amazing love

hungry eyes & hungry heart,
existance in a world apart
so much pain & so much fear
but shead they not a tear

lonesome faces, sit & stare
open ears, yearning to hear
a beautiful sound
of acceptance, of love…
so with the softness of their cheek
close against my own
I carefully whisper:
“He loves you
so much more
than you shall ever know”

desperate hands & eager hearts
simply longing
for a tender touch, a loving embrace…
& tight in my arms, I wish
I would never
have to let them go

beautiful eyes, innocent and wide
but behind them I know
behold a darkeness untold -
a hidden story,
a terror, a fear…
each of these, provide I not cure

little hands, little feet
tiny fingers, tiny toes
skinny arms, skinny legs…
& little bellies swollen
from a hunger
so much greater
than any I have ever known

these images, these scenes
these momories remain inside of me
etched in my heart,
it breaks me apart…
you made me to feel
a glimpse of your love,
precious little hearts
held tight to your own

in view of your love
I can only wonder, only stare
that as I love them
& feed & care -
my hands are not my own,
my heart, my love, my tears…
each of these are yours
that you have shared with me

& as I share that piece of you,
I find that these little hearts
have given me
a bigger gift
than they shall ever know

…
these are my random thoughts, rambling emotions, and desperate attempts to verbalize and express an experience that I have found is impossible to adequately relay… but God blessed me with an amazing glimpse of his love for these precious little lives… I would like each of you to know that God was working through you and he used you down in Sao Paulo, Brazil just as I know that He used me as well. my prayer is that His work will be continued through me and you, in the lives of the Brazilian children on into the distant future. I thank the Lord for gifting me with your encouragement and support and gifting me with this incredible experience.
con amor da nos Cristo, Christina McGee

 

A Glimpse of Heaven in a Fallen World

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

 

Hello world!

This is the first, of hopefully many entries about a small group of world revolutionizers heading to Sao Paulo to make a dent of change for the better.

Their heart is for Brazilian kids… kids who have been forgotten… neglected… kids who no one has taken responsibility of. Their goal is to bring love, light, laughter, H-O-P-E to these little souls with far too much experience in the cruelness of this world.

This blog will serve as a point of contact, a communication tool between those traveling and those at home. When time is short… internet connections are weak… phone calls are expensive, this blog will hopefully be updated with the information you desire.

Feel free to leave comments and prayers.

 Thank you for your support!