We spent 2 days at a school nearby that has 3 different schools during the day: one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one at night. There are 1,000 children who attend this school so they have to split up the day like this to accomodate so many children. We did our Christian-themed dances and skits with anti-drug, anti-sex, anti-violence messages and the kids loved them. In fact, I cracked up yesterday because during one of the skits, I was pretending to do drugs as part of the drama, and I had 3 girls around 12 years old shaking their fingers at me and saying "No!" So cute!
But earlier in the week, I spoke about drugs to the older kids...teens and pre-teens and asked for a show of hands of people who knew someone who does drugs. Almost every one of the 200 kids raised their hands and a few of them pointed to each other. You might think they were joking but the director says teen and pre-teen drug use is very common at that school.
At the end of our first presentation, a teen girl came up to me and asked if I know how what someone should do if they want to get off drugs. She said she has many friends on drugs and she wanted to help them. It was immediately apparent to me that she herself was on something as her eyes were only halfway open and even though I could't understand her Portuguese very well and had to use a translator (another girl on our team), I could tell she wasn't always coherent. I gave her some advice and talked to her for a bit. But she weighed on my mind for the next 2 hours as we were there. I suddenly hoped I would see her again that day. I did. I made a beeline for her as we were about to leave and found a Jesus bracelet in my purse and put it on her wrist and asked if I could pray for her. She said yes so I did. I'm so glad I saw her again and could pray for her. Her name is Camilla, if you want to pray for her as well. I hoped to post a pic of her and I but I will next time. Such a sweet girl!
Today we toured a small community hospital. The leader was so kind to tour us around each and every room and dept and speak with all the people who worked there. THAT would never happen in the USA! She explained the challenges with the lack of government support and the lack of medications. It seems like they have some good programs, though, as they do home visits, prevention, etc. I got to meet the social worker and the pediatric doctor and it made me miss working at my hospital in the US. :) Just a little.
Our leader felt strongly that we should pray over the people in the waiting area and give them a big abraço (hug). So we did this. With every single person in the waiting area. It was so cool. It reminded me of how back home at my hospital I was giving a tour of our hospital to 3 ladies and one lady I was touring joked that she would get sick because I had her follow me through the Emergency Dept waiting room. I think it was a joke, but it made me sad for her. I love how Brazilians are so compassionate and not so worried about germs. Relationships and people come first. It also reminds me of a time when I was on an Operation Smile trip in India and a nurse told me not to hug the kids because I might get lice. I said lice won´t kill me, but not hugging a child might.
Lastly, we went to the prison today. We weren't allowed in as the guards said it was too dangerous. So we all stood in a line outside and prayed over the prisoners, the guards, the police, the families of the prisoners, etc. And we prayed with many of the family members who were waiting outside to deliver towels, and treats, and soap for their loved ones through a tiny barred window. Many amazing conversations and people who needed to see love, not judgement. It was really great!
Amazing things happening! God is opening up so many doors and opportunities for us!! I am in total amazement at all we have done here in just a little over a week. Please keep us in your prayers. More opportunities. Open hearts. And have fun while we are doing it!! Thank you and God bless! Beijos!
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