Agua Viva - One family helping families

IF I RISE ON THE WINGS OF THE DAWN,

IF I SETTLE ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE SEA,

EVEN THERE YOUR HAND WILL GUIDE ME,

YOUR RIGHT HAND WILL HOLD ME FAST.

                                          Psalm 139:9-10.

Dear Friends,

How true this scripture is for my life here, if I should try and count the number of times I have been blessed I would never get to finish this letter.

I want to just pass on in this update an account of some of the recent precious blessings that have happened to us here.

Because of the problems with our aging Kombi, our dear friends at Danescourt Fellowship wanted to bless us with their project , A VAN FOR DAN, and they did bless us with a wonderful gift that , unknown to them and us was to be magnified by very generous, Anonymous Donations 

that would allow for us to purchase a brand New Kombi, Praise be to God and to our dear friends at Danescourt for their vision for a new Kombi for us. (the new kombi is being ordered). 

Sara, one of the teachers in AguAvivA school experienced something that she and I will never forget. Three weeks ago her mother was due to have her 5th child. Sara rang me at 3.30 in the morning to ask me take her mother to the hospital, when I got to her house her mother informed me that her waters had broken and the pains were very frequent, she wanted me to take her into the city hospital, but I felt we would never have enough time, so she agreed to go to the nearest hospital, Materclinica, we arrived there very quickly only to find that Materclinica had reciently closed, we left there to get to the next nearest hospital, there we asked for help, but they told us to go to next nearest hospital because they have a maternity section. After we arrived in the car park of the next hospital Sara helped her mother out of the car, as we were walking towards the entrance Sara's mother stopped upright and gave birth there and then on the pavement, Sara was holding her baby brother with both hands underneath her mother trying to keep the baby off the ground, I was holding Sara (she was feeling she would faint) and her mother, I was shouting for help, two cleaning ladies arrived with security guards and a bed trolley, then a doctor with a nurse arrived. Praise God all was well, Miquel is the baby's name. (See Photo of Sara with her miracle baby brother that she helped to deliver & another photo with Kel & Miquel, two miracles) as you can see from this photo Kel is now very well, Praise God.

Roberto continues to be such a blessing working alongside me, you can see in the photo his gentleness as he holds an injured humming bird.

He has been working on various projects for AguAvivA. The one project that has us really excited is the one that is to be done on the second floor of AguAvivA Church. The funding for part of the project is coming from here in Belo Horizonte, the false ceiling and partitions with doors will be financed by our Brasilian friends of AguAvivA.

(Check out the the "Project 2008" section of this website)

We had celebrated mother's day recently with the mums of the children in AguAvivA School, it was held in AguAvivA Church, a great time had by all. The mothers each received a gift, a rose and diploma from their children.

God continues to bless us through the Popular Resturants and Fruit/Veg market with provision of fresh food for our families every day.

Our daily prayers start by asking God to bless you All abundantly, for your amazing love and commitment to us, prayer changes things and all you read about what's happening with us is the results of your faithfulness to us, not just in praying but in practically serving with your generous giving, true servant hearts.

Thank you All so very much, we can't do it without you, as you see AguAvivA grow be blessed because you have All helped us to grow.

Our Love & Blessings Always,

Danny, Sandra, Lucas, Roberto & Team (AguAvivA one family helping families)

HAVE A WONDERFULLY BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE THE LOVE OF GOD.

Dear Friends,

Our last update was in Sept, and we were rejocing as always in the many ways God has been blessing us.

With the AguAvivA School project completed, all our efforts and resources were directed on getting the AguAvivA Church finished,as you can see by the photo's this has now been accomplished,by God's amazing Grace,Faithfulness,and Provision through you His Faithful People,as you have supported us through prayer and have given so generously to make the visions of the AguAvivA School and Now the AguAvivA Church become a reality.

We thank you All so very much for the ways in which you have showed your committment to us, we continue to ask God in our daily prayer meetings to pour back

to you in abundance for your Faithfulness, we are so blessed to have you as part of AguAvivA Family, some are called to go ,but many are called to support as many of you are doing and this has touched us deeply.

We have been so blessed with visitors from time to time, last year we had Jill & Jean from Trethomas Christian Fellowship,two women that had come to serve whole heartedly,our families still ask after them, why, because they knew that their lives were touched by the love of Jesus that just poured out of Jill & Jean.

Thanks girls so much for All you are doing in sharing about AguAvivA,God Bless You.

