Brazil, June 27th, 2008

Dearest Friends,

ONE LITTLE GIRL'S STORY

Thais is a beautiful little girl who came to a puppet show today. She was missing her left hand and seemed so self conscious around the other children. Gerson helped me talk to her.

I told her that I wanted to tell her a secret. This is what I said to her. "There is someone very, very dear to me who's arm is just like yours. She loves Jesus! She has the most beautiful smile. You can be like her. Sweetheart, when God sees you, He sees a treasure. You are beautiful!"

I have the most wonderful news to share with you. Today, Thais asked Jesus to be her Savior. Please pray for her to grow strong in her new faith and love God's word. She is such a beautiful little girl.

BRACELETS

We had a very difficult show today at a school where the children seemed not to be listening. One of the teachers became very angry because we talked about Jesus. She let everyone know just how unhappy she was. At most schools, hundreds of children pray out loud, praying to receive Christ. However, at this school, you could hear only a precious few calling on Jesus.

It seemed that no one was really listening, but you never know what God is doing. Giovana and Raissa came to talk to me after the program. Both of them wanted me to know that they asked Jesus to be their Savior. More, they each wanted to give me a bracelet to thank me for telling them about Jesus. Please pray for these two little girls to grow deep in their faith.

FOUR BOYS

We had two amazing shows today where they absolutely loved the program. The director and many of the teachers were Christians, but even those who did not believe were open to the Gospel. When we finished the program, the children lined up to hug us. The teachers hugged us, the janitors hugged us, even the director hugged us. One teacher had a lifestyle that was displeasing to God and he alone was very unhappy with the program.

However, the best part of the day was what happened after one program. Four little boys came to see me. Their names were Leonardo, Joao Victor, Guilherme, and Artur. One of them said in perfect English, "Teacher, I love you!" Another one said, "I love you forever!" All four had asked Jesus to be their Savior. We challenged them to live for God. We told them that Jesus had changed them and they needed to show everyone that Jesus had changed them by the way they lived their lives. Please hold these four boys in your prayers.

SOROCABA

We have a wonderful puppet team that we had never met until last night. Our national team leaders, Gerson and Fabianna, planted and trained this team. They are an amazing team! Yesterday we did shows in their area and saw hundreds of children trust in Jesus Christ. This team is very creative and very humble. They were so excited to meet us. They thought that we were very important, but we all understood that their willingness to reach the children of Brazil for Jesus was what was really important. They made many of their people puppets, but much of the rest of their equipment was provided by your gifts. We gave the equipment to Gerson and Fabianna and they found people who could use it. We now have six teams like this in Brazil. Praise God!

You have never seen people so excited to receive a gift! They began to scream and jump up and down. Then, the entire team joined in one large bear hug. Your sacrificial gifts made this gift possible. Please remember this story when you are thinking about supporting the puppet ministry. Your kindness is touching children all over the world.

IF YOU WERE BLESSED

If you were blessed as you read these stories, you have an opportunity to support missionaries in Brazil. Fabianna and Gerson are missionaries under the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship Mission Board. If you want to support them, make your check out to PEF and send it to my house. I will forward them to PEF for you. My address is 6550 West Armuchee Road Summerville, GA 30747. Please pray for them. They do a tremendous job of reaching children for Jesus in Brazil.

In Jesus, Linda for
Gerson Simioni
Fabianna Simioni
Sara
Hannah

Brazil, June 26th, 2008

Dearest Friends,

ONE SCHOOL, TWO SHOWS

We are so blessed! Each day we see God do the most amazing things. Today was very special! We did two shows at one school. The children were so excited that we came. Of the 400 children that attended the programs, it sounded as though half of them were calling on God to forgive them and asking Jesus to be their King. They were so loud when they were praying!

The principal was very pleased with the program. She told the teachers that they should continue to talk about the story of Jesus that they had just heard. She said that it was very important for the kids to hear about Jesus. As Sara often says, “Awesome!”

After the first show, the children rushed toward us. They wanted to hug us and thank us. Please pray for the children of Padre Anchieta School to grow strong in their new faith.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

These are stories from our time in Brazil that we have not had an opportunity to share with you. God has given us so many stories!

1) Children in Caicarinha Da Penha prepared a special song for us and gave us roses as a thank you present. They changed the song and put my name into it, thanking God that I had come. I was overwhelmed by their joy and humbled by their kindness.

2) Praise God for a tiny little village named Sao Joaquim where I had an especially sweet opportunity to share with a large group of mothers. Life is extremely difficult in this place. There are no doctors. When their husband dies, they have no way to earn a living. Their heart’s pain is compounded by their concern for how their children will eat. I told them Mike’s story and shared with them how God takes care of me. I told them again about Jesus’ love for them and how He alone can heal broken hearts. Their smiles and tears, their hugs and their words told me they were listening.

3) On the street in one Northeastern town, they were having a big festival to celebrate the saints. The children dance, and there is lots of food. They bring their produce so that their farms can receive a blessing. Mostly there is just a lot of drinking and bad behavior. While all this was happening on the street, a small group of believers gathered to laugh and fellowship. On the street, people were trying to have fun, but the real party was happening in a small 4 room house. We had a wonderful time singing, praying, sharing and praising God.

