Esqueleto

Let me paint a picture for you first. Please walk with me on this journey through the streets of Esqueleto as best as possible. Let’s start with what you know to have a comparison. Think of the most rundown neighborhood you can imagine in the U.S. Now, take away the nice sidewalks, the trees, the asphalt you drive on. Take away the stucco and the nice roofs. Trash litters the streets and yards (actually, take away the yards… they don’t exist). Houses are made up of scraps of wood. Random stray dogs run across the street and along the trash trucks hoping for a stray piece of food to fall out. Across your path walks a horse. This horse is small and malnourished. Left to its own defenses it scavenges the trash piles for food. Trash is everywhere. The smell permeates everything in you; everything you can look at is covered in dust and debris. The smell of sewage is rampant. Children between 4-8 years old wander the streets by themselves or in small groups looking for their next meal in the rubble and trash. Graffiti is all over the walls, not artwork like is common in Dona Marta, but signs and symbols indicating the presence of drugs and gangs. Men “hang out” on the street, sometimes weapons in hand, watching as cars drive by. You know they are part of the reigning gang. You continue down the street, past more and more shacks (at best) until you turn a corner and are in the middle of it. Standing there is a large building that says, “Ingrejo do Nazareno” or Church of the Nazarene. Like a beacon of light, it stands in a dark place, offering hope, a future, and the love of a Savior. There are people all around the church. The group of men I spoke about earlier congregate across the street and watch. They do not bother those who are there, but sit there ever present with eyes watching every move. Cameras are tolerated, but not embraced in this place, because awhile back police, disguised as journalists came in and took photos, then raided the place the next day.

I want to share with you stories of Esqueleto. They are kind of unrelated and seemingly random, but there is an overall theme here. Stay with me and you’ll begin to catch the vision here.

Work started in Esqueleto approximately six years ago. Before the church was there, there was little hope of ever “getting out” of there. People are generally uneducated, have no dreams or goals outside of their next meal, and have little resources with which to help them gain any ground on bettering their life. Since the church has been established in Esqueleto, 4 families have made it out of there. Though they still come back to the church there, they live and work outside of the slum and are able to support themselves. One may think that is not enough, that there should have been more success stories by now, but I can tell you that the struggles for these people are immense. There are little social support services currently established for the people in Esqueleto. The people there exist on a day-by-day, often meal-by-meal basis. To say that four families have made it out of that type of lifestyle is an incredible success rate. The work continues, and will continue until Esqueleto is no-longer a slum, but is a productive neighborhood where the gangs don’t run the people, but the people love and support each other, pushing the gangs out into other areas. As you read their stories, and the stories of what the church is doing in Esqueleto, and the stories of the things we experienced, may your hearts be opened to the work and the passion our team now has for this country and these people.

I’ll start with Isabella. She’s a beautiful girl. We found out on this trip that her father was not dead as we had originally thought, but rather is an alcoholic who is unable to raise her as she needs to be raised. The church is continuing to build relationships with him and Isabella does see him on occasion. Please pray that her father embraces God’s love for him and believes Christ is his Savior. Part of the money we raised as a team, is going to put a new roof on his house. We were unable to participate in that work, but we were able to share God’s love and let them know that the materials are on their way and a new roof will be coming.

Pastor Fernando, Pastor Brent, and Myself in front of Isabella's father's house

Another of the stories you heard was of “Marta”. Well, it turns out her name is not “Marta” afterall… it’s Dora. She is doing well and was incredibly blessed by the generous gift one of our church members donated to her family. It was amazing to be able to meet her and see the work she is doing, the love she is pouring out on those children and the way that you met her needs. Thank you for your generous gift and we were blessed to be able to share it with her.

Dora and Pastor Brent sharing an embrace after receiving the generous gift of financial support

Speaking of new roofs, We were also able to purchase materials to complete two other roofs for two other families. I was fortunate enough to be there when we shared this information with the other families and it was an amazing, moving experience. We shared that because God loved them and felt they were important, and we did too, that we wanted to bless them with a new roof in order to keep their belongings (what little they had amassed from the garbage heaps), themselves and their families dry and protected from the elements.