Another visitor we had three years ago was also, a man of God, Dave Townsend, anyone that comes into contact with Dave will realise too the Joy of Lord that just pours out of him.

Well Dave caught the vision of AguAvivA and made a video of his first visit, on his return to Wales he shared his experiences with anyone that would let him.

Doing deputation work in churches and house groups raising awareness of AguAvivA's work in the favelas of Belo Horizonte Brasil.

He then became a member of the AguAvivA support group in Wales,this year he came back to take part in the Inauguration of the AguAvivA Church ,but he needed to to some painting,etc first to get the church ready for the Inauguration.

Dave was here with Pr Bob Muncy from Delaware USA,and they both shared God's word,it was a wonderful time in the Lord for everyone.

Dave has since returned to Wales with another video that he is willing to share with churches,house groups or fellowships.Dave's Phone N º is 01446 413307.

David Townsend had the priveledge of going  to Brasil in November. here is an "as is" report from him:

Psalm 91;1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty"

Danny informs the team that Pastor Bob Muncy from the USA will not arrive today as planned,storms in the states have stop the aircraft from flying  and has been cancelled,but will arrive on Thursday.

Fernando, Roberto and myself go to the fruit market this morning.The market must be at least five time larger than the fruit market in Cardiff Wales.The firm we go to is called PRODAL,all the fruit and veg is donated by the traders and is picked up by the Prodal team, then they distribute it to local charities which AguAvivA is one of them.AguAvivA then distribute it to the people in the Favela Leblon.

In the afternoon I continue painting at the Church.Wednesday evening is the last mid week meeting of worship and praise in Danny & Sandra's  house.Roberto will minister the word while Rosa,Sara and Bim take over the worship and  praise.We have even more people on Wednesday about 30 and 15 young people,while Roberto ministers the word from Luke 15 ,the prodigal Son.Sandra takes the children for there evening worship time.

Thursday Nov 22nd

Proverbs 13;20

"He who walks with wise men will be wise"

Certain people stroke the fires within you to be all you can be,when you find them feed off them.I am feeding off the love shown in the AguAvivA  team.There is a spirit of excitment at what the Lord is doing in this place.Understanding this,you must have the foundation and you cannot build it without help.Seeing God bless someone else should challege each one of us to reach higher.I continue to help paint the Church but it's warm work,the temperature has been between 34% and 37% degrees all this week,no, I am not complaining as I spoke to my wife Lynne in the UK and it's freezing.

 We collect Pastor Bob Muncy from the airport in the afternoon who is arriving from Delaware in the USA.Pastor Bob reflects on what is happening in his Church,the anointing of the Holy Spirit is moving,people are having super natural things happen.Pastor Bob was preaching one Sunday in his church in Delaware, when he asked one of the deacon's if the heating system was on,the deacon told him that no heating was on, but Bob could feel this wind around him so he moved to another part of the platform only to find the wind was still with him,he then asked if any of the congregation could feel wind and several said yes,was it the wind of the spirit ?.In these past few months people had experience of "Gold Dust" on their hands.It happened one night when a group of teenagers started laughing while Bob was preaching.in turn the teenagers experienced this Gold Dust on their hands and they were asking the others,do you want it,and prayed for each other, and they all experienced this super natural event.It has happened time and again over the last few months although Bob has not had it himself on his hands.Nothing in the bible talks about "Gold Dust" but it is said that heaven is paved with gold.

Friday Nov 23rd

Philippians 4;4

Rejoce in the Lord Always ,I will say again rejoce"

LOVE, God's love means giving to those who seem to have little or nothing to give back.It challenges the inate selfishness in each of us and goes against the grain,but it is love in a higher form.I see that love through AguAvivA here in the Favela Vila Leblon Belo Horizonte Brazil.

We make the daily journey into the city of Belo to receive the free food from the two Government restaurants,the driver of the Combi leaves every day at 13;30pm,by the time he has collected the food then brought it back to AguAvivA for distribution it is 16;30pm and it happens five days a week, The people are so grateful to AguAvivA for the LOVE shown to them.

Work coninues on the Church and Nego the builder has nearly completed laying the floor tiles,painting is going ahead at a pace.

Saturday Nov 24th

Philippians 1;6

"Being confident of this,that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ".

Just one day to complete the work on the Church ready for the Inauguration service on Sunday evening.It is the big clean up with the AguAvivA team all ready for action.The painter has still so much to do we find it is impossible to clean untill he complete's the work so the team decides to return early on Sunday morning do the cleaning.We have a relaxing afternoon with a swim in Danny's pool.

