celebrating a birthday under a highway onramp…

For over a month one of the young women on the streets, who I will call “Lucia” has been reminding us that her 24th birthday was coming up. Our friends on the streets range in ages 0-30, but a majority of the kids are probably in their teens. It is often hard for me to guess their ages. Lucia is one of the young women that we see just about every time we visit with our friends on the streets. So, Rebecca made some cupcakes and all of us, including baby Ana, went downtown to celebrate Lucia’s life. It took quite a bit of searching today, as the youth were not in their regular spot. But, with the help of one of the boys, we finally found them all under a highway onramp with busy streets on either side. Everyone was there…except Lucia! This is the first day Lucia was not there, so her brother went searching for her. We hung out with our friends and thankfully Lucia eventually arrived with a smile on her face. We attempted to light the candles on the cupcakes and sang happy birthday, Brazilian-style. It was cool to see the smile on Lucia’s face as about 25 of us sang, shared cupcakes, and drank soda under a highway onramp with buses zooming by on either side of us. I hope and pray that Lucia felt loved and cared for today, in our simple gestures of celebrating her life.

I have still not seen my friend Paulo. We were told that he was at home in another part of the city for awhile. I do not know exactly what that means, but I pray home is a better situation then life on the streets. We do not know a lot about Paulo’s background and situation. It is hard to imagine the circumstances, backgrounds, and stories of these kids that makes life on the streets so much better then some of their homes. The addiction of the life of the streets is strong.

a few pics

Sugar Loaf

With Walter in Rio

The Forcatto Family

With Sweet Cora

Churrascaria!

With Brasil Staff - Rich, Rebecca, Anna, & Jenna

springtime

This week is the first week of spring here in the Southern Hemisphere, but today was cool and wet. In my six weeks here, I have only worn pants to church on Sundays and I have not worn my shoes once. I am at home here with my shorts and flip flop lifestyle. Today I should have at least worn my sweatshirt, as it was pretty cold this afternoon on the streets with the youth. While I was anxious to get on the bus to head home to warm up, I was once again reminded of the cold that my friends must endure all night on days like this.

Today we took sandwiches and hot chocolate to share. Our prayer time before the meal is evolving into something special each time. Today one of the kids asked the others to share something they are thankful for. Not all the kids shared and several were distracted, but I was touched to hear many “Obrigados Jesus” (Thank You, Jesus) as we went around the circle. Last week in a devotion time with the staff here, Walter reminded us to see the joy and life in the kids in the midst of the obvious suffering and harsh realities. Last week Cora Forcatto went with us…how fun to see the youth so excited to be with their new “gringo” four-year old friend. One of the older girls was gently chasing Cora around in a circle laughing and having fun. We also took a camera with us and the kids had had fun posing for the camera and doing dives and flips into the water of the nearby bay. It is important to pay attention to these moments and fun to share these times with my new friends

It has been over a week now since I last saw my friend Paulo. I pray for him and hope to see him very soon!

sharing the carioca life with the forcattos

Obviously, I have been missing in action for over a week here on my blog. My good friends Walter, Adriana, and Cora (and baby girl Forcatto due in December) were here in Rio to visit the WMF Brasil staff, since they are Regional Coordinators for South America. It was definitely a perk of my time here getting to share life with the Forcattos here in Rio. We spent time sharing ministry and time with the kids on the streets, but it was also a good time taking in the sights and experiences of Rio. Carioca is a term used for the people of Rio. There is even a book called, “How to Be a Carioca,” but more on that later!

This past week it was fun to experience the best of Rio, like hanging out at the beach, attending a Flamengo futebol game at the famous Maracana stadium, and eating out at a Brasilian churrascaria (all you can eat meat). After six weeks here in Rio, it was fun to be a bit of a tourist and take in some of these experiences with the staff peeps and the Forcattos. Their presence here was a blessing and encouragement to us all! Pics coming soon!

one month in rio...

I have now been here in Rio one full month! I think it is safe to say that the three weeks of “winter” are now over, but I can appreciate that being from So Cal! It is 90 degrees in the shade outside on the patio, while it is 93 degrees inside my room. Needless to say, I am now outside on the patio…I’ll take my 3 degrees cooler wherever I can find it!

