Two Window's of Poverty

Reposted:

Today we faced more experiences of life’s realities outside of the United States as our team ministered to children playing in a slum neighborhood just outside the city.

As the van slowly made its way through the narrow bumpy dirt roads, one of our American students mumbled aloud, “our dogs live better than these people”. Likewise in appalling poverty, most of the homes had nothing more than dirt floors, windows without glass and maybe, just maybe, running water. The wires dangling from house to house provided “borrowed” electricity from the city.

For the residents of this slum neighborhood it’s a very rare occasion to have visitors from the USA, so obviously our team was an interesting sight for them, especially when we shared dramas and music in their native language, Portuguese. And in spite of our inability to speak fluent Portuguese, our team confidently reached out with the love and encouragement of Jesus, a universal language of love that is not bound by borders or language barriers.

As I thought about this experience, I began to realize that for anyone who has never experienced this level of poverty, their first reaction would probably be a sense of hopelessness and despair. However, our experience brought us to a place of hope after meeting some of the most wonderful and warm people we’ve ever me before. It was simply amazing.

From our perspective, these people were hopelessly poor beyond imagination. But the truth is, we were amazed to learn that because of God’s love and acceptance, they were satisfied, content and filled with a level of joy that is strengthened in the face of wicked poverty.

As I looked out into a slum of more than 100,000 people, I tried to make sense of it all. “How in the world can these people live like this,” my heart asked. And just like God, He spoke very quietly to my heart, “Richard, these people need nothing you have to have all of me.” Wow! What an incredible revelation. For those residents that know and love God, their reality is simply - God is sufficient.

As we left the slums, I understood very clearly that I couldn't change their living, social or economic situation. All I could give them was the dignity and respect they deserve as God’s creation.

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

It’s as complex as it looks!

With some degree of risk I took this photo inside one of the biggest, most dangerous and complicated slums I’ve ever been in. I was “hiding” when I snapped this shot because camera-carrying Gringos are not necessarily trusted or welcomed in this world where police seldom drive through.

Last week with part of our MC team, we utilized public transportation to get an inside look at this slum community where city officials estimate up to 160,000 people survive everyday.

It was complicated trying to wrap my brain around living conditions that are surrounded by opposing gangs, sewerless streets, windows without glass and doors that maybe shouldn’t be called doors. Bouncing inside the bus while trying to reconcile with my brain and emotions what my eyes so clearly saw, I wondered how in the world could I effectively describe this to you?

For Master’s Commission Brasil, this world is our classroom. From this difficult reality are we working to help transform the lives of young adults willing to learn about themselves, about our amazing God and a global responsibility to love and serve people living in unbelievable conditions as reflected in this photo.

The reason why I’m attempting to describe what is undoubtedly impossible to describe, is simply because it is your financial support and prayer that makes Master's Commission Brasil work. Without you we’ll be heading back to the suburbs.

Thanks for helping us stay here doing what we do. You and your loved ones are very welcomed to visit. We’ll make sure that you do the bus ride that we believe will change your life.

Saying Goodbye, Goodbye and Goodbye

Saying Goodbye again doesn’t get any easier the second time, we recently learned after visiting family and friends in the United States. And it certainly wasn’t any easier saying Goodbye to Rebekah, daughter number three, who we left behind for her first year of college.

It had been exactly two years since we had all of our precious children together in one place, and after enjoying a few days visiting Washington, D.C., we said Goodbye to our oldest daughter Randi who is on a serious job hunt after graduating in June with her masters in Sociology. She stayed. The rest of the family said Goodbye to her and traveled on to California.

Jocelyn and I feel fortunate to have spent three wonderful days in San Diego with daughter number two, Aravis, who recently graduated with degrees in Journalism and English Literature. Because she enjoys the climate and culture of San Diego, we were forced to say yet another difficult Goodbye.

And in order to say Goodbye again, we spent the evening before our departure at my mom and dad's house with family and friends. Jocelyn's mom was there for another opportunity for us to say Goodbye again. There were lots of warm embraces and Goodbyes that evening.

Also traveling with us was our granddaughter Sadye who is growing and changing faster than we can comprehend. – We had to say our Goodbyes to her with Rebekah at the airport. And speaking of Goodbyes, just moments before we boarded our flight, my mom raced to the terminal with a fresh batch of homemade cookies. Yummy! But again, more Goodbyes... these Goodbyes came with tears.

