Tucking a child away to sleep - On the sidewalk

Have you ever tucked a child into bed? If you’re a parent or you’ve baby-sat or perhaps you have a younger sister or brother, you know what I’m talking about. You pull the warm blankets tightly across your little one and tuck the edges around the bed, making sure they are nice and cozy. Perhaps you read a story or sing a song to lull them gently to sleep. You kiss their forehead and bid them goodnight as you lightly close the door behind you. Right?

Today I watched as Marianne (from Norway), one of my teammates with me in Master’s Commission Brazil, tuck a sweet little girl away to sleep. However, her bed was not a warm and cozy one at all. Instead it was the hard, cold, wet sidewalk of a third world country.

Marianne did the best she could to lay the sleeping child’s head against the cold sheet metal wall of the store we all had gathered under in attempts to avoid the rain. Ah yes, the rain, not to mention the thunder and lightning. My God, I have never been in rain like that before. The wind gathers the pelting drops and mercilessly slaps them against your face and body. The thunder shakes you to the core. Yet, Marianne held the child inside her sweater as we sang “Mighty to save” together for her. She was fascinated to hear the song in English and asked us to sing it over and over again.

I tell you my friends; this was not your average lullaby moment. When it was time to go, the little girl had finally fallen asleep in Marianne’ s arms. I swallowed hard to hold back the tears as Marianne laid the sleeping girl on the cold, wet sidewalk alongside a little boy, also fast asleep. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen.

Guys, this is the world we live in! If no one will stand up and do something about things such as this, then how can we expect there to be a brighter day? – Sara Ribeiro, MCBrasil Student

3 Moore Graduations

If you’ve not heard much from us in the last few weeks, it’s because Jocelyn and I have been very busy celebrating 3 Moore graduations in 3 different cities. – We are tremendously grateful for the Lord’s help and provision for our oldest three daughters, Randi, Aravis and Rebekah.

Randi, who will be 25 in July, just graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Masters degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Women’s Studies. Immediately following her graduation, she and our soon to be seven year old granddaughter, Sadye moved to Washington, D.C. where Randi is pursuing opportunities for writing public policy concerning international rights for women and children. Randi’s long-term goal is to return to South Africa and study for her doctorate in the same discipline.

Aravis, 22, graduated Magnum Cum Laude from the Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego with a dual major in Journalism and English Literature. For almost the first time in her life, Aravis is experiencing the freedoms of life after college. She called me the other day and said, “Dad, this is the weirdest feeling having the afternoon completely free with nothing to do.” I encouraged her to enjoy it while it lasts, because life won''t often slow down anymore.

Aravis and her three college roommates have all agreed to hang around San Diego for the time being and moved into the cutest 2-bedroom apartment only two-minutes from downtown. With the current job market already flooded with last year’s graduates, Aravis is wisely choosing to carefully survey her options before moving too far away from San Diego. For later in the year and beyond, she is considering relocating to New York or Washington, D.C. where she could better apply her trade in writing, as well as being closer to her sisters and niece, Sadye.

And finally there is Rebekah, 18, who graduated also with honors and as the Citizen of the Year by the Escola Americana Campinas. We are very proud of our “Bubba” who finished very strong in spite of changing horses in the middle of the stream (transitioning to an international school) without breaking stride. As parents we were obviously concerned especially for Rebekah who left Elk Grove in the middle of her high school experience. The Lord has certainly proven Himself more than able to meet our children’s needs.

Rebekah has accepted a tremendous scholarship to the American University in Washington, D. C. (there seems to be a “theme” for D.C.) where she will major in Communications and Film. One of her personal goals is to document with film the plight of Meninos da Rua (street children) in Brasil. Rebekah voluntarily added to her college application a short documentary on the life of one of her friends, Gustavo, a former Menino da Rua, titled “One Country – Two Worlds”. Her goal for majoring in Communications and Film is to create documentaries for Christian organizations around the world that are trying to bring to light the incredible social injustices especially to children and women.

Obviously we are extremely proud of our children and their hard work and determination, especially since we have relocated to the missions field. This has been both a very difficult, and at the same time, a very exciting season of our lives. Difficult in that Jocelyn and I have not been able to help our children as much as we have always thought we would, and exciting for being able to experience the faithfulness of God to our family. The Lord has sustained us in many ways, and in many of those ways He has used your life to bless the Moore Family. Thank you. – By the way, there are 3 Moore’s to go! Adriana, Sean and Chris. We most certainly still need you for “Moore”.

