The little boy in this picture is Bernardo and he is eight months old. His story is sad but true and not at all uncommon within the favelas (slums) of Brazil. After his mother gave birth to him she left him on a doorstep within their community. On this particular day he was being taken care of by the mother of the woman where he had been left as a baby. My heart was broken as I listened to this story and I felt a strong need to hold him. As I held this gift from God in my hands I was both saddened and angered by the thought of someone just throwing away this beautiful child. I held him for what seemed like just a few minutes because others on my team wanted to hold him also, trying to express to him that he had a Father in heaven who loved him more than any earthly parent ever could. I prayed that God would protect him, meet his needs and bless the family that has taken him in.
Another story I was told was about a boy named Golden (his hair was blonde which is not very common in Brazil) and the vigilante justice within the favelas. His father had twice broken the rules and the favelas have a 3 times and you are out system. He
inevitably broke the rules again and justice had to be served. He was at home with his 5 children, Golden and his 4 sisters, when the vigilantes broke down the door and killed him in front of his children.
These are the horrible conditions that many children of Brazil live with on a day to day basis. If you are a parent or have any relationship with a child, it would be hard to imagine this ever happening to your child or for that matter any child in this world we live in. But, this world is filled with sin and sinful natured human beings so these stories are just a glimpse into the pain and suffering of God’s children. Please join me in praying for these children and the many others who need to know the love of our God in a tangible way.
- Chris Neal
Another story I was told was about a boy named Golden (his hair was blonde which is not very common in Brazil) and the vigilante justice within the favelas. His father had twice broken the rules and the favelas have a 3 times and you are out system. He
inevitably broke the rules again and justice had to be served. He was at home with his 5 children, Golden and his 4 sisters, when the vigilantes broke down the door and killed him in front of his children.These are the horrible conditions that many children of Brazil live with on a day to day basis. If you are a parent or have any relationship with a child, it would be hard to imagine this ever happening to your child or for that matter any child in this world we live in. But, this world is filled with sin and sinful natured human beings so these stories are just a glimpse into the pain and suffering of God’s children. Please join me in praying for these children and the many others who need to know the love of our God in a tangible way.
- Chris Neal
More is coming monday.
1 comment:
Hi, God bless you.
*I am also serving in Brazil right now. I am in a transition with my ministry with Casa De Apoio and partly with Crianca Feliz but am in the transition because neither ministry is actually doing the actual street outreach at this time and I am searching for some that are. I am based in Contagem right now and would love to know a bit more about your ministry and if there is any way to help you guys out if you needed it. I will be here for four and a half more months if all goes well. I am praying and waiting on the Lord right now for a people who really need the help in street ministry and collaborative art with the children in the favelas. I am ok with travelling to Rio if it is according to God´s will and all seemed to `fit`. I am from California with a lot to give. Check out my website to see what I have been doing up til now.
www.brazilianjeans.blogspot.com
God bless you in your week and do keep on shining for your Daddy! I would love to hear from you.
In His love,
Jeanne
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