The Saunders are Going to Brazil
Hello Friends and Family,
The Saunders Family hopes this letter finds everyone well and having a great spring. As you can read from the title, Josh, Kristi and Eli are planning on traveling to Brazil in late July (yes, after the World Cup). We are excited about the opportunity to go and serve the kids in the Favelas (slums) of Sao Paulo. We will be working alongside Restoration Ministries. This is a ministry that has been working with street kids and kids in the slums for over 20 years. They seek to reach the kids at a young age so they don't turn to drugs or prostitution as many street kids do for their livelihood. Currently, estimates range from 200,000 - 8 million children living on the streets or spending most of their days on the streets of Brazil. Some of these children have "homes" in the slum, but will spend much their days on the streets begging, stealing or finding other means to make money to survive. While there, our schedule looks something like this: facilitate a weekend kids camp, do VBS style day camps in the Favelas and put on a weekend mens retreat for the growing church body in the Favelas.
This will be a very busy two weeks, and we are writing to ask you for support in three areas. First is in prayer, we serve a great God and are asking for his protection and a willingness on our hearts to go and complete whatever tasks He has for us on this trip. Most importantly that He will get all the glory in this trip. We have made many plans, but we want to be sure that God’s plans get fulfilled.
Second, help us spread the word of our trip and why we are going. The sad fact is, that with the World Cup in Brazil this year, teams from America have not been able attend due to the exorbitant cost of travel during the largest sporting event in the world. On a normal year, there are 10-15 teams that travel to Sau Paulo to serve and facilitate these events. This year there will only be 3 teams traveling to work with Restoration Ministries. The dark side of the World Cup is less children getting ministered too.
The last way you can help is financially. Kristi and I are committed to making this happen. Most of the funds that we raise will go to supporting the kids weekend retreat and daily VBS classes held in the different favelas. We feel called to go and are excited to serve together alongside our oldest son Eli. The decision to take our 5 year old was not an easy one, but we are excited to have him learn to serve and love others at a young age. We will put instructions on how to giveva tax deductible donation at the end of this letter.
How this trip came about is a long and wonderful story filled with all kinds of great God induced “coincidences.” If you would like to know how it all came together just ask us and you can see intricate plans unfold in perfect time. We are so blessed to be able to make this trip happen and look forward to having you serve in whatever way possible along side us. We serve a huge God, and are excited to see what he has in store for the people we will serve, our family and our prayer and financial partners in this endeavor.
We love you all and thank you for your prayers.
If you feel called to give financially, use link below and follow the instructions.
https://bridgewaychristianchurch.wufoo.com/forms/sao-paulo-brasil-2014-online-giving/
With love,
The Saunders Family
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