Don’t look past the person in front of you

In our discipleship ministry, Master's Commission Brasil, we believe that change begins now, here, and together with you! With your monthly sponsorship, every young person engaged by our discipleship training is a divine appointment where we have an opportunity to instill confidence that someone cares what they do with their lives. Every day we are working to create as many alternatives as possible to gang involvement, violence, sexual experiences, and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

We have seen many times over how a life can be altered with as simple as a single phrase, an encouraging word, or an act of kindness. – All of our staff and interns have personally realized the blessings of having someone enter our lives by a divine appointment, if only for a moment, to make a lasting impression for the rest of our lives.

For me, I can remember my fifth grade teacher, old Mrs. Barton. Every student on campus was convinced that she was the nastiest old woman on the planet and would hide in the teacher's parking lot to witness her daily landing on her broomstick. – But I knew a different Mrs. Barton. The Mrs. Barton I knew was as tender as she was tough and would spend her lunch and after school to help me and others with homework or just let a boy trying to become a man simply hang around. I can't tell you everything she said to me, although I do distinctly remember something about her "whoopin my behind"; yet there was never a visit where I didn't walk away convinced that I could conquer the world. Mrs. Savannah Barton believed in me before I ever believed in myself, and her thumbprint remains on my life to this very day.

And then there's the vice principle Mr. Sagers. Thinking about it now, and although it was never said then, I am convinced this man had a deep and intimate love for Jesus. There was something about him. I suppose just because he was the vice-principle in charge of discipline everybody was afraid of him, (it's funny how I seemed to always end up in his office), but there was something really special about Mr. Sagers. – Aside from telling you it was a "divine appointment", I can't explain why out of the entire school he asked my brother Philip and me to work for him on weekends, pulling weeds, and painting and picking up trash at an apartment complex he owned. I clearly remember how well paid we were as preteens in the late 60's. Geepers, that dude paid us some serious cash! – But more important to that, was how without saying a single word, there was something he gave us that even then I knew was more valuable than cash… he showed us a dignity and respect that I don't remember ever receiving from an adult. And it felt good too!

Mrs. Barton and Mr. Sagers may not know until we get into heaven how their acts of kindness have changed two lives. (My brother Philip is the superintendent of high schools in Sacramento; and a darned good one too! I wonder how much influence Mr. Sagers had on him.) Their unselfish kindness has made a defining impact on our lives.

As well, we are here in Brasil on a special assignment to influence and impact the lives of as many people possible; but without you it'll be tough. With your monthly support you are deciding to join us in as many intersections of life that we can get into; to be instruments of grace and unconditional love and acceptance… if only for a brief moment. And for as many as we can enroll in our discipleship program, you will be working together with us to interrupt dysfunction, launch a life in Christ or restore and heal with tenderness and words of kindness. I seriously doubt Mrs. Barton and Mr. Sagers knew what the outcomes would be for our lives, but we're wonderfully blessed that they didn't drive through our intersections without stopping. – Will you pull over to the curb and become a monthly sponsor?

We're Interrupting Their Dysfunction

Your partnership with Master's Commission Brasil is literally interrupting the cycles of dysfunction in the lives of hundreds of children every week. It's like this: the realities of racism and discrimination here in Brasil are significant considering the vast majority of people living in some of the world's ugliest and most dangerous slums are of African descent… in other words, they're black!

Although the typical Brazilian would argue the issue of racism and discrimination, mostly based on their personal feelings regarding race and ethnicity, the overwhelming fact is clear that these social ills exist in abundance despite their denials. And it would take less than 30 seconds to prove my point. Simply look around. Who is driving cars and who is pulling recycle wagons through the streets? Who is sitting in offices and who is sweeping the streets for less than $2 a day? – Advertising billboards silently remind people at every glance what "tone" is most important. Take a peek into any restaurant and you'll almost never see a "black" couple enjoying the savors of Brazilian cuisine. And to help any of you get beyond my definition of racism; let's simply call it "a black child's reality". Ok? Forget my use of the word "racism".

So what's the point? Is it to prove that Brazilians are racists and segregationist? Nope! That's not the point. The point is that millions of children growing up in Brasil have not only the curse of poverty to contend with, but the fact that they are Black makes their likelihood of escaping the cycles of dysfunction even more impossible, if not for God. And that's where Master's Commission is working to make a difference.