4) One night, we had a training session. Everyone outside the church was lighting bonfires on the street as part of the celebration in Olinda. A haze of smoke hung over the city and the church quickly filled with smoke. I had a very bad asthma attack and was having a lot of trouble breathing. Sara, Hannah, Faby and Gerson began to pray for the Lord to remove the smoke. Suddenly, it began to rain. It rained so hard that it put out all the bonfires and cleared out all the smoke from the air. Praise God! It was still raining when we left the church.

5) God’s creation is amazing. We visited places where it had not rained in years. Then it rained and dry river beds flowed with water. Flowers burst into bloom. Our eyes have feasted on our Father’s creation.

6) At a farm school, we saw teachers cry as they heard the sweet story of Jesus.

7) I am so humbled by the kindness of our many friends. So many of them gave up their beds and slept on the floor. No amount of protesting would persuade them to let us have the floor. One pastor even cleaned our dirty shoes.

8) One lady heard that we were coming. She did not work in the fields that afternoon so that she could attend. She got on her bike and invited children to come. She rode 10km on some of the worst roads.

9) A group of 6 young men attended one show. They listened so attentively to the story about Jesus. None of them were Christians. Please pray for them to come to faith in Jesus Christ. They Father knows their names.

10) Please ask the Father to pour out his spirit on Sito Trapia, Quixabeirinha, Maracanau, and Nova Trapia. Ask Him to call people to a strong faith. Life is so terribly difficult in this place. From 9 to 4, it is so brutally hot that people do not want to go outside. Inside it is still hot. Days are long and many turn to alcohol abuse to remove their boredom. My heart broke for these children. Please hold them in your prayers.

In Jesus, Linda for
Sara
Hannah
Fabianna
Gerson

Brazil, June 23rd, 2008

Dearest Friends,

WORTH IT ALL

This trip to the Northeast of Brazil has been the most tremendous blessing. We had the most difficult time getting to this place because of the weather delays coming out of the United States. Having to rebuy the tickets was very expensive and remains a matter of prayer. However, what price do you place on the thousands of children who have heard about Jesus, his forgiveness, and his love? What is it worth to see a child smile and forget for even a little while that their whole world smells like a sewer?

I believe that these children have a great value to the Father. So often as I have stood in front of them, I have said "God sees you. He knows your names. He cares for you." They always look so suprised and delighted. Everywhere that we have gone we were told by the people there that they were forgotten. They feel that no one cares. Please pray for the Northeast of Brazil. Many national missionaries are working in this region. Please ask God to call more Brazilians to this area.

35,000 PEOPLE

Today, I visited the largest favella that I have been to in Brazil. I often go to these places to do puppet shows. In Geriquiti, 35,000 people crowd into an area that should house 1/3 that number. Long before you ever reach the street that takes you into the favella, you smell it. We walked down streets with open running sewers crossing them and flooding all the drainage ditches. It was terrifically hot, smelly, and filthy. Toilets did not flush and the drinking water was bad. A large extended family crowds into two or three small rooms. The area is known for violence, rape, murder, and drug and alcohol abuse. It is a very dangerous place to be a child.

The little church was packed with children. Some laughed and smiled, but too many stared at us with vacant eyes. Some were hungry, but most had just seen so many awful things, they were numb. There are no air conditioners here, but the pastor did have a fan. I have a rule that we can never cry in front to the children that makes us unable to serve them. I almost broke my own rule today. My heart broke...all of our hearts broke for the children of Geriquiti. Such a precious few trusted Jesus as Savior. A little twelve year old girl named Rosangela never took her eyes off of me. She did not smile much, but was very happy when I gave her my story pages. I was very happy because she was one of the precious few who trusted in Jesus today.

Geriquiti is a very dirty place. To be honest, it was hard to visit. I cannot imagine what those children endure. Please, pray for Father to be kind to the children of Geriquiti and call then to Himself.

In Jesus, Linda for the team.

Brazil, June 22, 2008

Dearest friends,

SITIO TRAPIA, QUIXABEIRIANHA, MARACANAU, AND NOVA TRAPIA

These places will not appear on most maps. The people who live there are not forgotten; for most people athey do not even exist. Brazil has a law that requires all children to have an opportunity to go top school. However, most of the children in these villages have never gone to school.

They live in an area where it does not rain for years at a time. This year it rained and everything brown turned green. People have enough water and enough food. Normally, they just survive as best they can. With the rain came blessings, but also problems. It is so hot and dry that year after year diseases cannot survive. Now with the rain, people are struggling with colds, fevers, viruses, and more serious problems like the threat of denghney fever which is carried by mosquitoes. There was also flooding which destroyed roads.

Many people live in houses made of mud and thatch. There is a beetle that lives in the walls whose bite causes a rare tropical illness that usually kills you if you contract it. Their lives are very hard and improve very slowly. Two decades ago, only one in ten babies up to two years of age survived. Our friends told us that they watched an endless parade of small coffins being carried down the road. Today, a baby's death is rare.