Today I decided to take some time out with God to rest and reflect a bit on my first month here. There is not a lot of quiet space in the city and especially in the favelas, so I went to the Catholic Cathedral here in Rio. This enormous cone shaped cathedral was opened in 1976 and can accommodate 20,000 people standing up. It is prettier inside then it is outside with the light coming through the four huge stain glass windows. I have come to appreciate the sacred space found in Catholic churches and retreat centers. Somewhere along the way, we Protestants seem to have lost that space for God in our busy activity of worship and ministry. And the evangelical churches here in Rio really turn it up a notch in worship and prayer services. I’m sure it is cultural, since Brasilians are passionate about everything they do! But, I have found myself craving some quiet space and solitude. Thankfully, I found it for a few hours today at the Cathedral!

One scripture that really stuck with me today was Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Sandros, the young man highlighted in the documentary “Bus 174” who grew up on the streets and held up a bus here in Rio a few years ago. This proverb sounds a lot like the question posed at end of the film, “Who will stand up for someone like Sandro?” It is estimated that there are at least 100 million children and youth living and working on the streets around the world. Over this past month I have probably meet about 30 kids like Sandro and about 10-12 of those kids I see on a regular basis. Today I asked God to help me know how to best stand up and speak up for my new friends, who are growing very close to my heart. I was reminded of their lack of security, love, and recognition as people created in the image of God. My prayer is that I stand up and demonstrate God’s love and grace to kids who are ignored and pushed to the margins of society.

just a few pics...

Cathedral in Rio

Inside the Cathedral

Lapa

Lapa & the Cathedral

hoje nas ruas (today on the streets)…

Once a week we make sandwiches to share with the kids on the streets along with some chocolate milk and fruit. Lately the two circles of kids have been together at the same place, which makes it a little more predictable where we will find them. Today there were probably about 20 kids who we hung out with for a couple of hours. It can be a bit chaotic passing out the food, but today went pretty smooth. Rich said a prayer for the food and most of the kids held hands with us in a circle. A group of kids then proceeded to recite the Lord’s Prayer, which they probably learned in the Catholic Church here. Today the kids were super talkative and we ended up hanging out with them a little longer then usual. A couple of the kids now know I only speak a little Portuguese, so they talk really slow to me and try to help me understand what they are saying. One of those kids was “Paulo” who I wrote about last week. It was fun today trying to communicate a little more with him. We recently learned that his mother is one of the younger women on the streets….he has probably spent his entire life growing up in this reality, as many of the other younger children will do the same.

Tomorrow I will already have been here one full month! I am very mindful and grateful for all the prayers on my behalf. I have settled into life here much smoother then I anticipated. I know that is a testimony to so many people praying for me. I am feeling more and more connected to the kids each visit.

My good friends Walter, Adriana, and Cora Forcatto arrive on Friday for a Word Made Flesh field visit for a week. They are the Regional Coordinators for South America. It will be fun to spend some time with them and share life here in Rio for a week.

Well, it has been a long day, so I will boa noite (good night) for now. More later this week!

missing my lifetime, friend!

Deputy Sheriff, Daniel Lee Archuleta

On this two-year anniversary of your being in the sweet presence of Jesus….I sure do miss sharing life with you here, my lifetime friend! Only two friends have shared life and memories with me since the very beginning…you and Matthew! Danny, we shared so many sweet times and memories together…causing trouble for Sunday school teachers and youth leaders, family memories like camping as kids, and hanging out and having fun as young adults. The list is too long for this memorial! You have been on my mind and heart these recent days, as I am serving Jesus among the poor here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Danny, I will always be grateful that you joined me on my first short-term mission trip 17-18 years ago when we served in Spain. I will always cherish the Bible we got on the trip and the kind and meaningful words of friendship you wrote inside. I thank God for a friend like you who was willing to take that important step with me to go on a mission trip as a young college student. God used that trip in significant ways to begin to shape and grow my heart for those in desperate need of the love, grace, and compassion that can only come from Christ! Here in Rio I am also reminded of your life dream to serve in law enforcement. In a place like Rio where the police have a reputation for terrible and corrupt things, I am grateful for all those who are called to serve and protect with integrity and honesty. Danny your huge heart of compassion was a gift to all those you came in contact with, including your family and friends and those you assisted briefly in law enforcement. Our thirty-five years of friendship is a gift I will always be grateful for. And before we know it we will be together again for eternity! Love you, my brother and my friend!

Danny Archuleta's Memorial Web Page:
http://www.odmp.org/reflections.php?oid=17447&offset=0

this & that...

