Baby Shower Sunday

One of the neat things about house church is flexibility. Based on the needs of the people, you can adapt what you are doing accordingly. Our worship times in the past have consisted of only prayer for someone who was suffering, Mother's or Father's Day celebrations, fellowship meals, or service projects. Church is more than what you do in a church building on Sunday morning. In house church, that truth becomes very clear.

This past Sunday, our house church had the opportunity to show our love and support for Daiana and her family. Daiana is now 9 months pregnant, and since her husband, Everton, is still in the drug rehab center, she has no means of financial support. We decided to celebrate the arrival of her new baby with a baby shower.

Several ladies brought snacks and the Blume girls had a great time decorating for the party.We had a surprise in store for Daiana and her sons. Everton was able to leave the rehab center (i.e. chácara) to participate in the worship and shower. It was neat to witness Daiana and the boys' reaction when they saw Everton walking up the sidewalk.Ismael was glad to see his dad.Our worship time was especially great with spirited singing and fellowship.
As is the tradition for the guys from the rehab center, before taking the Lord's Supper, they ask forgiveness from anyone that they have wronged. Everton chose that moment to publicly ask Daiana for forgiveness for the things that he had done to her while on drugs. It was a beautiful thing.
Another neat thing that the guys from the chácara do is spend lots of time singing and playing the guitar to praise songs. They have taught our church family several wonderful songs. We discovered Sunday that Everton is a talented musician. He writes his own Christian music with a distinctive sound. Here is a short clip of a song that he wrote that the chácara guys loved and requested:


After worship it was time for fellowship and opening of presents. We were thrilled that so many people brought diapers, clothes, and other necessities for the baby.




















There was lots of time for loving on the baby. Sorry if this photo makes you squirm, but Brazilians see a pregnant tummy as a beautiful thing and are not shy about showing it and allowing others to love on the baby.
One of the best things about the day was seeing the obvious love and concern that Everton has for his family.
He made the comment privately to me that our church helping Diana and the boys made it possible for him to concentrate on finishing his rehabilitation. He said that he was thankful that he didn't have to go to bed worrying that they didn't have food or clothes, and he could concentrate on getting better.That is what we are counting on. We love this family and are blessed to be able to serve them. Please remember them in your prayers. We'll let you know when the baby comes!!