Hi Guys,

Hope all’s well. This month we’re launching our first Video Update from Brazil! Follow the link to check out the latest news and literally see what’s happening!

Hope you enjoy it…

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=629485126838

The latest news from the Robert’s in Brazil,

read it here, be inspired and challenged!

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Click here for their latest update: January%2010

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This time we’ll be raising money for two Christian Brazilian charities which help children in poverty and danger.

We have in the past asked some of you to kindly look out for materials to help us to make costumes for our samba show, could you let me know if you have something and I can arrange to pick it up. Sue, our costume designer has told me the following would be great:

Any colour of cotton or cotton mix fabric (ie. doesn’t have to be 100% cotton, blends such as polyester/cotton are fine.

If you are keen on dancing and would like to be in the show, let me know. The only requirement is that you have to learn to dance samba quite well!!

Carmem Mackle
carmem.mackle@mackle.org.uk

Andy Roberts is talking to us about his work out in Brazil and how God had a unique role for each of us, wherever that may be in the world.  Carmem Mackle and Ursula Warrington will also be sharing about their connections to missionaries is Brazil.  The meeting will have a Brazil theme and everyone is encouraged to wear yellow or green!

In the afternoon and evening you are encouraged to join us for the Global Day of Prayer including: prayer on the city walls, picnic and family friendly celebrations in the Minster.

Here is the latest news from Andy and Rose.  Download Here

And some extra info here….

If you remember, a few months ago, the local child welfare judge summoned two of our boys to see her. She has the power to take the boys out of the project and to send them home. Brazilian law prohibits orphanages, so if the boy’s life is no longer in danger she has the power to send them back to their families regardless of the family situation… i.e. the boy might have changed but many of the families just dont have the means to look after their children and so if the family hasn’t changed then the boy will slip back into his old way of life and, within a few weeks or months, his life will be in danger once again. 

The newest thought of the judge is that if a boy is able to visit home at the weekend then he is able to go home permanetly (!) … even though, in my opinion, there is a huge difference between a boy visiting home for a day or so to help his re-intergration and the family once again having the responsibility and the means to look after the boy full time. 

Unfortunately, there’s not much that we can do, we can present our case to the judge but she still has the last word and actually sent one of our boys back last year who is now back in the gangs. 

The fault is on both sides, we need to be doing more to work with and help the families but financial reasons have prevented us from organising a good, well trained family team. And the judges tend to have no experience with working with children in these situations and create rules and laws which are, unfortunatley, fatally flawed.  

So, if prayer is your thing then please do pray! Pray for the boys going to see the judge and that this situation can be resolved. Pray also for the project’s family work – that it might be improved dramatically!

Here are some dates for the diary – the boys court dates with the judge – first up is 7 yr old Gabriel!

Interviews with Child Welfare Judge this month

Gabriel 13/04

Rodrigo 20/04

Iveson 20/04

Inaldo 27/04

Thanks guys for all your prayers and support! 
Andy

Many of you will have noticed the considerable frame of Andy Roberts around G2 for the last few weeks accompanied by his rather more petite fiance, Rose. 

Here is Andy’s latest update, but do ask him more about how he is doing in person.

THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT

Join us for an aunthentic Brazilian evening on 7 March 2009 at 7.30pm in the Belfrey Hall, Stonegate, York.

The evening will include:

• Brazilian Meal
• Brazilian Music
• Samba workshop

Tickets £12 (advanced tickets only – not available on the door).  All proceeds in aid of Charity for Brazilian Streetchildren (My Father’s House / Andy Roberts).

For more information and to purchace tickets please contact Carmem tel 01904 777272, email carmem.mackle@mackle.org.uk

THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT