Young men and construction projects at rehab

Gabriel (17 yrs) and Junior (15 yrs) are both in their first month of rehab and have accepted Christ as their Savior. Junior's father is an alcoholic and his mother is also addicted to drugs.

Vitor (13 yrs) has been on the streets for the past 4 years using crack. His emotional problems are a challenge for all of us at the rehab.

Fabricio (22 yrs) in between Junior and Gabriel, is in charge of the kitchen in the Taguatinga center. I'm doing Bible studies with him and with Gabriel about baptism. One of the local churches that helps the rehab will have a special baptismal service for these two young men.

This young man is from Bahia. We receive students from many different states in Brazil. He is learning how to sew soccer balls.

Two other students helping with this city sponsored soccer ball activity. Each ball completed earns the rehab about $2.00.

The majority of the students live in our facility in Aguas Lindas which is still under construction. Lunch usually consists of rice and beans and boiled chicken.

This is the dining center. We are reading through the entire Bible-one chapter before each meal.

Students provide the labor for our ongoing construction projects. We are currently trying to raise money to complete the kitchen and chapel at the Aguas Lindas center and a sports court at the Taguatinga center.

Rehab work and 6th Grade Graduation

Left to Right

Pastor Andrei (president of the Ministerio Servo Rehab), Danilo (recent graduate of the 9 month program), Missionary Marcos (me), Pastor Andrade (helps teach music to the students), Pastor Marcos Aurelio (coordinator of donations and daily activities of students).

Danilo, on the left, just completed the 9 month program and will be continuing on as one of our workers. Pastor Marcos Aurelio, on the right, has been running rehab programs in various locations in Brazil for the past 8 years. This photo was taken at the Aguas Lindas location of our rehab, which is about an hour from our apartment.

Jesse and Janelle at 6th grade graduation with their teacher Mr. Casey Herring. Please pray that the new teachers who will be starting the new school year in August will be able to raise their support and receive their work visas in a timely fashion.

The Brasilia International School is constantly on the look out for certified teachers for the future. Please contact us if you would have interest in this type of mission work.

Jesse and Janelle study with embassy children from various countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. Please pray that along with accomplishing their studies that they will also be a vibrant testimony to the other students.

Rodolfo has been in rehab for about 4 months and has professed faith in Christ as his savior. He receives encouraging visits from his sister and younger brother on the weekends. He was studying to be a fire fighter when he fell into drugs and is anxious to return to this pursuit in the future.

Anderson just completed a 9 month program at the rehab. He still comes by to help with music in the worship service and collects old fruits and vegetables that are given as donations to our rehab from local merchants.

I have group Bible studies with about 20 guys Monday through Friday. On Saturday afternoons we have a bigger service that the families are invited to attend. My plans are to start small group Bible studies also of about 4 or 5 guys which can be more interactive. Many of the guys cannot read. Please pray that I will be able to find effective ways of teaching them God's word.

We would like to be able to raise donations to build a sports court behind the kitchen/dormitory. Most of the work of remodeling is provided by the residents of the program. We need to purchase the materials.

We have had a great week heading back to Brazil. We received a good deal on our airline tickets and excess baggage. We left Orlando on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Brasilia 24 hours later.

Today was the big day that Jesse and Janelle have been waiting for the past several months. They started school at the Brasilia International School with their new uniforms. They will be finishing up 6th grade and then start Junior High in the fall.

Pray for them as they make new friends and adjust to the school routine.

News from Jesse and Janelle

I'm Jesse and I am 12 years old. I was baptized by my dad on March 1st. It was an exciting experience. My Grandparents stayed with my family to watch my baptism and I had fun being with them. A week ago my family went to Shepherds (a place where mentally handicapped people live) with a friend of mine and his family. We went to help out for the morning and take a tour. I am in Wisconsin until the 9th of March then we are going to Florida to visit my other Grandparents and say good by to them before we go to Brazil. -Jesse

My name is Janelle and I am eleven years old. My family and I are currently attending Spring Creek Church where I am a part of the youth group and am enjoying it very much. My brother, Jesse, and I just finished sixth grade. We were being home schooled, but when we get back to Brazil we will be attending an international school. On the 25th we went to Shepherds, a home for people who are mentally challenged. It was a very good experience for me and I learned that there are some people in the world who do not have the ability to do many things that I do everyday. Last Sunday, I was able to be baptized by my dad at Spring Creek Church. This is a very important step in my Christain growth as I try to live a life that is pleasing to God. - Janelle

Video presentation of our ministries in medicine and drug rehab

New Rehab facilities located in Brasilia

Three of the young men from our new rehab site in Brasilia with the director Dona Fatima.



We have two locations for our rehab. One site is located closer to the city of Brasilia and can accomodate about 15 youths. This is where I will be doing their day to day care and training, Bible studies and counseling.



Our second site is about 35-40 minutes away by bus and is a much larger facility but construction has halted until we can raise more money to finish this project. This is a beautiful location that is very isolated and can house about 50 people. We bring the young men out here on occasions to garden and for short retreats.

Plans to return to Brazil

We are excited to be making plans for our move to Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. We are looking for a good price on airline tickets for the end of March. Several of our friends in Brasilia are checking on rental prices for houses and apartments. We are praying that we will be able to find affordable housing within walking distance of the international school where Jesse and Janelle will be attending.

Mark and Donna attended a counseling conference last week and have been gathering materials that will help with Mark's counseling ministry and Bible studies at the drug rehab center in Brasilia.

We have enjoyed our time in Milwaukee and Jesse and Janelle are planning to be baptized here on March 1st. The following week we will be driving down to Florida to pack up our suitcases and say goodbye to our parents.

Please pray for our safety as we travel over this next month.