We worked with English missionaries, Davine and Mike, who have loved these dear people for over 21 years. They serve with the mission board that pioneer missionary William Carey founded. They have raised two daughters and one son in a place that you would find difficult to visit. For eight years they faithfully shared the hope of they gospel before one person believed. Now, there is a church there and local believers who head the different ministry projects. Their priority is to share Jesus, but they also try to offer a simple education to the children who have no chance for school. Davine has taught many classes for pregnant and nursing mothers. Jobs are scarce, so they have started a beekeeping project to generate business opportunities. They have repaired homes for widows and helped develop water sources. More important, they made sure that these people knew about Jesus Christ.

If you are reading this e-mail, I have a question for you. What are you investing your life in? If you are older, and have 21 years behind you, what story do you have to tell? How have you made a difference for eternity? It was an honor to work with people who have good answers for all of these questions.

THE CHILDREN

A dear young woman recently asked me, what was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I recited to her a list of places that everyone always says they want to see around the world. I have been to all of these places. I told her that none of these places were as beautiful to me as the faces of they children when they hear about Jesus Christ. This is certainly true in these places.

These children and adults had never seen the things that we brought with us. They delighted in every thing we did. They gave us their smiles and their laughter. Best of all, we heard may to recieve Christ as their Savior. Please pray for these dear children. God sees them when no one else does.

In Jesus, Linda for the team.

Brazil, June 18th, 2008

Dearest Friends,

A FAVELLA

A favella is a group of homes made usually out of other people's trash. The homes are poorly built and it is an extremely hard and dangerous place for children. Rape is common, as is alcohol abuse. We went to one of these places to do a puppet show.

They were so excited that we had come to see them. I looked into their eyes and wondered what they dreamed about. Their whole world smelt like a sewer. They loved the puppets, testimonies, and the Bible story. Best of all, they fell in love with Jesus! They were so eager to pray that they started trying to pray in English, before they recieved the Portuguese translation. So many of the children that we meet are so hungry to hear the Gospel. Praise God!

RAIN

Sal de Terra (Salt of the Earth) is the name of a Christian band that we are working with this trip. They want to expand their ministry and begin working with children.

Today we shared at a school, literally in the middle of nowhere. Months ago, Sal de Terra came there and did a program. It had not rained there in years. Many children did not even know what rain looked like. The band prayed in the school and asked God to make it rain. It started to rain and a big celebration took place in the streets. Praise God!

Today, in that same place, many children prayed out loud, calling on Jesus to save them at the puppet show. So many in this little village have came to trust in God's providence. Please pray for theses new believers to grow deep in their faith.

I CAN BE GOOD

At street shows, and at schools we are sharing with thousands of children, but many adults also come. For most, the Gospel is news to their ears. The Catholic church is the only church in many of these places. Here in South America, they teach that people can go to heaven by being good. God's word is plain. It says that none are righteous, no not one. They seldom talk about Jesus Christ, and do not mention the Resurrection.

In one place, the people were told to climb a mountain on their knees, praying at each stop, and give money. Such things will not pay the price for our sins. When they hear that Jesus Christ has paid the total price for our sin at a puppet show, their faces fill with joy and wonder.

BLESSINGS

1) We met the first believer in Caicarinha da Penha. Six months ago, there was not a single believer in his town. Edizio gave me a beautiful quartz crystal that he had found so that I would not forget him. His face glowed with the love that God had put in his heart!
2) Pastor George and his wife Audenice have only been church planting for less than a year and already there are enough believers to have a church.
3) Two dear ladies in a tiny village washed all of our clothes by hand at a river while we were out doing puppet shows. We were so grateful!
4) Clea and Cleide are sisters who have an undiagnosed illness. They cannot walk and one sister can only lay curled up in bed. Their faces glow as they have both come to faith in the last few months. One sister said, "I know that I will never walk on earth, but someday I will walk in Heaven." Her trust in God under such difficult circumstances is precious.
5) One day while Hannah and I typed an email at an internet cafe, Sara shared with Ramaria, a little 13 year old girl. Please pray for her to come to the faith!
6) People give up their own beds so we can rest well. Their kindness challenges us to love Jesus more.

FUNNY AND INTERESTING THINGS

1) The stores in one town where we worked have the strangest names. They translated, "Great Jesus Gas Station" and "Great Jesus Pharmacy"
2) Did you know Brazil nuts are from a fruit? They use the fruit to make Brazil nut juice. It is very good!
3) House fronts are painted green in very dry areas. They say that they do this so they can remember what green looks like during the years it does not rain.
4) Frogs keep showing up ion the most unusual places. Today there was one swimming in our water bottle.

In Jesus, Linda for
Sara
Bio
Fabiana
Gerson
Hannah

Brazil, June 17th, 2008

Dearest Friends,

TRUE RICHES

In a village square everyone gathered, children, teenagers, and adults. Many of the children prayed out loud, calling on Jesus to save them like He saved Peter. We told them Peter was a very rich man, but he had no silver, no gold, no fine clothes and no jewels. He was rich because he knew Jesus as his King. These children were so very poor, but now they know how they can be truely rich. Silver and gold cannot buy love, hope, joy or peace. These gifts can grow in their hearts and change their lives forever.

