ROMEU
&
MICHELE
A LOT OF WORK
Contrary to what many people may think, the period between the last camp of the year and the first of the following year involves heavy maintenance work in the area where Lamalma programs take place, in addition to what is already routinely done in front of tablets and laptops in an office, contacts, planning, visits, assistance, translating, etc... It is the very wet rainy summer season here in our region, which means sun, heat and lots of water coming down, which is, pure vitamin for the vegetation, growing uninterruptedly, from below, from the sides and even from above! It is also during this period that we take the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments to the adventure and cooperative activities, and also build new challenges. In our first camp this year we tried one of the new activities out, our Magic Flute, a very fun and wet teamwork experience. Total success!
JUVENILE PRISON SYSTEM
We have already mentioned in previous letters how difficult and laborious it is to obtain the release of some teenagers from the juvenile prison system who attend English classes taught by missionaries from Casa Resgate (YWAM-BH) for a day camp with Lamalma. These are legal procedures, conditioned to good behavior, availability and willingness of penitentiary agents, social workers and psychologists, in addition to small details that may make it unfeasible for the minor to leave for a day out.
As it is not a prison in the conventional way, security is not as tight, and in an unfortunate situation, one of the teens who was scheduled for our day camp escaped from the unit a few days before. This will probably imply in a new imprisonment under more severe conditions, and a lost opportunity to share the Word of transformation to the life of a completely lost teenager, without good references, without hope.
In addition to Lamalma's regular program for the day camp, we used resources available to purchase and distribute a Youth Bible for each of the boys who came, offering a word of encouragement and hope in the One who holds all the power to radically transform the life of anyone who allows himself to be transformed by the living God. Theme addressed: Freedom. It was a day of pure joy; and we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to wisper freedom words in their ears.
PROJECT COMPASSION
As mentioned in previous newsletter, Michele started visiting a shelter home for women rescued from prostitution or recently released from prison, some of them pregnant and/or with babies aand small children. This work – Project Compassion – has the support of YWAM-Contagem, which maintains an incredible work of evangelism, support and life transformation in the main red light district of Belo Horizonte. It is still too early to determine urgencies and propose changes, but the material lack of this shelter is clear and evident, as well as establishing approach strategies that could determine a new direction in the lives of those women. Our prayer request here consists in having the wisdom to understand, through the eyes of Christ, the real needs of that place and those people and how to help satisfy them.
However, there are needs that are too obvious and urgent to simply fold our arms and “wait” on God. One of the women in the shelter had to be hospitalized in a hurry and her baby would be “left” in the house, under the supervision of the other sheltered women, as there is no full-time worker there to command, organize and delegate tasks. This could imply in risks for the baby, as the history and erratic behavior of those women unfortunately does not point to any level of safety for that child. The result: Michele and I went back to living among the car seats, cribs, diapers and toys in our house while the mother recovered in the hospital. And our house has been a little more hectic these days! Fortunately his mom had to stay in the hospital for only one and a half week, and the baby is now back and hppy with his mom.
CONTINUOUS CAMPAIGN
Our campaign to acquire a new car for Lamalma continues. So far we have approximately a quarter of the vehicle's total value. There is still a long way to go, but we believe that the work will not stop, and at the proper time, Lamalma will be able to enjoy a vehicle suited to its needs. If you wish to contribute to this demand, please contact us.
FAMILY AND SPORTS
Michele is completely recovered from her hip surgery, which gave us great joy and relief, given the size of the intervention and the pain she had been feeling before the surgery and in the immediate post-operative period. Therefore, we are very grateful to everyone who expressed affection and prayed for Michele's health. On the other hand, she is experiencing a bout of spondylitis, another condition that inflicts pain on different parts of the body, including her hip and chest. She is being monitored by a specialist doctor and is awaiting the release of a new medicine. Prayers are welcome for this release to come soon and have the expected effect.
Igor and Eva continue to train hard, taekwondo and artistic gymnastics, respectively. Both have been training with an increased workload, managing to keep up with their obligations at school and chores at home. Aand of course winning meddals is part of the package. Great deal of their acomplishments also goes to Michele, who manages – I don't know how – to manage all of their schedulles without compromising ministerial and private commitments. By now she has already taken Igor to 2 major championships, this year alone, in Rio de Janeiro. Nerves of steel, as I cheer from a distance having ice cream with Eva on our special father-daughter days.
HOLLAND IN THE PLANNING
We could say that, since last year, a miracle has taken the form of wings, and now we have the joy of having in our hands the tickets for our family to go to Holland at the end of this year, 2023. Bringing the whole family together after a long time and so much geographical distance. All the children, cousins, grandchildren – joy of opa and oma Lukasse – together after more than a decade!!
For that, we have a request to our friends in Holland. Igor (15 years and 1,80m) and Eva (13 years and 1,50m) will need winter clothes suitable for the Dutch winter. If you have clothes to be donated that are compatible with their age, we are open and grateful to receive them.
Stay tuned as we continue to share here our activities and adventures. The year is promising, and we hope that the Lord will bless our steps and make all the effort undertaken in the work bear lasting fruit.
