BTW
Just fyi, Hava is feeling MUCH better. She is about halfway through her antibiotic round, but is a little more clingy than before. (I'm sure that has to do with the amount of affection she received while sick - now she's expecting it! :o)) She is still a little contrary from time to time, but with our constant "loving" reminders :o), I think we are over the first hump. Thanks for your prayers!
Monday, December 31, 2007
~Leite Family Ministry Update~
THIS ISSUE: Recap of 2007 and Tentative Schedule for Project AMO (Amazon Musical Outreach) 2008
We know that many of you receive the Leite Family Ministry (LFM) monthly newsletter, but here you can read up on more day-to-day updates. If you do not receive our monthly newsletter and would like to, send your snail-mail address to: leitefam@yahoo.com
PLEASE SEE SIDEBAR FOR UPDATED PRAYER REQUESTS
We are so excited to be going into a new calendar year as a family of 3 this year! We are also excited about how the L-RD has blessed us and called us into full-time ministry. We are still in the fund-raising phase (which is ongoing), and are so grateful for all of those who have so selflessly given to this ministry. We are also seeing G-D's hand more visibly pointing us in the direction He has for our family.
This year was not easy with the birth of our first in January and then a very big leap of faith from a steady income to an uncertain future (both physically and spiritually) of evangelistic ministry all around the globe. As we come closer and closer to our deadline (May 31) of leaving the steady income and relying completely on faith that G-d will provide every need through faithful supporters, we feel the nervous tension of relinquishing control over the path of our lives. At the same time, we are also so peaceful about this decision. We are so busy preparing the musical and team for our first project. We will be traveling to the Amazon Basin of Brazil to reach out the "river-dwellers" ("ribeirinhos" in Portuguese).
We wanted to use this update to share some more specific details of our trip. This might give you a better idea of why we will be traveling for 3 months and why we are doing so much preparation now. This will also help you to know where we are when and how to pray for us. Here is the line-up so far:
Tentative Schedule for LFM Project AMO 2008:
May 31: Fully financially dependent on supporters
June 10ish: Drive to Florida for ministry preparation and contacts
June 17: Fly from Miami, FL to Santarém, Brazil
*June 18 - July 13ish: Preparation for Project AMO 2008 (with Brazilian layworkers)
July 14ish - July 26ish: American Team flies to Brazil to assist in Project AMO 2008
July 15-17: Rehearsals for Project AMO evangelistic musical "New Day" ("Novo Dia")
*July 18-20: Performance of "Novo Dia" in Santarém proper
July 21-22: Boat travel on Amazon river and tributaries
*July 22-23: Performance of "Novo Dia" in river villages
July 24-25: Boat travel back to Santarém
July 26ish: American team flies back to US
July 28ish: Fly to Castanhal, Brazil
*July 28ish-Aug. 23ish: Leite Family time to cultivate family relationships, minister to lost family members and support those we have been counseling via internet (it will have been 5 years since we have last seen the Leite side of the family....it will be the first time they will have ever seen Hava!)
Aug. 23ish: Fly back to Miami, FL
*Aug. 24-25ish: Project AMO debriefing and evaluation
Aug. 26ish: Drive back to Texas
Aug. 28: Begin preparation for theological schooling and next international project!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Hava has Strep Throat
The past couple of days have been tough, but it looks like we're now on the other side of the dark clouds.
Hava had been coughing at night for almost a week. Then, on her 11-month birthday (Christmas day), she had a fever all day which got up to 103. She was awake most of that night just feeling yucky and very clingy. We took her into the doctor early wednesday morning. She was starting to making gagging motions and coughing a lot more. She was also drooling more than she ever has - even when she was a newborn. She had a runny nose and was acting droopy. She also wasn't eating normally, hardly at all.
At first glance, the doctor said he knew she wasn't well, but couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. He did a breathing treatment on her, and a throat culture. He said he had been seeing a lot of pneumonia and bronchitis, so for us to be prepared.
When the throat culture came back, he confirmed she had a bad case of strep throat. But to be on the safe side, he sent us in for a chest x-ray too (probably just as traumatic for me as it was for Hava - I had NO IDEA how they did baby x-rays!) to check for pneumonia. Good news, no pneumonia. Bad news, Hava got a nice LONG shot of antibiotics and is now taking them orally.
Yesterday was a long, tough day. She just looked terrible - patchy skin, red eyes, a lot of crying, shaking, fever, hardly any solid food and only short cat naps. Today her fever has finally subsided. She is feeling somewhat better and eating a little bit. She only woke up last night about every 3-4 hours as opposed to the first night when she was restless all night. She is FINALLY napping today (at 3 pm).
