The Vila Andrade Ministry site has changed a lot since my last visit in 2003 with a short-term team from my home church. At that time, Pastor Marcelo was in the planning stages of starting community service projects, as well as grow the Vila Andrade church itself. Our short-term team was able to do some painting and build a stage for worship services, which is still in use today, only now it has moved to the lower level of the building.
Pastor Marcelo was able to rent (not buy yet as he had hoped) the space previously occupied by an auto mechanic, and has turned it into a nice worship area. The upstairs is being renovated, with help from the city, to house a library, computers, and other classrooms for community learning, as well as renovated bathrooms, an office, and even an elevator!
Next door is a space being rented from 'Habib's' - which is actually a hamburger chain here, where the Sunday School classes are held. Another few doors down is where the Community Social Assistance program is held. During the weekday's, 60 children come either in the morning or afternoon for a meal, devotional and then spend time in a classroom setting, to supplement what they are learning in school. This also keeps them off the streets during non-school hours. On Tuesday's and Thursday's, a group of children go up to the Morumbi church, where they are a part of a band, orchestra, or singing group.
While children are a big part of the community service project, the adults are getting assistance as well. A number of women come and take part in jewelry making, which will be sold later on, and a new program started training women on hair cutting and doing manicures. It was only a test program, but was so successful, they are going to run it again. Women now can have their own little business in their homes cutting hair.
If you have one of my bookmarks, you might recognize these two boys from the back!
Henrique and Leo
No comments:
Post a Comment