Through Master's Commission we are working to transform the lives of children in the poorest communities of Brasil. Our focus on helping children transcend the cycles of limited opportunity is accomplished through developing them into morally grounded, English speaking, and academically accomplished young adults. The fact that they are Black is inconsequential to our commitment to working with the poorest children in the Brazil… we'd do the same if they were all white children; but the reality is that they're not. And we are attempting to describe this social reality to you because we desperately need your help and the willingness to acknowledge that our world is filled with historical proof that racism is real; and that together for these children we can make a difference.

A Strategy that Equalizes

A central part of the Master's Commission strategy provides children the opportunity to learn English. These are children who without a solid education or college degree are destined to repeat the cruel cycles of poverty and dysfunction associated with poor communities. We believe that by learning English children will be able to take advantage of surging employment opportunities through their ability to speak English as a second language.

Can we count on you to support our ministry every month? – With the question of destructive racism in Brasil, I am very much up to a debate; but that debate must take place here in Brasil; in the middle of a real favela (slum) where we are going to be escorted by gun-toting mostly Black teenagers willing to allow you the opportunity of visiting their reality. – Oh, there's no need to be afraid… they won't hurt us… they're our English students.

Manna + Maggots = Uh Oh! … Not A Good Thing!

For especially non-profit organizations, Master's Commission included, the prolonged effects of the world's economic crisis is not good news at all! For months now, we've been anxiously monitoring the daily news reports with rapid breathing expecting to hear the much awaited announcement, "The Nightmare is Over!" But as each day passes, the nightmare grows more nightmarish (if that is a word) as we recently learned about the massive fraud scheme that instantly ruined the financial portfolios of untold thousands worldwide. – That was definitely not good news at all!

Although I feel all alone, I know I cannot possibly be the only person wondering, "Is God trying to tell us something?" – The reason why you're reading this is because last night at 1:15am I suddenly discovered that I was wide awake mentally rehearsing the Bible's account of God's miraculous daily provision of manna from heaven. (For the complete story read Exodus chapter 16)

"… that I may TEST them"

Of notable interest at this sleepless moment is verse four (4), which reads, 'Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not." – Did you notice that? Bread from heaven… a test to determine whether the Israelites would obey God or not? … hmmmmm, that's very interesting.

If we follow the storyline in verse 16, we'll discover very specific and exact instructions concerning this manna from heaven; 'These are the Lord's instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent. V17 So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. V18 But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. V19 Then Moses told them, "Do not keep any of it until morning."

Apparently this test was not about God's ability to provide as much as it was in the ability of the people to obey. – There are some very concerning parallels that require little effort to imagine. My not-so photogenic mind is recalling a number of other instructions in the Bible that may have a direct correlation to this idea of our obedience towards God, especially when being tested. Take for an example the following;

• Matthew 6:33 – "Seek first His kingdom and righteous…." (to see context read verses 25-34)
  
• Luke 12:20 – "You Fool!" Concerning the wealthy farmer who had a challenge storing up all of his abundance. Obviously God didn't agree with his priorities and said to him "You Fool! (I didn't) You will die this very night. …" v21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." (NLT)
  
• Luke 12:33-34 – Jesus said, "Sell your possessions and give them to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)
  
• Acts 2:44-45 – "Now all who "believed" were together and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need." (to see context read verses 40-47)
  
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – "Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us (manna from heaven) all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasures as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life."
  
• Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him (the rich young man), loved him, and said to him, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Go and sell all your possession and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (to see context read verses 17-31)
  
• Matthew 16:24-26 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
  

The "Maggot" connection?

Returning back to the Israelites' test, it continues in Exodus 16:20, But some of them didn't listen and kept some of it (manna) until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them."

THE BOTTOM LINE

Considering what's happening with the current USA economic meltdown, did we (the church) flunk a very important test?

An Economic Tsunami

With the global economic crisis systematically impacting every nation on the planet as though it were a tsunami, as believers we somehow must maintain a sure and confident trust that our God is still in control. And with that confidence comes the requirement to express our trust through our actions. And believe me, as a ministry that relies on the generous and sacrificial giving of others, that is way easier to say than it is to do day in and day out.

Our FAITH is EVIDENCED by our ACTIONS
Speaking of faith, we are reminded in James chapter two; "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. .... You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did."

As the economic crisis continues to unravel the world, our faith in God must be evidenced in our actions that prove we know Who it is we believe. - Even with everything going on.... He is still God! And we are thankful for the wonderful friends who express their faith through their generous actions of love, support and encouragement.

