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FSM 374        CM/FM        7/01

Action Series FSM #10

Copyright © 2001 by The Family

“RISE ABOVE” RETREAT
Brazil's Sixth Annual National Retreat, June 2001

WELCOME TO A PHOTO LOG of Brazil's Sixth Annual National Retreat, held June 14-17 in the beautiful mountain city of São Lourenço. First we'll give you an overview of the daily schedule, classes, and activities held during this retreat. Then we'll introduce you to just a few of the many Active members (formerly called live-outs) who are servi ng the Lord alongside us, as part of our wonderful Family! Enjoy!

Introduction
Written by retreat organizers
       Each year in Brazil since 1996, when we held our first national retreat, the Lord has added to the church just as in the early days of the Family, at a steady growth rate of between 40 to 50 percent each year! It's not that we've had any super strategy, it just seems that the people keep coming if we keep having them over. It's very apparent that we are in the era of action!
       The g rowth in the number of attendees to our yearly retreats caused us to create a national retreat committee. This has also shown us the need for a more permanent committee to discuss a myriad of other subjects related to Active members and the Active member movement in Brazil.
       This year we had to draw the line at 500 adult participants (this is in addition to nearly 100 children). This may be our last official GP retreat held on a nationallevel, as it's hard to imagine how we'll be able to manag e an event with over 1,000 attendees!
       Here is a rundown of this year's retreat program:

Thursday, June 14

       People began arriving in the late afternoon. Most had arrived by 8 p.m., in time for the first evening meeting.
       Mealtimes were scheduled at 8:00 a.m. (breakfast), 12:30 p.m. (lunch), and 7:00 p.m. (dinner). Morning class time was from 9:00-12:15; afternoon class from 3:30-6:30; evening activity from 8:30-11:00. In the middle of the morning and afternoon class times there was a 30- minute coffee break. Get-out was after lunch, with soccer, volleyball, and swimming facilities available.

       9:00-10:30 p.m. Welcome and announcements, followed by an opening inspiration and orientation, emceed by Jere and Joyful.

Friday, June 15

       9:00-10:00 a.m. Inspiration.
       10:00-10:30 a.m. General keynote and Peter's welcome keynote.
       11:00-12:15 p.m. Class: “Rise Above” (led by Faith and Paulo).

       We opened this retreat with one of the main Family themes of this year: the art of rising above as we enter the era of action. We used lots of music in this class, to give it a How to Win flavor. For those who felt they needed desperate prayer to rise above their personal difficulties, we recommended they attend the “Deliverance Prayer” workshop on Saturday afternoon, and the “New Weapons” workshop (to be held in the course of the retreat).

       3:30-3:45 p.m. Inspiration.
       3:45-5:00 p.m. Class: “Action through Prayer” (led by Spanish Juan).

       This class majored on the fact that prayer needs to be our priority as we enter the era of action. This vision is vital for us to have spiritual balance and health. It is of utmost importance that we all keep the spiritual aspect of our lives as our priority, especially with so much growth, expansion, planning, training, etc., being undertaken.

       5:30-6:30 p.m. Class: “Uniting Forces for the Coming Harvest” (led by Tommy).

       Each year a class on unity is given at the national retreat. This year it was centered on the obst acle of comparing, and how the Enemy uses this tactic to divide and conquer when we need to be focusing on our common goal: the promised Endtime harvest of souls and disciples that are soon to join the Family through the Activated program. The recent Letter “Jewels on Comparing” (ML #3326) and Word Topics “Comparing with Others” section were the basis for this class.

       8:30-11:00 p.m. Evening activity: talent and testimony night, emceed by David and Sunny.

