If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Rita’s dad was in an accident last week and injured his leg. We took him to the clinic today for a checkup appointment, along with his wife, Cida, Rita, and little Joana (everyone calls her “Jú”). The doctor came and took a blood sample in the car, and then we waited for some paperwork.
Many hands make light work! 300 sandwiches packaged and ready for the favelas today.
When in Aningas, if you don’t have a car, no problem – grab a donkey and hitch a ride!
After a day of hard work, the girls head for the beach.
The girls pose for a photo with Inacia before we head onto the streets.
Cleaning out the coolers, getting ready for a day on the streets.
Inha, 9 months pregnant, enjoys her sandwich and juice with some friends. She asks us for diapers for the soon-to-arrive child, and some medicine for her two-year old child.
Layane carries juice and some sandwiches across the street. One of the men at this stop died this morning, from alcohol intoxication. Pray that God frees these men and women from the chains of sin, that they may go free and walk in newness of life.
This is one of many abandoned children living on the streets. His mom told him never to come back home. She found a new husband and he doesn’t want the “old kids.” He’s 10 years old, selling himself, and addicted to crack. Living inside a box on the side of a street.
Today we went to pick up two street kids and take them to the rehab. One of them was nowhere to be found. The other, Gutenberg, didn’t want to look at us, as we drove up. “Not today,” he said.
There was a group of about 15-20 kids standing around the car. Each of them was recommending another, who needed the rehab the most.
“Look how bad João is; he’s not even washing his face.” To which João replied, “Yes, but I’m not as thin as you. You need to go more than I do.”
They all desperately want out, but they can’t; the pull of crack is just too strong, and they are no match for its power. Today I feel the struggle, and I realize how few there are that respond to God calling them.
I’m learning that I need to rely on God to prepare the heart. The Bible calls it “good soil.” I pray for that good soil and I pray for God to go ahead of us and lead us right to a soul. Just one soul. I long for a soul to be rescued. I’ve seen Him rescue and transform a life and I want to see more of that amazing, saving power of His.
Today wasn’t the day. We fed them sandwiches and cold Coke, and we prayed with them. Without Him we can do nothing.
“Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” (Luke 8:8 NASB)
Thank God we were able to bring food, drinks, tracts and Bibles to the children in the streets this week. 
I was just starting to write you an update. I wanted to thank you for your prayer and encouragement. It is such a huge help to us. It’s actually a thrill to think of so many praying and our hearts are thankful and full, just thinking of you.
My brother, Paul, texted me and asked how things were, and I told him things have been calmer, and we are planning, Lord willing, to be on the streets this week, with food and the Word. I sent the text and my cellphone rang.
Anderson, from Igapó was calling, collect, to say there were three more killings. One was in Igapó, another in the favela Beira-Rio; both are places we visit regularly. I’m not sure where the third was.
I heard Anderson’s voice. He’s calling because we are his connection to a God that loves and he is scared. He wants the comfort of prayer and God’s Word. I’m scared for these kids. They are lost and they are helpless to save themselves. As we go, please pray for God to go before us and prepare their hearts. One soul is worth everything.
But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12 NASB)
Last week, we did not do a street/favela feeding and this week we will not, either. But, we did make the round of stops, and will do so this week, to be on hand to pray with the kids, listen to their needs, and be alert to any that might want to go to the rehab. As we head out, we ask for your continued prayer.
The mass killings on the street have resulted in more military police brought in from all over, and the streets are scary with armed presence. This morning, local officials announced that the head of National Security would be arriving today in Natal, and bringing with her 20 specialists of some sort, from the Department of Justice.
Thanks for your prayer. Without prayer, we are unarmed on the frontline of a far more serious battle than these street wars: the spiritual war, that is waged without ceasing, for each and every soul.
I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. (John 12:46 NASB)
I sent out a Tweet, and posted on Facebook, on Friday, about six assassinations that occurred in a little over 2 hours. Here’s a little more information about that post:
One of the six killed was from Leningrado, which is a favela we frequent. He was stabbed and shot multiple times.
We went to talk to our kids, on Friday, but did not do a feeding in the favelas. The news on the street is not reliable, but there IS always a grain of truth going through all the possible exaggeration. Fact is, the kids are scared. The police are being provoked to respond to the following stimuli, and the street kids are scared about that response:
The bandidos have declared war on the Police. On Tuesday, two police officers were killed, and on Thursday one policeman’s house was assaulted and his wife and baby tied up.
A street bandido has sent the message that he’s going to kill every police officer. He’s responsible for assaults, drug trafficking and killings.
Also, I was told that government just closed the minor’s penitentiary in this state and the inmates are free. There is no jail for any minor. These kids know it and are bragging that no matter what they do, they can’t go to jail.
Again, we are not sure how these incidents fit together, but we do know that it affects the streets. It also affects us. It makes us increase our prayer for these souls. It reminds us of the urgency there is to tell them about the God that loves them and longs to rescue them and save them; each has a soul that is so precious to God. It also constrains us to beg for your prayer. Pray for the police here, for the bandidos, and for the street kids. Only God can save and free and change lives. Pray that He does.
We pull up at a mercandino (little market) near the rehab center. We grab a few baskets to fill with stuff the guys will need: soap, deodorant, cookies, bags of sugar, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bars of laundry soap, crackers, shampoo, shaving supplies, and chips. Lots of munchies and sweets to help curb their cravings.
Rafael stands watching while we sort the items into seven separate bags: Rafael, Francisco, Mario, Ricardo, Luciano, and two extra just in case. He’s standing in the middle of the store, a bit lost, hand on his mouth, smiling when we catch his eye. He fidgets, smiles, shifts his feet. No one there for me. No one to visit. This is his family, right here, in the store, buying supplies to hold him over for the first two weeks until they can next visit. This is the family that tells him, “If you don’t fix your eyes on Jesus Christ and stay at the foot of the cross you don’t have a chance. Seek Him with all the force of your will and don’t let Him go. Fix your eyes on the future. The road is narrow and long.”
