One of the first things I wanted to do when I arrived for a two week stay in Carpina, Brazil in Sep 2010 was to go see Yale, who had been born since Janet and I were down in July. She actually seemed to love her "Uncle Frank" much more than this picture lets on...too much sun and wind for both of us!
The road to Cajueiro Claro...
...is one I had heard about but never visited. Flavio walks this 4 kilometer trek nearly every day after a bus ride to the dirt road. He goes up and down the steep roads to this rural, poor community to work mostly with children. It was my great privilege and honor to go with Flavio on several occasions. It reminded me so much of what the disciples must have felt like walking dusty roads with Christ, eager to know, love and serve God, and willing to go anywhere with Jesus to share the good news about him. I learned a lot on those days.
An old church building in Cajueiro Claro also serves as a school and community center, as well as the place where Flavio gathers the kids each day for singing, scripture and drama practice. It has broken out windows, no real luxuries or up to date facilities, just pews and school chairs. The people here are living in a beautiful, but neglected and often ignored place.
Flavio and others from his home church play organized soccer and dodge ball, teach guitar and chess, and even provide a time of worship and learning every Friday night. He has dreams of a great variety of opportunities and ministries for these precious children and their families, and he needs a lot of help.
To me, these feet and these smiles tell a story about poor children who are yet happy because they are loved and cared for to the glory of God. The oldest girl here, Sara is a convert of the Community Church ministry in CC. The light and love of Jesus as well as the sweet Holy Spirit pour out of her as she helps Flavio to share the difference Christ makes in their lives.
Meet Paolo and his brother Paolo. Their mother explained to me that she just uses their first and middle names each time to keep them straight. Ornery boys with great challenges in their lives. What do you see in them? I see great leaders for the future!! And that's how I pray they will become. Will you pray with me?
Would you like to help us purchase a motorcycle for Flavio, or provide toys, balls, games and more to bless this ministry? Email Frank at fpenna@worldrenewal.org or call us at World Renewal (317-467-9899) to let us know what you would like to do. Two of the boys in the picture below recently lost their father to drugs. The needs are great, but so are the opportunities for life changing ministry.
If you can help us buy Flavio a motorcycle, the road home won't be so long or tiring, or take so much time!
God provided a whole host of other opportunities during this two week stay, like talking to a movie producer in the area who may be willing to help us promote our work, or (below) being interviewed for a local Catholic radio station to talk about the ministry of World Renewal Brazil.
In addition, we often walked the streets of Santo Antonio before and after the first Evangelical Friends public worship service in order to meet and invite lots of our neighbors. You would not believe some of the characters I made friends with! I wish I had time to tell you about each one.
Check out the size (width) of this carpenter's wood shop. I loved every second of my time talking with him through an interpreter. Another new friend (went to see him again in December). We pray he will come to know the carpenter who died and rose again to bring eternal life.
Principal Ediberto (above left with Flavio) gave us permission to use his public school as a place of ministry whenever we choose. Just outside the wrought iron enclosed windows is the soccer "slab." You would not believe the guys you see playing barefoot here in this inner city setting. A super-charged atmosphere where we hope to have a soccer ministry one day soon.
And I could not believe we went out in the middle of this group to meet "the guys." This school yard is known for lots of drug deals, prostitution and violence. Come on down sometime, and I'll introduce you to my new friends there!
A focal point of the trip was the first public meeting of Igreja dos Amigos. After much prayer and preparation, the chairs were set out, the band played and the preaching was done. Not as many people came as we hoped, but when the invitation was made, one person said yes to Christ. We rejoiced over that one person, just like Jesus told us to (remember the story of the 90 and 9?).
Since September of 2010, this woman's children have made commitments to follow Christ and are hosting Bible studies and discipleship meetings in their home. Won by One...one by one!!
I can't tell you how much I love these two guys!! What a privilege to be on the same team with them. Pastor Valmir and worship leader Flavio are a gift from God. Valmir works several jobs to make a living, and tells me over and over again how much he loves planting a church. He is a true shepherd leading others to the Good Shepherd. And then there is Flavio, the worship leader. He seems to be singing for/with people everywhere he goes, all because he loves Jesus so much...
These folks are being sent out and supported in 2011 as missionaries from a church of 40. At their missions conference they gave me this special hat to remind me to pray for them.
I tell people all the time...when you give encouragement and love and prayer and financial support to this ministry, you go with me wherever I go. People like the folks above are grateful and know that, too. Thanks for the blessing of your partnership.
Go to older posts if you need to...
This is first of four blog entries today that concern three of my trips to Brazil last year. I may be slow, but I'm...well...slow (even in the age of instant everything!)