Talent night recap
       By Ahlai, CM attendee from Mexico
       Talent night was a riot! The Active members and the CM/FM Family from each city put a lot of time and fun into some kind of crazy presentation of the Family in their city and their work.-There were hilarious skits, and a group of cute girls did a rap song about their sheep. There were dances and songs written on a variety of topics, including the Forro (folkloric country song and dance) about going up north to Natal, and an amazing hippie skit by David's Home of new discip les, re-enacting the beginning of the Family in the late '60s, including the birth of the Brazilian Revolution when Tiago and Tabita joined in Amsterdam!

Saturday, June 16

       9:00-9:30 a.m. Inspiration.
       9:30-10:30 a.m. Class: “The 16 Endtime Pillars” (led by David).

       Each year we usually have a class related to the Endtime. This year we took advantage of the recent kids' pub “16 Endtime Pillars” (MLK #126) to renew everyone's Endtime vision. With the recent energy cut-backs and financia l crisis here in Brazil, it was a good opportunity to remind everyone that “it is written,” and to emphasize the need to be aware of the Endtime and not be spiritually unprepared when it hits.
       A review of the 16 pillars of the Endtime served as a platform to sell the recently released Beyond Armageddon video in Portuguese. We also used this class as a platform to invite the interested veteran and media-oriented Active members to the “Coming Persecution” workshop held that same afternoon.

       1 1:00-12:15 p.m. Peter's presentation.

       Peter highly commended the Active members and their shepherds for the tremendous work that they have done in pioneering a great part of the follow-up revolution that the entire Family is now focusing on. He also promoted the Activated vision, the need to gather subscriptions and feed the sheep through Activated, then on to further and deeper training through Bible classes and personal shepherding. The culmination of his talk was the milestone message he presented from the Lord on the topic of the Active members' place in our Family.-Don't miss this message, news, and details in a soon-coming GN!
       This class was also used as an opportunity to invite interested Active member veterans to the afternoon “Entering the Era of Action” workshop which discussed further coordination, training and planning of the expanded work here in Brazil.

       3:30-3:45 p.m. Inspiration.
       3:45-5:00 p.m. Workshops 1-4.

Workshop 1: THE LORD IS MY DELIVERER (Prayer fo r deliverance, open to all, led by Jere and David.)
       This workshop had the largest attendance of any during the retreat. This opportunity to get prayer for personal problems was featured at last year's retreat also, and it was a favorite. However, this year we had everyone come a bit more prepared, with a simple questionnaire already filled out that they could pray over. We encouraged them to share their inner conflicts and problems afterwards with their local shepherds, so they can continue to receive follow-up and prayer. Often our precious Active members get under conviction at these events and ask for desperate prayer against their deep-rooted spiritual problems (bitterness, anger, resentment, etc.) when they are in the Lord's presence far away from Home and their local situation. This workshop packs out as a result! Each year we try to be better prepared to give them good post-operation attention in order to consolidate the victories won at the retreat via reading lists, counseli ng, further prayer, etc.

Workshop 2: CONSIDER THE POOR PROJECTS (Open to all, led by Ezequiel, Luis and Alex.)
       There were five presentations of various tried and proven CTP works around the country: Alexandre and the Lixão project in Rio (see FAR #147), John in São Paulo (see FAR #37), Jonathan (Belo Horizonte), Sam A. (Joinville), and Luis (Rio). CTP photo displays were also available for viewing.

Workshop 3: ENTERING THE ERA OF ACTION (Open to veteran Active members, led by Tommy and F aith.)
       This was a hands-on workshop to help give tools for training, planning, and coordination for local works that have a burden to form local teamworks and boards, including the Active member bellwethers, to get the job done. We endeavored to plan the second semester of the year 2001 around the “coming harvest” vision and plotted out events, training workshops, retreats for new sheep, etc., in line with the Activated vision.