Another very sweet thing happened in this place. after the show, Fabianna and I had a lovely conversation with a group of ladies who arrived as we were finishing the program. They were sad that they had missed so much. I told them that I would tell them a special story, a story that I had not told the children. I shared with them Mike´s testimony and how Jesus´ love filled us with lovefor another. As I talked one lady began to cry. Please pray for this group of ladies in Feidoria to put their trust in Jesus and find true love.

MARY NANGE´S STORY

In a very small village, we met a school teacher named Mary Nange. She led all of the children at the school to the shade of a big tree so that they could watch the program. Many of the children climbed up in the tree to watch as they listened to story of Zacheus. It was very funny!

Mary Nange listened to the entire program and when e prayed with the children, she also prayed. She came and told us, she was so excited! Her whole face was changed. She had tears in her eyes and was not even able to describe all that she was feeling. Both of her parents died when she was eight years old. She told us her story and she had had a very hard life. Her face showed the peace and love that had filled her heart. Please pray for her to grow strong in her new faith.

DIFFERENT AND FUNNY THINGS

1) Every night, we are in a different place. One night, I went into the bathroom and found a frog swimming in the toliet. I´m glad this only happened once.
2) Sara is very funny. One day, she said, ''I love guano.'' She meant to say guava.
3) One morning we had breakfast in a kitchen where a sheep was also a guest.
4) Cactus ice cream is delicious!
5) When you want people to smile for a photograph, you say, ''jeguel'' (jaggey). This is the word for donkey.
6) They sell a candy here that is especially sweet. It is called ''Bride´s Mattress''.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please ask the Father to call many children to Himself. Please pray for us as the days are very hot and the nights are very cold.

In Jesus, Linda for
Sara
Bio
Hannah
Gerson
Fabianna

Brazil, June 16th, 2088

Dearest Friends,
WHAT CAN THE FATHER DO WITH A SINGLE PUPPET SHOW?

Two years ago, we were working with Fountain in the Desert, a ministry in the northeast of Brazil. They scheduled us in a school in a very rough area. Most of the women in the area made their living by prostitution. The children did not know who their fathers were. After we did the program at the school, the principal could see a change in the behavior of the children. He invited Pastor Neto to come teach the children about Jesus. From that puppet show, and the children who prayed to recieve Christ, a small church was born. The other night we went there and did a street show. About two hundred people sat in the street or stood and listened to the Gospel. Please continue to hold this place in your prayers. The children can live very different lives from the lives their mothers and fathers have lived. Jesus is their only hope!

SERRA DA RANCHARIA

We did a show on the top of a mountain. Many of the places we are visiting are described to us as forgotten places. This is one of those places, full of people that no one thinks about. The spiritualists are very strong there and it has not been possible to start a church. The adults simply will not come. However, the children are hungry to hear about Jesus. They have a weekly meeting and from that group, a church will grow. Many of the children prayed to receive Christ at the show. They were so eager to ask Jesus to be their Savior that they started praying before Fabiana could give them all the words in Portuguese. Many of the children arrived riding in the back of a large vegetable truck. Fabiana and Gerson rode home on top of our van so they could enjoy the spectacular view. Please pray for this place. It is very very dark and the people are desperately poor.

JOAO VICTOR, HUGO, NATAN, PAULO, GUILHERME, AND FRIENDS
This group of boys came to a puppet show we did in the street of a small town. Hundreds of people attended the show, many of them adults. They listened well, but none of them prayed to recieve Christ. After the show, a group of boys stood nearby, waiting, as though they wanted to talk to me. Gerson and I talked with them for a long time. Most of their fathers were alcoholics. One boy told us he was very sad because his uncle and cousin had died. We told them how Jesus could take away their sadness. We told them how God could be their Father. All of them stood in the street and prayed with us, asking Jesus to be their Savior. Praise God! We were told that they would not be allowed to come to the children´s Bible study that meets nearby because their fathers would not permit it. We introduced them to the lady that teaches the class and they all wanted to come. Please ask God to make a way for them to learn more about Him.

In Jesus, Linda for
Sara
Bio
Fabiana
Gerson
Hannah

Brazil, June 12th, 2008

Dearest Friends,

4 SHOWS

What an incredible day we have had sharing with children in rural areas across the northeast of Brazil. We did 4 shows, 2 at orphanages, one at a shelter, and the last was a combination of a public school with a street show. What did we see the Father do?
1) The director of one orphanage was so very grateful for our program. He repeatedly thanked us! Then, he said something that really touched my heart. He said, "We wait for more moments like these."
2) At all of the shows, so many children prayed out loud. calling on God to forgive them and Jesus to save them. We never suggested that they pray out loud, but hundreds chose to pray very loudly. They were so excited!
3) It is such a sweet privilege to tell orphans that there is a Father who wants to always be there for them. Today, some children seemed to lean forward in their seats, so hungry to hear about love.
4) All of us have enjoyed so many hugs and kisses and big smiles.
5) One man stopped his truck on the street and listened to the program.
6) Teachers thanked us for telling them and the children about Jesus.
7) Brazilians are very friendly. The Christians here share all that they have. Different pastors and missionaries prepare lunches and dinners for us as we travel. One man today sacrificed a large chicken so that we could enjoy a very special meal. Many of these brothers and sisters catch their water in a cistern, grow their own vegetables and live in very simple homes. Still, they give generously. Their example challenges me to live differently, to give sacrificially. I love these dear friends.