Come and Suffer

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. … that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." – Philippians 3:7, 10

The Apostle Paul wrote these thoughts in his letter to the Philippian believers after first reconciling in his own life the value of his personal accomplishments and pedigree (see Philippians 3:3-6). As far as wealth, status, position, education… and anything else the world could offer, he was DOA (Dead On Arrival). And he didn't only arrive at this conclusion simply by spiritual exercise, for in verse seven it states that he "counted" or in another translation, "considered" carefully the value and benefit of all of his options. In this context, both words, "counted" and "considered" are rooted in accounting terminology meaning to reconcile, to think through carefully or to reflect on.

Essentially Paul consciously worked through a process of evaluation and comparison between those things offered by the world and a system of institutional religion (he was formerly a Pharisee), against what he had been given in the opportunity and experience of knowing Christ. And as a result, with completely no doubt whatsoever, he eagerly flung those things into the loss column. For the Apostle Paul, he in effect arrived at a point in his life where nothing else mattered. Having and knowing Christ as his Savior and Lord greatly surpassed anything that he could ever own, experience or know through his former life in organized religion. The box was no longer capable of containing his passionate desire to live and die for a cause and a purpose greater than himself. The comparisons would never, even through eternity, balance out or become equal.

"…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to this death." – Paul already knew Christ as his Savior. But now he wanted to know Him more intimately as his Lord. "To know" means to know by experience.

This craving and desperate longing in Paul's life would never be satisfied through the mere attendance of religious services or the adherence to prescribed social, cultural or pious behaviors and norms… he was way beyond any of those things. He was way past the point of return in his devotion and commitment to serving and knowing Christ. In essence, the Apostle Paul's personal mission statement could very well have read; "I want to do something with my life that will cost me something in the way of personal sacrifice. For I cannot and will not live to merely exist."

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." – Philippians 1:21

“Please, don’t come here for Christmas.”

Paulo Vitor, affectionately called, "PV" by his Master's Commission Brasil teammates has spent the last two and a half days in the hospital after suffering through a series of epileptic seizures within a very short period of time. Friday evening alone he suffered a total of four seizures; the same night of MC's annual Christmas party that signaled the official winter break offering three weeks of freedom.

At a tender eight years old, Paulo Vitor was left at the front door of a restoration home for street boys and has not seen anyone in his family since. He has struggled with self-worth and believed that the color of his skin and his background were impossible barriers to overcome. Now at 23 he continues to work hard at overcoming the insurmountable social and cultural realities that demand he stays in his social class based only on the fact that he was born in a slum and the color of his skin.

As the time grew closer for the Christmas break, Paulo Vitor with anxious excitement told everyone who would listen he was going to visit his auntie that he had not seen since he was a small child. Finally, he thought, there was a connection to family.

Paulo Vitor's episodes of seizures began this past Tuesday and are being credited to hearing from his only known relative, "Please don't come here for Christmas." – As he received this disappointing news, Paulo Vitor weeping bitterly dropped the cell phone as he slumped to the floor. "I've known 'PV' for twelve years growing up together in the Restoration House", said Sidney Pereira. "Never have I seen him cry; not once", he continued after holding "PV" with brotherly affection while he wept uncontrollably.

Paulo Vitor's life is a story of rejection and abandonment if not for the compassionate ministry of Youth With A Mission – Belo Horizonte. Few people doubt Paulo Vitor would still be alive today if not for YWAM. – Another miracle in itself is the fact that he is now in the Master's Commission Brasil ministry training.

Paulo Vitor's" life would be an extremely more difficult and miserable story to tell if not for the faithful support of people committed to the spiritual development of young adults. It would be far more complicated than simply helping him work through the present disappointment of hearing, "Please don't come here for Christmas". – In spite of the odds working against him, Paulo Vitor is learning how to believe God has a great plan for his life. He has earned the respect of his peers for his consistent walk with the Lord, his diligence to every task and assignment and has grown tremendously in confidence and relationships.

With the Lord's help Paulo Vitor is going to work his way through this disappointment as he has already worked through others. But it makes a tremendous difference when friends like you take it upon yourself to actively participate in another person's life. The difference in Paulo Vitor's life has been you. Will you continue to give so that Paulo Vitor and others like him will have the opportunity of escaping the complex realities of not only being born in poverty, but born in a society and culture where being Black automatically works against you? Please continue to send your financial support to MCUMI Brasil – PO BOX 279512 – Sacramento, CA 95827-9512 or DONATE NOW using Pay Pal's secure on line service. The difference is a life transformed.