Please keep baby Hava and us in your prayers. Thanks!!!
The past couple of days have been tough, but it looks like we're now on the other side of the dark clouds.
Hava had been coughing at night for almost a week. Then, on her 11-month birthday (Christmas day), she had a fever all day which got up to 103. She was awake most of that night just feeling yucky and very clingy. We took her into the doctor early wednesday morning. She was starting to making gagging motions and coughing a lot more. She was also drooling more than she ever has - even when she was a newborn. She had a runny nose and was acting droopy. She also wasn't eating normally, hardly at all.
At first glance, the doctor said he knew she wasn't well, but couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. He did a breathing treatment on her, and a throat culture. He said he had been seeing a lot of pneumonia and bronchitis, so for us to be prepared.
When the throat culture came back, he confirmed she had a bad case of strep throat. But to be on the safe side, he sent us in for a chest x-ray too (probably just as traumatic for me as it was for Hava - I had NO IDEA how they did baby x-rays!) to check for pneumonia. Good news, no pneumonia. Bad news, Hava got a nice LONG shot of antibiotics and is now taking them orally.
Yesterday was a long, tough day. She just looked terrible - patchy skin, red eyes, a lot of crying, shaking, fever, hardly any solid food and only short cat naps. Today her fever has finally subsided. She is feeling somewhat better and eating a little bit. She only woke up last night about every 3-4 hours as opposed to the first night when she was restless all night. She is FINALLY napping today (at 3 pm).
Please keep baby Hava and us in your prayers. Thanks!!!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Our Baby has a "'Tude!" 
I know the one above is blurry, but this is one of Hava's more sweet moments. She is watching a video about bible stories and very attentive. Although we love her to death, and she is quite intelligent, we have started to hit the "hard part" with Hava. She has realized that she can complain when she is dissatisfied with something. She has started screaming fits, hiting, biting and pinching - she also directly defies authority when told "no," she will look you straight in the eye and grunt at you. We know this has come about on her own since she rarely is around other children, and never without our supervision. So, we have started to give "time-outs" in her bed, with the lights on (which she hates!). But usually after a good crying and screaming fit, she calms down and we continue our activities.
It seems like we spend most of our time either saying "no," or trying to redirection her focus to something else she is allowed to do (in most cases, she is allowed to "get into"). But we are now understanding, even more, the concept that with love MUST come discipline. So, pray with us that this is a phase, and we can soon have our sweetheart back! :o)
I know the one above is blurry, but this is one of Hava's more sweet moments. She is watching a video about bible stories and very attentive. Although we love her to death, and she is quite intelligent, we have started to hit the "hard part" with Hava. She has realized that she can complain when she is dissatisfied with something. She has started screaming fits, hiting, biting and pinching - she also directly defies authority when told "no," she will look you straight in the eye and grunt at you. We know this has come about on her own since she rarely is around other children, and never without our supervision. So, we have started to give "time-outs" in her bed, with the lights on (which she hates!). But usually after a good crying and screaming fit, she calms down and we continue our activities.
It seems like we spend most of our time either saying "no," or trying to redirection her focus to something else she is allowed to do (in most cases, she is allowed to "get into"). But we are now understanding, even more, the concept that with love MUST come discipline. So, pray with us that this is a phase, and we can soon have our sweetheart back! :o)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Chanukah 2007 - 8th (last) night
So, tonight was the last night of Chanukah. All eight candles were lit.
We gave out gifts and played dreidel.
And we focused on dedicating our lives to the LORD again and every day, until He brings us to this season again.
Remember the light in the middle; the intercessor; the go-between; the servant; the Messiah: YESHUA - the LIGHT of the world!
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
HAPPY CHANUKAH!
Final Dreidel Scores:
Al=2
Rachel=2
GG=2 :o)
Hava=maybe next year!
So, tonight was the last night of Chanukah. All eight candles were lit.
We gave out gifts and played dreidel.
And we focused on dedicating our lives to the LORD again and every day, until He brings us to this season again.
Remember the light in the middle; the intercessor; the go-between; the servant; the Messiah: YESHUA - the LIGHT of the world!This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
HAPPY CHANUKAH!
Final Dreidel Scores:
Al=2
Rachel=2
GG=2 :o)
Hava=maybe next year!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Chanukah - 7th Night
Well, we missed last night, but we are back again - here is Grandma (GG) reading tonight's scripture.
