Brazil 2010

The last week

2010-03-05T18:30:00.000-08:00

Our debriefing week has come to an end and my apologies for lack of posts over the last week. It was a wonderful week filled with many different activities. Here are just a few things and pictures of what did.

We left Sunday and visited many beaches along our travels to our first stop in Gravatal where we got to enjoy the warm thermal-mineral water. The hotel offered a nature walk and that is where this picture is from. The team with our nature guide, who spoke german very well so Wilf and Ralph were our translaters.

On Monday we traveled to the Boqueirao Farm Hotel where we got to enjoy a horse ride, and the many other activites the "farm" had to offer. Here is a group shot with the horses, even those slightly scared of horses, Jeanette and Karen, got up enough courage to go for a ride.

On Wednesday we went to Urubici where we saw 3 magnificent waterfalls over our days there.

And today we arrived back in Florianopolis. It was a fast and much enjoyed week with safe travels and great company. Tomorrow we leave the hotel around 11:00 and our flight departs Florianopolis at 1:45pm. You can pray for safe and smooth travels. Thanks for reading and I'll post one last time when we get home.
Anita

Saying farewell

2010-02-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the center for a BBQ and were blown away by the gratefulness that was expressed to us for what we have done. Yet in perspective it is so little compared to what the staff do everyday and it can be difficult to receive the amount of thanks they showed us.

They raised the flags and played both the Canadian and Brazilian anthems. This is out front of the administrative building that was built by a For We Care team several years back.

Revealing a plaque that is displayed in the administrative building showing all the names of all those who have come and volunteered from Canada, from this year as well as previous years.

Another plaque in memory of Walter Kerber who was the founder of For We Care.

Wilf and our wonderful cook for the last 2 weeks while at the center. She has the most uplifting and outgoing spirit that made it very easy to interact with her, even with the language barrier.

The massive spread that was made for for us.

Jeff at the kids table with Jonas' children that we met last week at his daughter Suellem's birthday party.

One of several group shots taken, here Wilf and Dwight are with several of the residents and Marcus (far left) who is one of the staff members at the center.

After the BBQ we spent the rest of the afternoon at another one of Florianopolis' beautiful beaches. Relaxing and enjoying the warm, yet not too hot weather.

Wilf and Anita jumping for joy and getting some serious air.

The beach from above where we enjoyed our afternoon.

Tomorrow we leave bright and early for our debriefing week. There is no guarantee that we will have internet access where we are going so I will post when able. Please pray for continued safety and health as well as a week of relaxation and fellowship. Thanks for reading.

Anita

Final work day

2010-02-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

Before I post some pictures from today here are just a couple pictures of what we did yesterday evening.

We took over the hotel lobby and cheered on the Canadian Women's hockey team.

Ralph was having a hard time seeing so he placed himself front and center to get a good view.

And moving on to today, which was yet another wonderful day. We wrapped up a lot of projects and enjoyed the sunny, yet not too hot day.

Lloyd and Wilf getting nice and close as they removed a wood frame from a already dry column.

Anne and Jeanette cutting rebar for the forms for the ceiling.

A project from start to finish, first Ross makes the wood frame for above a doorway on the first floor.

Then Wilf pours the cement into the frame.

Then Ralph lays the bricks above the new frame.

Me (Anita) and Karen putting together the wood pieces for the ceiling frames.

Dwight on one end and Wilf fitting into a tight squeeze on the other using the old school water level.

As the day was winding down a lot of clean up was done.

While a couple of people worked hard to clean up it took 4 men to fix a ladder...

Tasks were running thin at the end of the day as we finished what we could without starting brand new projects. Lloyd, Ron and Jonas talking in the upstairs with all the walls, including columns, doors and windows complete.

These two pictures compare the building from the first day we got there to today, a lot of progress was made and we have only God to thank for all the work we were able to get done.

Here Ross is gifting to Jonas his tool belt that he used for the last two weeks.

