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Rehab Update

March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We just took three boys to the rehab on Thursday. Two had already been and done the program. Without God they couldn’t resist the wicked one and returned to the ways of the street.  They begged us to take them out of the drug-infested neighborhood they were in, and give them another chance at the rehab.

I’ve been struck lately reading through Samuel and Kings that our God is the God of the “do-over.” Even in Solomon’s prayer, dedicating the temple, He asked God to forgive his people’s sins. He as much as says that when they sin, (because as sinners they are going to sin) recognize the hand of God in discipline, and cry to God for forgiveness, that God forgive them, pick them back up, and start over with them. If that’s God method of dealing with our great falls, then that’s how we ought to handle one another. When these boys come to us asking to go back to the rehab everything in me says no. “We’ve invested enough time and money in you. It’s someone else’s turn.” But the still small voice comes to my heart reminding me that I represent God and that’s not God’s method.

On our last visit to the clinic we received news that the property owner has given Murillo notice. He wants him and the rehab off of his property. Lori and I have been concerned about this and have asked, only to be told that they had a long-term lease. Well it now seems that the lease was not iron-clad and can be broken.  This is something that we need to pray fervently for. Murillo has no place to go. Presently he has over sixty men recovering and no plan B. We need to bring this before God expectantly, remembering that the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:6). We found out not too long ago that the father of William’s best friend in school is the owner of this property. Lori and I intend to approach him on the matter. Pray that God goes before us to prepare the ground. Pray as well that God gives us wisdom to best represent Him in this matter.

While at the clinic Thursday I caught a glimpse of Carlos. He was sweeping up the dining area. Every time I see this man I think of the day we literally picked him up off the street and brought him to the rehab. He’s a quiet man of about thirty-five. Whenever we would arrive at his stop he would always stand in the background. He would quietly listen to others as they would tell of their struggles with Satan’s vices. He’s so quiet that we hardly missed him, and he had been gone for some time. When finally we asked, we were told that he had been in the hospital. It seems his drinking had brought him to the point where only the doctors could save his life. They made it quite clear to him, as he left the hospital, that another drink would likely claim his life. Now here he was, back at his stop, and falling down drunk.

His friends pleaded with us to get him where he could get help. We had never before taken anyone who hadn’t asked for help. This case had become a lifesaving mission, and we needed to make an exception. I got him into the car. He didn’t even know where he was. He slobbered and mumbled senselessly all the way to the clinic. When we arrived he couldn’t even get himself out of the car and up to the admittance door. Even today his rehab friends mimic his state that day he arrived. They stumble around, holding onto one another while he watches and laughs.

Lori and I have been waiting for ten months now. We wanted so much to hear that he had recognized God, and given God the credit for his recovery. A few weeks ago we were telling him about the boys who had asked to come back. ” It’s not impossible,” he said, ” it can be done, but only with the help and power of God.” Pray for Carlos. He’s afraid to leave. He knows what’s waiting outside the walls of the rehab. We have encouraged him to stay put until we find a safer place for him to live and something for him to do. These boys can’t go back to the streets. They need a place to go, they need to be occupied with work, and most of all they need to be in a place where the influence of God is all around them.

 

“Pray without ceasing…” (1 Thess. 5:17). 

 

Filed Under: Prayer, Rehab Tagged With: ,

Prayer Request

March 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Just got home. Looonnnng day. Brought Luiz to rehab after Igapó. There are 5 in! I think they are all serious. I’m so praying for the good soil.

Member the bicho de pe guy in Cambuim? He’s sitting at the rehab, shaking his head and saying, “This is no coincidence; this is God. I can’t believe He would do this for me.” His name is Edilson. He had a really difficult 3 days; he was shaking a lot.  I called this morning and he still had not eaten, but had a few bites at lunch. It’s been months since he ate regularly.

Today, one of the guys sat next to him and took 148 bichos out of his feet, one by one. (John 13:14) His feet are full of holes, he’s on amoxicillin, and I got a tube of ointment for him to keep them from getting bacteria and fungus.

Please pray for these five souls:

Isaías, 23, crack addict–Ponta Negra stop, lives in K-6 (deformed hand)

Luis-, 20, crack addict–Ponta Negra stop

Edilson, 50, Alcoholic–Cambuim

Manoel, 18, crack addict, Machadão stop. (deformed leg-was shot by police)

Mattias, 27, crack addict–(Bruno) 2nd time in.