Sharing with one of the recipients of a new roof the news

On two separate visits, most of the leaders on our team met a young seven year old girl. This normally happy, smiling girl is paraplegic and is unable to move around on her own. Pastor Pedro Paulo has a special place in his heart for this young lady and had a house built especially for her to provide a safe place for her to live. One that was permanent, made of bricks and had a roof that would not leak. On this trip though, this normally smiling girl was feeling very ill. Her mother explained to us that she had a high fever, and was vomiting and had diarrhea. Her mother asked us to pray over her and we were honored to do so. Her mother also explained that she didn’t have the money to get the prescriptions and diapers she needed. The church had paid for this young lady to see the doctor the day prior, and she was given a prescription. While Pastor Brent was trying to find out how much she needed to get these things, Pastor Pedro Paulo was already on the phone arranging for the pharmacy too have the prescription filled and ready to be picked up. In addition to the diapers and prescription, he made a grocery list of food and needs to get for the family to eat. I cannot share enough how big this man’s heart is. Not only did he meet the needs of this little girl (which was what the mother had asked for), but he went above and beyond because he loves the family. It was moving to watch Pastor lovingly stroke her sweet face and whisper in her ear that he was here, and that he loved her. The girl looked over at Pastor, gave a sweet small smile and closed her eyes, exhausted from the effort. She knew that she was loved, not just by a man on earth, but a Heavenly Father who loves her more than anything else.

As leaders, sometimes we are privileged to go on “field trips” to learn more about the church, the people and the culture. One of these field trips occurred at Esqueleto, where Pastor shared some more of the vision and plans he has for Esqueleto. He took Leigh Ann, Brent, Pastor Fernando (Pastor of Esqueleto church) and Marcio to a large open area filled with trash, flattened to create a flat surface. Pastor shared how he wanted to create a sports field that would be used for soccer, basketball and volleyball. He also intends to put in a kitchen, locker rooms with bathrooms and showers, and to hire three people to work there as a coach, a trainer and a social worker. He wants the kids to be able to come in and play and be encouraged instead of wandering the streets, or sorting through the trash. At the same time, this will all be done in the name of the church, further strengthening the idea that the church is good, it is helpful and it loves each and every being. It is like Dona Marta, in the beginning stages. You can feel the hope and the joy that comes from these people.

Esqueleto has expanded into a lake/swamp/marshland next to it. The trash has piled up two stories high in this lake area. When Pastor realized and found out what this area was he was disappointed. He learned that the wildlife that would normally inhabit the area are slowly dying off. This could be a great source of food, but is being depleted by the trash. He has taken it upon himself to begin talking to government about restoring the lake to its natural conditions. The government has been coming in and using cranes to excavate lake in hopes of wildlife coming back. Prayers for restoration to continue and for the wildlife to regenerate are appreciated.

One of the things we did as a team before we left was to collect toys for the children here who didn’t have any. We collected anything from gently used toys of our own kids to happy meal toys and we went and purchased a bunch at the dollar store before we left. One of the things we got to do while passing out the care packages of food and toiletries was to give these toys to the children we encountered. I remember my own daughter parting with her beloved Cinderella Barbie doll. We had talked at length about giving to the children in Brasil who had much less than my own children had, and decided that we were going to go through their toys and donate some of them to the kids in Brasil. My daughter diligently went through her Barbie dolls and picked out her treasured Cinderella Barbie. I remember questioning her to make sure she knew that it was going to someone else, and it wasn’t going to come back. She decided that she wanted to give it to another little girl. On numerous occasions we went through the drive through and each time my kids would run to Rachel P. to give her their happy meal toys. Pastor Brent did the same thing with his children. Each of us were fortunate enough to be on teams that watched those toys go to children who needed them. I sobbed with pride over my daughter’s sacrifice when I handed a little girl named Giovanna the treasured Barbie doll. The poor girl was probably slightly confused by this crying woman speaking another language with a smile on her face. As the translator shared that this doll was a gift from my daughter, the mother of the little girl shared that the day prior was the little girl’s birthday and she loved Barbie dolls. In that instant I was overcome with joy for the little girl, and immensely proud of my own children for their giving spirit. Even though they weren’t there, I knew that this trip had touched them as well.

