My time at Casa Renovo

I took advantage of having time off due to Carnaval to get out of the city and visit some friends from DTS at Casa Renovo, one of the children's shelters for our base, which is located in the small town of Itauna, 90 km or so outside of Belo.



Of all of the shelters I have visited (which is all of the shelters at our base), I think that beyond a doubt Casa Renovo has the best set up for the children. The goals of the house are very simple: 1) have a positive impact on the lives of the children, 2) take care of nature and teach to do the same (through the nature on the property, and 3) have a positive influence on the surrounding community. I may have not got those exactly right, but the big three are children, nature, and community.

I think being out in nature and having the opportunity to play outside has an extremely positive effect on the children and also in turn makes it easier for the workers, because their temperament is much calmer than children in an enclosed shelter in the city with little space and no nature. The children there also learn responsibility and how to care for nature by having chores in the yard and learning about all of the trees and plants growing there.

It was really nice for me to have a few days away from the Lighthouse and outside of the city, to really get some fresh air! Thanks for those of you who prayed for God to give me clarity regarding the things He'd shared with me before that I didn't understand - He definitely gave me that clarity. I also had a great time visiting my friends Arjen and Els from DTS. It was my first time seeing them since DTS graduation at the beginning of November. It was also their son's first birthday, so I got to celebrate with them!





Now I am back at the Lighthouse and work starts up again tomorrow morning! I have missed not having group the past several days, so I look forward to seeing my girls again!