I can’t stop from crying each time we drive up the dirt road to the rehab. Clessio.

The Father knows–Sorrow’s chains are heavy.
But Joy is a footfall away.

Filed Under: Street Work Tagged With: , , ,

Let My Heart Be After You

March 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Driving home from UConn the other day, I had my iPod on shuffle. The song “Garden,” by Needtobreathe came on and made me think of Clessio: “If tomorrow means my death/ Pray you’ll save their souls with it./ Let the songs I sing bring joy to you/ Let the words I say confess my love/ Let the notes I choose be your favorite tune/ Father let my heart be after you.”

The thing that stood out the most about Clessio was just that: his heart was after Christ. For being saved only sixteen months, he radiated with peace and a passion to share it with others. You didn’t need to spend more than ten minutes with him for this to become obvious.

Lori and Clessio at the smaller rehab facility

I met Clessio in the summer of 2009 when we went to the rehab center to bring him some food staples and toiletries. He was very excited to show us around the center, the small garden, the workout area and the pool. More than those things, he wanted to show us his bedroom. Nothing grandiose, of course; just a small room with double bunkbeds and some furniture. But it was his.

One of his friends was in the room at the time. As Clessio was talking to Lori and my dad about how changed his life was, his friend made some interjection. And with that, Clessio began explaining to him how he too could have this peace. I don’t remember exactly what Clessio said but his confidence in Christ struck me. He was seizing even the smallest opportunity and proclaiming the good news, as we all should be.

Walking with a smile

The last time I saw him, he was 8 months drug-free, looking healthier and happier than ever. He was at a smaller branch of the same rehab center, just down the road from the old place. He was pleased that there were fewer people there and said it was easier to foster friendships at the smaller facility. Kate and I listened while he chatted with Lori, sharing with her scripture he had been enjoying recently.

Before leaving that day, we gave him one of the bracelets we had made for distribution on the streets. It was a thin piece of twine with six colored beads. The attached paper was a gospel message in Portuguese that explained the bracelet. Clessio nodded his head in agreement while he read the paper, all the while smiling. He thanked us for the gift and thanked Christ for saving him. He told us that if the Lord hadn’t saved him when He did, he doubted he would still be alive.

Clessio’s salvation was an awesome testimony to God’s power and he knew it. Truly, he had become a new creature, transformed from a homeless, helpless, sinful drug addict to a confident and peaceful man who had an eternal home in Heaven. He strongly desired for his friends to be saved and their lives to be changed like his had been. Even in the final moments of his life, Clessio was telling others of Christ’s love.

Since the moment of his salvation, Clessio’s life was a confession of the love of God. He didn’t hide it under a bushel, no! He let it shine in all its glory and shared it with everyone. His testimony should be a challenge to our every heart. He only had sixteen months. How long has it been since Christ saved you? How much of that time has been lived for Him? Like Clessio, may our hearts be after Christ and may we share the joy of our salvation with the world.

Filed Under: Gospel, Street Work Tagged With: , , ,

Clessio: A Life Poured Out

February 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The first time I met Clessio he was rubbing sleep from his eyes after an afternoon nap. He’d heard Mark and Lori had come to visit and came to meet us in the office. He was happy to give us a tour, showing us around the rehab center, all the while explaining the different ways Christ was working in his life through this place. He showed us the makeshift kitchen, the workout area, his neatly made bunk, and the areas outside under the trees where they read and prayed and studied the Bible. He spoke of the grace of God in saving him from the darkness of his addictions and giving him new life. Watching him there, peace so evident in his eyes, I was amazed.

During our month there, Stephanie and I went with Lori to visit Clessio a number of times. Every time he would come out to meet us as we pulled in, a smile on his face and something new to share about his love for Christ. One night while were busy running errands in the city, Clessio called about seven times trying to get a hold of Lori. The next day she called to talk to him. He had simply wanted to share what he’d been reading and learning in the scriptures. Clessio had a passion for reading and sharing the Word that inspired me.

 

Steph and me with Clessio at the rehab center

The last time we saw him, he’d moved to the smaller rehab facility. He showed us the hammock he’d been sleeping in and smiled, telling us how he liked the quietness of this place because it gave him more time alone with God. He held the bracelet we gave him in his hands, running the thread through his fingers as Lori told the significance of the colors- red for His blood that washes us pure and white.