And of course a group shot infront of the, what will be, 3rd dorm building. Along with our team members there are, Jonas (far right), Ron (far left) and the 3 residence (in the middle) that were strictly volunteers, working extremely hard for the last 2 weeks.

There you have it, our last day on the job site, what a blessing it has been and praise needs to be given to God for the health, safety and succcess he has given us while here.

Tomorrow we head back to the center for a farwell BBQ and then Sunday we head off for our debriefing. The goal is to continue to post regularly so please keep checking.

Anita

Work day 9

2010-02-25T15:01:00.000-08:00

Today was a fabulous day, it was sunny, not too hot, with a nice breeze. More columns were poured and we kept busy with a lot of odd jobs. It is hard to believe that we only have one more working day.
This is the progress we have made so far, it looks so different from when we first got there.

Jeff attempted to help out this morning and was given strict instructions from the Dr to keep that foot elevated and this is the bed he found for himself.

Ralph helping out downstairs with the demolition around the doors to fix the frames.

Wilf and Lloyd being the goofs that they are.

As you can tell by the pictures Ross was back at it today building and prepping the doors on the first floor for their frames.

Tearing down the scaffolding that was used to build the brick walls up.

No bricks to lay so Dwight helped out by sweeping and creating a major dust storm at the same time.

To pour the highest columns they used, what I called, floating scaffolding. Anchored through the wall without any supports from the bottom. Only Jonas was allowed to use those (:

That's Jonas on the floating scaffolding in another corner, they moved the scaffolding from one corner to another using sandbags to keep it weighted down on the inside.

That is what the scaffolding looked like inside. Lloyd and Wilf doing their part to pour the columns.

Thanks for reading once again and stay tuned as we do have only one more work day before we head off for a week of debrief.

Anita

Work day 8

2010-02-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

Today was similar task wise but much cooler weather wise. We continued on laying the rest of the bricks and pouring the last columns and window/door frames. We were also able to finish up the window frames on the first floor. We were down a team member, Ross, you will notice there are no pictures of him today. Ross woke up in a very large amount of pain last night and was diagnosed with kidney stones both by our resident Dr., Dwight, and after spending most of the day in the hospital. He is okay and is back at the hotel and feeling better. It is just a waiting game now for the stone to pass. He is in good spirits and comfortable now. Please pray that his spirits would remain up and that his pain would remain managable. And now for a few pictures.

Jeff pulling his share while keeping his foot elevated.

Anne and Karen laying bricks on the second floor.

Wilf on the very high, but I promise very sturdy scaffolding, prepping the columns.

Dwight getting the wires ready to tie the wood frames in place.

Me (Anita) laying some of the final bricks around the windows on the main floor since Ross was preoccupied and not there to continue on with his project.

Lloyd putting the wood frames in place.

Jonas showing us how it is done. He layed 14 bricks to 3 that Jeanette layed. (:

Ending the day with some cards as most of the days work was done and there was not enough tasks for us all. Here Karen, Jeanette and Anne teaching Lucas, one of the residence, how to play Uno.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned as we only have 2 more works days.

Anita

Work day 7

2010-02-23T17:28:00.001-08:00

Today was much of the same so there are not a lot of pictures, sorry. We had a "cooler" morning but it warmed up drastically around lunch time when the sun came out.

More laying bricks, this time us ladies were at it.

A rather giant grasshopper.

Lloyd and Jonas taking naps at lunch on the coolest surfaces they could find.

Mixing cement for more columns and window frames.

Pouring the cement into the columns.

And to think at the beginning of last week there were no walls on the second floor at all.

We have all taken extra precautions and appreciate all the prayers as today was a very safe day with no injuries. It is crazy to think only a few more working days, please keep praying and reading.

Anita

Work day 6

2010-02-22T14:52:00.000-08:00

Today started off much like our previous work days, slightly over cast, yet it felt a little warmer and turned into a very hot humid day.

Dwight and Ralph back at laying bricks on the home made scaffolding.

Jonas mixing some mortar.

The chess board came out at coffee break and I was told to mention to those who have traveled on the trip before and know Ron's enthusiasm for chess that Ralph won the first round.