PRAYER REQUESTS
1) Please pray for 3 brothers whose mother died a month ago. We met them at a shelter tonight with their father. He was very drunk and caused problems during the puppet show. We all gathered around the family tonight and prayed.
The Bible says that we comfort with the comfort that we have been given, so I told the boys that I understood how it hurt to say goodbye to someone you love. They listened so intently and my heart ached for them. Please hold them before the throne.
2) We drive 4 hours, leaving at 5am tomorrow morning to reach our first show. Please pray for God to give our friend and driver Bio extra strength.
3) Praise God for Hannah and Sara. Through all of our delays ,missed meals and lost sleep, they have never complained. They are a real joy. Sara's testimony especially touched the orphans today as she buried both of her parents as a teenager. When she smiled and told the children that Jesus took away her loneliness, they listened. Thank God for Sara and Hannah's very sweet spirits.
4) Please pray for Fabianna and Gerson Simioni, our Brazilian directors, who are working extra hard. They are a sweet blessing.

In Jesus, Linda for Hannah, Sara, Bio, Fabianna, and Gerson.

Brazil, June 12th, 2008

Dearest Friends,

Finally, we are in Brazil ! Thank you for praying us safely here! We landed in Sao Paulo and drove 2 hours to Campinas. Traffic was terrible! Fabianna and Gerson´s family greeted us with a wonderful meal and so much love. Truly, we have family in this place! We quickly unpacked 9 suitcases and repacked for our flight to the Northeast. Within hours, we had driven back to the airport and were on another plane here. Because of the weather delay that caused us to miss our flight to Brazil, we missed 3 scheduled puppet shows and a training session here in Receife. People cried when they heard that we were not coming. They were so hungry to receive training so that they could better teach their children about Jesus.

At the airport tonight, 3 friends waited for us at 1:15 in the morning! They hugged us and made us feel more wecome than I have words to describe.

The Father used our delay and gave us many opportunities to speak to people in Chicago about Jesus Christ. Please forgive me, but I will tell you these stories tomorrow. We have been traveling for 3 days and must get up in 3 hours to go and do a show. Please hold us in your prayers!

In Jesus,Linda for the team

Brazil, June 10th, 2008

Dear Friends,

The team were unable to get the earlier flight to Brazil.

They now arrive in Brazil Wednesday morning at 10.05 AM.

The airline is putting the team up in a nice hotel in Chicago tonight, has given them meal vouchers and is sending them to the hotel in a taxi. The airline is required to do none of this, when people miss their flights due to the weather. This will be such a blessing to them after a busy day, with all these problems to deal with.

Pray for the lady they were able to share with at the airline desk, who was amazed at how patient they were as she arranged their, flights, hotel, taxi and food for them.

Pray for the Brazilian puppet directors as they change their flights to the North East on Tuesday, that it would not be to expensive.

In Jesus,

Sam Shaw in Ireland, for the team stuck in Chicago, USA.

Brazil June 9th, 2008 Urgent Prayer Request!!!!

Dear Friends,

The Team Is Stranded!!!

The team is stranded in Chicago, their flight from Atlanta was delayed a number of hours, and this led to them missing their connection to Sao Paulo.

Please pray that they would be able to get on a flight to Sao Paulo as soon as possible.

It is possible that the airline could get them on a flight where they would arrive at 5PM on Tuesday. They would have to re pack at the airport in Sao Paulo for a flight to Recife and the North East. The other option will have them arriving at 10. 05 AM on Wednesday, they will then have to change their flights to the North East.

This is Sam Shaw in Ireland writing for the team, again please pray that they would get the earliest possible flight to Brazil. With little or no cost would be better to the team.

In Jesus,

Sam for Linda and the team

Brazil Saturday, May 7, 2008

Dearest Friends,

Brazil

On Monday, we are leaving for Brazil. Please hold us in your prayers. We are working with Gerson and Fabianna Simoni, two of the most committed puppet directors that we have. They have endless enthusiasm for reaching the children with the Gospel. They are like family to me, and I am very excited about going to Brazil and working with them.

Last year they sent me a note at Christmas and I loved what they wrote. “We are very happy sharing Christ’s love through our ministry Agape Brazil with thousands of people.” Their joy is contagious.

I will also be traveling with two Americans, Sara Wilson and Hannah Sager. These two young women have been a great blessing in my life and I know that they will bless thousands and thousands of children in Brazil.

We will return home June 30, so please be faithful in your prayers. We are targeting children in some very poor places where there is little knowledge of how Jesus Christ can give people hope and peace.

