questions from my nieces...

My sister, Donja, has been sharing about my time here in Brasil with my nieces and nephew. It is so special to hear how they are praying for me and the kids on the streets. Last night during bedtime prayer, Alyssa (almost 7) and Ashlyn (6) asked Donja some questions about the children here. Email is so great! Donja emailed me after the girls went to bed…I emailed back before I went to bed…and Uncle Didi's answers (my best attempt anyway) were waiting for the girls this morning!

Here are their questions…
- Is there anyone Aidan's age or younger that lives on the streets (Aidan is their 3-year old brother)? (Alyssa)
- Are the children okay on the streets? (Ashlyn)
- What do they sleep on? What keeps them warm? (Alyssa)
- What do they eat? (Ashlyn)

Wow, those questions really get to the heart of it! Sometimes I get numb to the reality of the kids lives here, so those questions were a good reality check for me today as we spent time with the moms and younger children downtown. I thought of the questions and prayers of Alyssa and Ashlyn as I sat on the busy street corner with about eight children, age 8 and younger. Three little boys are Aidan’s age (or younger) and a few of the little girls are Alyssa and Ashlyn’s age. I couldn’t help but think of the contrast of their lives. But, at the same time, it was extra special to spend time coloring, playing, and loving the kids today. I was much more aware and attentive to the kids as they tried to talk to me, jumped all over me, and plopped in my lap. In some ways, I felt like God was using me to answer some of Alyssa and Ashlyn’s loving and caring prayers for the children today.

in case you were wondering...

Now that U.S. clocks have fallen back an hour, I am now five hours ahead of you all in the PST (Pacific Time Zone). Apparently, Brazil springs ahead in November, which means we will soon be six hours apart. Just in case you care!

Today I took a camera to the streets to get some pictures of my friends. Now that I have spent some time getting to know the kids, it seemed okay to take their pictures. But, it is always a big deal to bring a camera, as everyone wants to strike a pose for the lens. I tried to take a few pics on the sly, under the radar….but, I was spotted by a few of the kids pretty quick. So, after some coloring and eating sandwiches, I went ahead and pulled out the camera to finish up the roll. Fun times! I’ll get prints to share with them.

Today as we were in a circle getting ready to pray before our sandwiches, I realized I knew every kid’s name in the circle. It takes awhile to remember names and faces, especially when I don’t see a lot of kids consistently.

Some of you may remember Paulo, one of the first kids I got to know. I had not seen him for over a month…but, today he was there with the kids. I was able to tell him that I was happy to see him in Portuguese and sit with him for awhile. He told me “tudo bem” (all is well). Not sure if I will see him regularly or not, but I was happy for the chance to let him know he was missed. It really is better for him not to be on the streets, so, prayerfully, he is better off wherever he has been!

space for God in the forest...

Here are some pictures of the forest where we spent some time in personal retreat with God. Doesn't get any better!!

life in the fullest

“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10b

Our day retreat on Friday was just what I needed. The forest was a perfect place for solitude and quiet with God. See the pictures above and you will know why! Thursday night before our day retreat I posed two questions to reflect on as we prepared our hearts for the time with God.

- What do you bring with you today in way of lament?
- What do you bring with you today in way of gratitude?

Earlier that day we visited our friends on the streets. One of the young women, who was one of the first friends to welcome me into their lives back in August, wanted to share something with me. With the help of Ben’s translation, she shared that she lost her baby on Monday. From what we can tell, she was about 2-3 months pregnant before having a miscarriage. It is times like this that I really wish I could communicate and listen in Portuguese. Fortunately, I remembered the verb for “pray”, so I was able to say I am sorry and I will be praying for her. I then sat with her for awhile and played a couple game of dominoes. Later that afternoon another young woman was showing us pictures of her four children, who are being taken care of by other family and friends. She has showed us these pictures many times, but this time tears were running down her face as she told us the names of her children.

Needless to say, it was a pretty impactful day for me. My heart aches for these women and the children. As I considered the above questions later that night, I was lamenting over the realities of life for these women and children. Each week seems to bring a new story of a pregnancy, miscarriage, birth, or needs for the young babies and children. Michael Card in his book “A Sacred Sorrow” says, “Lament is the path that takes us to the place where we discover that there are no complete answers to pain and suffering, only Presence [referring to the Holy Spirit].”