We are learning by experience that saying Goodbye will probably never be a cherished word in our vocabulary. Not in English, nor in our second language, Portuguese, “Tchau”. – There’s something about saying Goodbye that just doesn’t fit right. Goodbye. Geez… that word doesn’t have a warm-touchy-feely feel, does it? Goodbye.

And although it wasn’t our final Goodbye, we also said Goodbye to Gustavo, 20, a former street boy who spent his teenage years living in a house for ex-street children in Belo Horizonte. Gustavo entered Master’s Commission Brasil in the same month that we arrived and has matured to a point which enable him to travel with our family. Because he has worked hard to learn enough English to effectively communicate in most circumstances, he was able to enjoy an extra three weeks in the USA with former Master’s Commission students who have previously traveled to Brazil with us. – That was a great Goodbye!

Can Squirrels have high blood pressure?

It’s at least 5am and I am sitting on the edge of a bed in Washington, D.C. watching a squirrel dance from limb to limb with effortless ease in an ancient oak tree. As I observe his squirrely antics, I wondered to myself, “What’s that little guy thinking about while he bounces about with what appears to be a gentle grin on its face,reflecting the joy of the Lord?” – I wonder, do little guys like my friend the squirrel inherit stuff like mental disorders or high blood pressure, because from the window I’m looking through, a squirrel’s life looks a lot easier than mine.

As for me and my siblings, high blood pressure was a condition that was genetically and generously passed on at birth…. for us there was no need to work hard for it to show up; it’s always been there like a shark circling in the waters waiting for its moment to strike its prey.

And so here I sit on the edge of a bed at the crack of dawn with my blood pressure slightly elevated, staring out the window at a squirrel and wondering if he or she knows it has high blood pressure. – Thankfully my family does NOT have a history of mental disorders.

But on the serious side (and the bit about the squirrel was definitely serious), I do suspect that at this moment my blood pressure is elevated most likely because I was laying awake trying to work my way through what feels like a gazillion details for continuing the growth and expansion of Master’s Commission in Brazil. There’s no doubt it’s a daunting project and thankfully in the two years since arriving we have experienced wonderful and exciting progress. But, there is still so much more that needs to be done. Yet, in contrast to the enormous needs, we can also remember the many people whose lives we can point to as proof positive that good things are happening. The favor of the Lord has indeed been with us.

Finally, in the physical realm I must continue to effectively manage this curse of high blood pressure, and unfortunately it’s deciding to stay with me. And in the spiritual realm with the continued prayers and sacrificial financial support from family and friends, we are going to continue our efforts to express the love of God to as many people as we can…. and hopefully we can do it with a similar sense of ease as my friend the squirrel.

Please read Matthew 6:19-34

What? – A Segregated English Class?

We are ever learning the realities of living within a nation divided by distinctions of social-economic and racial class. It's a complicated reality where most Brasilian citizens seem to easily avoid confusing the invisible boundary lines. Here in Brasil we have discovered the subject of social class distinctions are easily out maneuvered, because somehow every one seemingly accepts their assigned class positions, regardless the benefits or lack thereof.

For reasons we yet don't fully understand, we live on a street that has an unusual mix of both social-economic classes, which is actually kind of weird because judging by their homes and professions we are very curious as to how some of these families have escaped the nearby slum neighborhood. In the context of social-economic class segregation, what on earth are they doing living on "our" street?

In the meantime, while we look for opportunities to discover how they've escaped from the slums, we thought it a brilliant idea to offer all of the kids on our street free English lessons (our way of being good neighbors). Great idea! Right? … we thought so too, especially since we know people are willing to pay premium fees for native English speakers; and especially for the eight displaced slum children whose parents are barely able to put enough food on the table. English lessons for these children could be their ticket out of the lowest social class bracket.

But sadly we've learned that our generous offering for free English lessons won't work for all of the children on our street. – Why not? Why can't all of the children on our street attend the weekly class? – Because it will require us to conduct two completely segregated classes mirroring the social-economic class realities of Brasil. And it seems we may be the only people who care.

So for now, because teaching segregated English lessons are impossible to our minds, we will continue offering free lessons for whichever children come first. Fortunately for them, the children whose parents recycle trash showed up first, and by default the unspoken societal rules means they own the class. And without the slightest hint of objection the middle and upper class kids have completely disappeared. Go figure!

