Last month was so crazy that I didn't even get to write my column. In the 5 weeks before we left to the US, we had only been at our home In Campos for about 10 days. We were ministering a lot and also felt led to look for a new city to call home here in Brazil. We know that Sozo will happen in Campos, but our main ministry area is actually about 3 1/2 to 4 hrs away from it, so all the traveling back and forth was not the best use of our time and resources right now. So, 2 days before we headed back to Kansas, we put our things in storage in Indaiatuba (our new city for now), and put our pets in a boarding facility. It took supernatural strength to accomplish all that we did those days, but we did it!

As Mike said, when we got to KC we had so many things going on! We remodeled a whole house, celebrated an engagement, 2 milestone birthdays, a high school graduation, Father's Day and the ladies in the family did some wedding dress shopping with the bride to be too... we were busy and we didn't have much down time at all. 

Six weeks seemed like so much time, but we were working down to the last minutes of being there.

Its always so hard to leave, but we know we are supposed to be here and we have learned to treasure every moment that we have with our family and our friends in the US. This time was a little extra special, because we got to bring Danielle (our niece) with us for 2 months. It has been such a treat to watch her experience Brazil for the first time. The girls are definitely having so much fun together!

Since we didn't have a house when we left in May, we had to set up a whole new household in our new city. We were not able to find a furnished home this time, so we literally have had start from scratch on this one. It'll take a while, but little by little we'll get things done and this place will begin to feel like home. At least we have beds, chairs and a couch to sit on now :)

There are many more changes and many more things coming up this year. More goodbyes and the family will grow... a lot of it I'm looking forward to, and some I am praying for strength and grace to make it through, Pretty soon there will only be 3 of us here, when Gigi heads to California and Danielle goes back to Kansas. We'd love for you to pray for us and especially for Sophia. God has ordained our days and no detail is overlooked by Him. I know this is His plan, and I pray for His will to be done in all of our lives.

Pretty soon December will be here and we get to be in full wedding mode!!! I can't wait! For now, we stay busy here and we look forward to watching Jesus touch and save many lives.

Thank you for keeping us in prayer!

We love you guys and we could not do this without you!

Much love,

Débora

Photo: Valquiria and her husband taking care of Rio and Mose (Dog Campos, Campos do Jordăo, Brazil)

Photo: Moses at the kennel in Brazil

Arriving back in Kansas City May 19th, we began the next day with what was supposed to be a simple remodel at our daughter's place in Lawrence. The domino effect kicked in and as you can see in the picture, the dumpster quickly filled x2. This 40 year old house was in need of a little more than paint. In the end, we (Debora, Isablella, Sophia and Giovanna) spent our 6 weeks in the states in this labor of love.  Mark's mom Marcy came up and spent many days working also.  She did a fantastic job of landscaping and it looks so amazing! 

We also want to thank Bella's pastor Sean Richards and the students he brought to the house one afternoon for a work day.  They did an immense amount of work. They bore our burden and took a huge portion of work off our hands. A BLESSING!

It's hard to describe the physical toll on the body after 40 constant days of sun-up to sun-down manual labor.  I was telling the Lord how exhausted I was and that I needed help.  I prayed, "Lord tomorrow I need to do electrical work and I would love some help." The list of to do's was enormous and to be honest we were overwhelmed.  Knowing that our time was short and we were scheduled to be back in Brazil. 

The next morning, as usual we stopped in at 1900 Barker cafe where Bella works for morning coffee. Lo and behold, we see our friends that we have not seen for many years.They happened to be in Lawrence for a few weeks. After small talk, they said, we prayed today, "Lord, what would you have us do today. Where do you need us?  

WOW!  Holy smokes! 

 

Lisa and Duane Winkler came to our rescue and helped us in more ways than they know!  Duane jumped right in and did the electrical work on the list. And Lisa worked with Débora on a list of things. Their son Tony even came up from Springfield, MO to pitch in. What a blessing!

Thank you Duane and Lisa.

As of the writing of this newsletter, we have been back in Brazil for just over a week.  We have finally located a rental home and have now moved into our new place. This has been very challenging because previously we have rented only furnished homes. Now, since we were not able to locate a furnished home we have to purchase furniture to fill a house. Though we were not expecting this, we have full faith and trust that the LORD will supply all the resources we need to accomplish this.

The Lord has provided a great place for us in a safe gated community that has full-time security. We can leave the girls and go out as needed with peace.

Our Hearts are with the children who have no home and a family to call their own. I can't imagine not having a parent to call mom or dad.  

We are working to finalize the legal paperwork for Sozo with the government. Our hopes are that this will be just a few more months.

Beyond this, we need to raise the 2 million needed to purchase the property.  I have come to understand that if in our lives we can believe that God can provide $20 for a meal, $200 for clothes, $2000 to pay bills, $20,000 for a car, or even $200,000 to buy a house, then we must be fully confident that God can and will provide the 2 million for the SOZO property.  For God nothing is impossible.  Limited mindsets and doubting faith are the only barriers.  

In all these things, God uses people to bless people.  It's truly amazing and I truly know that God is moving on the hearts of people.  So many people who have watched the Sozo Video, have told us they got chills seeing the video. We believe Sozo is a divine work of the Lord and His heart is for the Orphans.

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