In Christ,
Romeu de Almeida
29/03/23
MISSION GIVEN,
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
About a year ago, we had some projects and proposals for 2022 aimed at improving the experiences of the children that come to the Lamalma camps. We are glad it was possible to successfully implement them, with the ropes circuit being the most significant, as it guarantees more options for interacting with the children. Another successful proposal was the realization of two mega camps, in partnership with Global Equip, with four social projects at the same time and also the return of day camps with teens from the juvenile prisional system.
A new approach.
First big test on the rope course.
The Word among four different projects.
NEWS IN 2023
For 2023, a greater challenge has been put on the table, and the plan is to hold 4 mega camps, exponentially expanding the number of children served. The dates for conventional Lamalma camps, focusing on relationships, introspection and contemplation, are also set.
We will have 13 camps! And with these events in view, we have already acquired the necessary material to build two more cooperative activities. It is in these group challenges that we can observe and discuss our impressions with the children, encourage them in what they perform with excellence and motivate them to improve in what they need. It is very interesting to see how different gifts and talents are highlighted with these activities and it offer us the opportunity to really boost the self-esteem of each child and teenager.
ON THE RADAR
We are in contact with some new and small social projects, one of which we have already visited and we will certainly set apart dates to serve them in 2023. They are very material limited ministries, located in the heart of the favelas, heroically maintained by Christians detached from everything and faithful to Jesus and the Gospel.
Another news is the possibility of a new front of action. Since before the beginning of Lamalma, Michele had collaborated with a ministry that aimed to impact the lives of women in the Guaicurus region, the red-light district area in Belo Horizonte. We always hoped to work on this front again. We depended on God for movements that were beyond our reach.
But on an unexpected visit in August, on the week before Michele's hip surgery, we got a sign that that vision might be maturing. A pioneer in working with the girls of Guaicurus knocked on our door: Tio Pedro, a YWAM reference in terms of evangelism and urban missions. He brought an invitation for Michele to join a work being carried out in favor of those women in a house close to where we live. Naturally, Michele would first need to undergo surgery, then recover in order to finally contribute whatever was needed in this ministry of mercy with women who are so exploited. Could you pray for this?
THE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
The campaign for Lamalma to buy a new car is still going on, as we don't have the full amount needed yet, but we know that at the right time we will be able to buy this much needed vehicle. The cost of a good car here is 24,000 Euro. We already have €8,000, so still need €16,000. If you want to contribute to this don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.
FAMILY
For a precious period of just over a month we have Johan and Jeannette Lukasse with us who, between appointments and meetings, are enjoying family and dear friends. How good it is to have them close by! Before heading with them to a big YWAM-Brazil conference, there was even time for Johan to build, together with Eva and Michele, a beautiful house in the backyard for the mischievous rabbit Catarina, Eva’s pet.
Igor is getting ready to move up the ranks in his black belt on Taekwondo and has already set the title of Brazilian youth taekwondo champion as a goal for 2023. Eva celebrates the arrival of a new equipment at the training center, which will greatly facilitate the execution of her jumps and pirouettes in artistic gymnastics. Michele is now fully recovered from the surgery she had on her hip, and is working on realigning her posture and investing in restoring her muscle mass. She has already been able to participate in two camps, obviously respecting her limitations, and next year she will be ready to face the challenges without pain or discomfort. The Lord has been very generous to us.
CHRISTMAS
We use a lot of words, a lot of action, and have a lot of plans and expectations. But if there is no love, all this is worthless. And because God so loved the world, Jesus became the ultimate expression of that love. That frail baby born of a woman, laying in the dry straw of a manger, is the means and the end of all these things. Wow, there is no better news for mankind! Glory to God and Merry Christmas, dear ones!
Romeu de Almeida
09/12/22
LAMALMA: 10 YEARS OUTDOOR
In this report, we are delighted to celebrate 10 years of adventures in obedience to the very specific calling of Lamalma. Although we have already documented in a book - available only in Portuguese – the story of how it all began, it is very difficult to put into words what has been truly happening among us, between tents, trails, and the Message. I would say it is impossible to fully grasp, what the Lord has done through this ministry. We could say that a lot children and teenagers have been reached, and by extension their families, but we would like to highlight the impact this work has had on us, and hope also on you, the reader of this letter.
First art with the first group of boys served by Lamalma: Reconstruir Project, in Sarzedo, 2014.
We are talking about the clashing of two worlds – both material and spiritual – two distinct cultures within this country, which are being transformed through the Gospel. Our minds have been remarkably renewed in this process, so much so that today, far more than 10 years ago, we better understand the urgency of the Great Commission, so that we may experience the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Our prayer is that you, also an inseparable co-participant in this process, are experiencing this, let's say, refinement of the missionary vision, this spiritual maturity, in order to focus on what is eternal; not on the finite, fleeting, and transitory. Glory to God for your life, my brother, my sister; for the Church of Christ; for those who have not grown weary on the path that leads to sanctification.