As we walked around delivering these packages, our eyes were keenly aware of the differences in our worlds. It is winter in Brasil. However, their weather still ranges in the mid-upper 70s with humidity in the 80 percentile range. Though the air is not hot, that high of a moisture level makes the air much more unpleasant. The smells of decomposing garbage, animal and human feces, livestock, sweat and body odor permeates everything around it. To get to many of the houses, you had to cross muddy terrain, trash, boards, animal and human urine and feces, fire pits, animals, bricks and boards. One of the groups had to step over a hose that was the fresh water source for 20+ houses. When one finally steps into the houses, the heat is oppressive. I wondered what it must be like in the summer, when we were told it reaches 100+ degrees for two months straight. There is little circulation in the houses because there are few windows and the houses are insulated by blankets that serve as walls and doors. Most of the houses are divided by two rooms. One room is generally the family bed. All members of the family sleep together on this “bed” (sometimes it’s a mattress, sometimes just a pile of blankets on the ground). The other room is for everything else that they have managed to collect. As we entered the homes, we introduced ourselves and shared that we were there because we cared about them and because God cared about them. We presented the care packages filled with beans, rice, basic food necessities and some toiletries, and asked if we could pray for them. Many families asked us to pray for their families to be blessed and to be safe from disease, others requested prayer for healing from disease or injury. We would pray with the families specifically over their prayer requests and then generally blessing them and their families. After the prayers we would hand out candy and toys to the children in the household. One of the most ironic things about the whole situation was the fact that after we were finished praying over their families and situations, handing out the care packages, giving out the toys and saying goodbye, we would be getting back into the vans, driving back to our “compound”, taking showers and cleaning up and then heading to an all-you-can-eat pizza place for our dinner. Though the conversation was light that night at dinner, our hearts and minds still held on to the visions and stories we had heard that day. Many of us will be forever changed by that experience.

Esqueleto Church of the Nazarene houses a “school” program that provides reinforcement or tutoring of the subjects students are learning in school. This program is offered for free to 35 children from Esqueleto and is paid for by the tuition from other areas. There is a part-time teacher who works with the children when they are not in school to teach them to better read, do math, speak and write Portuguese, learn history and geography as well as teaches them skills they will need to move beyond Esqueleto. Each child receives 2 meals every day that they are in attendance (breakfast and lunch), which means that is two less meals that child needs to scrounge around for in the dump. Brain research tells us that children who are malnourished do not perform as well as their nourished peers. That is a huge disadvantage for these students. By providing them two meals a day, the church is not only helping them to be physically healthier, but is also helping their brains develop and learn better, and is helping them to be more attentive and focused on their tasks. I was able to sit down with one of the workers/teachers at the school and asked what it was that they needed and what they were going to need in the future. Currently there is a need for school supplies and food for the students. With the current back-to-school sales that are occurring in the United States, please consider purchasing and donating supplies to be sent to the school in Esqueleto. Additionally, they are trying to get a computer lab up and running at the school. They currently have the furniture and the room ready for this lab, but do not have the technology equipment, nor the funds to purchase this equipment. If you would like to donate to either need, please contact Heidi by commenting here or stopping me at church. I would love to bless this school by meeting their needs now and for the future.

There are so many needs, and so many stories. For each of the stories I’ve shared here, and each of the team members, there are probably 100 others that have not been told. Please join us prayerfully in supporting the work in Esqueleto and if you feel led, by giving to the work being done down there. If you don’t feel led to give to this project, please find some other cause to donate your time or resources. I promise you that you will not regret it. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 states the following,

"⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

   “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
   their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

 ¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (NIV)

You have given to our trip so generously over the past year. I pray that you will not stop giving because we are back. The work still continues in Brasil, just as it is around the world, reaching the lost for our Savior. Please consider what God would have you do and act accordingly. Our lives are forever changed because of this experience. I pray that your lives, through seeing and hearing about our experiences will be impacted as well. God is gracious, kind and generous with His love and may you be blessed because you have taken time to read this and learn about the people and needs in Brasil.

Team A Has landed!

The team going to Miami has landed in Miami and are spending some time outside of the plane shopping, exchanging money and using restrooms! Please check back for more updates. I haven't posted a couple more blogs I want to post, so please keep checking. I will update with news on the other teams as I get information.

Heidi

More Thoughts About Brazil...

I've asked some more of our students to share their thoughts about what they are seeing and learning in Brazil. Please pray for the students and staff as you read over their comments. We are doing well, and are looking forward to coming home. One of our students reminded us that in 48 hours we will all be on a plane heading home! Looking forward to finishing strong and seeing what else God has in store for us!

 Sarah S.

