real deal religion: Running on Fumes

I’m gonna be straight with you. In September it’ll be 4 years since we’ve moved here to Brazil. And as difficult as it was back then- it’s just as difficult now. And we’re so tired. Seriously tired. And it’s not just a ‘physical tiredness’ that I’m talking about (yes, we’re physically exhausted too). It’s a ‘soul tiredness.’

It’s hard to explain unless you experience it firsthand. Everything fights against you here. The elements, the insects, the reptiles, the spiritual battles taking place (we can’t see them but we definitely feel them), the cultural differences, the lack of common conveniences that make life more doable (like something as simple as being able to flush toilet paper and not having to go burn it). Everything takes 3 more steps to do than normal (like having to heat water in a kettle to wash dishes with- and the water is oftentimes brown, yum!).

And then there’s the loneliness. That’s probably what's taking the biggest toll on us right now. Being way out in the middle of nowhere by ourselves is hard. Thank God we actually like each other, lol! Seriously. But not having a constant community of friends around (more than just on Sunday and anytime we’re doing an outreach) is difficult. The one thing that this whole experience has taught me is that “we weren't created to follow Jesus alone. We were created to follow Jesus in community with other believers.” As big or as small that community may be- we’re not made to walk alone. We need each other: )

Anyway, back to the main reason for this blog… as difficult as things are here- what we were able to do last Friday is really what keeps us going. It’s like, just when we’re feeling so discouraged that we don’t know if we’ll be able to continue, it happens. We’re able to minister to some of the amazing children here in Brazil and it gives us more 'fuel in the tank' so that we can keep going.

To be able to look into the eyes of the children that are living in such extreme poverty in a village littered with crime, drugs and dispair- and to be able to share the Gospel with them and let them know that despite where they are that Jesus loves them, died for them and that He wants them for His own… man, that’s what lets us know that we’re not just living where we’re living in vain.

These are just some of the children that we were able to minister to last Friday

Last Friday we were able to minister to approximately 200 children ages 2-8 in a school in Villa Zumbi. Villa Zumbi is one of the poorest villas in this region of Brazil and has a population of around 10,000 people- over 4,000 of which are children.

The first group of kids being led in

Kids getting excited about what's about to take place

Matthew doing some up-front games with the kids while the music is pumping
and the rest of the children are making their way into the ministry area

We ministered to the kids in groups of 50-70 at a time. And what we did (and it’s typical of what we do when we go to schools, orphanages, shelters, etc.) was we had several group games to get everyone comfortable and interacting.

4-way tug-of-war is always a great game no matter what age group we're ministering to

Beach Ball Relay is about to begin

It's a race against the clock to see which team can get all the balls off the parachute

This was one of the best games of the day- the kids loved it!

Maryssa and her team waiting for their turn at the parachute: )

Then at the end of the group's session we gave a simple Gospel message. On Friday we talked about how "if any man be in Christ that he was a new creation. Old things were passed away and all things were new (2 Cor. 5:17)." And we explained how an actual metamorphosis takes place when someone gives their lives to Jesus (just like a caterpillar-butterfly & tadpole-frog).

Kids listening intently as we presented the Gospel

Mozart and Jim- The Dynamic Duo... making it happen: )

Mozart, Jim, Maryssa and Kevin doing the "New Creation"presentation

Matthew also getting in on the action

And then we gave everyone candy from the US (Dum-Dums) and a little plastic butterfly to remind them of the day's lesson. Simple but memorable. And we'll do the same thing (just a different Gospel-centered-message) the next time, and the next time and the next. Building on what was taught previously. We feel like seeing the same kids over and over is the best way to minister to them (rather than just seeing them once and then moving-on to a different orphanage or school).

Jim handing out candy at the end of one of the sessions

So, thank you to all of our supporters back home in the US. Because of you we’re able to take the Gospel to places where even though the darkness is present- we’re seeing it expelled as we bring in the light.