MEGA CLOSURE
In November, we held the third Mega Camp of the year, with a few particularities. Unlike previous Mega Camps, where the proposal was integration among different social projects, this last Mega of 2024 was made up of 48 children from just one project: Reconstruir. Children from the extremely poor Morro da Pedras favela complex experienced well-being, fun, and the Biblical Word of Ephesians 6:10-18, under the theme of the armor of God, just as in the two previous Mega Camps in July.
One of the leaders of Reconstruir, after sending us messages from mothers filled with contentment and emotion about what they saw and heard from their children, said the following: “I can only imagine the weight of the spiritual oppression on you to organize these camps.” She said this because she is well aware of the brutal reality of those children and knows what lies behind each of them: abandonment, abuse, violence, and material and spiritual misery. And we truly felt that weight, to the point that we arrived at the camp site already in "Spiritual Battle" mode, both physically and mentally exhausted. She continued: “I felt the impact of the Word in the children's lives very strongly because we accompany them every day, and this time we felt a difference in how they received the Message.”
Some testimonies from mothers, forwarded to us by the leadership of Reconstruir:
“(...) the most significant moment for my daughters was when they gave their lives to God. Both of them told me everything, but the first thing they said was that they gave their lives to God, that they cried, and they asked me if I was happy.”
“First of all, I would like to thank you for giving the children such a special weekend, with so many incredible experiences! Many stories to tell here… Everyone had so much fun and came back full of life and joy in their eyes. When I asked how the camp was, they immediately said: ‘It was great, Mom, and we gave our lives to Jesus. We are very happy and at peace!’ I am just grateful for providing such learning for these children!”
“(...) I would like to thank you all for the outing. My daughter loved every detail, the care you showed for her and the other children as well. What touched me most was the way you brought them closer to the Lord Jesus. Thank you so much for everything!”
“I don’t even know how to thank you. I was so moved. The first thing I heard from Manu was that she had given her life to Jesus. She talked about the moments, the words, the songs. She came back different. I was so surprised by the experiences she had that weekend. I’m sure from now on, she will be a better child in faith. She came back listening to hymns from church. She spoke and read Bible verses. Really, my heart is so warm with this. Thank you so much for everything!”
MANGÁS + MANGAS
In partnership with Global Equip, we were able to donate several boxes of a Manga series to the Reconstruir Project. These boxes contain biblical stories told through a language that children absolutely love! Each box has six volumes covering themes such as Creation, the History of the Redemption of Humanity, Paul's Missions, the Life of Jesus, His Triumphal Return, and others. The sharing of this spectacular material is conditioned upon ongoing supervision by a missionary worker responsible for the library and literature classes at the project. This intervention will begin in the 2025 school year.
NEW GENERATION
In 2024, we were fortunate enough, in practically all Lamalma camps, as well as in the three Mega Camps, to count on the help of an amazing team of teenage volunteers who are friends of our children. We pray that this ministerial vision will be passed on to the new generations, and that it will not only continue, but grow even more.
Our teen volunteers serving with joy.
NOT 10, BUT 40 YEARS
Looking at the many children who surrendered to the Lord, a feeling of immense joy and emotion arose in my heart. The reason was the presence of Johan and Jeannette Lukasse, Michele's parents, who were spending about a month with us in Belo Horizonte and were also joyfully serving those children at the camp.
If, in 2024, at the Rancho das Pedras Vivas, we were able to utilize strategies, field experience, and structures designed to meet the needs of disadvantaged children, as well as many other advantages, it was because, back in the mid-1980s, this couple laid the foundations for a loving approach to the children once known as street kids. Therefore, we are part of a generation already supported by a missionary vision of community development, a result of their pioneering efforts.
Paul Perry, owner of Living Stones Ranch honoring Johan and Jeannette.
Just as I lack understanding and can’t find the words to describe what God is doing in the hearts of those children, Johan and Jeannette certainly had no idea of the impact their obedience would have on the streets of Belo Horizonte and Brazil.
WALKING WITH CHAMPIONS
After Igor competed in Bahrain, I couldn’t miss sharing our pride in seeing him respond to yet another call-up to the Brazilian Taekwondo Team, this time for the 2024 TKD Poonsae World Championship in Hong Kong, China. There, this 16-year-old boy, our little arrow, shared the Hong Kong Coliseum corridors with the best Poomsae athletes in the world, the elite of this sport. It was a great learning experience as an athlete, and above all, as a man. May everything be done with a heart full of honor and glory to our Almighty Lord.
As for Eva, recovering from her coccyx injury, we are very thankful to everyone who prayed for her, as shared in previous letters. She is now back to training in Krav Maga and has started training in Taekwondo Freestyle (which combines artistic gymnastics with Taekwondo movements), with the added benefit of having her older brother as her coach. Could that lead to fights?
EXALTED!
May this Christmas be a time where Jesus is exalted above all else! For a child is born to us, a son is given to us, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)
HALLELUJAH!