I’ll never forget Clessio, his dark eyes bright with love for Christ. Those few times I met him changed me in the ways that they challenged me. Here was a young man who had spent most of his life trapped in darkness, living on the street. The moment he trusted Christ he was forever changed and it was evident to everyone who met him. He’s gone now and we’re left wondering why. The Lord took him home and we wonder why so soon. Why Clessio? But He promises that even when we don’t understand He has the perfect plan for each life (Jeremiah 29:11). While we wait and wonder here, let’s follow Clessio’s passionate example in living a poured out life of service and love for our Savior.

Filed Under: Street Work Tagged With: , , ,

Home Call of Clessio

February 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Clessio giving a tour of the rehabilitation center

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15

Enio opened the door of the truck for me, as soon as the truck stopped today, in Igapó. “Clessio was killed,” he said.
“He came home from work, took off his hat and started to sit down when three kids broke into the house carrying huge guns. They told my wife to take the children out and said they had come for Clessio. Clessio did not recognize them, but told them that they did not want to do this. He said, ‘I am saved; I have Jesus in my heart. You need to be saved. He will change your life.’ They started to shoot and they kept shooting until he fell to the ground. He was dead.”

Clessio was saved in October 2009. He came off the streets, got saved and spent one year in rehab. He memorized scripture continually while there. The rehab director, Murillo, once told me, “That boy of yours, Clessio, he is something special.”

Clessio by his bunk

Clessio was burdened about his friends still on the streets. The last thing he said to me was, “Mae, (he called me mom) when I go to see them, I think of where I was and I feel so sad for them that they’re still there.”

A large group gathered around us tonight. No one can figure out why this happened. Clessio was working full time, his life was changed, and he was trying to help others. Enio said it best: “Clessio was ready to die and he died telling his killers about Jesus.”

So, we asked the group, “If this had been you that died, where would you be?”

Clessio telling us about his Savior

Pray for Clessio’s friends that are still on the streets. Pray for Clessio’s mom who is not saved, his two unsaved brothers-Cleberton and Clayton-and for his grandmother who is saved. Lord Willing, we will visit them on Saturday or Monday in João Camara, about two hours from Natal.

Clessio is Home with our Savior. And we are left feeling so very Homesick.