While some of our Brasileiro friends either admire our efforts, others giggle at our naivety. Although we refuse to feel stupid for even trying, we are saddened by such harsh realities in the year 2009. – To live and die without enjoying the benefits of the most basic of equal opportunities is a horrible reality for any child born into poverty. – Because of your prayer and financial support we know of at least eight children on our street that will be given an opportunity to learn English. Your money really does matter.

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.

A Wasted Christian Life

Having recently journeyed through eleven USA states, I've noticed that even in the midst of our economic collapse it appears that a significant number of Christians have yet to engage God through a genuine brokenness, repentance, and humility. It's almost as though they are living in total denial that their "In God We Trust" fortunes are vanishing live vapor… which leads me to conclude that one of the saddest sights of this world is a wasted Christian life.

As unbelieving as this may seem, there continues to be a preoccupation with building what I affectionately call, "Tribute to God" fortunes and an unyielding pursuit for the things of this world… namely wealth, homes, cars and comfort. For example, it can be arguably discussed that the recent surge in church attendance has come more as a direct result of a fear of losing jobs, homes and investment accounts instead of from a genuine need of God.

The litmus test is really simple; where were these same people before the crisis? Why wasn't God good enough then? Please don't misunderstand; I am in no way questioning any believer's salvation. Nope! Not at all. It's only by the grace of God that any of us have any chance of hope. However, there are two distinctly different kinds of Christians: those who walk by faith and those who walk by sight. The Bible clearly tells us that those believers whose lives are more dictated by sight are ultimately wasting an otherwise supernatural Christian life.

Abraham

Consider Abraham who is called the father of our faith who demonstrated through his life that the more he knew God, the less he was interested in the world and its offerings. With a simple study of his life we will discover that over the course of his life, little by little, he was being separated unto God. The catalyst that worked in his life is the same principle always at work in our lives that demonstrates becoming separate "to" something will also always require separation "from" something. A wasted Christian life is the life that fails to become separate from the world and to God.

I'm wondering if maybe this entire economic crisis has been God ordained to jump start the separation process? If we live out our days here on earth without effectively being separated to God, will that not be a wasted Christian life or what? "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 1 Corinthians 6:17

Gustavo's Story - so far

By Jocelyn Moore

I’ve known Gustavo for half of his life – the better half - meeting him almost ten years ago on our first Master’s Commission missions trip to Brazil. We stayed in touch – visiting the Restoration House for ex-street boys where he lived and sending cards and letters. He has become very special to our family – having brother status - and is now an important part of our Brazilian team as a second year Master’s Commission student. Watching the growth in his life this year reminds me of why we are here and that all of the challenges we’ve faced and are still facing are completely worth it. I am so proud of Gustavo and want to introduce him to you through excerpts of his story that are part of a book project about the lives of our remarkable Brazilian Master’s Commission students who are not allowing the deprivation of their pasts to determine their future, but are being used by God to inspire and bring hope to others.

The city of Contagem, forty-five minutes west of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, is the second most populated city in the state with over a half-million residents. It was in this city that Maria Aparecida gave birth to her first child, Gustavo Felipe Juventino, on April 19th, 1989, when she was just fourteen years old…. A few days after his birth, she took Gustavo to her mother’s house and left him there with his grandmother, Dona Laura, in a tiny three-room house with her nine brothers and sisters. Gustavo did not see his mother again until he was twelve.

Dona Laura’s house was an old brick structure that stood isolated near the borders of a favela. There was no front door, so they had an old couch that they stood on end against the doorway at night. There were no lights – no electricity at all – so the family spent their evenings in darkness. Gustavo slept in a tiny room with his grandmother while his aunts and uncles, all nine of them, shared another bedroom.

Gustavo - a year younger than his uncle Wanderson and almost ten years younger than the others - was Dona Laura’s favorite, a fact that caused jealousy among her children and led to them abuse him when she was absent. His grandmother protected Gustavo when she was at home, but as Dona Laura had to work for twelve hours a day and left her grandson in the care of his aunts and uncles, he experienced their jealousy through frequent beatings. What further escalated their rage was the effect of the drugs and alcohol that were constantly in the house.