Romeu de Almeida
20/12/2024
REMARKABLE FRUITS OF THE KINGDOM
Where many children are molded and replicate patterns of violence, drug use and trafficking and early sexuality in the world around them, there are also stories of impact and transformation through the Christian example of selfless commitment. I had the immense joy of meeting Paloma again, now a 25-year-old woman, happily married and committed to serving children and teenagers in the same way that she herself had been served and had a remarkable encounter with Jesus.
Around 2009, we received a group of children from the Jeriel Mission (now Solidares Mission) for a camp at the New Destiny Adventure Center, a mission where we served for 8 years, in Itabirito, MG. Today, more than 15 years later, Paloma has replicated the pattern of love and care she received as a child and has come to Lamalma as leader and was responsible for a group of 12 teenagers, certain of the power that such an experience can provide.
Paloma (featured), in 2009, with some of the children served by the Jeriel Mission at Novo Destino Adventure Center.
Paloma, 2023, as leader of a group of 12 children, during a Lamalma camp at Rancho da Pedras Vivas.
And the most surprising thing is that, over the years, this pattern, the fruit of the Grace of our dear God, has been repeated, and we are witnesses to this. A similar story had already happened with Lamalma, a fact recounted in our December 2018 newsletter.
YEAR OF (RE)PREMIERES
After eight years of being unable to hike longer distances because of her hip, in June Michele was finally able to return with a group of Lamalma children to one of our beautiful waterfalls.
The surgeries she has undergone had the expected effects, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayers over the years. Michele still has some occasional pain caused by spondylitis, but we can say that she now has a much better quality of life.
Another interesting piece of news was the participation of Igor and Eva's friends as volunteers in practically all of Lamalma's camps this year. It is - and always has been - our desire to prepare and delegate ministry tasks to people who are interested in missions and especially in Lamalma's work. Because we know the potential of this work and the impact it has on the lives of so many disadvantaged children and teenagers, it is important that these young people are excited about serving and giving of themselves with love. After all, time is relentless, we won't always be here, and may the work continue.
Some of the people who make Lamalma a reality.
MEGA KIDS AND MEGA TEENS
In July we held two of the three Mega Camps planned for this year: Mega Kids and Mega Teens. It was an exhausting job that wouldn't have been possible without the help and generosity of so many people. The theme was The Armor of God, in which Michele unpacked each piece of the Ephesians 6 armor during the weekend devotionals. The children and teenagers were clearly shown their roles and implications in the spiritual world, which gave us excellent private conversations and hearts being poured out before the Lord.
Many lives were surrendered to the irresistible perfume of Jesus, some in tears. Those who didn't have a Bible got one, those who had doubts were embraced; and once again the impression left was that we were the ones most impacted by what the Eternal is doing. He is inclined to take into his strong arm each one of those little ones who are invisible to a world of appearances. Here we are, Lord, may we be found fit for the task.
Paul Perry demonstrating that you only lift the heavy sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God - when you're on your knees.
YELLOW LIGHT ON!!!
What we witnessed during the campaign to buy a car suitable for Lamalma's needs was simply overwhelming. The Lord's care through the generosity of so many brothers and sisters showed us (again!) that the Church of Christ can do all things in Him who strengthens her. In short: we have witnessed a great miracle. However, it is necessary and urgent that we report on a critical situation that Lamalma has been facing.
The campaign to buy the car was conceived separately from the resources Lamalma needed to maintain itself. The plan has always been to keep a reserve that would guarantee at least two months of the ministry's operation while the funds continued to arrive on a monthly basis. This plan has worked perfectly well, however, since March - the month we bought the car - income specifically for maintaining the work has fallen considerably, while operating expenses have risen. Comparing the last four months enterings in our accounts with the previous four months, there has been a reduction in income of more than 50%. In other words, the reserve we had served its purpose, but monthly income has since dwindled, thus turning on the yellow light.
The situation is as follows: Lamalma today has the resources for just two more camps (taking into account operating and administrative costs). This still makes it impossible to plan maintenance, improve and expand activities, buy prizes for the children and even replace the Bibles that are donated to some of them.
Lamalma needs to increase its income urgently and sustainably if it is to continue offering the best to the children and teenagers we serve.
Anyone who is involved directly or indirectly with Lamalma can have our accounting spreadsheet made available for checking and transparency purposes (in Portuguese) by simply contacting us.
CASA RENASCER: THE DREAM IS STILL ALIVE
Meeting with CAMEF's volunteer psycho-pedagogue and lawyer, who have offered unconditional support to our plans.
As we have shared here, we believe that the Lord has put it on our hearts (and is opening doors in this regard) to get involved with a ministry that welcomes single mothers in situations of severe vulnerability. We were finally able to make our intention very clear to the owner of the house next to ours, which has been purchased for this specific purpose, but which is currently being rented out. The proposal was accompanied by a project drawn up by Michele, in partnership with CAMEF (Casa de Amparo a Mães e Filhos) and with the support, advice and experience of Ronald and Frida Tijdeman, the couple responsible for Damaris House, which serves women in this same situation in Holland and which we had the joy of visiting in January of this year.
To the human eye, everything still seems very hazy, but we have seen a lot of water rising so that our little boat can overcome previously insurmountable obstacles. We insist on asking that this project find a place in your heart and prayers.