A smile and at peace

Filed Under: Street Work Tagged With: , , ,

December 22, 2009 – Mike and Shelby Procopio

February 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi everyone!
It has been hectic here as we plan all the activities for this holiday season. We promise to keep you all posted as these activities evolve, Lord Willing.
Our family was very sad to bid farewell to Jeremy and Katie, but took advantage of the following week to address any pressing matters before more guests arrived. The week was spent working on our visa and getting the final requirements to the port authorities, after our Visa protocol number arrived, so they would release our personal goods as well as all the donations that were sent along with us.We had been calling out to God asking that He would see to it that we would have all these goods by Christmas. So many of the kids desperately need the goods that were sitting in the port of Natal. It took all week and a fair amount of funds because of storage fees, but finally the day came when we met the truck at the port gate and escorted the driver and his helpers to the little town of Jenipabu. We were so thankful to God that finally we had been able to claim all the clothing and toys sent, and immediately began unpacking boxes and categorizing the goods so they all could be distributed to the needy folks we have been working with.
We also dove into boxes of our own goods and began moving some of the things into the house that we now call our home.
On Sunday, Mike and Shelby Procopio, from Saugus, arrived; they immediately went to work, helping us with all the preparations for the planned activities among the street kids, at the rehab, orphanage, and the village of Aningas. We are so happy to have them here with us.
I asked them both if they would be willing to write this week’s update to you and was very glad that they were willing. It’s great to read their update and know the effect that God has had on them this past week.
Having said that I’ll sign off and pass you all off to this young couple as they tell you the story through their eyes. Once again I say good night to all, thanking you all from my heart for your faithfulness in commending my family and our work to the throne of God.
Love in Christ,
Mark, Lori, Caroline, and William.
————-
Well the week started with just about the longest flight of our lives – we left our house in Saugus at about 4:30 on Saturday morning, and arrived at Mark and Lori’s at 11:30 on Sunday morning – about 31 hours of planes and airports – to say the trip was tiring doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface!
Since we got in on Sunday it worked out nice, as that is a low-key day around here – we spent the day catching up and enjoying a beautiful day in a beautiful creation.
Monday morning we headed to Aningas to check in with the folks there and to have a little meeting with some of the women there to better plan for the Christmas dinner, which is planned for next Thursday. Our plan Lord willing is to feed the entire village, so we’re planning on a couple of thousand people – they exist daily on basically rice, beans and whatever they can grow in their gardens. This goes along way toward the credibility of the gospel – they have been abandoned by their government and their church, so even with something as simple as a free meal, it becomes remarkably apparent to them that God not only exists, but is interested in their wellbeing.
The plan is to have the big meal, perhaps play some games with the kids, and have a gospel message. The dinner will be served in and around the local school, which is located right in a small square in the center of the village, so Sonia the headmaster of the school and Nildete, one of the Christians in Aningas are very involved, and worked out the menu and logistics for the “feeding”!
When we first arrived in the center of the village we were talking to several of them and getting the scoop on what was new – one older guy was very upset because the sun hurt his eyes so badly that he could barely keep them open – a simple pair of sunglasses fixed what to him was a major issue, and again, proved to him that God cares.
Before we left the village for the day we drove the Amazing Fiats waaaaay out in the boonies near the village, and then walked out even further into the bush to a farm where we chose the 2 cows that will be killed and butchered for the dinner – they’ll yield about 450-500lbs of meat combined, which will be enough so that everyone can eat until they are full – a very rare thing in these poverty-stricken villages.
Monday night we got a call from the staff at the rehab center, with the news that Clessio had some sort of tooth infection, and needed to see a dentist, so first thing Tuesday morning we headed off to the rehab to pick him up and get his tooth checked. When we arrived a the rehab I was impressed immediately by the demeanor of the guys – Both Bruno and Clessio, former drug addicts from the streets were clean, sober and cheerful – Bruno was working in the kitchen, and Clessio came out to meet us holding his bible! From street addict to an amazingly satisfied Christian – the change in both Bruno and Clessio is tremendous, and a great encouragement to Mark and Lori in this work with the street kids.
Lori took Clessio off to find a dentist, and the rest of us headed off to the orphanage to get a handle on the kids needs prior to Christmas. Since the Port Authorities finally released the shipping container last week, we wanted to get the kids updated sizes and needs, so clothing outfits could be put together from the donations, and be wrapped for Christmas. Words cannot really explain what goes through your mind when you see these kids – heavy on my mind was the importance that the Lord put on children and his anger at those that would turn them away, or harm them. The conditions in the orphanage are such that they are surviving, but not much beyond that. Pray that God will give guidance as the work with these orphans continues, and plans are worked out to get the kids into a better environment with more education, structure and discipline. The resources that will be needed for this are tremendous, and your prayers for these young boys and girls, as well as the older women that care for them are needed!
After bringing Clessio back to the rehab that night, we headed back to the house, to begin the work for the next day. The girls set about making mango jam in an effort to show the ladies in Aningas how something they have in abundance – mangos – could be turned into a marketable item to provide for their families.
Wednesday was spent opening the boxes from the container and organizing the contents. Tons of clothes, toys, shoes and other items that people donated had to be sorted by size, type etc, so that distribution would be easier. This proved to be a daunting task as the donation boxes seemed endless (a good thing) and it was about 90 degrees in the garage while we were working (definitely a bad thing).