Workshop 4: OPENING A SMALL ACTIVATED GROUP FOR BEGINNERS (Open to all, led by Spanish Juan and Sunny.)
       Promo line: “Does your Bible study feel like just a bunch of directionless people? Would you like to have greater intimacy and growth?”
       This workshop showed how to turn a Bible study group into a “virtual Home” of team members, excited about studying the Word and applying it. With leadership skills that basically anyone can develop as well as practical how-to help, the participants were equipped with hands-on tips to provide well-trained leadership an d direction for their Activated groups, turning them from just a bunch of people into a family that supports and cares for one another, learns to witness and multiply as part of a planned and prayed-about strategy. Another topic that was covered was how to use the Activated mags and books to their maximum potential, as disciple-making tools!

       5:15-6:30 p.m. Workshops 5-8.
      
Workshop 5: LEARNING TO USE THE NEW WEAPONS OF THE SPIRIT (For all, led by Spanish Juan and Pedro.)
       This was the mai n workshop of the second segment of workshops, which we recommended to the newcomers. The class was based on the new Get Activated books, Prayer Power and Hearing from Heaven, to promote the new GP books. Also featured was Pedro Montanha's hit rap song: “The New Weapons,” which is a class in itself on how to use the new weapons.-Prayer, praise, prophecy, and Loving Jesus was the main menu for this exciting intro and how-to.

       (Editor: DV, Pedro's song, “The New Weapons,” will be recorded soon, at which time we'll post it on the MO site.)

Workshop 6: HOW TO START AN ON-FIRE YOUTH GROUP (For veteran and youth Active members, led by David and Paulo.)
       The thrust of this workshop was getting the youth-CM, FM and Active members-turned on to the Activated follow-up vision. This workshop included testimonies from well-established youth works in Rio and Criciuma. Chris from São Paulo, and Rafael and Daiane (young Active member couple, now FM) from Criciuma shared their views from the tre nches. Portions from the recent “What the Future Holds” GN were used as the Word challenge.

Workshop 7: HOW TO START A CHURCH OF LOVE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL IN YOUR CITY (For veteran Active members, led by Tommy and Eden.)
       Based on the experience of the Activated Promo Road Team's recent tour of Brazil and how the Lord led in the establishing of Churches of Love in various cities, this was a practical workshop. Eden explained her experience in holding a weekly Sunday school for the children of A ctive members over the past two years, complete with a year-long Sunday school curriculum in Portuguese made available for purchasing.

Workshop 8: THE COMING PERSECUTION (For veteran Active members, led by Ezequiel and Jere.)
       As we all know, popularity is eventually followed by persecution. Although the Lord has miraculously allowed for a time of peace so we could establish a solid base for the work, we know there will be persecution to come. This workshop was for those interested in being pro-active and helping prepare for this inevitable time ahead. As we grow in numbers and influence, our Active members will be more and more instrumental as our protectors and pillars during times of crisis. With this in mind, our vision is to form a “crisis management team” of CM, FM and Active members who have a working knowledge of Family declarations statements and press releases and can mobilize at short notice in the case of media or legal persecution.

       (Editor: At this point you're pro bably wondering, “So where are the notes from these workshops? Where can I find them-either to give to my sheep and friends, or so that I can learn about some of this myself?” Well, all of the workshops, class notes and reference material were made available in Portuguese. As soon as we're able to get any of this material translated or condensed, we'll be sure to provide it for you in print or on the MO site.)

       7:30-9:00 p.m. Evening activity: Live band music and united dance, emceed by Paulo and Sunny.

Sunday, June 17

       9:00-9:30 a.m. Inspiration.
       9:30-11:00 a.m. Class:“The Family in Brazil and Around the World” (Led by Ezequiel.)

       Each year we dedicate a block of time to show and tell who we are as a Family and what we do, which includes new developments, stats and progress from the past year to inspire everyone. This year Ezequiel used a collage of photos and a video clip to show the work around Brazil and in other parts of the world. We also used this “display window” as an opportunity to invite those interested to the “CTP” workshop in the afternoon.

       11:00-12:00 p.m. Closing words and farewell prayer.

