Newsletter - October 2011

On the 4 of July, I participated in the opening of the DTS – Discipleship Training School in YWAM Belo Horizonte. This school happened twice a year in each YWAM base around the world, and for many people it is the entering door for a long-term missionary career. The second DTS of 2011 has 13 students from different Christian denominations, different places in Brazil and the world. Students who came from near by (Belo Horizonte, Bahia, Natal) and students who came from far away (USA, North Ireland, Netherlands, Singapore). Students from different families and different stories.

Why am I talking about these students in this newsletter? Because in the following day, the 05 of July, it was the 18 year that I took the same step. That’s right! For 18 years God has been giving me the grace to remain faithful in the same calling.

A ESPECIAL DAY FOR DAVIDSON – 18 YEARS IN YWAM  

I want to tell you how great the 05 of July was. A day to celebrate 18 years surfing in the wave of young people initiated by Cunningham 50 years ago.

I woke up early and right after my quiet time with God, I prepared myself to pick up the students from DTS. DTS's leaders asked me in the week before to take the students in the Sower House’s Van to visit the eight houses of the Base. From the northeast to the southeast of Belo Horizonte, passing by the center, I went to the Lighthouse to meet the anxious group of students. I immediately took them to the Sower House. 

In the Sower House, after explaining why having a house to work with deaf children, we celebrated Lucas and Vitor’s birthday. They are twin deaf who have been with us since they are five years old. In this day they turned nine. What a joy! To see them growing and share a cake with them and the DTS students. It was a blessing!


In the afternoon, after finish the “tour” with the students, having lunch and taking my children to school and the children from Sower House to their school (in a hurry, but not crossing the speed limit, of course), I joined the leadership meeting. Every Tuesday afternoon the leaders from each house and department of YWAM have a meeting to deal with things from the Base. It has been a blessing to participate in this group of leaders. 
 
In the end of the afternoon, I went back to my rest with my family. It has been such a blessing to serve God with my family in YWAM for all this years. (Check more pictures from this day in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jLZthMmeMk ).

PRECIOUS VOLUNTEERS
 

The Sower House never worked with so few full-time missionaries like now. The work from the missionaries who are living in the House is fundamental, but I want to highlight here the help of the volunteers. Dilma, Débora, Viviane, Gilsane, Priscila, Pastor Rainer and Vilminha have been indispensable for the work to continue. In the end of an afternoon in July, Luciane and I had a wonderful time in Serra da Moeda with all our valuable volunteers, and from this afternoon I made a beautiful video. If you have some time, take a look in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6GmHH1bDRs – It’s worthy to watch!

SOME ACTIVITIES WE HAD IN THE LAST MONTHS
 

In March, after the International Day of Women, we had in our House the “Beauty Day”. With the help of volunteer professionals, we gave a present to the mothers with hair cut, hair designs, nail painting, in a environment of fellowship, worship and ministration of God’s word.

In May we went with the mothers to watch the movie RIO. It was a very pleasant afternoon to bring joy to the mothers who dedicate a lot from their time and attention to take care of their special children.

In the months of August and September we took our children and their mothers to an amusement park. With the help of our volunteer Débora, we got free tickets to the children and to the mothers. It was a big surprise to see the joy in the face of the kids when they understood they could just enjoy the toys freely, how many times they wanted to play.

In the last weekend of September we took out children to a camp. This is an event that happens every year, and it’s a great opportunity to ministry love, discipline, joy, care and many other parts of God’s character in their lives.

NEXT EVENTS

We planed for this month of October another day in the amusement park. But this time we want to take the fathers with their deaf children. Please, pray that we have a good participation from the fathers and collaboration from the mothers. Most of the kids have a distant father. The majority of the parents are divorced, and even when they are not, there is a distance because of the difficulty in communication. This day in the park is very important in our work. Please, pray.

Another very important event for us is the Family Party, which happens always in the month of December to finish our activities. This party is always a challenge for our organization and it demands a big mobilization. We want, like in every year, to give presents to the families with special Christmas baskets and a basic-suply basket, and our children and their brothers or sisters with gifts.

TRIP TO THE NETHERLANDS AND MIDDLE EAST

Since last year I was planning a ministry exchange trip. In the beginning of September we bought the tickets. Now pastor Rainer, a deaf pastor from Lagoinha Baptist Church, and I have the right date to travel. We go on the 7 of November and will come back on the 2 of December. During this 25 days we are going to visit deaf leaders and ministries with deaf people in Netherlands and Middle East. It’s a big challenge in many ways. I want to ask your prayers for my family and finances.  After 15 years of marriage, this is the first trip for such a long time and for so far away. Please, cover us in prayer. For the success of the trip and for the emotional safety of Luciane and our children, Samuel (7 years old) and Marina (4 years old).

OTHER CELEBRATIONS 

YWAM in Belo Horizonte where I work since 1993 is celebrating 25 years (http://jocumbh25anos.blogspot.com/ ).

Central Baptist Church, the church I go since I was 3 years old and the church I am a baptized member since I was 13, will complete 50 years in December ( www.ibcbh.com.br ).

I feel extremely honored for being part of the history of these two organizations.

I want to finish this letter saying thanks to all those who cover us with prayer and support. Our investment in this ministry and in the lives of the deaf children have a much greater value than I can see.

DAVIDSON E LUCIANE (SAMUEL E MARINA)