Sunday Nov25th

Jeremiah 29;11

"For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord,plans to prosper you not to harm you,plans to give you hope and a future"

It is 09;00 and we go to the Church for the clean up,the painter is signwritting on the outside wall.Sandra has her team of cleaners ready and soon it's hose pipe time,the people in the favela love to hose down everything,splashing water around is one of there favourate pass times.The tiling has been completed so it 's water ,water everywhere with brushes and mops they all help.It is now gone 2.00pm ,and the church is clean and the table and chairs are set out.Back to Danny and Sandra's house for the flowers,Another miracle happened,Roberto had gone to a friends wedding on Saturday night and the wedding couple decided to donate all their flowers to AguAvivA for the Inaugural service "PRAISE THE LORD"  what a blessing.

The people start to arrive at 6;45 for the Inaugural Service,people are steaming in and it is not long before the Church is packed to overflowing.While the people came in, Sandra and Danny  with the AguAvivA Team, myself and Pastor Bob have a time of prayer before the service.At 7;00pm Danny welcomes everyone to this very special service and prays,the worship group plays for the worship time, and do the Brazilians love to worship,it goes on for over about one and a half hours,the spirit of the Lord filled the place.

Danny then invites me to speak and I give the Christian greetings from the UK Support group and my home Church At Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Barry.I then speak from 2 Tim 2;19." Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm,sealed with this insciption,"The Lord knows those who are his",and everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.

Being confident on the foundation the Lord Jesus has layed down in the new Church of AguAvivA because it is being built on a good foundation through the work Danny Sandra and Lucas have worked for all these years in the Favela, Vila Leblon.The Vision that Danny had those many years ago is now coming to fruition,may God continue to bless this work.

Pastor Bob Muncy from Delaware in the USA gave the main address from Jeremiah 29;11-13.and Matthew 6;9 and Matthew 4;23.

New beginings ,A hope and a future,plans for you all and healing within the favela's.SALVATION came to many as they came forward after the address and also for the healing ministry people were just praising God for what he had done.Danny Sandra Roberto and Bob prayed with many people for healing as the worship group played in the background, it was such a precious time for everyone,we were all together in one place and in one accord, the Lord moved mightly,a time of blessing was received by all who attended.It was gone 10;00pm before the service finished.It was worth all the 7000 miles I had traveled to be with AguAvivA in Brazil for the Inauguration Service.

Monday Nov 26th

After such a hectic day on Sunday I thought we might rest ,not a bit of it.We go to the AguAvivA School in the morning to take the children to the clothes shop to have them fitted for there graduation clothes,dresses for the girls and suits for the boys.As in the UK we have school summer holidays ,in Brazil the school summer holiday is from December until February. Graduation day is December 7th,AguAvivA is busy getting the children ready for there special day.

Tuesday Nov 27th

Up at 05;00am,Roberto is taking us to the mountains,Belo Horizonte means Beautiful Horizon, and what beauiful mountains they are.We leave at 05;45 drive to the mountain area of Serra Off Piedade and pray on the mountain top at 7:00am.It ia very misty but the sun breaks through the mist so we can take photo's, as we look down on God's wonderful creation to the forests below.On the top of the mountain is a small Church and a person cam to open  the Church so we can go in.We then drive to a small town and have breakfast of beefburger,chicken and ham and cheese pasties, with coffee.

Time for more exploring as we go to another town and a very large Church and are told about the history of the Church it is 284 years old.We arrive back in Belo ready to take pastor Bob back to the airport for his trip home.The Combi has to go in the garage for repair today and Danny is unable to find transport to collect the food,he had to put a notice on his front door that no food is available today.The people of the favela will go hungry today.The combi is a vital part of the minisrty of AguAvivA without it many people would not have food.Our PRAYER is that God will supply a new combi for AguAvivA to continue this work.

We take Tina, one of the ladies in the favela goes to buy bleach which is concentrated in a 20kg container,she then dilutes the bleach and can sell it in 2litre Coke bottles around the favela,this is another part of the ministry that AguAvivA is involved in,so she can then make money for herself and her family.

It has been another great opportunity to see and be part of the work AguAvivA does in the Vila Leblon Belo Horizonte Brazil, and I pray that my reports will be food for thought to many people and they would consider supporting this vital work of God.