Russian Puppet Shows

We finished our time in Russia doing puppet shows in some incredible places. The Monday before we came home, we found ourselves in a Tatar village doing a program in a public school. We were so blessed that God would give us this sweet privilege. The principal was so excited and smiled throughout the entire program. The children loved everything they saw and heard. Remember, we were in a Muslim village and our entire program talks about Jesus Christ. Only God could do something this amazing!

The next day, we visited an orphanage for mentally and physically handicapped children. It was much like many of the orphanages that we have visited in Eastern Europe. The children were not wearing very good clothes, the place smelled terrible, and they seemed very sad. No one was really smiling when they came in to the program, but they were all smiling when they left. Many of the children had very severe birth defects. One little girl’s eyes were almost on the side of her face. Many of the children struggled to walk and some of them came in wheelchairs. When these children were born, it was the attitude of the government to encourage parents to give up their children to the orphanage. Most had never known a mother’s love or a father’s hugs. It is heart breaking to stand in such a place. If not for the reality of the Father’s love and the sacrifice of the Son, we would have nothing to comfort these children with.

Our next show was with children who were very healthy and financially comfortable compared to most children that we met in Tatarstan. They thought that they were very cool and did not want to listen to the puppet show. However, God can call these children to faith and touch their hearts just like the children in the orphanage. Many of them even came up after the show and thanked us. They seemed surprised that they had had such a good time.

Russian Puppet Teams

While in Tatarstan, we trained and equipped two puppet teams, one in Chelney and one in Kazan. We only had one set of puppet equipment with us, but we found a team who already had a stage, curtains and a sound system. They also had some puppets but desperately needed more puppet equipment and story telling supplies. Through the kindness of a northern businessman and a missionary to South America, God provided all of the funds to buy everything they needed. We are very grateful to Lake Pointe Church in Texas for carrying all of this equipment to our friends in Russia. They gave up some of their own space so that we could get this equipment to them in time for their summer ministry.

Please pray for these two new teams as they were very excited when we left and were making many plans. Ask God to give them wisdom and enthusiasm.

What do I do when I am home?
Between Russia and Brazil, we have been blessed.
1.The USA team practiced for a recording session for the Great Storyteller website that we are working on. Then, we had a great filming session for several hours one Sunday afternoon. However, we will not be able to use the material, because a thief stole our friend’s camera. Please pray for the thief to come to faith in Christ! He stole many things from our friend, but the camera was loaded with Gospel presentations. We would love to see him come to Jesus!
2.We did 2 puppet shows at churches and saw some children put their trust in Jesus. Praise God!
3.I was given the opportunity to share about what we do with an Optimist club. You can call and schedule a similar opportunity.
4.We spent one whole day packing for Brazil and more days than I can count gathering supplies.
5.We made some new puppets and worked on the summer schedule, along with several other projects. We also developed a puppet brochure that you can request and use to share with people about the work with the children. Yes, we are tired, but happy!

Again, please pray for our trip to Brazil and remember to pray for all of our friends in Tatarstan.

Love in Jesus,

Linda

Tartarstan May 13th, 2008

Dearest Friends,

We are on our way home. We have had a fantastic time and seen God do many amazing things. Praise God!

Please hold us in your prayers as we travel home.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Tartarstan May 12th, 2008

Dearest Friends,

Madina’s Story

Madina is Uzbek. She sits on the bridge every morning waiting for someone to see her. God drew my eyes to her as we walked to a breakfast meeting with out friend Misha, a Pastor. I looked at her, prayed for her, and continued to stare back at her as we walked away. Her small child was stretched across her lap. She stared into my eyes and I felt her pain. Honestly, we see many beggars as we travel, but I knew the Father was speaking to us about this lady.

After breakfast, we went to the grocery store and bought bread, cheese, fruit, sliced meat… other simple foods. Then, we sent our Ukrainian friends and Tatar friend to give her the food and tell her about Jesus. She was overwhelmed. She said, “No one every stops. No one ever took care of me like this.” She promised to pray to Allah for us.

Our friend Oleg told us that “you could feel her gratitude pouring out of her.” Sam, Silvana and I watched from a distance because we thought that since she spoke Russian, it would be easier for her to talk with them.


Before they took the gift, Oksana and I talked, planning how to share with her. Oksana was very wise and loving as she told her that God sees her. He knows her needs! She explained that we were Christians and that God wanted to give her more than bread. God wanted her to know that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be her Savior.

Please pray for Madina to come to faith. We are arranging for different Christian friends to visit her. I expect to see her in heaven someday! Please… let each of us remember Madina’s story and ask the Father to give us His eyes. I wonder who I am walking past each day.

Blessings, Legends, and Facts

1. At another church show, we were allowed to pray and heard the children calling on Jesus to save them.

2. There are phone numbers written as graffiti on the walls of the apartment buildings around us. The word “sex” is beside the number. This is a common way for prostitutes to advertise. Prostitution is a big problem here, resulting in so many broken lives. Abortion is used in many parts of Russia as birth control. Only Jesus can heal all of these broken hearts. Pray for Kazan! Pray for Russia!

3. We visited and orphanage outside the city and shared with their children. To everyone’s surprise, most of the workers came and listened to the Gospel. This orphanage was like so many others that we have been in through the years. It smelled, the children were not cared for well, and many of the workers never smiled. These children’s lives will change if Jesus changes the workers hearts. Please pray for this place!