We had our first injury, not too serious thankfully. Jeff was coming down the ladder and stepped off onto a piece of wood with a nail sticking out that found its way through his shoe and probably about half his foot.

Jeff looking not to affected as he soaked his foot over lunch.

He even went back to work while still following Dr's orders to keep his foot elevated.

We had a couple other minor injuries today from falls with scaffolding collapsing so Lloyd went through and re-supported all the scaffolding to ensure those would no longer happen.

Wilf continueing to work on making wood frames for windows on the second floor as parts of the walls are high enough to pour the frames tomorrow.

Jeanette, Anne and Karen working on a few last rebar cages.

We seemed to have more down time today as there is not enough room to all work on the 2nd floor at once but it is encouraging to see the progress that has been made so far. Please continue to pray for safety and health. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more updates tomorrow.

Anita

Weekend adventures

2010-02-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

Our weekend was great and here are a few pictures from our adventures.

One saturday we had a beach day and had marvelous hot sunny weather all day. A fishing boat that we saw with miles and miles of beautiful beach behind it.

Our "camp" with plenty of umbrellas to keep us from getting burnt.

Beach botchy (like botchy ball but with discs), a game braught by Ron that kept the boys plenty entertained most of the day.

On Sunday/today we went to a few site seeing spots, including this "mountain" in the middle of Florianopolis, this is one of the many incredible views.

The team and Ron our translator.

We also checked out a beach on the south east side of Florianopolis. Ross, Jeff, Karen and Ron feeling rather hot as it was another scorcher today.

Now for a little reading...

This is a story of Jonas, the local brick layer that we have had the privilege of working with at the rehab center. Jonas has adamantly been inviting us to his home since we first arrived at the center for his duaghter, Suellem's birthday today. We agreed but had no idea of how we would beimpacted by this generous invite. We agreed to a time of 4:00pm and arrived shortly after to an amazingly warm welcome. All his children were waiting and waving as we drove up. Jonas and his wife live in a small, and not North American small, think 3 room small, with their 7 children ranging from 12 to 1. He and his family we overjoyed to have us over. They had made a couple of posters to welcome us to their home (see pictures below). They had worked from early morning to prepare all the food for us and had purchased an amazing birthday cake for the special occasion. They were overwhelmingly generous with the little they had. And, of all things, Jonas thanked us constantly for being there.

He told us a little of his background while Ron translated. Just over 7 years ago he was working in Paraguay on a farm where they grew corn, soy bean, and rice. He had worked his way up and had become a farm manager and had worked for 5 years making a good wage. He had a furnished home and was living well. He felt called by God to come back to Brazil so they left everyone and everything they had and came back to Florinaopolis. One of the main reasons he felt called back to Florianopolis was to witness to his family.

Their parents gave them a small piece of land to live on. He was going to put up some tarps to make a shelter for his family to live in, him, his wife and 5 children at the time. Shortly after members of the church came to him and offered him all the supplies to build a house in town. A bunch of the church members came with the material and built his home with him together.

Now he has found work as a brick mason which is how we met him. He works long days, gone from home from 6 to 9. Jonas is slowly building his "life" back together; still living off very little with 7 children to provide for. Yet his joyful spirit is contagious and his faith is unwavering. Within the last year many of his family have come to know Christ. Jonas and his family are active in a church that is a 10 min walk from their house. He loves to sing hymns, often singing at work and their family even sang 2 for us while we were there. His family was much more a witness to us then any of us expected.

We came bringing a small gift for Suellem and a few drinks yet left with so much more then we could ever imagine. It is a harsh reminder that so often those who are rich materially are rarely the most generous with those blessings. We were truly blessed today as God showed us his joy and blessing in a whole new way.

The sign they had made for us.

The birthday girl Suellem with her cake. First we sang in English and then they sang in Portuguese.

Jonas and his family, missing one, in front of their home and the weclome sign.

The incredible spread they had made for us.

Jonas and his second youngest child.

Suellem and her youngest sibling just before we left.

