January 2009
Christmas Report
Dear friend,
We would like to thank those of you who have helped us have a very successful Christmas this year by your generous giving spirit! The LightHouse children had a blast!! They spent the day at the pool and had a delicious all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ. It made us so happy to hear them say that they are stuffed and can’t bear to eat any more meat.
Praise God we were able to give them each a gift and a small turkey for their families. The Lord has proven once more his great love and faithfulness to the LightHouse.
We look forward to this New Year, to continue our partnership with you as we build the Kingdom of God together here in Brazil. May the Lord bless you and your family.
Love and prayers,
Feitosa Family
Recreio Report
Graduation
This year we have had the biggest graduation ever in LightHouse Recreio. Fourteen young teens completed Project SHINE. Most of these kids have been with us for 7 years. We ask that you keep these graduates in your prayers. It is our desire to keep them much longer, but due to being short on staff, we are unable continue a second phase for them, having to trust the Lord to keep them. The one scripture that has been most taught and memorized to them is Psalms 119:105. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Our prayer is that they will always remember the God’s Word will light their way and direct their path. We believe that the many seeds of God’s Word that has been planted will not return void!
Junia
Junia, is a story and testimony of God’s Word being planted and not returning void! About 5 years ago we found Junia in one of the most complicated and painful families. Her father had moved out of the house because of her mother’s blatant prostitution. Junia and her brother suffered from her mother’s many unashamed visitors in the home and deliberate neglect. During this time Junia and her brother attended the LightHouse learning the Word of God and receiving healing deep inside, only where God could touch. She was always a very sweet and receptive young girl.
One unsuspected day, Junia’s father made a drastic decision for their family to move away from their mother; far enough away to ease the pain the mother had been causing them. Now 2 years later, they have moved back to Recreio as a family, still without their mother.
Junia is now 16 and very beautiful. She takes care of her father and brother by keeping the house clean and in order and making their meals. But what was so encouraging was when we went to evangelize and she came with us. Suddenly as we were encouraging an elder lady, Junia started to cry and tell her to trust in the Lord in times of trouble. She stated that she learned at the LightHouse, to always go to God and trust him. She said that there were many times she wished she would have just died, but that is when she found God to be the answer to help her through those painful times.
Today she is very active in her church and always eager to tell others about Jesus when she sees someone in pain. Seeing Junia again has encouraged us and assures us that we can release these young people into the hands of God. Because he will lighten their path and His Word does not return void! Praise God!
Papagaio Report“When I get big I’m gonna fill your head with bullets!”
Ten-year-old Elias is one of the children that we have selected to attend LightHouse Papagaio. He caught our attention when he was being beaten by a man in the street in front of LightHouse Papagaio. From the above window, Marcelino, our live-in worker, saw the kid being abused and ran down to break up the fight. And this young boy screamed, “When I get big I’m gonna fill your head with bullets!” As Marcelino opened the door, he pulled the boy into the LightHouse for safety.
On the same street of LightHouse Papagaio, for years there has been a hangout area for the drug lords and dealers. As Elias was getting his wounds cleaned up, it was discovered that the man wanted Elias to traffic drugs for him since he is a minor, and Elias was refusing.
Since then, Elias has been coming to visit the LightHouse Papagaio and we are evangelizing him and loving on him. We had the privilege of inviting him to our LightHouse Christmas party.
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, you save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.”
2 Samuel 22:2
(Boys from Papagaio at the party- Elias, Althaed, & Alan.)