FIRST OFF I NEED TO QUAILFY MYSELF BY STATING THAT THE LETTERS ON THE KEYBOARDS HERE ARE WORN OFF SO SPELLING DOESN´T COUNT.
YESYERDAY WE TOOK A TRIP TO THE FAVALA´S (SLUMS) OF SAO PAULO. WOW !!! MY CAREER HAS TAKEN ME TO SOME POOR AREAS IN CALIFORNIA BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS. THE HOMES ARE MADE OF WHAT EVER MATERIAL CAN BE FOUND IN THE AREA. SINCE THERE IS NOT MUCH TO BEGIN WITH THERE IS NOT MUCH TO BUILD WITH. SOMETHING LIKE THE SANTA ANA WINDS WOULD DESTROY THIS WHOLE COMMUNITY. IT´S AMAZING WHAT THESE FOLKS CAN DO WITH STRING, WIRE AND A PALLET OF WOOD. THE RESIDENTS ARE VERY THANKFUL OF WHAT THEY HAVE AND EVERYTHING IS KEPT NEAT AND TIDY. IT MADE ME VERY SAD TO SEE THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS AND VERY FORTUNATE AND GREATFUL FOR WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR ME AT HOME. THE ONE THING THAT IS SCATTERED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY IS IS GODS LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. IT´S THICKER THAN THE HUMIDITY.
THE CHILDREN THOUGHT I WAS A HUMAN JUNGLE GYM. I HAD KIDS ON MY SHOULDERS IN MY ARMS AND HANGING ON MY LEGS. AND THE KISSES ON THE CHEEKS WERE ABUNDENT. I KNOW IT JUST WASN´T THE GUM THEY WERE AFTER. FOR THE LADIES COMING DOWN IN JUNE, BRING AN EXTRA SUITCASE BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WILL WHAT TO BRING THE KIDS HOME. ALSO THERE IS NO SENSE OF FEAR. THE PEOPLE OF THE MINISTRY ARE WELL RESPECTED AND THEY ALL KNOW WE ARE THERE FOR GOD´S WORK.
ON SUNDAY NIGHT I ATTENDED THE CHURCH SERVICE. IT WAS WELL ATTENDED AND POWERFUL. IF YOU DIDN´T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS SAID YOU CERTAINLY FELT THE PRESENCE OF GOD. I ALMOST GOT THE CHURCH EX-COMMUNICATED AND US KICKED OUT OF BRAZIL.
DON´T THROW OUT THE PLASTIC COMMUNION CUPS. EVERYTHING IS USED AGAIN AND AGAIN.
TODAY WE HAVE MORE CONSTRUCTION AND I AM HELPING IN THE ENGLISH CLASS. THIS SHOULD BE INTERESTING. I PLAN ON TEACHING THEM ROBIN´S (MY WIFE) OAKEY LANGUAGE. SO THE CARS WILL HAVE
TARS AND THE WALL HAVE
WINDERS.
HOPE ALL IS WELL AT HOME AND I ENCOURGE MANY LAKESIDERS TO COME ON THE TRIP IN JUNE. IT WILL BE THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.
IN HIS NAME,
DAVE DRUMMOND
P.S. I LOVE YOU ROBIN AND KIDS
We have safely arrived back home. Thank you all for your prayers. With all of your support we were able to make this a tremendously successful trip to assist Restoration Ministries. If you ever want to experience the power and grace of God in one place, this is it. God is hard at work bringing change to children who have been born into poverty. With the love of God guiding this ministry, the staff and volunteers are relentless in their drive and efforts to change the lives of the children of Sao Paulo. This Ministry reaches over 700 children each month through all of its programs and outreach. I cannot wait to see this ministry grow. If you've ever wanted to be a part of God's plan to help children in need, I highly recommend a trip to Restoration Ministries in Brazil. Paulo Mota's vision to make a difference is a testimonial and real life story of how God works through others to create hope and everlasting change in people's live's. This has been an experience of a lifetime. A true revelation of God's ability to bless us all with his love and compassion for children. I look forward to returning to and continuing to support this amazing ministry. My hope is that many more Lakesiders may have the opportunity to travel and serve alongside Restoration Ministries. Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. -Jose Flores