Well, we missed last night, but we are back again - here is Grandma (GG) reading tonight's scripture.Each night we try to focus on some aspect of G-d's character and how to align ourselves and our lives with His person and purposes.
Hava has a few new toys that have sparked her mind. We are so thankful to have her with us now. This time last year, she was still in mamae's belly. She used to be our little baby, but we've realized lately she is a little girl now. She really is growing up fast.
Current Dreidel Scores:
Al=2
Rachel=2
GG=1 (Yay, GG!)
Hava=still obsessed with the twirling dreidels! :o)
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Chanukah - 5th Night (Unexpected)
Well, there are no pictures from last night. We spent a great part of the evening with friends, but then had an unexpected experience.
Some of you know that Rachel has had trouble in the past with blood clots and that through the pregnancy with Hava, discovered that she has 2 gene mutations that make her blood clot. So, at about 2:30 am, Rachel realized she might have another blood clot in her left forearm and, doing as previously instructed, she and Al went to the ER.
While there, some rivaling "gangs" came into the ER covered in blood and causing chaos. It actually helped Al and Rachel as the hospital directors pulled them out of the waiting room in order to protect them from the gangs.
The doctors ran ultrasounds on Rachel's arm, and thankfully, there were no clots. We did some praying before we left for the ER anyway. And the doctor said it was most likely a clot and there is nothing we can do at home when it happens - we have to go in to the ER. However, there is a possibility that Rachel needs to go back to taking blood-thinning shots on a daily basis, pregnant or not.
So, we're back home now. A little exhausted, but fine. We'll let you know about the dreidel scores tonight! :o)
Well, there are no pictures from last night. We spent a great part of the evening with friends, but then had an unexpected experience.
Some of you know that Rachel has had trouble in the past with blood clots and that through the pregnancy with Hava, discovered that she has 2 gene mutations that make her blood clot. So, at about 2:30 am, Rachel realized she might have another blood clot in her left forearm and, doing as previously instructed, she and Al went to the ER.
While there, some rivaling "gangs" came into the ER covered in blood and causing chaos. It actually helped Al and Rachel as the hospital directors pulled them out of the waiting room in order to protect them from the gangs.
The doctors ran ultrasounds on Rachel's arm, and thankfully, there were no clots. We did some praying before we left for the ER anyway. And the doctor said it was most likely a clot and there is nothing we can do at home when it happens - we have to go in to the ER. However, there is a possibility that Rachel needs to go back to taking blood-thinning shots on a daily basis, pregnant or not.
So, we're back home now. A little exhausted, but fine. We'll let you know about the dreidel scores tonight! :o)
Friday, December 07, 2007
Chanukah - 4th Night
Sometimes we can, sometimes we can't, but we attempt to give a gift every night of Chanukah to everyone. Here is Hava playing with her oh-so-obsolete toy phone (it's one of the manual dialing phones from back in the day). She thinks the eyes on the front of the rolling phone are pretty funny. But of course, she enjoyed the box more. :o)
Sometimes we can, sometimes we can't, but we attempt to give a gift every night of Chanukah to everyone. Here is Hava playing with her oh-so-obsolete toy phone (it's one of the manual dialing phones from back in the day). She thinks the eyes on the front of the rolling phone are pretty funny. But of course, she enjoyed the box more. :o)
Dreidel Scores:
Al=2
Rachel=2
GG=desperately needs a win
Hava=always a winner!
Chanukah - 3rd night
And we try our best to wind down, relax and remember G-d is, after all, still in control! :o)
We say a prayer every night before lighting the candles:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha Olam
Shehecheyanu, v'kiyemanu, v'higianu lazman hazeh. (Amen.)
Blessed are You, Adonai, our G-d, King of the Universe,
Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season. (Amen.)
And we try our best to wind down, relax and remember G-d is, after all, still in control! :o)Dreidel scores:
Al=2
Rachel=1
GG=0
Hava=always a winner!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Chanukah - 2nd Night
The Chanukah story of the Maccabees is really intriguing. Under the rule of Antiochus, the Jews of Judea were ordered to give up their faith and their practices in the One True and Living G-d, and to begin to worship the Greek/pagan gods.
Some did as they were told, for fear they would be annihilated. Some Jewish women were raped, children mistreated and the Jewish faith disgraced. The temple was completely desecrated as images of pagan gods were thrust into it and sacrifices of unclean animals were made on the holy altar. Even amidst all the torment, some Jews simply refused to give in.
