Good news wrap up

We've had some great things happen here, and it's made blogging intimidating because it's hard to wrap it all up!

First off, Eduardo (Du) went to back to rehab! We have been working with Du since the beginning of our homeless lunch. He went into rehab in July, completed a three month program, and came back to be rejected and insulted by his father. He stayed in our home for two weeks before throwing himself back into his old addictions and life on the street. A good friend of ours heard his story and provided a second chance at treatment for Du, and so he is living at a clinic now that runs a 9 month program. After his treatment he will be coming back to Itu and we hope to have a halfway house ready to receive and assist him as he starts a new life! He is in a critical stage right now of decision - pray that he maintains the courage and desire to carry this recovery on to completion.

Samuel is another member of our homeless lunch who entered rehab, he completed a three month program Saturday and excited about his new life! I was worried about Samuel's return after just three months, and God provided - he was offered a chance from the rehab program to stay on and complete a seminary that they also administer and he was glad to accept! Interesting side note - Samuel told us that he had a dream recently, he was with Eric, Anternor and me and there was a house that he was living in with us here in Itu. Samuel had never heard about our plans for the halfway house, but it seems he got the message from Somebody!

In regards to the halfway house, we've met with the owner and an architect and drawn up the calculations. Sunday we had a big meeting to discuss the vision and the details. Alermão (the first guy who went into rehab from our homeless lunch) came with his family, it was an amazing testimony to the God that can! It also served to show the need for this house - Alermão is reunited with his family, but they have not yet found where to go to live together! In the mean time, Alermão is living in one house with a room mate while his wife and daughters are living 30 minutes away with his sister. Our goal is that Alermão and his family will move into one of the two bedroom units and help with the rehab work necessary to use the other two units. Each unit has the same floor plan, shown below.

Forty some church members who came to the meeting saw the need and heard the scoop. Many of them left saying, 'this is going to happen and I'm ready to pitch in'. After the meeting we went together as a group to visit the location, which is feeling more and more like home. Antenor asked that I next give this explanation during Sunday morning service, and we will be ready to receive pledges and put promises into action.

We continue to make progress, and this dream is becoming a reality!
Thank you for your prayers, keep it up!

I know am am leaving out some good stuff, like our visit from Billy Martin and Chris Frizzell... that's coming soon after I manage to get the pics off my camera! (if you find my charger, let me know :) )