July is a school recess month in Brazil. Because the country is south of the equator, this time of year is considered winter. That means there is no snow, just lots of rain. The end of the school year and major summer break happen in December and January. During this month we hosted several special gatherings.

The first event was Kids Camp, a four-day, three-night retreat for children ages 6 to 12. This year 67 children participated from eight area congregations. About 40 percent came from non-Christian families. Thirty volunteers, including adults and youth, worked hard to keep everyone safe. May God bless them for their efforts.

The camp was held at the Lar Mana orphanage facility just outside Recife. This year’s theme was “David Loves the Lord.” Some children had never heard the story of David and Goliath. In a skit designed to teach the story, a young person sitting on another’s shoulders, both covered with a sheet, played Goliath. When David struck Goliath with a stone, there was a miscommunication and only the top person fell. One child asked, “Did David break Goliath in half?”

Bio and Dayse Gomes organized the camp along with their three grown daughters. This was the 16th year of the event, and their daughters grew up participating in it. We thank God for the opportunity to plant His Word in these young lives and to help prepare them for their journey ahead.