So hopefully you can tell through the photos and story that we have had and indescribable expereince this weekend. Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray as tomorrow it is back to work at the rehab center.

Anita

(with help from Jeff)

Work day 5 and some

2010-02-19T17:05:00.000-08:00

Today was yet another amazing day. When we left our hotel it was raining relatively hard, yet upon arriving at the center we didn't encounter any rain the slowed our work for the rest of the day. We worked hard all morning and just after noon we headed out for an afternoon of cultural experience and site seeing.

The ducks and geese at the center who occasionally seem to roam free outside their duck pond and cage. They don't seem to be afraid of humans and come right up close when you stand or sit still.

After coffee Wilf started up the weed trimmer that was brought as a gift for the center. As he started teaching a crowd of spectators soon developed.

We did continue on with more brick laying, here's Dwight who has been a faithful brick layer all week.

Karen and Anne tag teaming it.

Ralph, another faithful brick layer, looks like he's whistling while he works.

The locals/residences passing bricks from the large brick pile to the second floor using a long stick as the tossing device.

Me (Anita) hammering away on a support for the scaffolding we will use to build the brick walls higher.

After 4 and a half days of work this is what the building looks like, lots of work still needs to get done but praise must be given to God for the work that has alreay gotten done and the cooperation of the weather so far.

For lunch we headed off to a near by restaurant that Ron takes a few of the residence weekly via horse back for a delicious BBQ, which we got to enjoy to the fullest capacity.

A beautiful local woman in the town we had lunch, looking rather picturesque looking out her window. She originally said no when asked if I could take a photo but generously agreed after 10 white canadians asked again.

The owner/cook of the restaurant who kept bringing us more meat then we could eat. All their meat is from their farm that they themselves prepared from start to finsh.

A picture of the team with the owner, his 35 year old wife and their 23 year old daughter, yes you did read that right, they were married when she was 12 and had their first child that same year.

The waterfall we arrived at after a rather rough ride down some real back country roads.

Me going down the natural water slide.

Ron and Alana, our tour guides for the afternoons activities.

The whole group, making "goofy" faces, yet if you know us, we are really just being ourselves.

Thanks for reading and as a warning for those following daily there will most likely be only one post for the weekend but please do keep checking.

Anita

Work day 4

2010-02-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

The day started off cloudy and ended up being another "cooler" day, which was perfect for todays tasks. We got several columns filled and more bricks layed with a few fun breaks inbetween.

Ralph working on securing the rebar cages in place.

Jeff caring up buckets of cement to fill the columns.

Wilf on the sturdy scaffolding filling the columns with Lloyd's assistance.

The woman continued on with their rebar cage.

Ross continued on with his window frame job on the first floor, using both what we recognize as a level and what Ross told me was used in his grandfathers day as a level: a piece of tubing with water in it, hey, whatever works.

Doing what we Kopps do best, supervising (:

Karen, Jeanette and Anne waiting for their next measurements to continue on with rebar cage making.

Ron, our translater and missionary who works with the residents at the center, got a couple of the horses from the center saddled up and a couple of us got to go for a ride, me (Anita) first.

I was attempting to get the horse all primped for the photo, getting his hair out of his eye.

Jeff and Ron also went for a ride. A couple of the residents taking their turn, thumbs up all around.

When a new load of sand arrived in the afternoon we finished off the day with laying the last few bricks so the rest of the columns can hopefully be poured tomorrow.

Another wonderful day, continued thanks and praise need to be given to God as well as continued prayer for our safety, health and productiveness on the building project.

Thanks for reading and please keep checking for new posts.

Anita

Work day 3

2010-02-17T16:03:00.000-08:00

Our jobs were switched up a little today so there are a few more pictures once again. A few random fun ones to start.

The chickens were roaming free in the yard and found a home in the garden, it was a rather bizarre site to see as the were digging themselves little holes in the soil with their claws.

We had our first rain showers (it was more misty then rain) while on the job site and someone was nice enough to put an umbrella up to try and help keep us dry while we worked but from afar it looks like Mary Poppins got caught in a tree.