       The farewell meeting was emceed by Jere, which included a summary of the main points of the retreat, and recognition and appreciation given to all who made this event possible. Peter gave closing comments expressing his and Mama's love to all, after which there was hardly a dry eye in the house! We also invited the Mexico team to share their impression s.
       We then sang our Family national anthem, “Song of Victory” locked arm-in-arm and dedicated ourselves to “rise above,” and take hold of the keys of the kingdom, believing that nothing is impossible! After a solid closing prayer, people began to pack up and say their goodbyes.


* * *


NOTE: PHOTO LOG BEGINS HERE.

RETREAT CLASSES

       Tommy holding up the individual class packets that each attendee was given

       Joyful and Jere, emcees of the first meeting

       David giving “The 16 Endtime Pi llars” class, using a large projector to display the key verses and points

       Faith and Aurelio, performing a skit

       Crowd shots

       Check out the size of that crowd!

       Chris (right) and a team of Active members doing another skit.

       Faith leading the crowd in prayer


* * *


ON THE JOB

       Tommy and Spanish Juan, two crazy crusaders!

       James (SGA from Rio), along with Aurelio (Active member photographer, not pictured here) didn't miss a shot! Thanks, guys!

       Johnny B. and team capture d the entire event on video. Keep a lookout for upcoming editions of The Vine!

       Magno, an Active member, along with Fisher (CM), kept the sound system running perfectly.

       KK and Spanish Juan, part of the retreat's organizational team. It was a mammoth job!


* * *


KING PETER

Meeting Peter!
       By Carlos, Active member attendee, Rio
       (Excerpt of a newsletter, sent to fellow Active members in Brazil)
       This VI National Retreat will definitely be remembered in the history of the Family. We had the presence of Peter. Yes! You heard that correctly! It was PETER himself who personally decided to come to take a look at the phenomenon taking place in Brazil. He shared a message from Mama Maria together with some pictures of her that were posted during the retreat. For all of us who receive Family pubs to help us grow spiritually, which mention Peter and Mama Maria, this consolidated something that was only living in our minds. Until then we had never seen a picture of either Peter or M ama.
       One of the things that touched people the most was Peter's simplicity and humility. He was there simply participating as another Family member. He sang, danced, and cried together with us. Each one of us who gave him a simple hug was received with sincere humility, love, and a message of encouragement.
       In his last message, Peter said: “Before coming to the retreat I prayed that while here each of you could see and feel Jesus through me. But what happened was that I was able to see and f eel Jesus through you each time that I would look at you and feel that fire burning inside of each of you!”

       Peter is giving his main presentation on the second day of the retreat, while Ezequiel reads the translation.

       Peter is sporting his Gesto de Amor T-shirt, given to him by David's group of Active members, two of whom are pictured here. (Gesture of Love is their registered CTP association.)

Audience response to Peter's presentation


* * *


MIDNIGHT WITNESSERS!

Witnessing-A High light!
       By Carlos, Active member attendee, Rio
       The city of São Lourenço experienced a spiritual earthquake with the midnight witnessers, who after the evening meetings, would invade the plaza with music, laughter, and personal testimonies, making people (who couldn't believe what they were seeing with their own eyes) feel the Lord's love and joy. Lots (and I mean lots!) of people received the Lord during those nights. Many subscribed to the Contato (Activated) magazine, and some even attended the retreat the following day!

       Around midnight, just when you thought things were winding down, the real action began. All three nights of the retreat, scores of Family members descended on São Lourenço, leaving its inhabitants with a witness they'll never forget!

       A small group of on-fire witnessers-out to win souls and collect Contato subscriptions!