9 YEARS LATER...
Not since 2015 had our family set foot on white sand, under a parasol, sipping coconut water, with the sea breeze beating against our chests and our thoughts on nothing; in the classic Brazilian conception: vacation. We had been offered a family trip to disconnect a little from work and recharge our batteries, in a timely and desired break. The destination was Arraial do Cabo (RJ), one of the beach towns closest to Belo Horizonte and, at the same time, one of the best diving spots in Brazil! It was a great blessing, and this feeling grew even more as we swam with sea turtles in a small deserted cove, beautifully bathed in sunshine.
Post on Taekwondo Minas Magazine's Instagram, celebrating the call-up to Bahrain.
Hannah also went on to youth meetings, evangelism, visits to the favela, as well as being a huge help before, during and after Mega Teens. Michele even took her to work out and Igor to taekwondo training. We're now waiting for your whole family to come and spend some time together here in Brazil, right, Pieter?
And the latest news from (our) world of sport was Igor's call-up to the Brazilian Taekwondo team, which will compete in Bahrain in October representing Brazil, this time in the individual poomsae discipline. The competition is promoted by the ISF Gymnasiade. Imagine all our pride!
SPECIAL VISIT
For three weeks we had the company of Hannah Lukasse, Michele's niece, who came from Holland to learn more about missions and to help us at one of the Mega Camps in July. It was great family time, especially between her and Igor, who engaged in lively conversations about anime, manga, online games, series and sports.
With Hannah at an obligatory stop at a restaurant specialized in cheese breads.
As always, we would like to thank everyone who has followed us on this missionary adventure, who has come this far by reading this letter, who has prayed on our behalf, who has been touched and mobilized in some way to make the implementation of the eternal Kingdom more dynamic and effective. The Lord is good, always!
Thank you, God, thank you all!
Romeu de Almeida
29/08/24
SYMBOLIC LITTLE YELLOW BOX
Since the middle of last year, when the car that served the ministry broke down for good, Lamalma has been involved in a campaign to buy a new vehicle that would meet the specific needs of the work. We had a lot of help publicising this campaign, which in turn generated a response from countless people from different parts of the world. Regardless of values and the unselfish generosity of many, we'd like to mention the action carried out by the Rise & Shine Project, which was described in detail in the first paragraphs of our previous newsletter.
The little yellow box that those children placed in our hands is now, for us, the symbol of a learning process. We had a plan, and we concentrated our efforts on acquiring what we understood to be the ideal choice for the ministry. Along the way, we learnt a lot about faith, patience, perseverance... only to be surprised in the end by something far better than we could have ever imagined. Today Lamalma has at its service a bigger and better vehicle than we had ever dreamed of. And for less money than we would have paid initially, the difference allowing us to take out vehicle insurance and rent a garage.
Rise & Shine Project. The first camp of 2024 couldn't have been with other children: the donors of the symbolic Yellow Box.
Lamalma is a small project, and when I look at a machine like that I wonder if we deserve so much. In reality, it's all about God's care and grace for his little ones. To all of you who have invested in this and rejoiced with us at this achievement, thank you so much! We love walking these paths alongside you.
INSPIRING JOURNEY
From our last letter until now, we have spent a magnificent time in Holland, punctuated by shorter periods in England and Germany. It was at the YWAM base in Harpenden, England, where Jonathan and Johanneke's (Michele's sister) family live, that a milestone occurred for the Lukasse family, when the plan to bring the whole family together again – after more than 12 years – came true, as part of the celebration of Johan and Jeannette Lukasse's 45th wedding anniversary. I think the photo illustrating this paragraph clearly shows the atmosphere of immense joy that prevailed during those special days.
Berlim-Karlshorst Museum.
In Holland, we had several family get-togethers in some fantastic places in that marvellous country of generous and lovely people. Some Fridays were reserved for ice-skating with Opa Johan (in which case only the grandchildren were authorised to do so... hahaha). It was also in Holland that I celebrated my 50th birthday as a family and got as a brithday gift a four-day trip to Berlin from Michele; the first for just the two of us since we had our children. It was a very romantic trip, full of visits to tank and artillery museums and World War II memorials. As I said, a very romantic trip.
Also noteworthy were reunions with friends, some closer than brothers, church, inspiring conversations with missionaries, friends who served in Brazil and leaders of missionary projects and organisations. It was also a time of countless meetings to publicise the work here in Brazil. Meetings. Lots of meetings!
GET UP AND GO!
Shortly after our return to Brazil, I was greeted by an Aedes Aegypti fly with a ‘warm welcome’: Dengue fever! It was a difficult two weeks, especially the first one, when I couldn't even get up two steps on a ladder. Worried about the tasks that depended on my work, after a considerable improvement, still a little weak, I had to take action. Like David, who had to command his soul to bless the Lord, I had to command my body to move: ‘Get up and walk!’. After all, our first camp of the year was approaching, and a lot needed to be prepared, especially at the ranch, with heavy maintenance. The Lord was gracious, and I was able to do the work well, but not without a lot of sweat (much more than usual, it's true!) and seeing my legs wobble from time to time.