One particular individual stood his ground. His name was Judah Maccabee (the "Hammer"). Judah was the son of a Jewish priest, Mattathias the Hasmonean. As the many of the Jews were being "hellenized," he, his father and brothers, family and friends rallied together to keep the faith.
These who revolted headed for the mountains. Antiochus sent myriads of troops to defeat them. But in true guerrilla warfare, the Maccabees fought them off one by one for 3 years until, finally, they were able to regain the temple and re-dedicate it to it's proper purposes. Judah's cry is still remembered today: "If you are for G-d's law....follow me!"
Had it not been for the resistance of the Maccabees and those who so bravely followed them, our New Testament (B'rit Chadashah) would be void of many powerful stories...and who knows?...Maybe void of a Messiah at all.
Dreidel Scores (as of night #2):
Al = 1
Rachel = 1
GG = 0
Hava = always a winner! :o)
The Chanukah story of the Maccabees is really intriguing. Under the rule of Antiochus, the Jews of Judea were ordered to give up their faith and their practices in the One True and Living G-d, and to begin to worship the Greek/pagan gods.
Some did as they were told, for fear they would be annihilated. Some Jewish women were raped, children mistreated and the Jewish faith disgraced. The temple was completely desecrated as images of pagan gods were thrust into it and sacrifices of unclean animals were made on the holy altar. Even amidst all the torment, some Jews simply refused to give in.
One particular individual stood his ground. His name was Judah Maccabee (the "Hammer"). Judah was the son of a Jewish priest, Mattathias the Hasmonean. As the many of the Jews were being "hellenized," he, his father and brothers, family and friends rallied together to keep the faith.
These who revolted headed for the mountains. Antiochus sent myriads of troops to defeat them. But in true guerrilla warfare, the Maccabees fought them off one by one for 3 years until, finally, they were able to regain the temple and re-dedicate it to it's proper purposes. Judah's cry is still remembered today: "If you are for G-d's law....follow me!"Had it not been for the resistance of the Maccabees and those who so bravely followed them, our New Testament (B'rit Chadashah) would be void of many powerful stories...and who knows?...Maybe void of a Messiah at all.
Dreidel Scores (as of night #2):
Al = 1
Rachel = 1
GG = 0
Hava = always a winner! :o)
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
CHANUKAH - 1st Night
A lot of people wonder why we celebrate Chanukah (Hanukkah, Chanukka, etc...however you want to "spell" the Hebrew letters). It is NOT the Jewish Christmas...in fact, has nothing to do with Christmas at all. But it couldn't be more biblical.
Chanukah (the festival of lights, or feast of dedication) is a time of celebration for the re-conquering of the temple after it had been desecrated.
A very devout family called the Maccabees, stood their ground when it came to protecting their faith in the One True and Living G-d. So, the four letters on the dreidel (the ones in Israel proper differ by one letter) stand for the Hebrew sentence: "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham" = "A great miracle happened there." Many Jewish people refer to the "great miracle" a concept that the oil for one day of burning the menorah in the temple actually miraculously lasted for 8 (hence the eight nights of lighting candles).
But we see the great miracle in two parts:
1: The temple was regained for G-d's people which is where Yeshua (Jesus) would later do much of his teaching - and so, the temple was re"dedicated".
2: Yeshua himself used this time of "dedication" to publicly announce and confirm He, the Light of the world, was/is indeed the Messiah. (John 10:22-42) And so - many "dedicated" themselves to Him.
Different families celebrate in different ways. We personally celebrate by lighting the candles (one for each night accompanied by the "shamash" or the "servant" candle - representative of Yeshua (Jesus).
Then we have a short devotional to begin a period of rededicating ourselves to His purposes.
Then we play dreidel, remembering that a truly "great miracle happened there."
Then, in true Jewish fashion, we eat the fun stuff: chocolate, donuts and/or potato latkes! Maybe not all together or every night, but enough to do damage on the scale. :O) We also give gifts, 1 on each night. So, eight nights of gifts is a pretty sweet deal! :o)
A lot of people wonder why we celebrate Chanukah (Hanukkah, Chanukka, etc...however you want to "spell" the Hebrew letters). It is NOT the Jewish Christmas...in fact, has nothing to do with Christmas at all. But it couldn't be more biblical.Chanukah (the festival of lights, or feast of dedication) is a time of celebration for the re-conquering of the temple after it had been desecrated.A very devout family called the Maccabees, stood their ground when it came to protecting their faith in the One True and Living G-d. So, the four letters on the dreidel (the ones in Israel proper differ by one letter) stand for the Hebrew sentence: "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham" = "A great miracle happened there." Many Jewish people refer to the "great miracle" a concept that the oil for one day of burning the menorah in the temple actually miraculously lasted for 8 (hence the eight nights of lighting candles).But we see the great miracle in two parts:1: The temple was regained for G-d's people which is where Yeshua (Jesus) would later do much of his teaching - and so, the temple was re"dedicated".