Well, it’s fun here. There’s lots of good work that we’re doing. It’s fun helping out with the kids. The kids love taking pictures. I have many to show for it. They love making faces and blowing bubbles. It’s going to be sad to leave. In a way, I want to stay here and help forever. However, I miss my friends at home way too much. I miss you guys and hope to see you soon.

Miguel J.

The experience here has been awesome as far as how God is moving in the kids and adults. To see the spiritual life of these Brazilians despite the fact that they have much less than we do has been awesome. Experiencing this with my daughter and seeing our relationship grow has been incredible. To see the changes in the students, and my daughter’s ability to share her testimony in front of that large group of people is a blessing. For me, God has shown me to be patient, and that everything doesn’t need to be so busy. I’ve also seen him show me to put Him first. I love that I’ve been able to be here with these youth kids and to be able to share this experience with Reigna. To my family back home, I love you, and I miss you. Please be in prayer for the team and us. I can’t wait to see you! Love you, Miguel

Collin H.

Hello. That’s it! (He was busy at the time I asked… I got more later.) This mission trip has been different for me. It honestly, is not as hard as I expected. I knew that the things we saw, the poverty and different situations people live in, would be difficult to view. However, I am reminded of home. I am reminded that we have people at home, who live in the river-bottoms and have no resources from which to find things. The people here have very little. But, they have houses, even makeshift ones. Often the people in the river-bottoms don’t have a roof over their heads. Don’t misunderstand that the people here are truly deserving of our help. They need our love, but what I am learning is that we have people at home too who need our help. They need our love and support as well, whether it be helping out with a homeless ministry, buying a bag of food and donating it to a local food bank, recycling old clothes or simply giving your time to listen to their story and share the love of Jesus.

Holly M.

For me, being here the second time has been really amazing to see how far the work has come. For three years, I’ve had a picture in my mind of what Brazil was like the last time I left. To come back here and see the progress that has been made is eye opening. God has been working here. It’s like my brain paused the movie when in reality it was more like the DVR function. The program kept playing, though my personal vision was paused. I see it “live” now. At home we see slow progress in the ministry we do, and one can look back over time and see large progress. I ministered for 10 days three years ago, when there were a bunch of little kids who wanted to be held, to be wrapped up in our arms, where they felt safe. These same kids are now laughing, reading, praying in the room across the hall, in school. Now I’ve ministered for nearly 10 days now, and have been able to see the progress of this ministry. It’s great to reflect on the changes we’ve seen. Often we forget to do that at home. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, the coming-and-going and the hustle-and-bustle of life. It’s like coming here, you’re able to see this mural he’s painting. When you stand up close you see just a part of it. But if you can step back you see the bigger picture. I think its easy to get discouraged or burnt out in ministry. We see the same people, with many of the same hurts, time after time but we don’t see the long-term. But God is showing me that He doesn’t see things in freeze frame. He doesn’t look at things as they happen, (our hurts, anxieties, trials, even our joys) but rather he knows the end-result. He looks down and sees the love story He has written for us.  He’s been teaching me to be faithful, even when it’s hard. To be faithful when we don’t see Him in the day-to-day. To see the bigger picture.

Rachel P.-

Ummmm… I think God is just reminding me of his size and his splendor and his glory. To think that I could be thousands of miles away from home, and still be able to sing “You Never Let Go” with thousands of people who don’t speak my language, is humbling and amazing. To see that even when you can’t speak someone’s language, that you can still speak to them through a smile, a hug, and “Oi!”, painting nails, etc. If God can use me here, where I can’t even speak the language, how many opportunities do I miss at home, where I can speak the language?

Christina S.-

On this trip God has been teaching me that beauty is not defined by how you look or what you have. Beauty is the joy and kindness inside a person. God has been showing me the people through His eyes, and I can see how beautiful they are and how much they are loved by Him. I thought going on this trip, the language differences would be a big barrier, but even when you don’t know what to say God will speak for you. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to be on this team, and I’m so happy here. To my family, I love you guys.

Savannah P.-

Well, I’m still alive! :) This trip has been very emotional for me. The most important thing God has been teaching me is to open up to the friends that will understand most. I’ve seen a lot on this trip, but what has impacted me most is the children. Seeing them so happy makes me happy to be here. Although I miss my family, friends and boyfriend more than I ever have, I’m so thankful that I’m on this trip. Realizing that God has placed friends everywhere on this earth for us is making me feel safe and even thousands of miles away, I feel at home.