Today is Independence Day here in Brasil...the first of two independence holidays here. The second one is November 15. Rich and I went downtown to visit the kids on the streets. (Ben is back in the U.S. for a few weeks working on his student visa.) The downtown streets were dead and empty of traffic and people. We weren't sure who we might find, since it was a holiday. But, we ended up seeing more of the kids and youth then usual. There was a mixture of the two primary circles of kids, which has been rare since I have been here. Today I was hit with the reality of young children on the streets...there were six little children, probably ages 0-6. The young girls/women have children very early and do their best to care for their children on the streets. It grieves me as I realize the harsh realities for these babies as soon as they enter the world. Today I also saw my friend Paulo, whose birthday it was last week. We had a good time playing some cards. If all else fails with the language barrier, the kids know I am always good for a game of cards!

I had my first dream speaking Portuguese last night. Well, I wasn't speaking in a full on conversation...I was practicing some simple sentences with someone. But, the Portuguese words were actually coming out of my mouth in the dream. So, maybe some language is sinking in just a little??

Finally, my random life in the favela story for the day....
There is a LOUD juke box just oustide where we are living that plays music throughout the day and night. Most of the time it plays hip hop or funk, which the Brasilians love here. Well, the other night at 3:00 AM....I am woken up with "We Are the World." I instantly flashed back to high school and the 1980's...and the song was in my head all day! Only in the favela!

fall & college football

Fall is probably one of my favorite seasons...not exactly sure why? Maybe it is the college football?! Well, it's not fall here in Brasil...it's winter, coming up on spring. But I think the cooler weather here in Rio this weekend probably felt more like fall then in So Cal. I read it was 90-something degrees at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. Since this weekend was the first weekend of the college football season...I wore my UCLA t-shirt to get in the spirit. I'm sure I am probably one of the only ones here in Rio who cares....after all, they have the Jogo Bonito (beautiful game) here! Had some fun checking the internet for the College Gameday scores at 2 AM. Looks like my all my college football friends had good win days...ready for fun Travis, Chris, Jon, and Christian!

feliz aniversario!

God continues to break my heart for the youth on the street I am meeting. After just a few more days I am now beginning to get more familiar with some faces and names. One boy in particular has really stuck with me…I will call him “Paulo.” I met Paulo for the first time on Tuesday under the highway overpass. My first introduction to him was playing his version cricket with some plastic soda bottles, a bottle cap, and piece of cardboard. We then played a few games of cards…when he sat down to play, he said he was really serious about playing because he was setting aside his drugs (the paint thiner most of the kids inhale). Paulo’s spirit and sense of humor grabbed my heart on Tuesday. He was telling some jokes, smiling, and laughing, which is not often the case for many of the kids who have been through so much to just survive.

Today we saw Paulo again. One of the first things he told us was it was his birthday today…September 1! Today he is 14 years old! Thankfully, I remembered how to say Happy Birthday in Portuguese. So I shook his hand, gave him the thumbs up, a smile, and a “Feliz Aniversario.” But I was left wanting to do more to celebrate the life of this new friend. Tonight Paulo is on my heart and in my prayers. I pray he does not feel alone and that he feels the loving embrace of God, wherever he is this rainy birthday night! I also pray that I may continue to see Paulo in future times on the streets!

Tonight (and these first weeks in Brasil) a song written by a friend, Jeff Zabel, is the prayer of my heart – “Irresistible.” The lyrics are below, the song is on itunes, if you want to hear it.

IRRESISTIBLE
Written by: Jeff Zabel
You brought me to this holy place; And in your presence I am found acceptable
I am caught up in the smile upon your face You’re purely irresistible
And I can’t help but sing your name Jesus
And I can’t help but bring your name to those without you
So draw them to this holy place; Bring the lost so they’ll be found acceptable
May they see you in the smile upon my face; Make me irresistible just like you
And I can’t help but praise your name Jesus
And I can’t help but praise your name Jesus
And I can’t help but praise your name
I want to copy you, I want to love just like you do
A friend of sinners big and small, grace that makes it possible
To hold the hand of prostitutes, to dine with those of disrepute
Change my heart and make it long to seek and save
And reprobates will dance to long and sing your name
And we can’t help but praise your name Jesus
And we can’t help but praise your name Jesus
And we can’t help but praise your name Jesus
And we can’t help but bring your name to those without you