Prosperity: "A Key to Wealth"

“… where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that they must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.” – Acts 14:22 NLT

What we see here is that the discipleship training given by Paul and Barnabas very specifically included some rather harsh realities that we don’t often hear about in our post modern Christianity. There is no doubt whatsoever that their preaching embraced a message of prosperity and blessing; the difference however, is that their message of prosperity was accurately founded in the context of eternity, opposed to what so many “believers” are being fed these days, “prosperity in the context of birth and death while living on this planet.

Today’s definition of Christian prosperity lands frighteningly close to the adage which proclaims, “He who dies with the most toys wins”, which if we’re honest, we know isn’t true at all. In fact, these two realities of “prosperity” are not even found in the same universe. So that’s probably why Paul and Barnabas were not in the least shy to stress to the new believer’s understanding, “they must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.” – Geepers! That doesn’t sound very nice at all. Why did they need to add such unwelcome news to the New Believers Class? Ouch!#@$!&^*! – Why didn’t they just come right out and say, “He who dies with the most toys just might end up loosing and become a likely candidate go to hell”? How’s that for being blunt?

But, let me briefly argue my point. I don’t think that it was so much that Paul and Barnabas were insisting that we must enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations as a result of their own perverted reasons for wanting to see Christians suffer. Golly, that was hardly the case at all. What I suspect they were saying was that not only must we enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations, but that we should actually expect and anticipate tribulation and persecution as a normal and essential component in our journey of faith. – If anyone knew what they were talking about, certainly the Apostle Paul did.

The misnomer is caused as we have redefined the description of prosperity to mean; the condition of being successful or thriving; especially economic well-being; which works fine for those outside of the body of Christ, but creates enormous conflict for those of us trying to live for God. Prosperity defined in Paul and Barnabas’ new believer’s class actually had very little to do with a person’s title on their door, six-digit incomes, multimillion dollar suburban tents with large screen TV's and camels with turbo prop enginess strapped to the rear hump.

The prosperity taught by Paul and Barnabas was about intimacy with God and being aligned with His purposes and will for one’s life… and that included suffering, personal cost and sacrifice (aka: “many tribulations”). What we see in this passage is that Paul and Barnabas correctly taught that “kingdom people” will experience trials, suffering and not always an instant victory. God did not promise a life without struggle. In truth, this text reminds us that victory only comes through battle, and triumph only follows trials.

And “many tribulations” is not because God doesn’t want us to have stuff; Jesus already explained in Matthew 6:32 that God already knows about our need for stuff. But instead, in His sovereign will and wisdom, it has been so appointed that we enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations. The truth be told, there is no remedy for this appointment, the matter is already fixed and cannot be altered. It is a part of God’s sovereign plan that has already determined that for all who would live godly in Christ Jesus, would experience tribulation. But why? Why is that necessary? That’s probably the most essential question to be answered if the church in America has any hope to right its current course of self-absorbed preoccupation with none other than itself.

With the current message of prosperity, what’s being left out is the part about a disciple's responsibility to take up their cross daily. When we signed up to live for Christ these were the terms that we agreed on; when we sat down and counted the cost, it was a part of the deal. The difference is, Paul and Barnabas told their disciples up front about this requirement…. many Christians in the USA have yet to be told that their experience in Christ will by necessity include many tribulations.

And it doesn’t matter what rank you’re entitled to in the body of Christ, it is the reality of both leaders as well as the soldiers in Christ’s army to experience many tribulations in their journey through this earthly life. Paul even reminds us in his letter to the Thessalonians when he wrote: “so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4. – And, let us not forget that our own Savior did not expect from the apostles any harder service than what He himself experienced, and neither did the apostles expect from the early believers.

Concerning prosperity, the rest of the story that desperately needs to be told is that it is entirely true that we must count upon many tribulations, with the encouragement that proclaims we will get through it. A balanced view on prosperity will proclaim that our tribulations are a type of Red Sea, and that the Lord will open a way through it, for us to pass over.

Prosperity in the context of eternity allows for Christians to go down into trouble, but because of our God, we will come up again. We shall not only get through it, but get through it into the kingdom of God, which is of a much higher priority and value than merely being blessed in the abundance of material stuff, safety and comfort. – The truth is “many tribulations” have more to do with the reshaping and redefining of our character which determines the outcomes of our eternity. – I think from an eternal perspective, God actually knows what He’s doing by allowing us to experience “many tribulations”. Isn’t it about time we adjust our program to His?

More Money Won’t Fix The REAL Problem!

When traveling through a developing country like Brasil some things quickly become very obvious; as an example, with the enormous social problems that exist, the simplest answer foreigners think of first is "more money!" Over the years I have painfully learned that although more money would be good, it definitely won't fix the problem.