Dona Laura worked as a zeladora or janitor at a Catholic school in Contagem. Feeding eleven on a zeladora’s salary was inadequate and the family was often hungry. Gustavo remembers a time that when there was nothing to eat for three days, so his uncles – knowing that young children are not viewed as a threat and can more easily gain compassion, sent him door-to-door to the homes of neighbors to ask for food…

… The most defining characteristic of the home Gustavo remembers as a young child was anger. Anger was the underlining attitude in every family transaction, ….The stress of poverty, blended with deprivation, drugs and alcohol was a recipe for conflicts that created misery - especially for those too young to fight back. Gustavo and Wanderson, in efforts to escape the small house where an annoyance from the younger boys stirred up the wrath of the older, spent their days running the streets of the neighborhood unsupervised…

… Life with his older relatives became increasingly difficult for Gustavo and his cousin Wanderson. Gustavo knew that he couldn’t take it anymore, the anger he experienced everyday had made residence in his heart and tormented him in a way that made life unbearable. When anyone looked at Gustavo, he was quick with a harsh remark. At seven years old, Gustavo and his eight-year-old uncle Wanderson made an impulsive decision. They took a bus, free for young children, and escaped to the bairro of Eldorado just 30 minutes away to begin their lives as meninos de rua – street kids.

Brazil has an estimated 10 million children, some as young as four-years-old, who make the streets their home. Like Gustavo and Wanderson, many are fleeing intolerable home situations and see a life on the streets as their only option to improve their lives. Others leave to escape the pressure and violence of the gangs in the slums that recruit young boys who are too young to be prosecuted. Children may even be seduced by the ideal of freedom from rules and curiosity of the larger world outside of a tiny barraco - home- in a favela. What these children in their desperation do not take into account are the dangers of street life and the many people who are quick to exploit unprotected children… (End of excerpt).

After three years on the street, Gustavo ended up at the YWAM Restoration House in Belo Horizonte where I met him and he immediately secured a special place in my heart.

It’s fun to watch Gustavo working with children in church settings and in outreaches. He is passionate in ministering through drama and is patient with teaching new team members. Gustavo’s English is good enough to help with translating and he has grown in areas of responsibility. As I write this, he is the team leader of our MC group who’ve been ministering at a church camp for the past few days. Gustavo has two dreams – to go to college to study physical education and to run a Restoration House for street kids. We are committed to setting up opportunities for our MC students to be stretched in situations that enlarge their world and help them gain valuable experiences that will prepare them for the call that God has for their lives.

We think that Gustavo is ready for an opportunity to increase his fluency in English and receive training in working with children and youth through a trip to the United States this summer. We would like to bring him with our family in June and have him attend some training conferences and camps while he is there. Richard is in the U.S. now and is working to secure some opportunities for Gustavo – and I’m looking for individuals or groups to help him get there. We need to raise about $2250 for his travel expenses for the summer – less if anyone wants to donate frequent flyer reward miles. We are still trusting God for the finances to bring our family to the U.S. this summer, but we want to believe for Gustavo too. If you would like to help with a donation of money or frequent flyer miles, we’d appreciate whatever God leads you to do. If you would like to hear more of Gustavo’s story and would like to invite him to share at your small group, church or youth group – please let me know so that we can set something up.

Even with the economic crisis, I have already seen God’s faithfulness and provision for our family and our team and I know it’s because His people trust His voice and respond. I pray that God is blessing you in your life, your family and your work and is using everything – even the challenges you’re facing – for His glory as you learn to more perfectly follow Him.

Deus e Fiel – sempre!
God is faithful – always!

Jocelyn

P.S. If you’d like to give a donation for Gustavo through Paypal – simply use the link on this page and leave a comment or email me to insure that it gets credited to his account. If you want to help with our trip (Richard, Jocelyn, Rebekah, Adriana, Sean or Chris) please indicate that too.
If you’d rather send a check – or you have miles to donate, please email me for our mailing address in the U.S.

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?

What's Your Reason?

No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without having behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.” – George Washington Carver

Ministry Reportback 2008 – MCBrasil

2008 was a year to remember… or for many a year to forget. In several ways our faith was challenged as we dearly missed our daughters, granddaughter, family and friends in the U.S, and along with other Americans, suffered serious financial challenges in both our personal lives and in trying desperately to raise support for the work here. Yet, we are grateful for the sacrificial giving of wonderful family and friends.

