Different Things

Today is my (Kevin) mom's birthday.  She's an incredible mom and grandmother.  If you know her and live close to her then go ahead and give her a hug or a phone call today.

Bronwyn did a blog yesterday about a village called Nyamata.  To me, it's her most powerful blog so far.  God is really touching her heart and I know she is making an impact with those she comes in contact with. If you haven't read it then just click here.

As you know, Carys had a birthday this week.  We've blogged about it a couple of times here.  Benay also wrote a blog sharing about the day of Carys's birth.  If you haven't checked it out then click here to read it.

Finally we wanted to thank you for your prayers for the guys at the chácara.  Matt, our teammate, was able to go out there on Tuesday night.  Here is an update email that he sent to us and Paul (another teammate) after he spent some time with the guys from the chácara the night after the robbery.  We translated the needs that the brothers have and put that in parenthesis.  Here's his email:

I would have written to you guys last night, but I was too exhausted after I got back.  Here's the skinny: between 6-8 guys, armed to the teeth with all variety of guns, invaded the place around 7pm.  They made everybody get into the cafeteria and took turns holding them them at gunpoint for the next three hours.  During this time, the rest of the crew cleaned the place out as much as they could: computer equipment, speakers & microphones, TV, DVD, stereo, printer, radios, guitars, etc.  They took most of their food supplies and even took clothes and personal hygiene products from the alojamentos.  According to them, most of the invaders were high on drugs and confused, disorganized, arguing amongst each other.  They are very, very fortunate that God was watching over them and that none of the assaltantes did anything really stupid in their drugged state.  The best news is that no one was hurt physically - all lives were spared.  Thank God.  

The way the brothers described the assault, sounds like it was an inside job - probably orchestrated by somebody who recently spent time at the chacara, maybe a few weeks, scoping out the place, left, and organized a crew to come back, surprise them and clean house.  The assaltantes seemed to know so many details about the guys' routines and horarios, where stuff was located, who was in charge, etc., that they had to have an informant.  Even more revolting.  

Isaias, Paulo Renato, Ellinton, and myself held a session of community therapy with the guys last night.  It was a powerful time of sharing, working through emotions, and beginning the healing process.  One of the most meaningful moments I've experienced in ministry here.  

Isaias is taking measures to make the chacara safer, within his possibilities.  They will now have two guards (from amongst the brothers) at night, one positioned in an area where he can see the whole chacara but he cannot be seen by any potential invaders.  This person will have a cell phone and will be able to with one toque call Isaias and/or the Brigada Militar in case of an incident.  They will also have a guard  during the day making rounds.  Ellinton is getting an estimate for some sensor-activated floodlights to place on the alojamento and the patio, for better illumination and a deterrent effect.  The brothers are also going to close up an entry point in the mato behind the chacara with dirt, branches, bushes, whatever they can find, to make the access much more difficult for potential unfrendlies. 

Josimar and Carlos Rafael were the ones most directly confronted by the assaltantes and were so scared that they left the chacara temporarily.  Thankfully, Josimar came back yesterday.  Carlos Rafael says he will come back today.  Again, thank God - apparently no one will abandon the treatment because of this unfortunate episode.  

In terms of material, what they most urgently need are non-perishable foodstuffs and hygiene products.  Here is a list of what they most need:

arroz (rice)

feijãp (beans)

açucar (sugar)

azeite (olives)

café (coffee)

caldo de carne (boullion cubes)

fermento para pão (baking powder or yeast)

suco em pó (drink mixes like koolaid)

manteiga (butter)

sabão em pó (laundry detergent)

sabonete (dish soap)

esponja para lavar louça (sponges to wash dishes)

sabonete (soap)

pasta de dente (toothpaste)

aparelho para fazer barba (razors or shavers)

desodorante (roll-on) (deodorant)

Any and all quantities of these items are welcome and needed.  

If you guys can get out there to see them either today or tomorrow, to visit them, counsel them, and help out with these items, I know they will greatly appreciate it.  I sent them your love and abraços last night and assured them that they have a church family both here in POA and around the world praying for them.  PR and I plan on going again Friday and spending the day with them.

On a final note, I am extremely grateful that God has blessed this church family with Paulo Renato and Ellinton, two mature Christian men who are ready and willing to serve in these kinds of situations, and who speak, teach, and encourage in such a Spirit-led way. I was very impressed with the quality of these two men last night.  I felt like John the Baptist - just preparing the way for those two to be present and to do the work God called them to in terms of comforting those guys at the chacara.  God has blessed this church family with two solid pillars for whatever future work He has planned.  

"Do not fight evil with evil, but overcome evil with good."  That verse from Romans 12:25 took on a new meaning for us last night.  Let's pray also for those men who invaded the chacara, that they may repent before its too late and turn to the One who can save them.  Let's do our best to do good to those whom God has blessed us with, and even those who would do us harm.  

Peace,

MLR

Please keep praying for these brothers and for their safety and healing.