Before and after: The foliage that could hide dangers on the approximately 1-kilometre trail needed to be removed.
FRIENDS FROM AFAR
For 2 weeks we've had the honour of welcoming the dear couple John and Carla Roos home from Holland. We met John in person on our last trip to Holland. Today, he sits on the Board of Directors of a key funding organisation for Lamalma and other ministries. Carla was a pioneer alongside Johan and Jeannette Lukasse in the early days of YWAM-BH. The history of missions in Belo Horizonte has Carla's fingerprints all over it, and she hasn't lost any of her impeccable Portuguese. This trip represented an important reconnection for her, while for him it was an experience to see for himself the work and challenges that each ministry has faced, all very well reported in his notebook. We had the privilege of John and Carla's presence and help at the first camp of the year, where they got down to work and we lost count of how many dishes they washed and tents they dismantled. People who will always be very welcome in our home!
Carla with Michele in Belo Horizonte in 1999.
John, Carla and our family visiting the Kinderdijk, World Heritage Site, in 2024.
FAMILY IN ACTION
We have some good news and prayer requests to share here. In addition to Lamalma's demands, Michele has found time to dedicate herself as one of the facilitators in the second module of the Children at Risk seminar, given online by Johan and Jeannette Lukasse, just as she did in the first. The valuable content is then discussed between students and facilitators, opening up opportunities for individualised conversations, also known as One-to-One. With regard to her health, the very expensive weekly injections that Michele needs to take to relieve her pain due to spondylitis were out of stock at the distribution centres. It's been a tense and painful few weeks, which have finally come to an end with the arrival of the medicine and the normalisation of its application. So thank you to those who prayed for this.
During our time in Holland, Igor didn't stand still and found a place to train with a view to the Grand Slam that would take place in Brazil as soon as we returned home. The competition would also serve as a selection for the Brazilian taekwondo team. Igor won the title and was called up to represent the country at the Pan American Games in Mexico, as well as the World Championship in China, and a likely call-up to the World Student Championship in Bahrain. A talented boy with a humble heart who has given back to God what he has received from Him.
During one of the stages of the Mineiro Championship, in 2023, in which Igor became three-time state champions.
Eva, like Igor, also trained hard in Holland, but she already knew that her gymnastics career was coming to an end. Without knowing exactly why, she was dropped from the youth team at the centre where she trained and competed. For a child who had always loved gymnastics, trained at a high level for four hours a day from Monday to Friday and performed exceptionally well, suddenly finding herself in an occupational vacuum has shaken her to the core. She hasn't been able to process this loss very well, and we ask for prayer for her in this regard. For us parents, it's a closing door, a cycle that ends for a new world of possibilities and challenges. It's also a deliverance, as Eva is still recovering from a fractured coccyx. She is a child who loves Jesus with all her heart, and has been providentially embraced by a group of friends from school and church, getting involved in evangelism activities, as a dedicated Lamalma worker (including taking her friends to help out at camps), taking part in small home groups and so many other blessings! So here's our prayer request for her.
Evangelism in the Pedreira Prado Lopes favela, together with YWAM-BH. Active and inspiring participation of many ministries, children and teenagers in spreading the Word, with our children and their friends excited and participative.
We are very motivated for the challenges ahead of us, thanks very much to the tremendous encouragement we received in Holland during that intense period of unforgettable experiences and meetings, as well as the partnerships signed and commitments made to various projects and ministries here in Brazil. We count on all of you!
Cheers!
Romeu de Almeida
18/04/24
FLYING IS POSSIBLE
Imagine arriving for a visit to a project with the intentions of seeing several children again, having a wonderful quality time with them and the entire team of missionaries. Our plan didn't go much further than that, but our surprise was great when we were presented with a beautiful yellow box filled with meaning. It contained the result of a mobilization of the Levanta & Brilha project, which serves vunerable and at risk children in one part of the largest favela complex in Belo Horizonte. The yellow little box was the result of an effort that involved very excited children who went around the community selling beautifully packaged sweets and paçocas that contained a message:
“Our friends at Lamalma need a new car to continue organizing camps for social projects. We want to help them. Can you join us?”
Children who are often in extreme need dove headfirst into the mission, returning all the time to get more paçocas and sweets to sell to their friends and relatives. They even composed a jingle, and did everything they could to help Lamalma with the challenge of buying a new car. Some of those children wanted to ensure that others served by the Levanta & Brilha project who had not yet been able to go to a camp could also have the opportunity. Unfortunately for the end of this year, 2023, it was not possible, but through faith – and the mobilization of countless people who have joined forces with us in this purpose – the remainder for the acquisition of this new vehicle will come to guarantee wonderful adventures for these precious children. I remember texting our missionary friend and partner Paul Perry as soon as we got home saying, “Man, praise the Lord. We left there feeling like we could fly.”
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Part of the children and L&B Team with the Yellow box.