We are witnessing young people on our team, who were once on the streets, being transformed into beautiful mature adults, passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and beginning to experience some of their dreams being realized. Our team is back from a Christmas "summer break" in which most had opportunities to minister: Edinho and Everson in Bahia and other locations in the northeast of Brasil, Amanda and Suelem in Rio de Janeiro, Anderson in Suriname, Sidney in Africa and Gustavo and Paulo Vitor serving as volunteers in the Restoration House in Belo Horizonte. We are proud of the many different ways they engaged their training experiences to bless many people in places Jocelyn and I may never travel to.

We are grateful for the continued sacrificial giving of wonderful family and friends. We have come into 2009 with a strong assurance that we will see our expansion goals met as our family continues the adventure of following God with all that we've got. In this new year we'll need your prayers, love and continued support like never before. If you are not already a monthly sponsor, we could sure use your support as we enter a new and exciting expansion phase. - Please be encouraged and join us in praises to God as you read our Ministry Reportback 2008.

The Moore Family

Let's start out by saying, "Whew! We made it through 2008 with our lives intact!" At points we wondered if we'd make it, mostly because of our human emotions and moments that challenged our hearts and faith as never before. Moving to another country by itself is complicated enough, moving to another country to plant a discipleship ministry is complication on steroids. Yet, in spite of all of the difficulties, we discovered the grace and provision of God even greater than the moments when we felt circumstances would swallow us alive.

Our children on the other hand have walked through this transition with amazing resiliency and tenacity. We are proud of how quickly they have adapted to the culture and acquisitioned the language. As parents, we are always concerned about our decisions and how they will impact our children. We would never want to put them in a situation or circumstances that would in any way hinder especially their relationship with God.

For my birthday, our second daughter Aravis who attends college in San Diego wrote a "Tribute to Dad" that blessed us tremendously and helped us put this adventure into a proper context. – She wrote: I hope you know that, while some may call you and Mom's decision to move bad timing (with two daughters in college and two in high school), I think it's the best timing anyone could have hoped for. What better time to demonstrate a willingness to embark on a no-holds-barred, people-think-we're-crazy, this-is-absolutely-the-right-thing-to-do adventure than when your children are on the brink of choosing their own adventure? So, thank you for not using us as an excuse not to do what God was calling you to do. It might have been convenient, but what you've done is so much more valuable to all of us. It's valuable now, when we are still struggling through it, and it will be even more valuable later, when we can say that great things were accomplished because we were willing to let them happen. (Even at the expense of convenience.) Boy, I love how God loves us!

Cultural Realities

We are learning in real-time that the realities of social-economic racism and discrimination are very significant considering the vast majority of residents living in some of the worlds 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 the point. We need to simply look around. Who are the people driving cars and who are pulling recycle carts through the streets? Who are sitting in offices and who are sweeping the streets for less than $2 a day? – Advertising billboards silently remind people at every glance what "skin tone" is most the important. Take a peek into any restaurant and you'll almost never see a "black" couple enjoying the savors of Brazilian cuisine. That is simply the reality that we are learning to work in.

And what makes this work such a daunting task is the fact that because of these social-economic realities, the social classes will not mingle (literally), particularly in social settings, including and especially at church. Hang onto your hat, but where it has been attempted, middle-class church members have been known to emphatically state that their children "will not", under any circumstances participate in ministry programs with children from the poorer communities. – Sad… but reality. And in many instances, the cultural mindset of many leaders in ministry supports this kind of social segregation. No, they're not "bad" people. It's just that it's been the normal standard for decades, and Brasilians are not known to fight for issues of social justice. So, if you happen to be among the "haves" opposed to the "have nots", everything is wonderful. "Hey, what's the problem? Life is good."

So, our ministry challenge among the poor is huge, because as we often wonder amongst ourselves, "Who's church are we going to invite these people to?" - That is a huge part of our daily reality. Ministering to people by the hundreds is not hard at all… it's getting them into a healthy church where they can be nurtured and cared for is more the dilemma. – There are millions of children growing up in Brasil who 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. Trying to build a bridge for the church is a huge and daunting task that we believe God will not let us fail. (Note: obviously a huge concern for your prayers.)

MCBrasil Students

Our hope and confidence continues to be inspired whenever we see our students. They are enjoying wonderful growth in every area for which we credit them learning how to apply to their lives both personal and spiritual disciplines. Most of the Brasilian students have very difficult and in some instances tragic stories to tell about their childhood and teenage years. The social-economic conditions that exist here are brutal and unforgiving. In almost every case, these young people, barely in their twenties, have seen and experienced far more than we could ever imagine. The realities of their world are very different than most people living in the USA.

