Out and about and gearing up for Christmas…

There is always something going on at SHINE, and this week we are taking the boys in our discipleship group for a day out! These days out are such a good opportunity for the children to be children and have fun in a safe environment.

We are also so blessed to have two of the young people in the local Assemblies of God church, Nedson and Moacir, join us weekly to teach drums and guitar to the boys in our group. It is so cool to see people from the local community get involved. And we have even seen some of them do our YWAM nightschool which is a great encouragment.

Christmas is coming up soon and we are already busy preparing for a big Christmas party where all the children from our groups will come together. We’re also hoping to do a Christmas meal for the community to bless and honour them and communicate the love of Christ- the reason why we have Christmas in the first place.

So keep us in your prayers. Pray that the Truth of God’s word and the love of Christ would enter into the hearts of the children and adults we minister to every day, and pray that Jesus be glorified!!

Together we can do it

A few months ago we received a team from Hawaii, which set up medical and dentist clinics and did a children’s holiday club. Another practical expression of God’s love and care for the people of the community. It was a great week, but the best part of all was that we managed to get the three churches in the community involved and working together. It was amazing to get them out from within the four walls of the church and actually impacting the community and their neighbours around them. We had many activities, each held in one of the churches or our project.

As well as having prayer, evangelism and medical teams, we also had clean up teams. The community is notorious in the city for selling drugs, and to enter the community you need to pass through a narrow walkway where the drug guys keep a look out. For one of the activities we managed to repaint the whole main entrance wall to the slum, and with the help of the talented youngsters of the churches paint a new wall. Now the many people who pass by to buy their drugs each day will see and be welcome by the wall calling for a better place and community.

On the final night we had a big open-air service with all churches taking part in the main square of the community, and many people from the community were present.

We are starting to see God impacting this community! As it says in Romans 5: “where sin increased, grace increased all the more”. The churches now want to organise another joint impact to the community, and I believe that nearly anything is possible.

• Pray for God’s anointing and Spirit in our lives to give us wisdom, love, energy and power to bring His kingdom to the community.
• Pray for two of the main drug dealers in the community that we have lots of contact with – that they and their families will accept Jesus.
• Pray for unity among the churches in the community and that the locals will be inspired to get involved in the work.
• Pray for more full time staff.

Filling the community with fragrance.

We have long realised the truth in the old Chinese proverb “don’t give someone a fish if you can give them a fishing rod”, and that is what we have aimed to do in much of our work. We realise each person has talents and abilities that often just need to be awaken and unlocked for them to rise up and live a full life.

This is especially true in Oitão Preto (the poor community) where we work, where the main economy is based on drugs and prostitution. Those who receive Jesus and leave that lifestyle need a viable alternative to make a living.

The most recent course we ran was teaching how to make soap. On the course we had the wives of the main drug dealers; people who have come off drugs or out of prison and become Christians, and other people who are needy who have no fixed income to support their families.

One such lady came to me in the late afternoon one day asking if I could give her 30p to buy some soup for her mother who was 90 years old and hadn’t eaten all day. I went to visit her and found a bare house with lots of hungry people inside. So I brought some soup for her and invited her to come participate in the soap course that started the following week. She did and she now has a way to support her family without having to rely on us every day to bring food. Her self-esteem has shot up and she has hope back in her life.

Another guy who has benefited from this enterprise is a guy who used to be involved in lots of armed assaults, and had been in prison for a long time. He now lives with his wife and 5 children in a hut about 3 by 5 meters. He has become a strong Christian, a gentle giant compared to the guy he used to be. One night he too had nothing to eat for his family and so he sat them down and prayed that God would provide. Just as he finished praying someone came knocking at the door with an envelope containing money saying God had told him to give it to them. God does provide in special ways, but He has also given us hands and intelligence to do things ourselves. Now this man collects old coconut shells that he cleans, polishes and varnishes and then sells them to us so we can use them for the coconut soap we sell.

Be praying for us as we offer courses, that we would know what courses to offer and most importantly: that above all they would come to know Jesus in a deeper way.

The “light-club”- being children.

Last week we had a day out for the 47 children who are part of our “Clubinho da luz” (light-club). They meet every Saturday morning and this day we were able to take them to the countryside to an estate with a swimming pool. They absolutely loved it! And it was great to see many volunteers come to help out, including 7 women of God from Lake Hills Church in the US.

Pray for these children. When they are with us they hear of the love of God and the transforming power of Jesus, but the rest of the week they hear so many negative things spoken around and over them. Pray for the Truth of Jesus to take deep root in their hearts and minds.

New lives on the path to restoration!

