As I look around me these days it is hard to continue on as if it is all normal! So many changes, big changes, lives lost. It all started a week or so before I was due to come home for Christmas break. One of guys (about 24yrs) on the streets who we had only known for a few weeks killed someone, right there where the kids stay. We don't know who it was. The killer went into hiding. Imagine his thoughts - he has just taken a life of someone and only over a pair of sunglasses.
Her minister informed us that she had made peace with God before she passed away - what a comfort to know she made this decision and is now with the Great I am, our Heavenly Father.
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| Layza is on the right (black tshirt) |
Shortly after this tragedy, came word from Brazil, one of the beautiful, precious teenage girls we worked with had died. In a fight with another girl, the other threw thinner (what they use to sniff) over Layza, and then set her on fire. She died three days later in the hospital. What suffering she must have passed through.
Upset, far away from the situation, still grieving the loss of Auntie Jean, I receive another email..... 14 yr old Gustavo (smiley, incredibly, precious Gustavo) has died. In a fight with his younger brother, over a girl, the younger pushed Gustavo, who fell and hit his head..... and that was the end of his short life.
One of my co-workers shared with me his last memory of Gustavo. It was the Friday before his death (Sunday), our team was worshipping with the kids on the street; Gustavo was singing with his hands raised and eyes closed, looking up to heaven. These moments we have with the kids are so special and so important. We never know when their last day may be.
Since returning to Brazil, I have felt very real, the loss of Gustavo and Layza on the streets. And have been shocked to hear that that was not the end. About 2 weeks ago, we heard of the death of Jonathan, a wonderful, bright teenager who was doing time for crime he committed, we had the privilege of meeting him in some of our English classes in the detention centre where he was. When they are coming to the end of their sentence they are allowed to return home on the weekends to visit family and then return on Sunday evening. Jonathan's mother told him not to come home as the death threat on his life was still very alive. Jonathan, didn't listen to his mother, he returned home and the mob came and killed him right inside his house....
As you listen to these teenagers talk and see and hear about the lives they live, it is of no surprise when a boy says, "25 years, I don't think I'll ever see 25." I heard this very sentence just a week ago. As cutting as it is to hear this phrase (and it's not the first time I have heard it), it's reality for these boys. But these phrases bring a wonderful opportunity to share about God's love for them; that the life they live doesn't have to continue this way - they can choose God and he will show them a way out. God has plans for these boys/girls that will take them far beyond the age of 25. And so,
"Also pray for us that God will give us opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ....Pray that I can speak in a way that will make it clear, as I should." Colossians 4:3-4
Pray for our team that we "grasp" every opportunity and that lives will be changes for the Glory of God.