Analyse M.-

Where to start? Brazil is amazing, and when I say that I truly mean it. This city, this church, and these people are passionate and live with a fire and a hope that just seems to blaze for anyone who looks in their direction. Warmth pours from their hearts, and their openness is contagious, allowing all of us to be touched in some way. God has restored and reminded me that He loves me with a love that is unconditional and will never run out. That I’m forgiven and don’t have to prove my worth, because He already did when He died for me. There is an amazing peace and freedom that comes when we can just rest in His lap, knowing that we are His. I send my love to my family and Ryan, miss you guys and I’ll be home soon enough. Been thinking of you Arianna, love you <3

Largado No Mumdo

I’ve been struggling all day with what to share with you. All morning I’ve been praying for inspiration, for God to show me, what He wants me to show you. I’ve been watching and praying, never content with my thoughts on what to share. I’ve typed things and erased them, come up with ideas only to toss them aside. I want this to be a place that you can see pictures of the team, but also a place to really see and hear what it is like. I want YOU to experience Brazil as much as possible without actually being here. In my frustration with not coming up with anything, I decided to take a walk.

I wandered through the rooms of the church, feeling a sense of pride over your students as they worked diligently to get the painting done. 

I wandered outside and watched as a group of students huddled around a couple kids and teaching them the colors in English. I watched them laugh together and share life together.  

But that wasn’t quite it.

I watched a dump truck go through the mud, while Collin and I waited for it to get stuck. It didn’t. Collin was impressed.

 

I watched as Laura sat sweetly with a little girl working on her schoolwork. 

I watched Holly and Katelyn play hopscotch with a young girl. It warmed my heart, but wasn’t quite the thing I wanted to share. 

I watched horses and pigs, dogs and chickens pick through the trash as a small child tried to fly a kite in the street, his mom watching lovingly. But that wasn’t it. 

 

I listened to the school session going on inside the church walls, but while I thought about sharing that, it’s not for today. 

Today is for graffiti. Today is for not forgetting. Today is for Escaletu. My gaze wandered to the church doors as I sat on the steps looking out. Across the street there is a brick wall. It has graffiti symbols all over it, but one phrase stands apart from the rest. 

Left Out In the World…

I asked Marcio what it meant. When he responded, I knew that was what I had to share. All week I have been watching people and hearing stories about feeling alone, or left out in the world.

It began early on with Stacey talking about her son Frank. Frank has autism. Frank is a kind, generous, funny, loving young man, with an amazing heart. Stacey and I were talking with Marcio about the differences in our cultures. I suggested that in some cultures, children (and adults) with disabilities are completely thrown aside, or "left out in our world", while other cultures, like America accept our disabled. She couldn't have disagreed with me more. While she understood what I was saying, she posited that Frank definitely doesn't feel accepted by the world. This is going to seem incredibly harsh, but more often, we "tolerate" them. We "allow" them to be a part, but we don't hold long conversations with them, we don't include them in our jokes, or our frequent interactions. I have watched Frank throughout this week and seen him alone much of the time. I have seen him eat alone and work alone. I have seen him sit alone and walk alone. His heart is lonely. He has said that on a couple of occasions. Please don't misunderstand me. I believe we are unintentional with our exclusion, that it is a combination of insecurities on our parts, as well as ignorance of the issue, as well as difficulties in communication in some circumstances. My prayer is that our awareness will increase and Frank, and others like him, will no longer be "Left Out in this World". God has designed these people with different abilities, different ways of thinking, his fingerprints are all over them and they are such a blessing to include. Frank has taught me how to live passionately for Jesus, and I love to listen to him share his thoughts on subjects that come up.

Then Nicole spoke. Nicole shared her testimony on Sunday evening. She shared the following.

This past year has been the most spiritually and emotionally trying times of my life. There were a lot of different reasons for this, but the main reason was that it was also the loneliest year of my life. I have always been a shy person. I have trouble talking to people I don't know very well. Because of this, I feel like people tend to ignore me. I have a few close friends, but whenever I'm not with them, whether at school or church, I sit all alone because I'm so afraid that no one else will WANT me to sit with them. I try to tell myself not to care, but it gets harder and harder every time I spend an hour and a half in a group of people and no one even notices that I'm there. It makes me feel like no one really knows me and like no one really wants to. I first realized how horrible this was making me feel a couple of months ago. I was in a church service and the pastor was talking about giving our problems to God. I spent half of the service crying about what I was going through. No one even noticed. It began affecting my relationship with Jesus. I began to retreat inside myself, putting on a happy face, for my friends, family and even God, but hurting so badly inside. But God was always with me, even when it didn't feel like it. He called me to be on this trip and he has surrounded me with the most wonderful group of people to help me through this. Through God's love and theirs, I no longer feel so alone.