When you ask a question of God, do you expect a quick answer? Well, with Paulinho studying in Norway - (speaking English already and having settled in well) we began as a team to pray and prepare to receive new boys here on the farm.

We have been using the open house again with groups of kids from the Bus Terminal called 'Parangaba' , and we have been more and more present on the streets . It has been such a blessing to us because the boys here; Paulo, Mardônio, Hemerson and Claudio have really embraced the challenge; their prayers are real, their ideas and insights realistic, and they have seen Paulinho's going as a real victory for all of us!

Then 2 days ago the city's child protection authorities picked up 2 kids on the streets and threatened to put them in a home if the family did not take care of them. Well, the Gran said that they had no way of taking care of them as they are already involved in life and 'crack' on the streets. Their mothers have abondoned them. Edward is 13 and David 11 (not their real names). The gran said that she saw only one hope for these boys and said 'I'm going to take them to that place where Paulo is - if they can't help there's no hope'. They are not brothers, but they are both cousins of our Paulo; more of his family living on the streets.

They arrived here after hitch hiking from the city. We prayed together as a team and felt sure that God had answered our prayers- today is the day that we should receive new boys! God even brought them here! We have begun the process of helping them adjust and they have 1 week to prove that they deserve the opportunity to stay here- we call it our Triagem week. It will be a difficult week for them as they will have to work, study (neither can write or read), wash dishes, pray,worship and learn to respect and accept the love God has to give them through us.

Will you pray for them and for us? Of course our life changes drastically when we bring in new boys- we have to give them 24 hour care until they calm down, and of course we have to keep on with our other tasks.
But one thing we are sure of: Our God is a God of transformation and restoration!

This is the reality of the kids on the streets:

The kids leave home for varying reasons- poverty, abuse, lack of structure, peer pressure…the list is long. Once they are on the streets they are quickly absorbed into the ”gang” where usually a ”chief” is responsible for the well being of them all. At first they resist the drugs, but it doesn’t take long before they are tempted to ”sniff” glue from a bottle or dip the corner of their shirt in a ”dab” of thinner, solvent, nail polish remover or some such liquid based inhalant. They usually have to pay the owner of the solvent small change for their ”dab”, and of course the shirt or piece of cloth only stays damp for a short period of time. And so the drugs’ controlling power begins to act.

They have to start begging for loose change to ”buy” their ”dab”, and then they are absorbed into the gangs schemes. Usually, once they are involved in drugs, they form ”partnerships”- two kids who join together and unite forces to raise money through begging, stealing or other means to buy their drugs of choice.

As a natural progression inhaling solvents through the nose turns into inhaling them through the mouth, and then the nature of the drugs has to change to produce a similar, better, longer, higher result; the drug of choice here in Fortaleza is ”crack” (”pedra” or ”mesclado” as it is known as here). ”Crack” is a combination of cocaine and other drugs in a potent and highly addictive combination easily found and easily bought on any street corner from dealers who have more control then any parent could ever imagine!

The ”crack” eliminates hunger, rots the teeth, sends the kids into wild spirals, and takes them to places we cannot go. Places where we do not want to go, but where they want to go, even deeper.

This week we went to pick up some kids to take to our ”drop in centre”. At the bus station, where dozens of kids hang out, they had all been so keen as we invited them the week before. But Friday they had no desire to come. Minutes before we arrived to seek them out in their hidaways they had climbed a wall into an abandoned lot because someone had turned up with some ”crack”. They looked at us with blank faces as if our offer of lunch, a change of clothes, a shower, and some genuine love as an absurd offer. Why of course! They have ”crack”!

Three kids came and what a fantastic time we had as we were able to show them the love that Christ has first shown us. At one point during lunch I got up and wandered a few metres from the table. As I looked back I saw a happy family: four boys who have lived with us for a few years on the farm, a number of local volunteers, and our team eating lunch, laughing, telling stories, and sharing in a real moment of family.

The three, 14 year old Jefferson who looks like he’s 12, John-Paul aged 16, and Angela a girl of 15 (not their real names) were there too. They were unsure of how to fit in, but were part of a restoring of family values. Paulo, Hemerson, Claudio and Mardônio then told their testimonies, led worship, and treated the three the same way they were treated 3 years ago.

God restores you know! Paulinho will tell you that as he studies music for one year on a full scholarship at a school called Hedmarktoppen in Norway (http://www.hedmarktoppen.no/). Four years ago he was in their position and now he is where God has put him.