Recently I read John 10 where Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. In verse 10, he says, “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” In Acts 3:15 Peter refers to Jesus as the “author of life.” I have landed on these scriptures this past week. In my prayers of lament, I am reminded that God desires life to the fullest for his creation! And we are His instruments in sharing that life in the Spirit with those who are suffering and hurting.

My lament turned to gratitude and hope as I think of the WMF staff here and their presence among their friends on the streets. Their presence brings hope and life to the hurt and pain on the streets. I am grateful and excited for the vision God is developing to provide a drop-in center for the women and children here. Please pray for our relationships with these women and children and what God has ahead for ministry that offers hope and life.

a day in the forest tomorrow

First off, some good news to share! Ben is back in Rio! For those of you who have followed the visa drama, Ben was in the U.S. for 7-weeks working on getting his student visa. It has been over a year of visa hassles for Ben, so it is an answer to a lot of prayers that he now has his student visa. It will be good to have him a part of the community here my final month here in Rio. He is my roommate here at the Nichols place. The next prayer need is that Ben is able to find a place to live close by here in the favela.

Tomorrow morning Ben, Jenna, Rich, Rebecca, and I will make some space for God in personal communion and solitude with Him! We will get out of the favlea and the city for a few hours and go to a national park here that they refer to as a forest (Floresta da Tijuca). Apparently this forest is all that remains of the rain forest that once surrounded the city of Rio. There are hiking trials, creeks, waterfalls, and lots of green! The great thing is that it is only about an hour away by bus from where we live. I am really looking forward to the change of scenery and pace for a few hours tomorrow morning! Once we get to the forest we will split up and go off for our time with God.

As I was thinking and praying about tomorrow, I was reminded of the distractions that often rise to the surface in my head and heart whenever I sit down for some silence and prayer. As I have mentioned before, here in Rio, and especially in the favlea, there is a lot of activity and noise throughout the day and night. Whether the juke box just outside our window, fireworks, gunshots, loud funk parties, people yelling, motorcycles zooming by, or loud churches there can be a lot of outer distractions here, which is why we are getting away to the forest. But, I soon realized that the inner noise can be just as distracting, especially when we find space for solitude and silence. Henri Nouwen refers to these distractions as the inner monkeys that appear inside our head whenever we try to be still in the presence of God. Our worries, our concerns, our “to do” lists…they all immediately seem to rise to the surface. I think these inner distractions are often more difficult to deal with and surrender to God then the outer stuff, when we make effort to abide and dwell in His presence. God desires us to release those distractions to Him and find rest in Him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

All that said, I look forward to tomorrow and whatever God has in store for the two of us…distractions and all!

rainy days and jenga

We hang out with our friends on the streets three times a week...Monday, Tuesday, and Friday afternoons. The past few days have been cool and rainy again, which I personally don't mind since the heat will be on here soon enough. When I was in Omaha last week I bought a Jenga game...you know, the one with the stacking wood blocks. It was a hit! Today I spent our entire time playing round after round of Jenga...fun times laughing and watching the tower of blocks lean, wobble, and eventually come crashing down.

Tomorrow is a birthday party for about 6-7 kids at a children's home where we spend time once a week. These kids (mostly younger boys) are a lot of fun to be with, so I'm sure it will be a great afternoon.

the soil of discernment

I am now well into the second half of my time here in Brasil. Lately I have been somewhat preoccupied thinking about South Africa and what God has ahead for me there early next year and possibly beyond. At times discerning decisions about the future can get overwhelming. This week I am reading a book titled, Listening to the Music of the Spirit: The Art of Discernment by David Lonsdale. Just the book I needed for this season of discernment and decisions. The below quote especially spoke to me this week…

"Christian discernment, therefore, means living in such a way that this basic fact, that we are daughters and sons of the Father and sister and brothers of Jesus Christ, actually does shape and color and govern all our decisions, both small and great....A daily, living relationship with God, therefore, is a precondition for good discernment...A process of discernment about an important choice requires the support of a form of daily living in which we are open and sensitive to the movements and leading of the Spirit of God in the path of the gospel. Fidelity to the Spirit in the daily round is the necessary soil in which large, important decisions come to fruition."

Discernment is not just about the BIG decisions; it is usually about the day-to-day stuff! What an important reminder that my time here in Brasil is the soil for discernment about South Africa next year. I need to remain faithful to all the Spirit has for me in my daily living and relationships here. Brasil is the soil for all God has ahead!

fearfully and wonderfully made

This past week I have been especially confronted with the reality of three young women and their pregnancies. One woman had a miscarriage at seven-months, another woman had her baby girl on Saturday, and another woman seems to be a couple months pregnant.