I know I have felt invisible before. Her testimony shook me to the core. I sobbed (along with many others on the team and in the room) because I had been there. But the ending of her story is a reminder to us, that no matter what we do, who we are, or what we're doing, God still loves us. God still cares. He wants us to run to him, to throw open our arms and embrace him and each other. Nicole is not alone in this world and neither are any of us. We have each other, and we have Jesus.

Escaleto. You are not left out in the world. You have a loving, Heavenly Father who adores you. Who thinks you are "more precious than silver". You have 27 Americans (and their families now) who know your name, and are praying for you. You have an amazing church in your own back yard who is serving your needs and glorifying Jesus through their servant hood. Films have been made, documenting you and what is happening here. Jesus dwells in this place. Children know a Savior who loves them "more than the stars in the skies". Your future is brighter because of His love and the fact that though you may feel alone on this Earth, your Father is always with you. He longs to know you and be your constant companion. Thank you for letting us share in your story. To be a part of bringing awareness to Escaleto.

 

Sunday Church

Today we've been experiencing God's love in church.He has been lavishing his love upon us all day. We are blessed!

This morning began with a Sunday School class (in English!) taught by our friend and translator Taesa (Tye-ee-sah). She did a fabulous job of leading us in a study of the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. In reading over and talking with the students throughout the day I found that many of them were touched by the idea and planned to apply the idea that they need to use the talents that God has given us for His glory. After the Sunday school class, we attended church. While we didn't understand the language we understood the message. His love for us was lavished upon us. The worship was incredible and we loved worshiping with the church here in Brazil. Pastor Pedro-Paulo introduced us and we sang a song in front of the church in English while they sang in Portuguese. We had been fortunate enough to learn the last verse of the song in Portuguese, so we sang it with them. Reigna J. volunteered to share her testimony and did a fabulous job. She shared about her struggle with anger and the need to forgive. It was an amazing time and we are so proud of her for getting up and sharing.

After church we were able to come back and relax before the Sunday evening service. Solange made us an amazing meal and we headed back to church after dinner. After we were introduced, we sang another song, and were blessed to have the church sing along with us in Portuguese. It was such an incredible moment and many of us were moved to tears by the outpouring of love. Luke B. and Nicole G. shared their testimonies tonight and brought the room to tears with their amazing stories. Luke shared about the realization that though his parents were Christians, didn't mean he was and how he had to make that decision for himself and the blessings that have resulted from that decision. Nicole shared about how she has felt invisible for a large part of the past year and how as a result of this trip, and being around these people she is feeling more accepted and valuable. After they shared, Pastor Brent spoke on letting God's love surround us and lavish upon us. I can't express how much it meant to many of us and we found ourselves letting God love on us. Breathtaking and fabulous!

Tomorrow we head to Escaletu to work on the church. This is going to be an emotionally challenging part of our trip. Please pray for us as we experiences sights (and smells!) we may not be prepared for. Pray that our hearts will be open to the experience and that we may see what God wants us to see and learn what He wants us to learn. We come back in 4 days! Sending our love from Brazil!

Heidi & the Hope Point Student Ministries Brazil Missions Team

Some thoughts and expressions from our students...

I've asked a few of our students (and a couple leaders) to share their thoughts with you so you can see how we're doing and what we're learning. 

Reigna Ann J-
First of all, of course I miss you and I want to tell you how much fun I'm having over here. It's amazing, the people are amazing. I had my opportunity to share my testimony this morning at church in front of about 2,000 people! (Editor's note: It was an incredible blessing to us on the team and those attending). It was life changing.I have enjoyed being with all of these people and enjoyed helping others. My favorite part has been being able to talk with others, both Brazilian and American. I've learned to be thankful because a lot of the people here have very little and we have a lot. I love you all and I will be home soon!