And this is the man we call boss, Wilf. Nice flowers!

The ladies took over the rebar cage making as the men moved on to making the wood frames we will need before being able to pour the cement columns.

Ron, our translater and local missionary who works with the center twice a week, helping out by bending some rebar.

Jonas, the local brick layer, working on filling bricks in around the repaired and newly framed windows on the first floor.

Lloyd working on putting a rebar cage in place.

Jeff and Wilf moved on to making wood frames for the cement columns that will be poured at a later day. First measuring then nailing in place.

Then putting the wood frames in place. This picture does not quite capture the homemade scaffolding that was made to put the wood frames in place.

Some of the residence playing guitar and singing outside their dorm, which was a FWC project from previous trips. (2005-2008)

Our (the ladies) greatest, at least our most exciting accomplishment of the day, finishing the 1155cm rebar cage.

It was another fabulous day and I was reminded yet again of how incredible our God is. As several team members (my blistering burnt hair part especially) were feeling over hearted from working 2 hot days in the sun, God provided a cloudy, cooler (25 degree) day that gave us all an appreciated break from the sun.

Thanks again for reading and as always stay tuned.

Anita

Work day 2

2010-02-16T14:14:00.000-08:00

If today's pictures look much the same as yesterdays that's because our work was much the same.

Dwight with the local brick layer Jonas.

Karen doing some more brick laying.

Our bus driver Reggi even helped out with the brick laying.

Me (Anita) and Anne working on building up a wall.

More rebar cage/frame making.

Ross continuing on with fixing up the windows on the first floor, cutting wood for new frames.

Lloyd using a cement block to hammer in a post we use for building the rebar cages/frames. It was not a very good substitute for a sledge hammer as the cement block kept breaking apart.

Like I said a lot of the same work but it was another great day! Thanks for checking the blog and good night.

Anita

Work day 1

2010-02-15T14:32:00.001-08:00

As promised pictures from our first work day, it was a great day with beautiful hot weather.

The first floor that was the project from the last trip. This trip our main project is to build the second floor.

The rather large pill of bricks that were waiting for us.

Dwight and Ralph started right away on laying bricks.

The Paras brick laying team, old pros.

Not only was there a large pill of bricks waiting for us but quite a mess as well. We spent several hours cleaning out the wood and rebar from the first floor.

Ross and his helper Lucas, one of the teens at the center, tearing down all of the window beams as they were not up to par.

Jeff and Lloyd working on fixing the cement mixer.

Jeanette taking her first attempt at brick laying and doing a marvelous job.

Karen showing us how it is done.

Making the rebar frames, cutting the rebar and putting them together.

That's all for today, good night and please check for more tomorrow.

Anita

Feel'n hot hot hot

2010-02-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

and lov'n it.
We arrived safe and sound, thank you for your prayers and thoughts.
After what seemed like only one day of travel with the long over night flight we arrived in Florianopolis to 36 degree humid weather. I can't speak for the whole team but I'm really enjoying the heat.

We settled into our rooms, this first picture is a view from our hotel. We showered and headed out to find some food.

Though this is not the best picture it is the first of the whole team...

As we were finishing up our supper we got to experience our first thunder/lightening/rain/wind storm of our trip. Cannot help but be struck by the power and awesomeness of the God who created and can control such storms.

Tomorrow we head out to the rehab center at 8:00 for our first work day. Please pray for safety, productivity and good spirits all around. Thanks for reading and I hope to post more pictures tomorrow so keep checking.

Anita

All my bags are packed...

2010-02-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

and I'm ready to go.

Departure day, after 29 count down days it is hard to believe that departure day has finally arrived. Please pray for safe and smooth travels as many travel hours exist before we arrive at our final destination of Florianopolis.

Edmonton passangers are already on the plane having left at 7:30am. They meet up with Calgary passangers and depart for Toronto at 10:15am. Where I meet up with them after departing Vancouver at 1:00pm. We then leave Toronoto at 10:30pm and arrive in Sao Paulo at 11:20am. From Sao Paulo we head to Florianopolis at 3:45pm arriving at 5:00pm. Whoo-hoo!