Thursday we started early making the sandwiches and juice for the street kids. 25lbs of meat, 25lbs of cheese, 500 rolls, 20 gallons of juice and hundreds of tracts. It takes all morning to make the sandwiches, so you can get out on the streets at lunchtime. Mark has the coolers mounted in the back of one of the Amazing Fiats, so we could just pull up to a spot, pop the hatch and start serving. Jeremy gave an excellent overview of this last week so I won’t belabor it, however it does bear repeating that this is a very active work, and God’s hand is very visible in it. About 8 or 10 stops throughout the center of the city, with a whole group of young people at each stop – they are fed, get a tract, and listen to an open air message, before going back to their “work” washing peoples windshields and begging. They range from 10 years old to 35, with a few mothers and little kids in the mix. The mood at several of the stops was subdued and somber, due to the fact that on Tuesday one of the regular girls from the first stop, a cute 13year old, was shot and killed while she slept, by her 13yr old boyfriend. This news had spread rapidly, and impacted several of the guys at another stop, so that they were attentive and interested in the gospel. Pray for these kids, that God will preserve them on the streets, and that he’ll work in their hearts to bring about salvation, sobriety and the purposes he has for each of them.
Next week Lord willing they will get a hot meal instead of the sandwiches, and bibles instead of tracts. Pray for this.
The last stop is a little more hectic than the rest as it is much larger and very busy – it started with a bang however as 2 young guys that had been on “the radar” for some time, and were mentioned in Mark’s earlier emails immediately came up and began earnest conversations about getting clean and getting saved.
Levi (pronounced Lev-ee) had been a regular sidekick of Clessio’s, and had wanted to go to rehab and get clean with him, but had a girlfriend and children at home, and couldn’t leave for the 9-month program. Since then however, his girlfriend kicked him out because of his drug use, and he has come to an end of himself, and desperately wants to be clean, and get right with God. In the past week he sold absolutely everything in the house, including food, and his children’s crackers for drugs – he was openly weeping on the street talking to us, and he realizes how out of control his life is…
Junior is also a familiar name – he was the crazy man that came up randomly to Mark and Lori jumping around and yelling that he wanted “what Clessio has” – don’t ask me how these guys hear about these things, but he knew that Clessio was a changed man, and he desperately wanted it…
So finally, with the food cleaned out after this stop, we loaded up Junior and Levi and brought them to the rehab center, where they will detox and begin a 9-month rehab program based on this simple foundation – without God you have no power over Satan and your addiction – with God, you are born again, a changed person, with his power to be victorious over your addiction. In addition to the counseling and rehab activities, they hear the gospel 5 times a day from men who are living testimonies to the life-changing power of salvation.
The day ended with that unplanned, but very exciting event, and we headed home. Remember these guys in your prayers – they are in for a very tough time as they detox and commit to this rehab. No doubt Bruno and Clessio will be great helps to them, but pray that God will continue to work in their hearts, and that they’ll realize the need for salvation, so that they can experience the same life-change that Bruno and Clessio have.
One final word on the street-work; The word has spread through the city about this – the street kids, of which there are thousands, all know about it, and want to be a part of it. They want the tracts, and will ask for them if you forget to give them one. They are impressed with the fact that God loves them – at one stop one of the guys looked sheepishly up at us after hearing the message and said, “You mean Jesus loves me?” Yes. Yes he does.
Friday we had to turn in one of the Amazing Fiats to the rental place and get a pickup to handle the large amounts of food for the various dinners at the orphanage, rehab, Aningas, and the street kids’ hot Christmas meal. Mark, William and I then took the truck to the wholesale food store and loaded up on what was needed – in the parking lot, a boy approached us and started helping Mark haul one of the 3 flatbed carts, which had several hundred bottles of soda on it – Mark asked him who he was and he replied “you feed me on the street” – he then helped us load the truck and refused the few Reais Mark offered, which impressed me greatly as to just how much these kids appreciate and love Mark and Lori for the work they do among them, and the love they have shown to them.
While we were at the food wholesale shop, Lori, Caroline and Shelby stopped by the orphanage to drop off the ingredients for their Christmas dinner, and were met with an interesting situation. The day before, Nicholas, a 13 year old, had fallen out of a tree and broken his wrist – the doctors at the public hospital put a cast on his arm from the wrist to the mid bicep. The problem was that the cast was much too tight and was cutting off circulation to his hand, which was incredibly swollen, and causing extreme pain. Realizing what was causing the swelling and pain, the girls took him to a private clinic where the doctor removed the cast and examined his arm. The doctor was weeping after his exam and said, “they are people just like us, there is no need to treat them like animals”, referring to the orphans. He said that the cast had been cutting off the main veins in the elbow and wrist, and it wouldn’t have taken too much more time before they would have had to amputate the arm. After some new x-rays, and some blood tests to test the oxygen levels, they re-casted the arm, and pronounced him good to go, and after dropping him back off at the orphanage, the girls got home at 2am.
We’re starting our second week here and are very excited for what lies ahead. The week will be busy, but our hope and prayer is that through the dinners and food and activities, God’s care and love will be shown to these poor people, and that through this, they can be pointed to Christ – the ultimate display of God’s love for them. The opportunities for God to work are endless, and I have been impressed at how he directs and opens doors to accomplish his purposes each day.
I’ll wrap up with that – I thought no one would write longer epistles than Mark, but I may have succeeded, so I apologize for the length – chalk it up to my enthusiasm for the subject matter!
Mike & Shelby
Filed Under: Aningas, Orphanage, Street Work Tagged With: , , ,