Back Home - but not forgotten

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

Eating in Brazil

One thing about this trip...we haven't gone hungry. It is kind of sad when you think how many of the children here are not well fed or well cared for. But we are grateful to the wonderful ladies here who cooked for us. (and it provides work for them) Here are just a few shots from our two amazing dinners out.....a great pizza buffet including yuummy dessert pizza. Then we celebrated last night at a typical Brazilian churrascuria. Pastor Brad....we enjoyed papaya creme and thought of you! (And everyone here asks after you, Donna and Jeff and send their love) Robin Drummond....warning...be prepared for how Dave will inform you he is hungry now!

Tuesday photos - from Diane

David and Mike teaching English classes. Our group in the completed music studio.
Also...tomorrow we will be off to do some work at Camp California. We have been spoiled in having good internet connections. That will probably end tomorrow so don't be surprised at our sudden silence. God is at work here in a powerful way...both at Restoration Ministries and in our team.

Day 5 in Brazil - by Jose Flores

Day 5 and we have been absolutely blessed to have no injuries!!!!! and the Recording room is now complete. Wait until you here a recording from this ministry.... it will move you when you realize that these singers are from the favelas of Sao Paulo. The pastor in training, Wellington is AMAZING with his Musical talent and all for Christ. There is no question that most of this team will be back again.... when? only God knows but I´d move my family here next week if I could. THAT IS HOW GODSOME! this ministry is. And the people they serve are so Grateful for the services they are here to provide. THANK YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH for your support. YOUR PRAYERS have been felt around the world. Now this ministry can spread God´s word, love and Grace to other nations as well. This little Ministry will become one of the Greatest Gifts we have ever received as a Church. We have been truly Blessed to be given this oportunity to work with all of these extraordinary Christians. Praise our Lord! - Jose Flores

Last Day of work at Restoration Minisrties

I wanted to blog before we left for Camp California, We have had such a great expierence here doing God´s work for the people of Sau Paulo. We have done a number of different projects here from running new wiring, installing cable covers for data , laying carpet for the music room, hanging fans , installing acoustical sound proofing for the music room , staining brick walls and putting down carpet border to name a few. We will be having dinner for the last time with the ministry and then it´s off to Camp California to do some more of God´s work.

The most dramatic for me was going to visit the Favelas--- otherwise known as the slums. The children here only now 1 life style --- survival if the fittest. These children grab ahold af your heart and do not let go, the come to you with open arms and kisses and it is the first time they have ever seen you. I recall Dave carrying a girl almost the whole time he was here because she would not let go, the candy we gave them seemed as if it was Christmas 10 fold to them. I will never forget all the great children and all the love they have !!!!!!!!!!!. Most of their fathers are either in prison, part of the drug loards, drunks or more than often dead . It is very hard to understand how they get by on what they have compared to what we have ---- but it is all they know and it seems the more we pray for them , the more it seems to help them. We had many hands on prayers with families the mission team has bonded with.

Pray for them please,

God bless and we will see you all soon

Guy Dixon

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

Video Highlights

Videos here...kids inPromorar favela singing in English. Jose doing capoiera (Brazilian martial arts/gymnastics). Real capoiera.

Monday in Brazil...from Diane

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Today was incredible. Totally a ministry day and time to see God moving in the hearts of our team. Favela tour...hugging kids, walking the streets, praying in homes and seeing, smelling and experiencing their reality. Staff meeting and getting to hear the testimonies of the godsome work God has done in the lives of these people. Bonding as a team. And in the evening, capoiera...pictures and video of that to follow.

Sunday night images

Images from Sunday night church. Dave was the "gum" man...the kids flocked him. Worship was awesome. Kids choir sang. Great message from Romans 12. Afterwards to the pizza buffet...yum.
Monday off to the favelas.

From Diane...Sunday afternoon

As we are at the hotel preparing for Sunday night church, I thought I'd use this chance to add a few more pictures. None of these pictures show it, but the window is framed in and the carpeting is laid in both the inner and outer room. I think we are all a little loopy from the carpet glue (and after the brick varnish yesterday!)...we know why Jim Record likes his job(giggle)! Mike says he is pretty much feeling like "Mr. Diane" as I introduce him to many of frriends. I am excited that tonight we will have even more kids around. Tomorrow we will do the favela tour and the rest of the team will see more of the Restoration Ministries reality. Please continue to pray for the impact we have as we serve alongside the wonderful staff andvolunteers of RM.

Day 3 in Brazil - by Jose

This Morning we are serving breakfast to all of the Restoration Ministry´s volunteer staff. Diane Slusher is making pancakes and a French Toast caserole for breakfast. We will be finishing up the music room today with carpet and acoustic foam for the walls.

This morning i was invited to go along on the bus ride with Wellington, to pick up the volunteers from their homes. We traveled 30 minutes into Sao Paulo and I was able to see the city in every direction I looked for as far as I could see.

The city is HUGE, the children are many and the Love is extaordinary.

Even though I hide my own desires t be close to my own family and children God knows my needs even when I do not ask. This morning I was blessed with the smiles, hugs and kisses of several children and two beautiful little girls who resembled my own. What little these young children have, they share with no hesitation. Peace to all of you and continue your prayers for the success of Gods word and working through the few of us who were blessed to be here. Thanks once again for all of your support, without all of you back home supporting us we would not be here today. Posted by Jose Flores.

post by Jose Flores

Brazil is Awesome and Restoration Ministry is GODSOME!

We have been working hard all day on the music room. Never thought I'd ever be in Brazil... ever . God is absolutely amazing. If you ever want to find a place where God GIVES you instant friends... this is the place. The children love on you like you were their Uncle, aunt or Grandparent. The Christians from this ministry are so generous and compassionate. They do not hide their gratitude, instead they express it for everyone to see with a huge smile on their face, a pat on the back, a handshake and hug and with FOOD. The food is EXCELLENT!

I find myself looking for things to do while I am here. This is primarily a construction effort but the skills God has given me in Life have been tremendous here. Small skills we take for granted each day are blessings to this ministry and to the children that God touches through this ministry. Having a small toolbox from K-Mart is a blessing here... If you have old tools laying around collecting dust.... I know a place that would be grateful for what we have 3 of, or can run to WalMart for. The price for a simple screw that we buy by the box is 5 cents EACH here, Silicone that we buy for 99 cents is $12 here. Truly amazing at how AWAKE you become to other peoples needs and realize how fortunate we are to live in the United States, while at the same time realizing how wasteful and sspiritually asleep we are, too often as American Christians.

Today was very productive for the team toward our goal of completing the music room. We were able to rewire the computer network so that the students can now enjoy internet access at all their computers, we trimmed and hung a door, secured the floor joists, insulated the floor, set the wood floor (using the 5 cent screws), added over a dozen electrical outlets, added new electrical circuits and wire into the room, sealed a brick wall and made 3 trips to 3 different Hardware stores. Who new that I'd get a chance to be on a the back of a Motorcycle cruising to a hardware store in BRAZIL!!!!!!!!!!? GOD that's who! My cheaks hurt by the time I arrived at the hardware store.... I just couldn't believe the reward God has given me in bringing me to Brazil to complete work for Him, with such Awesome People and AMAZING CHRISTIANS... I am enriched and empowered forever... Praise our Lord! And SOOOOO Much Thanks to all of you who made this trip possible for all of us.... my Sincerest thanks.... Chow! - Jose Flores