We may not be able to choose how we die, but we can choose how we live.
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| While performing, we let the kids participate by wearing butterfly wings and dancing with streamers so they can be the star of the show. |
Hello everyone, I know its been a while since I posted, I just have not had any time to write lately. My family and I have been working in Southern Brazil and have been involved in many things. Isn't hope a beautiful thing? It is as the dawn to a cold night, as the rain to a dry land and as tinder that can spark a fire to flame. In this cold, dark world, it is hope, hope for what we do not see, that gives us breath, gives us life and in fact saves us (Rm.8:24).
With a word, a touch, an act to care, you can plant a seed of hope in the heart of another soul and perhaps turn someone back from falling over the edge of despair.
You start to listen, and then realize you can care. You start with a smile, and then realize you can say something to help someone. You do something small and then realize you can do so much more. You start with a seed, and then realize it has begun to grow and now you are changed forever. Long ago the Father, sent His Son to be Hope to a hopeless world. There is no greater purpose in life then to take this hope to the world. For now I'll leave you with some photos.
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Performing magic with my sisters in a down town park.
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My brothers performing a comedy act inside a women prison.
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| In this prison, we had to receive a request from the prisoners in order to be allowed to come in. This of course is very difficult since they have no idea what we do or who we are. We were allowed to talk to the gang leader through the bars and explain a bit. He reluctantly let us in and then by the time we left, he gave us each a huge hug, thanked us for coming and asked us to please come back. We were able to teach many things to these men. I will always remember talking one on one with a young man and seeing him grasp the thought of eternal life. That all he is dealing with now will be like a forgotten dream if he could come to know the Father. |
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| A large Capoeira group watched us perform a dance we do that incorporates the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira. After it they joined in and "played" with us in a large "Roda" (pronounced "hoda" meaning "circle" in which players take turns entering two at a time). |
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| This prison was really tough and it took a lot of work to reach the men. |
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| Evenings in the down town parks. |
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| Sometimes my favorite time is after we are done performing and we just spend time with the prisoners talking, trading stories and teaching them magic tricks or games. |
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| We were able to get the supplies, and install the plumbing for a number of patios. We taught a few of the prisoners how to do it and left them with supplies to do the rest. We used a pressure washer to clean all the walls and floor. The smell was horrible and it was a really gross job, but by the time we were done the smell was basically gone and the situation was ten times better. The men were so grateful. |
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| Saying goodbye is always tough. We get to walk out of those walls, and they do not. But I know that we leave them with something, or rather Someone, that can change them, and give them hope even in the walls. |
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| My family and I working with the social workers of a prison way out in the middle of nowhere. |
