Cactus Flower

About 12 boys and girls made the decision to accept Jesus as their one and only Saviour, Lord and new Friend this week out on Treasure Island Camp. With the help of 7 American girls, 2 Brazilian young ladies, and 8 Brazilian young men and many others, 27 children heard the Gospel presented over and over during the course of our 3 day, 2 night retreat. I am so thankful for all that volunteered their services during this work for God's glory including a very special couple - Sr. Carlos and Dona Regina of Juazeiro da Bahia. Dona Regina is the cook for many of our retreats. She willingly came to work in the kitchen and receive no pay knowing that none of the children could afford to come and were being given these 3 days free. Sr. Carlos worked extra time to be able to come as well and help both in the kitchen and in the camp canteen. I wept tears of joy on the last morning of the retreat knowing that little lives were going home changed because of Jesus! Thank you to all wh...

Tuesday morning was harried which many things to do and yet to get ready for the Big Retreat.  I found myself wondering if perhaps our retreat was going to be a very big flop as my phone was ringing every few minutes with people who were calling to say that kids as well as some adults were not coming!  Winds were strong.  It was drizzling some.  The skies were dark. I had to run out to the paper store which had been closed on Monday to make copies for our programs.  It was my intention to hurry on my bike leaving the truck for my husband and his last minute errands.  All I had to do was drop off my masters and then I could send someone else out later to pick them up.  Half way there I realized my back tire was getting flatter and flatter!  So much for speed and efficiency! I called home for a boy to come and rescue me with the tire pump.  One of the boys came alright - without the pump.  No worries!  I left the boy with my bike ...

John 3:16   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life . My thoughts today are centered on an upcoming event out on the island. It's a camp for children. Years ago when we came to Sobradinho to work with the Treasure Island Camp we soon sensed the camp was under-utilized especially for children, evangelism and the people of our little town itself in direct connection with our church. Our church work in Sobradinho has actually shrunk in numbers since we first came in 1994. My husband and I have tried it all and with lots of prayer and counsel. We have done all the things that have worked in other places plus a few more. Once a friend told me that perhaps there were just not any more of God's "chosen" left in Sobradinho. Wow! Knock me down! That is not true! It is against all my beliefs and the core of all I know about the Loving Eternal Creator God. Two ...

  Would you pray for my little friend, Amanda? Her parents are our island caretakers. They are making very poor decisions in their lives right now. Amanda is only 8 but has been kicked out of school two different times. She is not living on the island right now so that she can go to a new school in our town. She has been coming to our Sunday School at church.  This past weekend our boys were invited to join in as campers at the retreat on the island since it was for children.  I asked if Amanda who was out on the island this week could participate as well.   I spent most of the second retreat with her since she did not know many of the other boys and girls.  She told others that I was her counselor.  Each morning she was waiting outside my cabin before the crack of dawn.  One day coming up from the beach she told me that "Jesus is the best way!"  I am praying and speaking with her about how she can be a successful young lady and how Je...