Brazil

Brazilians are a diverse, energetic people, descended from native Indians, African slaves, European settlers, and immigrants from many other countries.  The only Portuguese-speaking country in South America, Brazil is a land alive with natural wonders, from stunning waterfalls and the Amazon rainforest to deserts, mountain jungles, and white-sand beaches.  It is the fifth largest country in the world and boasts the ninth richest economy. In spite of the natural resources and wealth of Brazil, the disparity between rich and poor is one of the largest anywhere. The city of Rio de Janeiro has approximately 9 million inhabitants, of which an estimated twenty percent live in relative to extreme poverty, primarily in the favelas (shanty towns) that crawl up the city’s mountainsides. 

WMF Brazil Vision Statement
We are called by God to offer a prophetic witness in the favelas and to those living there who struggle and suffer with drugs, poverty and violence. Our witness to the hope and transformation Christ brings is offered through ministries among the excluded and marginalized, especially children living on the streets. Our ministries include mentoring and modeling relationships, education and recreation programs, partnerships with local ministries and supporting the local church's mission to be a light to the community and the world.

Downtown Street Ministry
The WMF staff have been pursuing relationships with people in several areas of downtown Rio de Janeiro. They are in relationship with about 30-40 children, adolescents and young families who live on or frequent the streets. Ministry activities include playing games or soccer, coloring, reading Bible stories, leading worship and music, as well as conversing and praying. Once a week, the staff members bring lunch and have a time of prayer on the streets. WMF staff are praying about ways to deepen this ministry.

Favelas/Neighborhood Ministry and Relationships
WMF staff live in two neighboring favelas: Jacarezinho and Manguinhos. These neighborhoods are controlled by drug mafias which makes them dangerous places because of the frequent violent clashes between rival drug factions and the police. In spite of the dangers, WMF staff has been warmly welcomed into the communities. Life in the favelas is very relational and offers many opportunities to invest in the lives of neighbors and to assist in the ministries of local churches. WMF staff has developed mentoring relationships with children from the streets and local neighborhoods, and through the children we are being introduced to their families. Where prudent, staff attempt to assist with financial and other needs. 

Partner Ministries
Projeto Vidinha is a home for adopted and at-risk children and currently houses about 15 children between the ages of 4 and 18. WMF staff volunteer at the home, assisting with household chores, playing with the children, telling Bible stories, and offering tutoring in English, math, reading and other subjects.

In July, WMF Brazil started a sponsorship program for the children of the home. This offers needed financial assistance to Projeto Vidinha and supplies the children with necessities while also allowing for new friendships to develop between the supporting families and the children. Jenna Pashley joined the board of directors of Projeto Vidinha as the vice president in August. The youth group from a Manguinhos church is interested in volunteering and becoming involved in the lives of the children there – WMF hopes to have a special volunteer/mentorship program for these teenagers by the end of 2006.

Timonis is a Brazilian organization that works among favela communities and street populations, bringing Sunday school stories, music and art projects to needy children. Jenna Pashley volunteers once a week at its after-school program in Manguinhos.