Nate G-
I miss you all back home but a part of me wants to stay for another two weeks. I'm having an amazing time connecting with the wonderful people at this church and the amazing people we've met throughout the city. After attending the church service here, I feel like God is showing me that I need to use my gifts and not be distracted and keep them to myself. I want to be able to use my talents and my gifts to bring glory to God just like these wonderful people from Brazil.

Sarah L-
Hey all! Thanks for all of your prayers and support. It is much appreciated!!! We are having a great time here in Rio! The sights and people here are amazing! Even the poorest people here are happy, and they make the best out of nothing. I think that us Americans should be the same way. We have a ton more, and we complain about what we don't have. I miss you all and thanks again for your support!!!!!!

Tanner R-
 I miss you all. Also, I'd like to say that there's a lot of people who don't have a lot and they're still happy to have what they do have and praise Jesus. I've learned that whenever you're feeling bad or that you don't have enough, just think about what other people don't have and what we take for granted. Also, Brazil is a country with more homeless people than people that have money, and even the poor people just do what they can and still have fun, even though they don't have a lot. When I get home, I want to apply this knowledge in my life by doing more, giving more and sharing more with other people, and helping more. Tell everyone I miss them and will see them soon!

Camy M.-
I really miss home, but I'm having a great time serving others here in Rio. I'm so happy to be doing God's work, and it's really cool to see other people praising and worshiping God in a different culture. God is really truly working, thank you all for your support for getting us here! You have no idea how many lives you have and will help and will continue to help here in Brasil and in the lives of everyone one the team. I'm so thankful for all of your support and prayers! I love you all. :)

Stacey L.-
Oi! Hello from Brasil! I want to thank you all for your support of our team. It will not be wasted! I have seen so much and have been so moved by the people here. God has been challenging me to take my faith to a new level, to not be shallow. I want to use my gifts for God's glory so that the people of Brasil will be moved by Him. I have been amazed at the passion I see for God. The people are eager to serve and praise; they are free, not worried about who is around them. What a challenge! I pray we will bring this passion back and invade Hope Point and Yuba City!!! Lots of love and hugs to everyone! Ciao!

Laura M.-
Hello everyone! I am so excited to be writing you from Brazil! I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity to serve these amazing people. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people. God is working in the lives of each and every one of the team members here. I feel very humbled by the things I have seen and experienced and I know God will continue to use this team to serve His purpose. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Also a very Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, Jeremy. I miss you and I will see you soon!

Frank L.-
 Hi. I'd like to share my thoughts on Rio. I'm glad I went on this adventure with the team. Rio was very interesting and different. There are very few stoplights, and they don't work the same way ours do; also the people drive like crazy, and even drive too close to other cars and park in super tight spaces. My heart broke on the fact that there are way too many kids that are orphans. On Sunday morning church, I was told that God's plan is part of why he gave you the gifts He gave you. From that I'm closer to what God's plan is. I can't wait to see you guys when we get home from the adventure. God bless you.

Saturday/Sunday

Please enjoy the post below about Dona Marta. I felt called to tell it, and am pleased with the results. I pray you are affected by it as much as I have been. I will update you with today's activities tomorrow between church services here, as it is late and I need to head to bed before church tomorrow morning. Thanks again for your prayers and support. We love you all and are proud to represent you in this place. It's a beautiful place and a beautiful people.

Heidi

Dona Marta... The Rest of the Story

Dona Marta is a success story. It is a story of a people whose lives continue to be transformed by the passion and power of a Pastor who believes in them, their worth, and their future.

 

Dona Marta is a favela. It is a poor neighborhood where dogs and cats (and chickens) roam the sidewalks and streets looking for food. It is a place where poverty is clearly apparent. According to Wikipedia, approximately 8,000 people live in the 500 houses and shacks that make up Dona Marta. The better area of the neighborhood still is rough and full of challenges. But, it is also a place of hope. It is a place that is better because people care. It is a place that has triumphed over drug lords and criminal activity. It is a place that has a future, a much brighter future than it had even a year ago.

Pastor Pedro Paulo’s daughter-in-law (Leila) worked with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in Dona Marta. When their project finished there, Leila and her father began working on a new project, through the church that would continue the work that WYAM had begun. The Nazarene church decided to buy a property in Dona Marta to give them a headquarters and a place to work out of. This is the place we have been working at over the past couple of days. From this location, church services could be held, community events could occur and care bags could be passed out. It also served as a place that was revered by those who lived in Dona Marta. People from the church were allowed in and allowed to continue the work in order to better the community. These people continued to pray that Dona Marta would be delivered from the crime and drugs that infested it. Their prayers would be answered… eventually.