4. The Tatar homes are beautifully crafted of logs, but receive no paint. Only the windows are painted, either blue or green, and beautifully decorated.

5. Tatar Christian’s are sometimes arrested as they go door to door sharing Christ. Legally, it is permitted, but the law is not always respected. They are released after a few hours or days.

6. Sunday morning, we did a street show in the worst area for gangs in the city. A huge crowd filled the playground and more people listened from their windows or from a safe distance. After the show, many adults thanked me for what had been done for their children. How sweet to be thanked by Muslims when you tell them about Jesus Christ and their need for Him!

7. We played tourist one afternoon after we finished our shows. We saw the Kremlin, the seat of power for Tatarstan. In side its walls is the only Mosque in a Kremlin in Russia.

8. In Russian, a babushka is a grandmother. After our visit to the Kremlin, we went to an amusement park. For only a few Rubles (Russian money), we rode a giant Ferris wheel that gave us and amazing view of Kazan and the Volga river. We also enjoyed a roller coaster, a giant swing ride that made me feel very green, and ice cream and popcorn. I was 30 years older than anyone else I saw at the park. Oleg laughed because people saw me and were pointing at me in shock. I had a wonderful time! It was Mother’s day and I was sad to be without Josh, Teressa, Jill, Matt and all the grandchildren. However, it was very sweet to be with friends that love me and treat me like family! Oleg and Oksana even brought me a beautiful yellow and pink rose. The Father is so kind to me!

9. There is a legend told here about a tower inside the Kremlin walls. So many, many years ago, Ivan the Terrible besieged this fortress and conquered it. He demanded that a certain Tatar Princess marry him. She agreed conditional that in 7 days, he build a 7 story tower for her, to prove his sincerity. The tower was finished and she climbed to the top. Determined not to marry Ivan, she jumped to her death. This is a very famous Tatar legend.

Prayer Requests

Only 1 day remains here for us to share with the children and finish training the Kazan team. Please ask the Father to bless these last hours with a great outpouring of His Spirit.

In Jesus,

Linda for
Sam Shaw – Assistant Director
Silvana Simioni Shaw
Oksana
Masha
Oleg

Tartarstan, May 10th, 2008

Dearest Friends,


Two Puppet Teams

None of us can believe the Father’s blessing to us! We brought 1 set of equipment to equip a team here in Kazan. God opened a door for us to meet with friends in Chelny who already had a stage, sound system and a few puppets. They were already focused on sharing with children.

We met with them 2 nights to give them training and they were so excited at what they were learning that they begged us for a third night of training. Several of the ladies have committed to me that they are going to tell Bible stories they way we do to the children.

They desperately need story telling supplies, balloons, and some more puppets. These friends are willing to stand in the darkest places to reach Muslim children with the hope that only Jesus brings. Some American friends are coming to visit them in June and can deliver this equipment.

If you are interested in equipping this second team with the few things that they need so that we will have a second puppet team in a Muslim nation, please respond to this email.

Dima and Albinia’s Story

Dima is a very sweet young man whose Tatar family served us dinner one night. More, even though he is not a believer, he used his own vehicle to take us to shows. All of us were so excited when Dima actually came inside the orphanage to watch the program.

More, Dima’s fiancée Albina came with him. She has the most beautiful baby girl and he wants to marry her and be a father to her daughter. She has known so much hurt in her life. Her eyes tell you more than she speaks. A man broke a bottle, attacked her and her friend, and left her with terrible scars across her chest and arm. Still, she has a quick smile.

Dima searches for his answers to life’s questions in the study of numbers, numerology. He is hungry to find the truth that he does not realize is Jesus offers. I had some incredible conversations with him thanks to Oksana’s translation. He paid us the greatest compliment that someone who is not a Christian can offer. After spending a lot of time with us he said, “If church were full of people like these people, I would want to go to church.” Praise God!

Lydia’s Thank You and Victory Day

A beautiful dark haired little girl came to a puppet show. She wanted to thank me after the program. She took of her necklace; two hearts cared as one on a string of hematite beads and gave it to me. A child’s thank you is so precious I was brought to tears by her generosity.

In truth, we all received so many thank you’s from the children. They lined up to hug me, she my hand, or just say thank you. Monday was Victory Day in Russia, a day set aside to celebrate the end of World War 2. Many children, their parents, and visitors came to the show that day. There were Muslims and Russian Orthodox friends present. We kept adding more chairs. This show was at a church, so we had complete freedom to share and could pray with the children. I heard some praying in soft whispers. Praise God!

Just For Fun

1. One of my favorite flowers is snapdragon. Here, they are called lions maws.
2. The Tatar hat is round with beautiful stitching and bead work. We saw a 10 plus story building here topped with one.
3. I was asked by several young people from the church that we worked with why I copied Mary Pippins dress style. I smiled and said that she was copying me! They all suggested that I buy an umbrella and a hat.
4. Shopping in a grocery store when you cant read a single word of Russian is a great adventure.
5. Riding on buses gives you a chance to see a lot of people. Almost everyone sits, stares and looks so terribly unhappy. I have been praying for a lot of people who appear so broken, so without any hope or joy.
6. When you know a little bit of Russian, you can really get yourself in trouble. Our driver tapped himself on the chest and said, “Remeshok.” I thought that he was telling me his name, but it was not. I replied, “Priviet Remeshok.” I actually said, “Hello seatbelt.” He just wanted me to buckle up. My friends are still laughing at my mistake!

