Hi Friends and Family!
Bondia (meaning, “good day” in Portuguese)! Today was our first day in the favelas. In Portuguese, the word favela means “slums.” We were greeted by concrete pallets stacked on one another, open sewage, rampant crime, with no opportunity for medical attention for its inhabitants. During orientation, we learned that these favelas are overlooked by the Brazilian government as well as the society. This means that crimes are not reported, the neighborhoods are controlled by the drug lords, and prostitution is a primary means of income for young girls. Something that was particularly devastating was the fact that one of our 12 year old campers (we were involved in running a camp program for Restoration Ministries) sold her body to buy new clothes and underwear for camp. These new articles of brightly-colored clothing were displayed on the campgrounds–reminders of the cheap price for which she sold her innocence.
Fortuntely, not all that we experienced was bleak. Our God is powerful and does not ignore the cries of the needy. One of the highlights of the week was teaching the children how to worship God in both English and Portuguese. We also heard stories of Christ´s victory in many of the staffers´ lives–stories of unemployment, drug abuse, molestation that were turned around by the incomprehensible and all-consuming love of God. Former drug dealers now help serve in Camp California. Abuse victims are trusting others again…and are even discipling those who are dealing with the same pain. HIV orphans are adopting the underpriveledged. In short, God is on the move.
I would like to take this moment to remind you to pray. Please pray that God would be honored through our efforts and eagerness to serve. Also, that the children would be protected from the Evil One, that parents would know and seek the Lord, that the children would embrace godly teaching and become passionate and productive leaders for Christ. Also, please pray that we would be sustained by God through times of tiredness, cultural miscommunication, and emotional overload.
We serve a mighty God. Thank you SO much for partnering with us to reach these precious children. We are honored to be on the same team together.
Your sisters in Christ,
Michelle Potter and Christina McGee