Huntington Beach revisited!
       By Ahlai, CM attendee, Mexico
       Witnessing till 3 a.m.! The fervor didn't die down with the evening inspi ration! Are you kidding? That would have been like all smoke and no fire! The teens and YAs then took to the streets, went to the center of town and had a Holy Ghost sample like you wouldn't believe. It was a “happening.” No one got past them either, because around all the music, hot witnessing songs, dancing, and wahoo in the street that called the attention of every passer-by, there were on-fire, aggressive young witnesses, Family teens and Active member teens, who did not let one soul pass by without a hug and a COMPLETE witness, loving them right into salvation. People were getting saved on the spot. It was like Huntington Beach all over again.-And they even brought a few home with them, sneaking them into the hotel. They were there for devotions and were introduced to everyone at the first meeting the next day!

Young people with fire!
       By Seek, CM attendee, Mexico
       I was thrilled to see such on-fire and dedicated young people. These Active member young people and our own youn g adults were truly dedicated-and it wasn't fake or a show. It's clear when talking to them that they have a deep appreciation for the Lord, WITNESSING, and the Word. Their shepherds have done a wonderful job of training them to be disciples that can teach others.


* * *


MEET SOME ACTIVE MEMBERS!

       (Editor: We are sorry that due to limited space we can only include photos and a tiny bit of news on just a handful of the Active members. There are many, many more Active members who are just as d edicated and have just as marvelous a testimony as these. This is a foretaste of much more to come! We hope to publish more photos and the full testimonies of a number of Active members in upcoming pubs.)

João Marcello, 34, Active member and Varig airline pilot, Rio
       “I've been part of the Family for four and a half years. I found Jesus in the Family. I'm growing and have entered into discipleship training and now I teach classes to others. For two years I've been in leadership with two othe rs in our discipleship group. I'm the leader of our witnessing department. It's very inspiring for me because now I choose the classes for the sheep.
       “We don't leave everything behind and we still work in our professions, but we are stimulated to do more things for the sheep and the Family-for Jesus. Peter's coming was very encouraging because we know that he, and all the leaders of the Family, can see what we're doing here. We are giving Bible classes, we have a CTP association that we're run ning, and many sheep are coming into our group. It's very exciting for us.”

       Estevão (left), a CM Active member shepherd, pictured here with his mother Luzia and brother Eduardo-both Active members!

       Alvaro is an Active member from Belém. He is a former atheist and Communist, and he had quite a transformation. He is now witnessing to his parents and other relatives who are complete atheists like he once was.

       Marcio, Active member and English teacher, has known the Family for five years . His almost unbelievable testimony is that six months ago he was instantly delivered from crack, marijuana, and severe alcoholism, which had led him to try to commit suicide three times over the years. He told us, “At a recent party, my friends saw me drinking water and they were so surprised. They couldn't believe it. It's such a testimony!” Now his relatives ask him to pray for them and their families.

       Ana (left), CM Active member shepherd, with Active member Miriam

       Celeste and Lucian a, mother and daughter, are both veteran Active members, on-fire witnesses, and part of the original São Paulo discipleship group. Celeste regularly gives communion at the Church of Love and is a gifted public speaker. Luciana, an excellent singer, is on the inspiration team. She also recorded the Daily Might in Portuguese.

       Abner (SGA) with Socorro, an Active member and executive secretary to a former senator in Brasilia

       Madson (pictured with his wife, Norma) teaches his own Bible class each week and is passionate about the Word.

       Ricardo (Active member) and Luz (FM) with their children, Jessica and Gustavo, São Paulo. Ricardo gave a moving testimony of how the Lord brought his business from financial ruin to prosperity as he and his family obeyed the Lord, tithed and committed to do what the Lord was asking of them.

       Four generations in the Family! (L to R) Natalia, great-grandmother and Active member was here for her third national retreat. Each time she comes she trave ls from the northern city of Natal, 2000 km away. Nélia, grandmother and Active member, is a doctor and midwife who has delivered dozens of Family babies over the years in Brasilia. Neila, daughter of Nélia, is an Active member and on-fire witness, standing next to her brother, Fábio. He is Nélia's son and Natalia's grandson, and made his decision to join the CM Family at the first national retreat in '96. He is now married to Raquel (CM, far right, of Portuguese Iris), here with their two-year- old son, Gabriel.