Lamalma currently has 3/4 of the amount needed for the new car. In fact, the total amount on account is a little more than that, but we need to maintain a margin that guarantees the basic functioning of the project and resources for at least three camps.
2024 IN FAITH
Two days before our departure for Holland we received our friend and missionary owner of Living Stones Ranch, Paul Perry, to schedule dates for the Lamalma camps and Mega Camps in 2024. As it is already very clear how dependent Lamalma is at this moment of a car, this meeting will be guided by the faith that the remaining resources for this new vehicle will arrive.
So in faith we scheduled 12 Lamalma camps and 3 Mega Camp. There is great expectation on the part of many children to confirm a weekend with Lamalma in the first half of next year. Especially those who had their first camping experience this year frustrated due to the lack of a car. And, by faith, this expectation will be fulfilled, according to the will of the Lord. Not only will we set the dates, but Paul makes a point of prioritizing the dates for the children and teenagers served by Lamalma over any other purpose on the ranch. He and his wife, Ashley, with a huge heart for those children and their families, have remained faithful in expanding the Kingdom to not only those young people, but to so many other people, families and communities in need in several other ministries in Brazil and overseas.
CHURCH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Soon we will be in the cold Netherlands (in Brazil we are experiencing a heat wave never seen before) to finally reunite the Lukasse family again, see friends and reconnect with the Church. The plan for the family is for Johan and Jeannette to receive the warmth of all their children and grandchildren in Harpenden, England, where Jonathan and Johanneke live, in what is a beautiful YWAM base on the outskirts of London. We miss them all so much and are very excited for this reunion. We will also be able to see many friends again and gather to share ministerial and family blessings in these last few years. Give testimonies of victories within families in poor communities, lives transformed by the gospel, baptisms and deliverances that come to us through the missionaries involved with Lamalma. In January we still have dates available for a coffee, chat and conversations about plans and expectations. If you want to sit with us, get in touch, let's get together!
HEALTH AND CARE
Fortunately, after difficult months due to pain, Michele seems to have gotten better with a new medication. Her pain has been alleviated, and our prayer at the moment is that she no longer needs to take any type of medication. But for now most certainly our hearts are filled with gratitude for access to such a medicine, the cost of which corresponds to almost two camps or three months of school for our daughter, Eva, per injection(!) – Michele needs 4 injections per month – but which is provided free of charge by the Brazilian public health system. We are aware of the limitations of public services in Brazil (those who have money pay for private health plans, private schools, for example), therefore, being able to enjoy such a benefit offered by the State is a great blessing and a reason to be grateful.
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As disclosed in a previous letter, Eva had fractured her coccyx and, after some rest, returned to gymnastics training with hopes to compete state and national tournaments. Even though she wasn't 100% due to the injury, she performed excellently in all three competitions she participated in. However, less than three weeks before our trip to Holland, she had another fall from the beam and suffered an injury on top of the injury. The pain was intense, and after x-rays and a CT scan, a week of forced rest... she returned to training!!! Nothing too extreme or risky, especially since the high-performance youth team will be dismantled next year. Because of that Eva was very sad, as gymnastics is a great passion, and a way to expend all her strength and energy. This may mean a cycle that closes, but there is certainly a whole universe of possibilities opening up for her to glorify the Lord in whatever else she does.
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Igor has had a spectacular performance this year in taekwondo, and became Brazilian champion in pairs and silver in single, in the youth poomsae category, tipped to become an Olympic sport. The boy's rise is impressive, and in 2024 he might be able to represent Brazil (or the Netherlands, who knows?) again in the student world championship that will probably take place in Hungary. Pending confirmation...
Well, we have the most great expectations for this trip to the Netherlands, we are very happy with this opportunity! There are a lot of small miracles happening for something like this to materialize. Therefore, all our gratitude to those who have a part in this. To our friends and family who remain in Brazil, we wish you a comforting closeness in Christ this upcoming Christmas. To those who will be with us in Holland and England, let us therefore celebrate the coming of our glorious salvation in Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas!
Big hug to everyone!!
Romeo and Michele
11/20/23
A SPECTACULAR 1ST SEMESTER
Currently, Lamalma Aventuras Outdoor has been operating the camps with two different approaches. The first, which fits in with the project's original vision, and embraces smaller groups (up to 12 children or teenagers), aims at the impact caused by “colorful” nature against the “gray” load of the city and the favela. In addition, it is committed to strengthening the bond between the children and the project workers who accompany an disciples them on a daily basis, in a more intimate and personal approach. Basically, it is the power of God through Creation and healthy relationships. The second approach involves the work of integration between different projects, thus serving a much larger group of young people, reaching up to 60 kids or teens per camp, in addition to the workers and volunteers who accompany them.
So far, the experiences lived in these camps during this year 2023 have surprised us positively. This serves, first of all, to confirm a direction indicated by the Lord, and which has been forged, fostered, carried out and promoted by many hands. The fruits lay wonderfully before our eyes. We are talking here about dozens of young people surrendered to the Lord in an authentic and spontaneous way. We have even witnessed young people who were previously assisted by the projects serving the younger ones who have arrived there; this not just on one or two projects, but on several of them!
