Escola da Vida - School of Life

The flagship program for YFC in Brazil is Escola da Vida - School of Life. This program is run in secondary schools in over 100 cities throughout Brazil. Last week we had the privilege of taking part in EDV at a school in São Luis. Lots of preparatory work is done with the school principal, staff and a supportive church. They become team to present the program to the students. We were told that this was a particularly good combination. It certainly looked that way to us.

I need to mention that school in Brazil happens either in the morning, or the afternoon. (I gather it is to do with population and resources). As this was a high school there is also an evening school for those who cannot attend during the day for whatever reason. So three groups of students attend school on any given day.

For the EDV program, the students come in their year levels, for about an hour each day, and for the first four days of the week they hear presentations by quality presenters. The subjects chosen by this school were:

drugs, sexuality, self esteem, vocation and family relationships.

School of Life

Principles that transform

Johnny is the leader of YFC in  São Luis and

 

he is a gifted presenter who engages the students so well.

Kelvin is a pastor who was a street kid and drug addict and spoke so

captivatingly with them about both legal and illegal drugs.

There is a wonderful team of volunteers who come each day to support the program 

 

and build relationships with the students.

 

On Friday, all the year levels came together to the final presentation in the school 'gym'. 

The partner church provided great music that engaged the kids.

And, along with other parts of the program, a gifted guy performed a brilliant drama 

 

 depicting five young people with different lifestyles/personalities

who each came to realise that God was inviting them into a personal relationship with him. I have never been more greatly moved by a presentation than I was by this one. Pat felt the same.

At the end of the evening session on Friday it was photo time - many of the team who had taken part during the week.

The partner church was a short walk from the school. These people were fantastic and such a gift to the YFC team and the students. They welcomed us, provided lunch and dinner for us each day, were part of the entire program by providing some of the speakers and music and coming along to the sessions during the day. And they want to be part of another school program in the future. Yay!

 

 On Saturday we all met together at the church for lunch, debrief and prayer to close a wonderful week.

The Escola da Vida T-shirt explains that "When you change everything changes".  You don't need everything else to change so that your life will change, you can be the change.

Great job MPC São Luis.

Church last weekend

 It's not easy for Pat and me to get to church every Sunday in Brazil for varying reasons, but last weekend we made up for it.
 

 My host Flavya (Pat and I are staying in different homes for the next 5+ weeks) wanted to go to a youth service that she likes to attend some Saturday nights and so were invited to go along.

It seemed to be a converted factory space with dicey acoustics and loud music, but those people love Jesus.

The pastor and congregation were very friendly, but, of course, we understood very little of what was said.

Bikes were parked inside at the back

and lots of the congregation joined in praying after the service

and chatting as they ate supper.

On Sunday morning it was a very different experience.

We went to Johnny and Flavya's church. Johnny is the regional director of YFC in São Luis and plays the drums in this church. Flavya attends here too.

This building is 131 years old and architecturally gorgeous and well maintained.

Johnny is on the left at the drums

Once again we were welcomed from the front and felt included.

A couple of the hymns really spoke to me. The first was one that I am not familiar with, but we sang about the fact that we are created to worship. Liked it very much.

And then one of my all-time favourites. 'How Great Thou Art'

This is the last verse.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And then proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art!"

And the final chorus. 

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Love it! I am always blessed to be able to sing some of my favourite hymns and songs in English alongside people singing it in another language - a taste of Heaven.

 In the evening we went to another church that Johnny has started in a very poor neighborhood. Such a cute little building all spruced up and white and very different from everything around it.

Pat shared some of her story while Jefferson translated,

  and afterwards Jefferson tried a selfie on my camera of all those present.

Such varied church experiences and all Igrejas Presbiterianas!

YFC/MPC camp where we've been living

YFC has a most wonderful facility here in Brazil

with a great swimming pool

 

 a large chapel (capela) for worship and meetings

  and a smaller chapel (capelinha) for smaller groups.

There is an outdoor space for campfires 

 and some wonderful artwork, 

  

often done by the wife of the YFC National Director.

The kitchen has excellent facilities, thanks to the financial and physical support of some American people over many years,

and a great little herb garden out the back of the kitchen.

Pat's and my room gets little sunshine all year round and can get a bit cold in winter, but it is wonderfully private and away from most of the noise at busy camp times. 

Our last day here has been a balmy 27° and so we know it would be an awesome location in summer.

We have had all we need - Pat on the bottom bunk

 and me in the double. Advantages for each of us.

And we were so thankful for a working shower after the first couple of weeks. Can you see the water and power up there together. They call this a 'widow-maker'!

Flying in a couple of hours to São Luis. Hoping to blog again soon, but one never knows!

Costume party at camp

Internet has been pretty grim the last couple of weeks, hence not a lot of blogging.
 Off to São Luis tomorrow, 2000km north. Hope to give you more detail very soon.

When a church Youth and Young Adults groups had a camp here a few weeks ago they decided to have a costume party on Saturday night.

 Pat and I were very impressed by their very friendly encounters at mealtimes, their invitation to their services in the chapel AND to the costume party, which, by the way, began at 10 pm!

We thought it was a bit late but it didn't feel right to refuse the invitation. We certainly didn't stay until the end and they were so appreciative that we made the effort to join  them.

 They went to a lot of effort to make the dining room look fabulous,

and slowly by slowly they wandered into the room.

There was a Zorro

and pirates,

 a Japanese couple (the pastor and his wife)

  and an Arab couple,

super heroes and fairy tale characters,

some randoms

that I didn't recognise but that looked great,

  Roman centurions,

 a hand-cuffed bank robber and a policeman

and an excellent Audrey Hepburn.

 The young people made such an effort, great variety and lots of fun.