Thanks for reading, your support and prayers. It is my intention to post a blog once arrived and settled so please stay tuned.

Anita

4 sleeps and counting

2010-02-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

Hey readers!
And finally our last, but definitely not least, team member introduction...

Ralph Krueger
My wife Trudy and I have been married for 44 1/2 years; we have two sons and two amazing grandchildren. For 31 years, I worked in the Calgary school system as a teacher and principal. Upon retirement twelve years ago, I took up several activities including curling, golf and short-term mission work in Brazil and the Cameroon.
I am looking forward to my sixth trip as it is an outgrowth of my faith and belief in God's commandments. I am especially happy that a new-found friend, Ross, is coming along. I know that these trips are effective: as Christians we are channels through which God's divine blessings flow to others. It is in giving to others that we ourselves receive God's blessings.

Now you have officially "met" us all and I thank you once again for reading. Keep your eye out for one more post before we leave and then daily posts while we are gone.
Anita

6 sleeps and counting

2010-02-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

With less then a week to go I thought I would briefly introduce a little bit about where we are going and what we will be doing before I introduce our last team member.

Starting with Brazil, which is the largest country in South America with a population of over 190 million. Portuguese is the national language. Brazil’s illiteracy rate, poverty rate and mortality rate have all improved over the last 10 years yet still have room to improve. For example the poverty rate has decreased from 34% in 2005 but is still at 22%.

Our team is heading to Florianopolis which is in the south east state of Santa Catarina.
We will be staying in Florianopolis while working in a small village called Es-tiva where the drug rehabilitation center is located. The center is for adolescent boys struggling with drug addictions. The men and boys are sent to this center upon their own free will by the authorities. We will be working on a new Dorm building, laying bricks for the second floor and hopefully starting the roof. We are aiming to complete the second floor of the dorm, so it will be ready to pour the cement ceiling under the roof. They are currently working on this project in preparation for our arrival, please pray for that preparation.
There you have it, a little background information. Stay tuned for the last team intro and the continued count down.
Anita

9 sleeps and counting

2010-02-04T17:48:00.001-08:00

Hello and apologies for the many days since the last post to all who have been following regularly.
I decided it was time to introduce myself...

I’m a daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and nurse living and working in Whiterock BC. I work on a surgical floor and like my job most days. Every day I am thankful for the beauty of where I live. I enjoy doing anything outside, especially skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and on a day like today with the sun out, mountains in my view, flowers blooming, a walk by the ocean is enjoyable.

This is my first FWC Brazil trip and I am super excited about it as I have heard about these trips since my dad, Wilf, started going. I am excited not only to experience the Brazilian culture and weather but also to serve and love others in a practical way. As I have never been to Brazil here are some pictures from an experience I had in Zambia, Africa as a nursing student 2 and half years ago.

Thanks again for reading, 1 more team intro to go, some trip details to share and 9 more sleeps before departure so please keep checking for posts.

Anita

15 sleeps and counting

2010-01-29T13:29:00.000-08:00

Introductions 2 days in a row...

Jeff Reichel

I am 25 and residing in Trochu AB where I am a member of the Trochu Baptist Church. I have some engineering background but choose to work on the family farm which is mostly a grain operation but we also have some cattle. Family is very important to me and I am happy to have them all close by. Some of my hobbies would be playing sports both in summer and winter, reading, riding bike, mechanics. I have enjoyed lots of travel over the past decade around lots of the world. This will be my 3rd trip to Brazil with FWC. I have been blessed in the past doing missions work and I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue helping out in this way. I am looking forward to seeing Ron and Alana, learning some more Portuguese, and seeing the completion of the Rehab center Project.

Only 2 more introductions to go, hope you have all enjoyed getting to know the team members a little before we leave. Thanks for reading and please keep reading.

Anita

16 sleeps and counting

2010-01-28T17:48:00.000-08:00

Now introducing, drum roll please......