Our guide in Dona Marta is Suzy. She is a lovely, caring, kind individual whose smile radiates the love of God. But that was not always so. Suzy is the sister of Márcio Amaro de Oliveira, also known as Marcinho VP. At the time Marcinho VP was a drug dealer (manager of all dealers) known and much sought by police. When he was gone, Suzy would take over in his place. She was a powerful woman, and was well-respected as was her family. A couple of our students have been on this trip before with Pastor Brent and the last time they were here, she showed them the specific place that she would bring people to have them killed. But the God we serve is bigger than that, and He loves her and sought her out. Suzy finally accepted Christ as Savior and Pastor Pedro-Paulo took her into his home to get her out of that situation and provide her safety. However, life wasn’t easy. Suzy slipped and returned to drugs, and Pastor returned to her, plucked her out of that situation again and brought her back to Nilopolis. Some other church members agreed to take her into their home, and she has remained clean since then. She now leads groups into Dona Marta to work. The church continues to pray…

Katelyn and Holly, the young ladies who have been here previously shared that the first time they came, they were prepped beforehand as to what to expect and what would be happening behind the scenes. They shared that though this was a “heavy” place and there was much to be concerned about (bullet holes in the windows, people younger than they were standing as armed guards with rifles and grenades) there was still joy. Children still played, laughter could still be heard and hope still existed. They expressed that the last time they visited Dona Marta, the air was literally heavy with the unknown. Katelyn shared that she wondered about the children in Dona Marta, who under the sound of gunfire must have been concerned with their own safety and then that of their families. They detailed the account of them leaving behind schedule for the day one day and seeing the “bocas de fumo” (tables set up with mounds of drugs for sale) and many more guns and ammunition. And the church continued to pray…

The Nazarene church decided to expand their services and purchased another, larger property higher on the hill that would become the new church, and would also serve as a home for the pastor at Dona Marta. The previous church (building we have been working on) was converted to a computer center where people could come to learn English and find jobs, as well as other skills and tasks. Events were held in the new building and people began accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. People would come for haircuts and manicures, parties, and social services, as well as learning new crafts. The church became a revered place and the people in it were very respected. The church continued to pray for change and deliverance from the drug lords.

A couple of years ago the government decided to “establish peace” in Dona Marta. For many years the “control” over the community would go back and forth between the Red Command and the Third Command. Each command would control for awhile, until the other built up sufficient people and ammunition to regain control. The government of Brazil built headquarters and invaded the hill. The police either arrested the managers or forced them to run away. The “bocas de fumo” were shut down and the problems began to disappear. Currently there are no dealers in Dona Marta, though there are still users.

So much has changed from the last time Pastor Brent and his team was here. No longer is there an air of fear and worry, but the people, and the teams can breathe easily knowing they are safe. There are no armed guards or rifles seen on the corners as you walk by. The church is continuing to do the work in Dona Marta and will continue to help educate and provide for the needs there. Church members, and the community rejoice that they no longer live in fear, but are able to come and go, play with their children outside, smile and enjoy their new life.

The inspiration for sharing this story came from a tiny plant less than 15 feet from the community center where we were working. This little plant is thriving and growing in the middle of a concrete wall. It reminded me that sometimes, life springs from what was once cracked and dry.

Teams continue to come into Dona Marta to help with the church needs as well as the community needs. Monthly “care bags” are passed out and the church continues to hold events designed to entice people to attend in order to share the love of Jesus. Our team came in and helped to freshen up the community center with new paint and light repairs. This is another way to show that we love and genuinely care about the people of Dona Marta. We are blessed to be a part of the team, and the story of success in Dona Marta.

Dona Marta Day 2

Edited to add - Pictures have been fixed! Sorry, for some reason they didn't resize themselves! - Heidi

I really want to share the story of Dona Marta, but I haven't gotten it finished yet. Trust me, it's worth the wait. In the meantime, enjoy some pictures from today. Know that we are doing well, and that all are safe and enjoying the trip. We are excited to see more of the sights of the region tomorrow and to experience more of the incredible Brazilian culture. Appreciating all of your prayers and support.