” He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He sits them with princes, with the princes of their people.' Psalm 113:7,8

People ask if there are still death squads called upon to ”remove” street kids from the streets. I can’t say yes or no to that, but I can tell you that the kids on the streets experience violence on a daily basis. Some tell of being shot at, kids we have know for years have been reported dead with rumours of how that came to be…Is it death squads? Does it matter? We watch our world turning itself upside down, ignoring God’s principles in favour of a worldly ”if it works, do it”. THIS I can say categorically- we live in an age where ”integrity” is the make of a car and where ”honesty” is the name of a clothing store.

As a believer in Christ Jesus I state boldly that ”love your neighbour as yourself” is a command created to promote love between all men by a God who loved us so much that He gave his only son to die for us because of our sins and His great mercy! Pray, give, rise up and practise this gospel of love that Christ preached and LIVED!

”Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses, it has cut off the children from our streets and the young men from the public squares . . . this is what the Lord says ' Let not the wise man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight''. Jeremiah 9: 21,23,24

We who call Christ ”Saviour” can make a difference by living according to His principles and obeying His voice!

Pray for us!

Peter and the Urban Missions team at ”My Father’s House” in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Biscuits and unity- SHINE still shining.

At ”SHINE” the work continues. The last months we have seen several courses run especially for the women of the community; we have done some in the culinary field and we also recently just finished a course in making fruit soap. It is vital that the women of the community learn skills and can support their families. Many of the women have been involved in drugs and prostitution, and now need another way to get an income. Others have husbands who have turned away from drug trafficking and other illegal means of earning money, and these women can now be a part of providing for their families in an honest and dignified way.

The various team that have come to help us out in the community have been a great blessing to us! Apart from the practical help they have given, it always blesses us when people come and receive the love and heart of God for the people of Oitão Preto.

We are also seeing the Christians in the community come together. It was amazing to see one of the meetings we had where the traditional Assemblies of God brothers sat side by side with the tatooed surfers for Christ. This is part of what it’ll be like in heaven! And unity of the body of Christ is the key to anointing!

There is still a long way to go…in the recent months we’ve seen people very dear to our heart die as a consequence of the lives they have been living. But we believe that we have the answer and we know that Jesus’ heart is to see a transformation of this community! You are part of that! Keep interceding for us!

Street worship.

At times it seems the kids worship the streets. . . and often we sek strategies and solutions for the kids and discover only frustration.. . one thing is for sure - Our God is worthy of our praise! We have begun to spend time in the places where this kids most often congregate, to simply pray and worship God - to reclaim the land that Satan has stolen. The fascinating thing is that we discover that as we take our eyes off the kids themselves, more kids come and want to be a part of what we are doing. Pray that we will hear His voice and demonstarte His love as we seek HIS solutions on behalf of those He has called us to love!

Points for prayer:

• For new staff
• For support for staff members
• For the work of Shine as it continues to build on the foundation of God's love
• For the students of the night school (ENVIA) as they hear God's voice for the mission God has for each one.
• For the boys,their families and their dreams as they seek God for their next steps in restoration
• For strength courage and perseverence for staff
• For the prayers and preparation beginning for next years DTS

Believing in the restoration of families.

The work of supporting the families of the boys who live on the farm is a great challenge. The boys are facing it with faith! They visit their families, and we we regularly invite all the families we work to the project for a family meeting, which is a time of fellowship and investing into their lives. It is great to see the boys’ families come and the boys grow in their relationships with them. Last time all the boys gave their families a present which was a miracle.

One of them, however, is facing some serious challenges. When he was at home years ago, His mother used to tell him: "Quickly, run away, your father is coming home!” Usually he would obey, and thus began his career on the streets aged 8. However, sometimes, with his heart full of fear, he would not go. Instead, he simply hid under the bed for days from where he witnessed horror after horror. This story is not complete yet, but the accompanying fears are still real, and from these fears come fears about the future which paralyze this young man.

God is a God of justice and love. He will see justice done! We pray that this family will see forgiveness and the power of forgiveness to bring restoration.

Journey with us in prayer!!

Prayer points:

• New staff.
• Support for staff.
• The work of ”SHINE” that works in the community.
• For the students of the night school (ENVIA), that they can hear God’s voice for what He has for each one of them.
• For strength and courage for the staff.
• For the DTS next year.
• For the boys and their families.

”I am a thief”- the challenge of bringing identity to those in prison.

"Write down on the piece of paper we are giving you your strengths and your weaknesses". These were the instructions Fabiano, in his broad Brazilian accent, gave to the 20 some inmates of the youth prison. Imagine his shock when the vast majority, with a mixture of bravado, embarrassement, and bewilderment, showed that they don't know how to read and write. The majority of these boys are not street kids, but kids from different spheres of society. Those who express themselves with clarity need Fabiano's help to write. One of them says of his strengths: "killing", and of his weaknesses: "I steal". Another one says: "I am a thief". There were two thieves crucified with Christ- one a thief, the other hanged for stealing. Both died that day, one however, was saved.