Hospitality

When I travel, I usually stay with families. We all enjoy getting to know people better over meals that we share. In Kazan, we are sharing a students apartment. He is a Tatar, loves Jesus, and has been so kind to us. Please ask the Father to bless him in return for his kindness.

In Chelny, three of us stayed with one of the sweetest ladies that I have ever met. She was a great grandmother, 67 years old, and slept on the floor so that I could have a bed. Though I begged that she would let me sleep there, she refused. I asked myself a question, when have I ever tried so hard to put others needs before my own?

Her home is very small, a 3 room apartment. Outside her door, the hallway is like all apartments here. It is so dirty and it smells, but as soon as you open her door, you are in a clean, bright place, full of love. If you want cold water anywhere in the house, you must go to the back of the toilet and turn it on. Then, it pours into the sink non-stop. Her life is difficult as I look at it, but she has the kindest spirit and often has people stay with her. She uses all that she has to be a blessing!


English Class

I am always looking for every opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus. While Sam was teaching 1 night, I met with an English class. None were believers. By tradition, they were Muslim and Russian Orthodox. Before I left to speak to them, we all prayed.

God answered our prayers with and outpouring of His Spirit. I shared my story of God’s revealed love in my life and they responded with the best questions. Several of the students came to the Victory Day puppet show the next day where they heard even more about Jesus Christ. Some were moved to tears and some brought gifts.

Please pray for the students of this English class. God knows their names. The teacher was so excited by their questions. Please pray for her to have wisdom and loves as she tells them more about Jesus!

Prayer Requests

We have only 3 days left! Please focus your prayers on this remaining time. We want to see Jesus do big things in Tatarstan!

Photos are online at: Russia May 2008




In Jesus,

Linda for
Sam Shaw – Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Oksana Pyvovar
Masha
Oleg

Tartarstan May 9th, 2008

Dearest friends!

WOW!

Yesterday morning, I asked the Lord to do something that was beyond my imagination. Let me tell you how He answered. Our friends here had been before to a place we visited. They were not permitted to see but a few of children, only the ones who did not speak Russian. More, it was the children nap time and they were told that they could only speak to those who were awake. Everyone was asleep. Clearly, they were not wanted.

However, yesterday God gave us all of the children, their teachers, and their mothers! We were very careful with the sound effects we used because many children were mentally handicapped and loud sound frightened them. They loved the program and everyone laughed even better they listened. We told them about Jesus Christ and how they could know Him. When we finished, the teachers presented us with an official thank you letter! It was addressed to The Agape Puppet Charity. Becoming a non profit (a charity) has been a very wise decision, especially for this place. I am constantly asked if I am from a church. Remember that all this of people are Muslim, either nominal (by tradition) or observant (practice). Protestants are seeing as a cult that is to be feared, ignored, or ____________. It was such a wonder that all of this people were so happy hearing about Jesus death on the cross and how He rose from the dead so that we could be forgiven. It was also very good that we could t!
ell them that we are from an American non profit (a charity).

Many of the adults were touched by the Bible stories and testimonies that they heard. One lady said in broke English, “so sweet. I wanted to cry.” The gospel is so sweet! Wow! God gave us a great answer to my prayer.

Each day is more amazing than the day before. We went to a special school for handicapped children. Some had minor learning disabilities, others had a cerebral palsy, some were in wheelchairs and many struggle to walk. Sam and I have been in so many of these places across the old Soviet Union, but we have never seen one like this orphanage. It smelled nice, no one seemed to be afraid, the teachers and workers really cared about children, and all of the children had good, clean clothes. All were nominal Muslims.

Always we see God’s hands in ours steps. As many of you know, my right leg bothers me when I walk, a lot and it was bothering me. While the rest of the team toured the building, I sat in the auditorium and waited. Children began to come for the program and we talked. I used every Russian word that I had; they used all of their English words. I drew pictures for them, took their pictures and let them see themselves. We laughed together and became friends.

The teachers watched me and seemed to appreciate my effort even if my Russian is not so good. So, by the time program started, everyone was ready to listen. God poured His spirit on the show. Afterwards, the children thanked us by singing. They sang a song that broke my heart. They sang a song about the beauty of a mother’s love and they live in an orphanage. Most have parents and are able to go home on the weekend.

The teachers and the director stayed after the program. They were amazed at all of our testimonies. They kept looking for a way to dismiss the truth about Jesus that we were sharing. By God’s grace He gave us the answers that they craved. All of them had tears in their eyes. Pray for these Muslims ladies to trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Pray for our last day in Chelny.

In Jesus,
Linda for
Sam Shaw – Assistant Director
Silvana Simioni Shaw
Oksana
Masha
Oleg