More money would definitely help the thousands upon thousands of children living homeless on the streets; begging, stealing, robbing and prostituting themselves for enough spare change to buy their next meal… but ultimately it still truly won't fix the problem.

More money could definitely help change out the dirt floors and add some glass to the square holes that are supposed to be windows where millions of families call home. More money would probably put some essential furniture in the house too, like real mattresses and blankets, running water and electricity that's not stolen from nearby power lines… but ultimately it really won't fix the problem.

Americans should already know,… more money really won't fix the problem.

Sad to say, but the material possessions Americans consider lack and poverty would be considered great wealth too many people living in third world scenarios. But even if we could give away all the extra "junk" tucked away in our garages and rented storage units, it still won't fix the problem.

"Well, what will fix the problem?" you might ask. "What's the point?" - My point is simply this, Brasil like any other country needs a spiritual awakening to God's call to be holy and blameless. And right now, all over the world we are seeing people who are hungry and desperate not for more money or more "stuff"… but for what's real and lasting. With a lot of "stuff" in the way, it's hard to see, but nonetheless, an exciting revival is taking place in some of the most unlikely and impoverished countries around the world.

With a firsthand view we are seeing people laboring hard to change their social and economic conditions… but we also see literally thousands who are coming into a true knowledge of their need for God's love and forgiveness that is bringing a genuine and lasting prosperity that money will never be able to buy.

For a lot of Brasilians, the real issue is way beyond economic bankruptcy. A casual glance at the history of Brasil would quickly reveal the spiritual breaches and social comprises that have ultimately lead to poverty and bondage of every imaginable sort. The only true answer is to return to God.

But here is my main point: "Regardless the incredible wealth of the USA, because of our spiritual breaches and moral-social comprises, are we too headed into poverty and bondage of every sort? Money obviously does not make people love God more… we of all people should already know that.

We’re Interrupting Their Dysfunction

Your partnership with Master's Commission Brasil is literally interrupting the cycles of dysfunction in the lives of hundreds of children every week. It's like this: the realities of racism and discrimination here in Brasil are significant considering the vast majority of people living in some of the world's ugliest and most dangerous slums are of African descent… in other words, they're black!

Although the typical Brazilian would argue the issue of racism and discrimination, mostly based on their personal feelings regarding race and ethnicity, the overwhelming fact is clear that these social ills exist in abundance despite their denials. And it would take less than 30 seconds to prove my point. Simply look around. Who is driving cars and who is pulling recycle wagons through the streets? Who is sitting in offices and who is sweeping the streets for less than $2 a day? – Advertising billboards silently remind people at every glance what "tone" is most important. Take a peek into any restaurant and you'll almost never see a "black" couple enjoying the savors of Brazilian cuisine. And to help any of you get beyond my definition of racism; let's simply call it "a black child's reality". Ok? Forget my use of the word "racism".

So what's the point? Is it to prove that Brazilians are racists and segregationist? Nope! That's not the point. The point is that millions of children growing up in Brasilian slums have not only the curse of poverty to contend with, but the fact that they are Black makes their likelihood of escaping the cycles of dysfunction even more impossible, if not for God. And that's where Crianças com uma Promessa is working to make a difference.

Through the Crianças com uma Promessa program, we are working to transform the lives of children in the poorest communities of Brasil. Our focus on helping children transcend the cycles of limited opportunity is accomplished through developing them into morally grounded, English speaking, and academically accomplished young adults. The fact that they are Black is inconsequential to our commitment to working with the poorest children in the Brazil… we'd do the same if they were all white children; but the reality is that they're not. And we are attempting to describe this social reality with you because we desperately need your help and the willingness to acknowledge that our world is filled with historical proof that racism is real; and that together for these children we can make a difference.

A Strategy that Equalizes

A central part of the Crianças com uma Promessa program provides children the opportunity to learn English from our native speaking interns. These are children who without a solid education or college degree are destined to repeat the cruel cycles of poverty and dysfunction associated with poor communities. We believe that by learning English children will be able to take advantage of surging employment opportunities through their ability to speak English as a second language.

Can we count on you to support our ministry every month? – With the question of destructive racism in Brasil, I am very much up to a debate; but that debate must take place here in Brasil; in the middle of a real favela (slum) where we are going to be escorted by gun-toting mostly Black teenagers willing to allow you the opportunity of visiting their reality. – Oh, there's no need to be afraid… they won't hurt us… they're our English students.