"Hello, my name is Rafaela. I am from Brazil and I live in a city called 'Belo Horizonte' this is portuguese (my language) and means 'Beautiful Horizon' which suits my city, it really is a beautiful city. But underneath the beauty there is ugliness... let me tell you a bit about my story.
I am 18 years old, 19 next month, but as you can tell I don't look my age, most people say I look about 13... this is what drugs does to you. I have a little daughter, she lives with my mum, I don't see her because I live on the streets... this is what drugs does to you. I am alone, I have noone I can depend on... this is what drugs does to you. I sleep on the streets (when I sleep) and if I am lucky I can share someones shack with them to get a little protection from the cold of winter.. only if I am lucky... this is what drugs does to you. I work a lot, maybe 3 days straight without sleeping or eating much, I sell my body to pay for my addiction... this is what drugs does to you. I was pregnant last year and I lost my baby and now I think I am pregnant again... this is what happens when you are addicted to drugs. I am a drug addict. As you can see this city is not as beautiful as it's name. My life is pathetic."
* I have shared Rafaelas story above as if she was speaking. These are the things we know about her. I met Rafaela on my first day of 'work' here in the Rescue House as she came to our house for 'Dia de Beleza' Beauty day for the girls. Since then myself and my roommate/workmate have randomly been bumping into her in this huge city... coincidence, no, of God! She herself said the last time we saw her "Foi de Deus que voces me encontram" - It was of God that you found me!
Myself and Helen have not been able to forget about Rafaela, she has made a real impression on our hearts. One time when we talked with her about her daughter she cried telling us how her daugther doesn't even know her. I spoke with her about responsibilities and her daughter growing up with a mum. We talked about desrires and dreams. After this conversation she started to talk about wanting to return home, but for this to happen she will need to go to a rehabilitation home for about 9 months. She agrees she needs this. The last two weeks myself and Helen have made it our mission to really get along side her and see if this is what she wants, and if so to start the process.
Working with someone living on the streets, who works 3 days straight and is a drug addict is ... a challenge. The greatest one is to find her! Sometimes when we go looking for her it takes us two and half hours walking around the city, but God is able and we always find her before returning home.
I wanted to share her story for you to pray along with us. If you feel challenged, for you to put Rafaela on your heart and bring her before God. The next weeks will be difficult as we continue to try to make contact with her as often as is possible, to try to show her she is worth more and she is able to leave this lifestyle if she desires. We are going to try to do a family visit, get her a pregnancy test and start the process for a rehabilitation home for her. For this she needs many medical tests, psychiatrist test, psychologist test etc, and for these she needs identification with a photo which she doesn't have, and she needs an open place in one of the centres and £130 per month for 9months to pay for the rehab.
Challenges?? Yes, but I know God is able....
Ephesians 3:20
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