       L to R: Rafael, Daiane, and Paulo. Paulo (FM, Active member shepherd) has known and loved the Family for 15 years! He was one of the first Active members that Tommy worked with, and was instrumental in helping Tommy to catch the vision for follow-up and building an Active member church. Paulo loves the Word like you wouldn't believe! He explained that Daiane and her husband Rafael are disciples who've joined the Family (living in his Home), and that there are 40 more young people he works with. Fifteen of those young people are discipleship trainees. Daiane and Rafael are the first sheep that Paulo met, and they joined his Home three months ago. They knew the Family for three and a half years before that. They got married this year so they could join the Family, as legally Daiane couldn't have joined the Family until she was either of age or married. Both are on-fire Activated leaders; Daiane is 17 years old, Rafael is 22 years old.

       Esther (of John) with her m other, Clara Luz (64), who was an Active member for about 10 years, and joined the CM Family five years ago. She has been to practically all the national retreats and loves to teach the Word (she's a former teacher). Clara Luz is now a member of a small pioneer team located about one hour from the retreat site. Now, after the retreat witnessing explosion, she and her Home are ministering to the sheep who were won and activated there!

       Rosa is a dear Active member in São Paulo who has allowed her shepherds, John and Esther, and other Family members, to live in her house, together with her and her 22-year-old Active member daughter, Ana Paula.

       Lauana, 20, a new Active member, enjoys her first retreat and big group of Family fellowship.

       Paulo and Silvia's story was moving. They had been longing for a child for so long and the Lord provided a baby through adoption after a year of guidance through personal prophecy. Paulo holds his own Bible class with 20 attendees every Tuesday night in Juan and Eden's Home, and Paulo is the shepherd of that group, together with Spanish Juan.
      
       Monica, a 22-year-old Active member from Brasilia, met the Family and received the Lord eight months before the retreat. She stated, “I am a different Monica now,” and she is eager to pass on what she's learned to others who cross her path. She was overflowing with enthusiasm about the witnessing she participated in during the retreat. When asked what she wants to do after leaving the retreat , she replied, “I just want to witness!”

       Renato and Marisete, with their daughter, Cintia (16). Their family has known the Family for 10 years, and are members of the original discipleship group in São Paulo. Renato is a business consultant and has held a Bible study in his home for the last five years. The group has steadily grown and is now ready to multiply. Renato's job is in is the realm of finances and he often handles this ministry for retreats, tithe collection, etc. They have been t o every one of the six national retreats with their family.

       Georgia (pictured with her husband, Freddie) was instrumental in working out the adoption of Paulo and Silvia's baby, and she also works with John (CM, of Esther) in the favelas (slums) of São Paulo.

       Lucia (50), a veteran Active member (now FM), is one of the few who have been around for all six national retreats! She works as a human relations consultant with a national agency and as such is able to regularly travel to Homes al l over Brazil. She has a burden to help organize regional retreats, as she does this professionally. She is constantly seeking ways to get the Family into the human resources world, as she knows that our experience living communally is invaluable in her profession of getting people to teamwork.
       Lucia loves the Word with a passion that would convict any Family member. She commented, “I just can't get enough Word. I have to force myself to stop reading so I can do my work, but even then sometime s I just pick up a Letter and read it at my work!”

       Rodrigo from Brasilia (pictured with his wife and fellow Active member, Leila) had tears in his eyes as he shared how touched he was by Peter's spirit and his love for them all. He said the best thing about this retreat (it's his second and Leila's first) was the presence of the Holy Spirit.

       Daniel (20) is an on-fire witnessing Active member who is now living by faith. His testimony outlined his life of daily drugs-smoking marijuana up t o five and six times a day, drinking, and getting deeply into the dark music world, until he found instant deliverance in Jesus. He is the son of Fernando Adour, the producer of the early Family mega-hits here in Brazil back in the '70s. Fernando is now also an Active member, recording and producing music at the studio. Daniel's sister, Tatiana (24), is also an Active member. Daniel was one of the main leaders of the Holy Ghost sample which practically took over the center of the city in the nig ht-time witnessing after the evening retreat meetings!