The team in the prison prays and seeks God to know how we can expand this ministry to help the inmates discover their God-given purpose, and to be able to accompany them when they are released. We desparately need workers- it is a mammoth task!

Pray for strength and clarity for the prison team.

Pray that God would raise up more workers.

Victory and tears.

The past few months we’ve seen many ups and downs. We’ve rejoiced at the victories both in Oitão Preto and on the farm. We’ve cried over lives lost. We thank those of you who have stood with us in prayer! Without God there truly is no hope, but with Him miracles happen!

”Shine”

Finally being able to work out from a house located in the community is a great victory! We have had services and prayer meetings there, as well as working with different groups in the community. SENAC (a private non-profit organisation focused on offering courses to all of society) also held a 3-week course in the house on how to make sweet and savoury snacks for parties which went really well.

We do, however, realize that we are in a spiritual battle. What we need more then anything is to see more intercession and worship come forth from the house.

”Sítio Graça”- the farm

The farm is going well. Everyone was very excited to see Peter and Selma return in March after a well deserved time of holiday and networking. This year holds exciting challenges especially for Paulinho and Paulo who are taking steps to pursue their dreams. Paulinho is hoping to go to a Bibleschool in Norway and Paulo is wanting to do the YWAM Discipleship Training School in Salvador with the outreach in Africa. Do pray for them, and should you want to contribute financially do get in touch with us! The other boys are also blossoming and walking into the things of God.

We still need to see more staff join Peter, Selma, Fabiano and Dayane. We long to be able to give more boys, who are currently living in hopelessness on the streets, the opportunity to get to know Jesus and be transformed by the grace of God! Pray for committed people to join us! We believe that God has much much more for us.

The reality which shakes us.

The last few months have really shaken us up as we’ve received news of 3 of our young adults being killed. The two young men and young woman were all well known to us, and we had worked very closely with all of them; visiting them on the streets and getting to know their homes and their families. One of them was one of the first boys to ever live on the farm. The two young men got killed fleeing from the police, the young woman was stabbed to death. The stories are grusome. They reflect the reality of where the children, adolescents, and adults who live on the streets are headed unless something changes.

Thomas (one of the boys who spent a long time on the farm, but decided to leave) is painfully aware of this. One Sunday he turned up at church petrified. He knows that it is only a miracle that he is still alive. After getting out of youth prison his life has been comsumed with crack and armed assaults. After chatting with him for a long time we left him with the leaders of ”Lar da Paz” (the church’s drug rehab centre)…Pray for him.

Another boy very close to our hearts is now in prison serving a 30 year sentence for murder.

We choose to hold on to hope!

In the face of all of this it is easy to loose hope. But we refuse to give in to the hopelessness! As long as there is life there is hope!

We choose to keep remembering the victories in the lives of the boys at the farm, the house in the community, and the story of Graziela (a teenager from the community with severe eyeproblems) getting free treatment for her eyeproblems and doing a course.

Stand with us in prayer:

• pray for the work of ”SHINE” in the community of Oitão Preto.
• pray for ”Sítio Graça”- the farm- for staff, the boys, and guidance.
• pray for the kids and adults who still live on the streets.
• pray for Thomas- that God would redeem and restore him.
• pray for the staff of the project, and that God would bring ”more workers for the harvest”.

A good ending to the year and challenges ahead.

We are well into 2008, and so we do wish all of you a Happy New Year!

We had many good parties over Christmas in Oitão Preto for the various groups we have with the people there. With the men we played football at Gerardo Bastos (a company one block away from the project which works with car repairs and has a football pitch they let us use) followed by hot dogs and a powerful testimony from our staff member Fabiano. We saw about 30 of them come, many drug dealers which was good.

We also did parties for the children and the women who are involved in our project to set up micro businesses to enable them to support their families.

We are in the process of trying to rent a house in the community to run courses and have our activities in. As usual with these things, it’s a battle. But we believe that God is in control and we know that being there, as a light physically situated in the community, will have a huge impact on everyone living there and all the activities that go on there.

Please stand with us in prayer:

• pray that we can get the house in the community
• pray for Andrew and Claudia as they head up the work in Oitão Preto
• pray for the work with the children, women, and men
• pray also for the farm, for God to be with the staff and boys and that they can daily grow in the knowledge of God
• pray for the city centre work, that God would open doors and guide the work
• pray for structure for the prison ministry, that the Truth would set these young boys free.