Today we found the new mother and baby girl. There is a street corner downtown where some of the mothers and their babies and young children spend their time. I also held another baby we see often (6 or 7 months old). I struggle with what to think and feel on days like today. It seems unimaginable to meet a sweet and beautiful four-day old baby for the first time on a dirty street corner, lying on a blanket and piece of cardboard. Part of me grieves for the life this new child has ahead, but at the same time I am sincere to celebrate this new life and say parabens (congratulations) to the new mom.

The one verse that keeps coming to mind is Psalm 139:13-14, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

These new lives are God’s creation in His image. He gave life to these young babies and desires the best for them. Please pray that our presence will represent God’s love, hope, and life amidst the harsh realities these families face on the streets. Pray that God will continue to give vision and discernment to the WMF staff here as they seek God’s best in serving these women and young children.

back in the jacare hood

After a week in Omaha, I am now back in Brasil ready for part two here! Besides WMF board meetings, I was also able to share in the surprise celebration for Chris & Phileena Heuertz and Brent Anderson, who all mark ten-years of service to the WMF community. It was fun and special to be a part of that celebration with these good friends! It was also fun to catch-up with other Omaha friends and, of course, enjoy sweet friendship and hospitality of the Gray family. When I left Omaha it was in the 40's....here in Rio it is in the 80's and 90's!

Today is Children's Day here in Brasil. It is actually a big Catholic holiday in honor of the patron saint of Brasil, Our Lady of Aparecida. But, in conjunction with the holiday, they focus on children. An appropriate reminder for me to pray for the children on the streets and in the children's home, I have grown to love.

I came back to some sad news this week. One of the young women on the streets lost her baby in a miscarriage at seven-months on Monday. Please pray we can minister the love and comfort of Jesus to this friend of ours during these days of grief ahead.

Time to get some sleep after an all night flight. More soon!

sights & sounds in the favela

Here is just a sampling of some of the sights, sounds, and activities in the favela that have become a normal part of life here...
- Juke box outside playing load music throughout the day and night
- Fire works going off throughout the day and night (sometimes for party fun, other times to alert the drug dealers that the police may nearby)
- Motorcycles weaving their way through pedestrians in the narrow streets
- Occasional gangsters with their guns strapped over their shoulder
- Friday Night "Bale Funk" party down the street which ends with more fireworks at 5 AM
- The Pentecostal church across the street going loud and strong throughout the week-including the monthly all night prayer meeting which involves some extra yelling and screaming
- Navigating my way through the crowds of people, motorcycles, cars, and vans that fill the streets, especially during "rush hour" times
- Buying tasty street food like "x tudo" burgers and french fries
- Buying bread from the bakery, meat from the butcher, fruits & vegies from the produce stand, and whatever else I need from one of several local grocery stores that sell all the staples
- Giving a thumbs up on a regular basis (I know this will probably stick for awhile when I get home, so don't think I am a nerd.)
- Quieter streets on Sunday afternoons when everything closes up

That is just a taste! It is impossible to really describe life here. At first, it is an overload to the senses. But, I am amazed how I am beginning to grow accustom to the favela rhythm of life. Trying my best to take it all in...

election day in brasil

It is election day here in Brasil. Since my arrival I have been handed candidate flyers daily in the favela and throughout the city. It is common to see people waving candidate flags and banners at intersections. Today there must have been a lot of left over flyers to distribute on the streets, because I could hardly walk to church with all the volunteers handing them out and throwing them up in the air. Normally, the streets have been littered with flyers, but today you could hardly even see the asphalt in one area. Maybe there is a commission or quota on the number of flyers you pass out. It might have been fun to see how many I could collect today. Ha!

Anyway, it is a Presidential election, as well as state and local. At this point in the election results, it looks like the current President, Lula, will not get a majority vote and face a run-off with the second place candidate. Looks like the flyer fun has not ended yet. Today, since we could not vote, the staff here spent time praying to the country and newly elected officials. May they be men and women with integrity and seek to respond to the needs of the poor and oppressed.

blog hiatus

Tomorrow I leave for Omaha for a week. I am using some frequent flyer miles to be a part of the WMF board meetings this coming week. I will probably be missing in action for a week or so here on my blog. But, I will be back!!