Ross Chalmers,
I was born and raised in Calgary, married to Virginia and together we have one son and a new grandson. I’m retired after more than 34 years in Information Technology. I have been an active father, involved in local politics, coaching, motorcycling and am an avid mountain climber and outdoor sports enthusiast.I have a passion for building things and helping others. I am looking forward to being a volunteer in Brazil, continuing the tradition of many others in giving a little back through the "For We Care Outreach Network Society”.

Over half the introductions done, only 3 more to go so keep reading, another post to come soon.

Anita

19 sleeps and counting

2010-01-25T18:59:00.000-08:00

The sun is staying out a tiny bit longer and our departure date is getting a little bit closer. So it is time to introduce a couple more team members.

Hi, this is Lloyd and Jeanette Glover from Red Deer Alberta.
I work for Nova Chemicals as a construction coordinator with a background in electrical. Jeanette works part time at the Bay in the children's department. We have two sons and three wonderful grandchildren.
We are looking forward to our third trip to Brazil. Going to Brazil provides an opportunity to serve by doing something useful in Jesus name while enjoying a cultural experience - we think of it as a vacation with a purpose. We are game for almost anything and look forward to the trip, meeting some new folks and of course tagging up with some of the old guys.

Once again thanks for reading and stay tuned for more introductions soon.

Anita

23 Sleeps and counting

2010-01-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

Hello again!
I would like to now introduce Dwight and Ann Paras.

Dwight...
I'm way old have three kids, one wife (Ann) and two motorcycles. My favourite band is rubber; all other bands are too hard to stretch. My favourite colour is pink because it means my skin isn't bruised or injured as a result of motorcycle riding. This will be my third time to Brazil. I enjoy working and just doing what I'm told. I enjoy having a blast with the kids at the rehab centre too. I look forward to seeing Brazil without rain as last time we were rained out completely for our last two days. It's always amazing to see the real appreciation of the people we work with.

Ann...
This will also be my third time to Brazil. I enjoy the completely different life style they live in Brazil. I enjoy the openness and warmth of the people. It is nice to see how things change and how other things stay the same. It is good for us to see how other people live and how we might be able to show them a bit of God's love, as He so chooses. It reminds me that those with much less materially are so much richer spiritually.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more team member introductions soon!
Anita

26 Sleeps and counting

2010-01-18T18:01:00.000-08:00

Hello For We Care (FWC) Brazil 2010 Blog followers!
Thanks for reading.
Another Brazil trip is soon upon us and before our team of 10 departs on February 13th I would like to introduce you to the project and this year’s team.

Hello friends and supporters of FWC
My name is Wilf and I was able to be part of this drug rehab center building project from the beginning in the late nineties. It’s great to see how year after year FWC managed to add a little to the Drug Rehab Facility. The Centre has seen many changes since its beginning, from living in an old chicken coup and eating under a tin awning to a new kitchen and dinning room, administration/office/classroom building and a number of dorms by now. Many have passed through this place and were rehabilitated. Boys from as young as 8 years old and now men as old as seventy have been part of the treatment offered at the Centre. After some experimenting the administration of the Centre found that a balance of young and old gives a more secure and mature atmosphere.

Karen and I are looking forward to possibly one of the last trips to CVM since this project will be close to its completion. We at FWC are looking for other opportunities in Brazil or other South American countries. Should you know of a worthwhile project don't hesitate to let us know. You can find contact info at our website. www.forwecare.org
Karen and I live in Leduc, Alberta. Our family consists of 13 including four grandchildren.
God Bless.

I will continue to introduce different team members every few days before our departure so please keep reading.
Please keep us in your prayers as tickets are bought and travel Visas are being waited for. Pray that God prepares each individual going for what He has in store as well as willingness to be used as God directs. Pray for those we will be interacting with, an open ear and receptive heart on both sides.
Thanks again for reading!
Anita

first test of Blog

2010-01-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends

Just to let you all know that we will be posting news on the blog as we approch the STM trip to Floripa, to continue the work on the Drug Rehab centre.

Blessings