okay?

  To fill you in on the past few days.  We haven't been at Betania as much as we were the first few weeks.  Between girls moving and running away and some being at school and after school programs, there hasn't been as much to do. We've been resting.  One morning I woke up to Nic worshiping on the porch so I just sat on my balcony and soaked it in and listened to the wind in the trees and enjoyed the early morning sunshine!
   
  Tuesday night was street church.  The place they've been meeting at didn't have any one there when we showed up.  So we went to the very first place that they started their street church.  We split up into groups, went and prayed for people then invited them over to join us for worship.  We also had paper and crayons and some nail polish.  Raissa, the oldest girl in the house right now, came with us.  It was so cool to see her painting girls nails and laughing.  She is so sweet.

 It was fun hanging out with people, it was a gorgeous night and the weather was perfect.  The building architecture is absolutely beautiful.  We were across the street from this really old Catholic Church and Maddie sneakily took this picture on her iPhone.

I was off taking pictures and talking with someone else, when I came back over to where everyone was Maddie tells me "Oh, you just missed it.  There was this baby and I got to hold her. Oh my gosh she was so cute!" 4 month old baby Victoria was there with, I'm assuming, her grandmother.  Her mother is seventeen years old and wasn't around.  So we were more than happy to hold her for a while!!
Basically, I fell in love for those few minutes that I got to love on her and she gave me lot of little baby kisses! She was so perfect and beautiful, an absolute doll. 

  Wednesday night was the Father's Love Banquet that they put on once a month!  So we spent some time helping them get ready for it!  Gi and Gláucia, the 2 staff girls who put it on and did all the decorations, are so super crafty! I love it.  They did such a wonderful job, and everything was absolutely beautiful!  Normally the rent out a space and have it catered, this time they did it at the base and Nic and Johnny cooked out.

Unfortunately, no one came.  There were many variables of why though; It was a a different day, a different setting and location and the power was out all afternoon. So even though none of the girls came, God turned it into a beautiful celebration of each other and we had such a sweet time of peaceful worship in His presence. And then we spent the rest of the night in fellowship and laughter and everyone ate unhealthy portions of the most amazing steak and garlic bread ever. Thank you Jonathan Costa!   

I know Maddie posted this in her blog too, but, be praying for Rafa.  She's 12 and literally the cutest and the funniest little girl I have ever met.  And we probably will do one post just for her :)
  She has/will be leaving because she's from a different city and the judges have to agree on letting her stay at Betania and one of them has said no.  She has definitely touched my heart in a deep and special way and it's just not fair that she has to leave.  Most likely she'll go back to the place she ran away from. So she'll probably leave there again.  If this all happens please pray for God's protection to be all around her every moment of every day.  Pray that she knows that and that he reaches down into her heart so she knows his love and feels his presence.  Or, better yet, pray for God to touch that one judges heart so she'll be able to stay under the protection of people who love her so much.  

Rafa is on the right

  Being here has been the most amazing thing ever.  The things that I have seen, done, felt and experienced here physically, emotionally and spiritually are some what indescribable.   Words just really don't cover it. My heart has been broken every single day, but never is lacking in love or joy.  Being with these girls has revealed a much deeper understanding of the Fathers love for me.  I have learned so many lessons from the girl, and from the staff.  These things I am thankful for. They will never be forgotten. I am forever changed and these girls will always have a very special place in my heart. 


I love Brazil and I cannot wait for my return.


-Mallory 


Also, Nic and Luke leave in the morning for a 2 week tour in the states.  Pray for them as they travel and pray that God would touch the hearts of everyone that they meet.  That financial blessings would just rain down upon them! 



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-mntaylor
-littledisonmae

You can also check out the Shores Of Grace website to find out more about the mission here in Recife.

- http://shoresofgrace.org 

Sad Songs & Sweet Moments

Oi!

My goodness, where do I even begin? We have four full days left in this beautiful place. It is very bittersweet. I certainly do not want to leave but I'm definitely missing home. These girls have captured my heart and will always have a place in it. 

And on top of it being incredibly heart-breaking to think about leaving here, I just downloaded the entire soundtrack from the movie Spirit. So when the song "I Will Always Return" comes on, I will bawl like a baby.  

I'll just give you a recap from the past few days. I know I haven't posted in awhile. I was sick for a full week and just didn't feel like it. 

The girls would come up to my room and kiss me on the forehead. It was the sweetest thing. 

Street church on Tuesday was really good and refreshing. We went to the normal spot by the bank but no one was there. Which isn't normal. So we went to their original spot for street church. 

We started by splitting into groups and praying for people and inviting them over to join us. 

Mallory was praying for this woman's leg when an elderly man came up to me. He needed help washing his hands. He had a large bottle filled with water and asked me to pour it for him. As I poured the water out he washed away the layer of dirt on his hands. This may not mean much to other people But I really enjoyed that moment.

We joined up with everyone else and drew pictures and painted fingernails. Raissa, the oldest girl at Betania, came with us. It was so touching to see her paint the street girls nails. I had a little 7 year-old come up to me and just plop down in my lap. Her name was Adessa and was so cute! I love how the children just don't care.

I was sitting on the sidewalk watching Adessa color when this elderly woman walked up with a baby and just stood in front of me. I held my arms out and she handed me 4 month-old Victoria. I was overjoyed to hold this beautiful little girl. Victoria's mother is seventeen and wasn't around so her Grandmother was taking care of her. I sat there and just "oooh'd" and "aww'd" over the perfection of this child. She was an absolute doll. Her Grandmother walked off so I got a good deal of time to admire this sweet baby. I have to admit, I had this "You don't have to come back...I'll just take her home with me," thought. How could I not? Look at that face. 

Words cannot express my emotional and spiritual experiences while being here. Wednesday night we had a really good time of worship and then chowed down on some amazing food.  Like seriously, we had a feast! Unhealthy portions of food were consumed that night.

Rafa is on the left. 

My heart has been so heavy today. Due to Political issues sweet Rafa has to go to a different house. Most likely government run and just not a good environment. She has improved so much and has such a strong yet tender spirit. She has made me laugh and cry. She never fails to bring joy to everyone she comes in contact with. Mallory and I could literally dedicate an entire post just to her! 

I don't believe her story is over. God is still working on her. Pray for a hedge of protection around her and that the right people are put into her life. Or better yet, pray for a miracle to bring her back to Project Bethany. She has people who love and adore her here and treat her like family. 

I can't wait to come back. It feels so much like home. My heart is so full. 

Thcau for now!

-Maddie

Follow us on Instagram
-mntaylor
-littledisonmae

You can also check out the Shores Of Grace website to find out more about the mission here in Recife.

- http://shoresofgrace.org