There are also new challenges before us, such as new groups with which we are in contact. One of them in particular caught our attention, which are the children of refugees and their families sheltered in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. An old friend of ours, who worked with us on our first mission, is currently responsible for part of the care for these families, and he said it would be wonderful if we could take these children (and eventually their parents) to Rancho das Pedras Vivas, in a Lamalma camp. The intermediation has already been done, and we are now waiting on one of the directors who is responsible for controlling and liberating these families. We are talking about people of different nationalities, such as Haitians, Venezuelans, Bolivians and Ukrainians, as well as indigenous natives displaced from their lands. Pray with us for this to come true, and for these families to be increasingly involved in a web of love and care in the light of the Word that transforms lives.
WALL
The climbing wall used in Mega Camps is a dismountable wall, which is eventually taken to local communities for a day of outreach and recreation. But its assembly is not that simple, as it is a heavy and bulky material, which depends on many hands to be lifted. Thus, a permanent wall is being built at the Ranch. In fact, it will be a 3-in-1 structure, with one side being the actual climbing wall, another a 45-degree descent and a third a zip line. Can you imagine the joy of the children in that space?...
CAMEF – SHELTER FOR
MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN
At the same time as the Lamalma camps, Michele participated in an introductory meeting for a wonderful work with women and their children in situations of severe vulnerability, the CAMEF. Since even before Lamalma took shape, this vision already had a place in our heart, integrating a tripod that is completed with camps for children in need and missionary member care. Well, at that meeting the dates were set for a complete course that ranges from basic concepts aimed at assisting these women, to medical, psychological, social and professional care. Course dates extend through October. Due to our schedule, Michele and I will be dividing and conquering, which means that at first I stay in the camps while she attends the meetings on Saturday, until I can join her until the end of the course.
AN URGENT NOTE: WE NEED A NEW CAR
“Gorba”, the Lamalma car that so bravely served us for so many years, finally died. Its tired engine no longer has enough compression to continue carrying so much weight through the mountains that surround the ranch, and its first cylinder has stopped working. A lot of money has already been spent to keep it in good working order, but we understand that it is no longer justified to spend so much money to solve a problem that will only give “life” to a dying car, which also has other minor problems. The car repair today would literally cost more than the full value of the vehicle itself. We have no doubt that it is time for us to turn that page. We need a new car, and since the end of last year we have already started a campaign to raise funds to buy a new one.
We are still far from that goal, but we believe that the work belongs to the Lord, who works in ALL of us both to will and to do, according to His good pleasure. We have open and generous hearts to this ministerial need, which is being disclosed to the greatest possible number of people who comprise our network of contacts.
That said, we need to inform you that some of the Lamalma camps scheduled for the second semester will have to be canceled due to the obvious logistical complication involved, a decision that weighs heavily on our hearts. However, we want to channel as much of Lamalma's resources as possible towards the purchase of a new vehicle suited to our needs. It means taking a step back to take a bigger leap forward. Come with us; let's break in faith!!
But, despite this challenge imposed on us, it is also worth mentioning that more attention could be given to other activities related to Lamalma. With all the social projects, community centers and support houses within the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, it will be possible for us to pay more attention to the projects we are involved with and to establish new and precious contacts.
CLARIFICATION: If you would like more specific information about how much Lamalma has available today for the purchase of the new car, please feel free to contact us.
FAMILY
Michele has spent the last few weeks walking supported by a crutch due to pain in her hip. Everything is fine with the prosthesis on her hip, but this discomfort is due to spondylitis that has recurrently attacked that region of her body. They are pains that come and go, making her routine very difficult and, therefore, we continue to ask for prayer coverage in this regard. Igor and Eva, on the other hand, are doing well at school and in sports, with emphasis on winning third place for Igor in the school world championship in Mazatlán, Mexico. His next challenge will be the Brazilian championship in September of this year, in São Paulo. Eva had a little scare when she broke her tailbone in a fall and, after a few days of rest, she resumed training with her eyes on the state and national championships in October.
Igor with his fellow athletes and coach in Marzatlán, Mexico.
THE NETHERLANDS IN SIGHT
We are very excited about our trip to Holland scheduled for the end of November. After more than 12 years, the Lukasse family will come together again at a gathering at the YWAM base in Harpenden, England, during the Christmas festivities in December. It will be great to see all the family and friends we love and miss so much, whether in England or Holland!
But we are already enjoying a little bit of Johanneke and Jonathan's family. They spend a few weeks here in Brazil, and Belo Horizonte is working as a hub for the family's appointments in the north and central-west of Brazil. It has been a magical time having them around, being able to have the opportunity for them to actively participate in a Mega Camp with us, to learn from their enormous experience in the field of communication and its important applicability in missions, in addition to being very nice to see the cousins getting along really well and enjoying every minute together. Good company, good conversations and quality family time.
Our most sincere gratitude to all who took the time to read this letter, take an interest in us and the work that has been placed in our hands. If you are with us until now, let's go together, because the harvest is huge!!
In Christ,
Romeu and Michele
18/08/23