But in spite of the harsh realities of being born and raised in Brasilian slums, every one of our students have worked hard and are enjoying the benefits of their efforts, especially in the area of learning English. In addition to their personal and spiritual development, their ability to apprehend English will be the difference maker for their future lives.

Enhanced Partnership Expansion

And as a direct result of our student's success, we are now enjoying the opportunity to enter into the next phase of our planned expansion for Master's Commission in Brasil. This next phase which has already begun reflects our efforts over the last three years to identify and unite the best practices of at least two other distinct ministry organizations for the benefit of discipling and training young adults. As will be published soon in a new website, we have embarked upon a powerful partnership in Belo Horizonte, a city of 6 million people, combining some of the most effective strategies involving discipleship, mercy ministries, cell group ministry, and leadership principles. We have now permanently repositioned part of the team to Belo Horizonte for this exciting expansion phase. A second move with the rest of the team will be completed in the next six months.

We have the distinct honor of being the lead architects of this project which intentionally focuses on the total outcomes of every student's discipleship and training experience. This intentional focus inherently forces the total partnership to re-think its training strategies and priorities, by placing a greater value on the intended outcomes for every student.

Jocelyn and I were recently evaluating the curriculum of all three organizations and are very impressed by the quality of the total combined curriculum's. Talking with other friends in ministry, we don't know of another project of its kind. The outcomes promise to be powerful and life changing.

Immigration and Visas

Unfortunately as the USA's international relations in many countries continue to become more complicated as each day passes, so does the processes and requirements for bringing American students to Brasil for long term training. We have discovered that the immigration processes faced by Americans are not universally applied to other nations. For an example: we have a student from Canada who was processed with the same exact documents in less than seven (7) days, while the process for our American students has in some cases dragged on for seven months. As you might imagine this is extremely frustrating and disheartening for most young people. Because of this we have lost several students.

To address this difficulty, we have tried several different angles to engage senior consulate diplomats in order to highlight our history and involvement with Brasil, especially with former street children and the number of young people who have been able to spend two-years in the United States with us. – Every Brasilian with knowledge of immigration procedures all agree that our argument for relaxed visa standards is certainly worthy of notice.

Recently our own Congressman, Dan Lungren has graciously agreed to assist our efforts to engage the office of our US Ambassador to Brasil to help us find a permanent solution to our immigration and visa needs. In my email request to the congressman, I stated that we believe it is necessary to knock on the front doors of senior Brasilian diplomats requesting their assistance. Half joking, I suggested we knock first on the front door of Brasil's President Lula. (Hey, it doesn't hurt to ask!)

Wishful Thinking

Some "Wishful Thinking" ways that could dramatically change our day-to-day needs would be for MCBrasil to purchase two-homes or as many apartment units as possible that would serve as student housing and two VW 12-passenger vans. With housing and transportation being the greatest day-to-day ministry expenses, we would like to see a major miracle in these areas. A suitable 3-4 bedroom home would cost approximately US$80,000. – A moderately used VW van will cost approximately US$15,000.

Our Greatest Immediate Needs

In light of the global economic crisis, our greatest needs continue to be adequate funding and monthly support. This is especially difficult in the face of wonderful successes in almost every area. We continue to make significant progress with our discipleship strategies and ministry outcomes… and we are really excited and grateful for the many areas we can point to as successes. But, trying to gain ground fiscally continues to be a booger, especially since the global crisis has hit full blossom.

We are desperate for your continued prayers, replies to emails, and posted blog comments. Please don't stop. But, we are equally desperate for you to make a continued sacrifice of your financial gifts, even if it can be as little as $25 a month, especially in a country where the exchange rate is greater than a 2-to-1 ratio. Your $25 dollar gift becomes more than $55 in Brasil's currency. Now that's putting your money to good use!

You wonderful financial gifts can be mailed to: MCUMI, Inc. - PO Box 279512 - Sacramento, CA 95827-9512

Or you can give securely online using PayPal by visiting our website's Donate Now page. It's just that easy.

With your prayers and continued sacrificial giving 2009 promises to be a very good year in spite of the economic crisis. Any way we look at the challenge, God is still in control.

With our love and appreciation,

Richard and Jocelyn Moore - Master's Commission Brasil

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