God Bless you all

Dear Friends,

We have been praying and trying to analise our situation regarding our finances,and we have made certain decisions to see if we can somehow manage on what seems to be our commited support each month , ie £550.00, this amount hasn´t changed for of number years, and to be honest, we never knew that this amount was all we had to depend on each month, but by God´s grace we haven´t been faced with just this amount to meet our needs,that is until a couple of months back,when we received £650.00 for our monthly support,we needed at least another £850.00 to meet our needs that month.

We said that we would make the necessary changes to try and reduce our outgoings,we had in fact made some changes after the realisation that our support has been droping.

Where we are at now with the changes we have made is, we had 7 paid volunteers,we now have three,Sara & Rosa the teachers in AguAvivA school and Fernando our Kombi driver,the building work has stopped,we have cancelled the Heathcare insurance for Sandra & Lucas,Gerson has also been told that from this month we cannot afford to pay him.

Even with All these changes we still can´t manage on £550.00 each month,we need at least £1100.00,that´s our basic needs.

Whatever needs to done to keep AguAvivA going we are prepared to do,we are not looking at defeat because we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS IN CRISTO JESUS, just look at the photo´s to see how much has God done and will continue to do until HIS work has been completed,AMEN!!!.

Let me share now about the photo´s, you will see that AguAvivA Escola Cristã is almost completed,we just need to paint the windows. (Note from Jon, check out photo gallery)

The church building, AguAvivA Comunidade Cristã ,has all the outside walls rendered and pebble dashed just like the school building,we will also paint the church in same colours as the school, we also pebble dashed the front of the house next door,it really did need doing,and they are part of the church family,the builders,Nego & Kel, were rendering the walls on the inside of the top floor,the pastoral office walls are done.

In the temple we need to remove the 4 pillars,the stairs also need to be rendered,the floor needs to be prepared for ceramic tiles throughout.

You can see the blessings of the food we receive from the resturants and from the fuit/veg market,we are currently helping 60 families with God´s provision.

Amidst all the blessings we had a very serious problem with the drains at the side of house,see photo´s, it seems the sewer box had been blocked and was sending the water under the the concrete and tiles that could have caused us to have subsidence if not delt with,what brought our attention to this was a large rat that passed by us one night and entered a hole in the concrete at the side of the house,we immeadiately put rat poison down and called Nego & Kel the builders to close any holes the rats might use to enter the house,that was when we discovered the problem,Nego & Kel was here a week to resolve the problem.

God never stops ceasing to amaze us with His goodness to us and His ways of showing us we are in the right place at the time,the photo´s of baptism happened yesterday.

We had a visit from a friend Regiane,she´s the sister of Bim the angel that brought our new computer,well she brought a friend with her, Sara and her little girl Bela, when Bela saw the swimming pool she wanted to go in,so Sandra went in with her.

Regiane said that God had been telling her this past weekend for her to pay us another visit.

I was sitting with them,Regiane and Sara sharing our update news and showing them photo´s,one of the photo´s was of the baptism of Jaliene,Sara said to me, oh!!, pastor you have your baptism´s here,I said yes ,do know Jesus as your Lord, she said yes 4yrs now,but I have never been baptised, would you like me to baptise you,Sara then said, what do I need to be baptised,I said  your desire and this water here,are you ready lets do it now. 

As I said those words this scripture came to mind,Acts 8:26,when Philip was with the Ethiopian eunuch in vs 38 the eunuch said ,look here is water,Why shouldn´t I be baptised.

I share this with Regiane and she had the same scripture in the morning before they came to us, HE IS LORD, HE IS LORD EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS THAT HE IS LORD.

Sara said it´s the best day of her life,as she left the pool she rang her husband,who is a commited Christian,and shared with him what had happened,tears of joy were flowing freely in all of us,no doubt in her husband also.

On saturday I was asked by Juninho if I could go with him to meet his girlfriend,he said they both want to receive Jesus in their heart ,that they need to make certain decisions and want to do the right thing,I listened to their heartfelt cries for help,shared the word with them,we prayed and they both received Jesus in their hearts.

On sunday night at the meeting Juninho played guitar in the worship time,we have known Juninho for at least 12yrs,but he had never made a commitment, just last month I remember telling him that he can´t keep sitting on the fence,he needs to make a decision,Praise God now he has.

What a Blessed way to end this email.

Our Love & Blessings Always

Danny,Sandra,Lucas & Team.

***EASTER GREETINGS ***

Dear friends,

Our Gracious God never ceases to amaze with His goodness to us,our Christmas spent with our family in Wales was a precious blessing, and we also want to say how much we were blessed by everyone we came into contact with,old friends and new friends.