2: Yeshua himself used this time of "dedication" to publicly announce and confirm He, the Light of the world, was/is indeed the Messiah. (John 10:22-42) And so - many "dedicated" themselves to Him.Different families celebrate in different ways. We personally celebrate by lighting the candles (one for each night accompanied by the "shamash" or the "servant" candle - representative of Yeshua (Jesus).Then we have a short devotional to begin a period of rededicating ourselves to His purposes.Then we play dreidel, remembering that a truly "great miracle happened there."Then, in true Jewish fashion, we eat the fun stuff: chocolate, donuts and/or potato latkes! Maybe not all together or every night, but enough to do damage on the scale. :O) We also give gifts, 1 on each night. So, eight nights of gifts is a pretty sweet deal! :o)And, for those keeping track, the dreidel score as of the first night stands:
Al = 1
Rachel = 0
GG = 0
Hava = always a winner!
I know it has been a while since I updated this. It seems like a million and one things have happened lately, so let me try to catch you up!This was Hava today drinking some tea, trying to recuperate from a pretty bad cold. She had a low-grade fever for a couple of days straight, and congestion and runny nose for about a week now. PTL, she is doing pretty good and mostly back to her old, happy self!
My parents came back from Brazil a few days before Thanksgiving and we all went down to my brother's house in Brownsville for the Thanksgiving weekend. We had a great time, and little Miss Thang celebrated her first Thanksgiving, as well as completing 10 months of age.
The day after Thanksgiving, we went bowling as a family. Papai is a pretty good bowler, considering this was probably the 3rd time he had ever bowled in his life. Hava also made her attempt at bowling...we should have taken a picture. She sat on the floor with the ball....that's about it, 'cause she didn't want to let the ball go!
Grandpa (and Grandma) have been having a blast with Hava - they already taught her to clap her hands! Now she does it all the time, especially when she hears music she likes.
Hava has also discovered her love for art...well, mostly for paper-tearing and eating crayons.
She is also an interior designer....
Who knows....maybe she'll go into construction like her daddy. She has a bucket full of building cups and she LOVES to wear the big one on her head around the house. She doesn't even try to take it off.
Here is our little British soldier!
OK, maybe not a construction worker or British soldier, but very possibly an ultra-modern fashion designer. She is content with licking the handle as she "diva's" it up with a head toss.
Grandma Carmichiel is also back in town, so we have a very fun houseful of people now. We are so enjoying having everyone around and Hava doesn't have too much to complain about with all the attention. Thanks for remembering us, and for those who don't already get them, send us an email with your address if you would like to receive our monthly newsletters.
My parents came back from Brazil a few days before Thanksgiving and we all went down to my brother's house in Brownsville for the Thanksgiving weekend. We had a great time, and little Miss Thang celebrated her first Thanksgiving, as well as completing 10 months of age.
The day after Thanksgiving, we went bowling as a family. Papai is a pretty good bowler, considering this was probably the 3rd time he had ever bowled in his life. Hava also made her attempt at bowling...we should have taken a picture. She sat on the floor with the ball....that's about it, 'cause she didn't want to let the ball go!
Grandpa (and Grandma) have been having a blast with Hava - they already taught her to clap her hands! Now she does it all the time, especially when she hears music she likes.
Hava has also discovered her love for art...well, mostly for paper-tearing and eating crayons.
She is also an interior designer....One day during nap time, I heard a funny noise on the monitor, so I went in to check on her...she was ever so carefully removing the border from the wall. So, now we have to pull her bed away from all walls when she is in it.
Who knows....maybe she'll go into construction like her daddy. She has a bucket full of building cups and she LOVES to wear the big one on her head around the house. She doesn't even try to take it off. Here is our little British soldier!
OK, maybe not a construction worker or British soldier, but very possibly an ultra-modern fashion designer. She is content with licking the handle as she "diva's" it up with a head toss.Grandma Carmichiel is also back in town, so we have a very fun houseful of people now. We are so enjoying having everyone around and Hava doesn't have too much to complain about with all the attention. Thanks for remembering us, and for those who don't already get them, send us an email with your address if you would like to receive our monthly newsletters.And during this festive season: "Be blessed - be very, very blessed!"
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