Exposing the Re-Bar

To fix this house/community center, one first has to break away the walls to expose the rebar. I am given a hammer and chisel. So I Chisel away the many layers of cement and rock. Hours go by, and it has seemed like I’ve done so little when you look at the work the whole house needs. I do look down in despair at times and wonder is it worth salvaging this broken house, regardless I am still chiseling. It is in a man’s patience that his work can be shown. It’s in the patience I found in prayer while chiseling the stone. I am a chiseler, I am exposing the re-bar so that someone wiser can cement.

Don’t lose hope, and have faith. This is a strange uphill battle. “This is the good fight,” I tell myself. Every day in the Favela it has become clearer how this crack epidemic is ruling the Favela. How far off a lot of these people have gone. Its troubling to see a 13 year old who spends all his time on the steps as a look out for the dealers, this is his whole life now until he dies. We say hi to him but he’s too busy getting high as well. Each time we pass by, and we have to pass by them, It seems like the dealers have a new recruit. They have the Favela on lock down. How do you stop something this BIG!? How do you tell people life isn’t just about getting high, having sex, getting drunk? “WHATS GOING ON GOD?” And so in my prayers I can hear a voice inside me telling me to calm down, and grab the hammer and chisel away.

I met a man and woman from the USA. Alex and Lindsay. A really nice couple out doing the tourist thing. Alex actually has helped out a lot in the Favela. He works side by side with Joao(the worker) Fabio(the man from the Favela) Br.Francis, and I. It’s really good to see people giving up there time to help out, a cause. Alex is an Atheist, but something inside him is motivating him to help others, I would say God but he probably thinks otherwise. Regardless of what we both think he believes in the cause somewhat. So he is fighting the good fight. Alex Lindsay and I spend some nights talking, discussing the situation in the Favela, they are good people.

Fabio is teaching the boys from the Favela, who are part of the youth group, to play guitar. This Wednesday was his first class, and I showed up just in time. I busted out a few songs and well let’s just say the boys were impressed. Fabio and I are thinking of having the boys play at church. It’s tough to even get these kids go to mass on Sunday, but the Lord helps us find a way.

I’m trying desperately to learn to play soccer. The other day I was goalie, and well the ball was not very friendly to this man. I am trying, and I’m having fun, this Saturday we will be going out to the beach with the youth group, so hopefully I don’t get run over by the kids. My Portuguese has improved and people are taking time to speak to me. I just acquired a Portuguese professor her name is Ana she is 11 yrs., and she teaches me and speaks with me, at her parents’ house.

It’s tough, I’ve never had to actually deal with a community like this. There are people that want change, and there are those that would care less. I’m here for a reason, and it’s not for despair, it’s for hope, it’s for faith, and love. Too many times we walk a tight rope, and we constantly look down, look up for your cause, your hope, your faith, your God.