* * *


RETREAT SHOP

       CD rack display

       Andrew and Joanie, manning their booths at the retreat shop.

       Jodie, Brazil veteran (left), talks with Matt, who manned the Contato booth where people signed up for subscriptions, bought tools, videos, tracts and more!

       A popular spot was the T-shirt table, where a variety of T-shirts with the Family logo, Contato advertisements, etc., were available for purchase.

       An on-fire group of Fam ily members (CM, FM and Active members) pull out a guitar and burst into song right outside the elevators.-Just one of the many impromptu inspirations!

WORKSHOPS

       Celia listens attentively at a workshop.

       Tommy and Faith lead the “Entering the Era of Action” workshop, for veteran Active members.

       Ezekiel, along with Luis and Alex, lead the “Consider the Poor” workshop.

       Faith, gives hands on tips and training.

KID CARE

       Michael (23), one of the children's monitors, leads his group to their next activity.

SONG, DANCE, AND SKIT TIMES

       Every day and night brought along new entertainment, in the form of hilarious skits related to Activated, songs just written about witnessing, and inspirations filled with the music that made the Revolution. Whether during the classes, dance night, inspirations, or testimony times, one thing that could never be said of our united Family in Brazil is that they are “laid back!” They are quente (hot)!


* * *


TALENT NIGHT

       Sunny ( of Ezequiel) and Gigi (formerly an Active member and lawyer, now CM) doing a hilarious skit. Sunny, playing the vain woman seeking breast implants, gets turned on by Contato and finds satisfaction in Jesus!

       A great rap number performed by a team of hooded girls and one guy! (Sorry, didn't catch all the names!)

       More skits! Carlos, Active member from Peru, plays a man who paid a high price for not listening to counsel from his shepherds or the Lord about his “motorcycle ministry.”

       Iris (CM) with Neila (Active member). Neila wrote a very catchy traditional Forro song which she and the “four generations” sang together with gusto. (See their whole team on page 16.)

       Dressed in hippie garb, a group of David's Active members re-enacted the birth of the Family for us, complete with a dynamic performance of “Aquarius!”

CLOSING CEREMONY

       David, Faith, Tigo, Flor and Daniel leading the crowd in our Family's national anthem, “Song of Victory!”

       Girls rock out on stage to “O h Happy Day!”
      
       The meeting breaks turned out to be prime photo time. Here's one group gathering for a picture in the middle of the meeting room.

       Tommy and some of the Mexico delegates on stage

       Natalia gets up to dance while the band plays its last numbers!

MORE OF OUR BRAZIL FAMILY

       Alexandre, Adriana, and baby Amanda

       Brothers and sister: David Rocky, Angelina, and Benji

       Jere and Mariane

       Fiona (20), Tabitha (16), Lua (15), Gabriele (17), Ester (15)

       Rute, Clara, Gabriele (17), Tabitha (15)

       Four sisters (L to R): Jolie (17), Jessica (19), Angie (20), Shelley (22)

       Four sisters (L to R): Iris (24), Paloma (22), Celeste (18), Juliana (13)

       (L to R): Mariana (21), Rebecca, Daiane (17), Ezra (25)

       Paulo, Lua (15), Shannon (16), Ester (15)

       Juliana and Tigo


* * *


“We love you!” David (top center) and a group of his young and on-fire Active members send their love!

       (Editor: We hope you enjoyed this photo log and news of Brazil's latest na tional retreat. If you're interested in holding a retreat in your city or country, keep an eye out for a detailed “How to Hold a Retreat” FSM, coming your way in a few months, Lord willing!)

Special thanks to James who contributed many of these photos.


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