Hello from Brazil,
We've been working in the slums of Fortaleza with the IRIS base here. IRIS actually has four mission bases in the nation of Brazil. This one in particular has about 30 young missionaries that are full time and we are all living together in community in one home. It has been such a huge honor for us to come along side them in the work they are doing. It is so powerful to see their heart for their own people and nation. The slum/favella we've been working in is named is "Oitao Preto"; which means Big black 8. (some sort of gang code). There are 300 murders a month in Fortaleza, mostly derived from the slums, making it the #7 most dangerous city in the world.
IRIS ministries is renting a home in the darkest part of this slum and is using it as a prayer house. It was once the home of a drug lord in the area, designed intentionally to be tall with wrap around deck on top in order to be able to watch the drug activity and monitor whenever cops were coming. This drug dealer was murdered and when this occurred the people of the slum kicked his family out. The family needed renters to cover their costs. This is how IRIS Fortaleza was able to get this building in Oitao.
They are now a lighthouse among the darkness using the building on a daily basis for worship, prayer and ministry. They've had several people get freedom from their lifestyles. One man is now an evangelist to his own people in this slum where he once used and dealt drugs. (We got to meet him and do street evangelism with him). Because of the work that's been done here, the children in this slum love Jesus and love being in the prayer house. It is a safe place where they matter and can be kids. It is beautiful how God uses what was bad and turns it for good.
The people in the slum are openly smoking and dealing crack as you drive in. If you don't have your windows rolled down for them to identify you from afar, you could get shot. If they know you are part of the prayer house, they honor you, and allow your passage in. They have a deep fear of the Lord and respect the work being done in their area. You can tell that all the intercession and worship being done in the house of prayer has laid such a foundation and granted the missionaries favor.
Door-to-door in crack dens:
The day we did door to door evangelism in the slum- Jake got to disciple a drug dealer seeking freedom. Jake shared his testimony of how Jesus set him free and the reality of God's love and relationship. This really ministered to the man. Jake prayed and prophesied over him and he felt the presence of God. He said he wants to continue to walk with Jesus and for this not to be a one time encounter. Rachel went down into the crack dens and prophesied over some of the gang leaders. As she shared God's heart for each one of them and the destiny he has for them, one by one, their demeanors shifted and you could see literal transformation of their faces. At their core, these aged, angry and addicted men are just young, hurting boys inside- looking for a belonging.
Days later a few of the men saw Rachel from afar and ran up to her smiling and waving. The transformation of their hearts was real. When Jesus calls out who we are designed to be; even while we are living out the opposite; we can't remain unchanged. When He lovingly calls out our true identity and the good He sees in us; it brings freedom and purpose to those who have lost all hope.
Red light district:
We've gotten to go twice now to the Red Light District here in Fortaleza. Prior to going the missionaries that lead this ministry call for intercession and sometimes fasting as well. It really makes it so that our time out on the streets/clubs is much more efficient. When we allow God to go before us and pave the way; it is so much easier! He does the work and prepares hearts and we just show up. Tuesday evening during intercession, Rachel saw a vision of a girl in a red dress and felt God say that this girl was struggling with stomach pain and anxiety. Another member of the team also saw a girl in a red dress. As we both shared this, Jake shared that weeks ago, while still in Mozambique, Africa, God had given him a vision of Rachel ministering to a prostitute in a red dress in the Red Light district. SO we had a triple confirmation of this and decided as we went out to the streets that we would be conscious to look for her.
The 1st evening we ministered primarily to transgender prostitutes on the streets. We held genuine conversations with them and in closing asked if they had any prayer requests and prayed with them, blessed them and hugged them. Jake shared his testimony and the Gospel with some of them and gave them tracks in Portuguese. The married couple we were with has been establishing relationships with them and it was so beautiful to see the love and trust built. We then went into a club specifically used for prostitution. We would ask God who He was highlighting and share words of encouragement and prophetic words over the women 1 by 1. Rachel noticed a couple girls in red dresses, but did not feel that any of them were "the one" in her vision. Jake approached a young thuggish looking man in the club and gave him a prophetic word, shared the love of Jesus and then prayed for his headache. The young the man was healed and really touched! The club was full of old men. God reminded us that we were not there to be disgusted by them, but to love them as well. We made sure to silently pray for the men, as most were not open to being approached. As we left we saw one of the pimps. He was a huge, older white dude, probably over 6'6''. He didn't seem too pleased in what we were doing.
Our 2nd evening, Friday night, we spent entirely in the club. This particular night God highlighted the red dress girl to Rachel. As she came out of the restroom, Rachel approached her with one of the Brazilian missionaries. Rachel shared to the girl how earlier in the week God had already let her know they would be meeting and then asked the girl if she struggled with stomach pain/digestive issues and anxiety. She was shocked that we knew and said yes. It just happened that her friend, who was standing beside her, ALSO wearing a red dress, had the same issues. Rachel was then able to lay hands on both their stomachs and pray healing over them. Rachel shared how she had been gluten intolerant for 3 years with stomach pain and God had healed her, so that as she prayed, it was not just a kind gesture, but she fully believed they were receiving healing. God is good, huh?
Tea for the prostitutes/pearls:
On Thursday the team that leads the Red Light District ministry had planned a tea party for the prostitutes. They had invited 15 of those they had been establishing relationships with. Our team was informed we would be able to help set-up, take down and intercede during the event, but not attend- due to the nature of keeping it intimate. Hours before the tea party, me (Rachel) and Jake were pulled aside and asked if just us would attend. The ministry team felt we were meant to partake. Only one woman ended up coming, but God was all over it! Rachel shared her testimony and our girl, Manaria, along with many of the female missionaries in the room were crying.
In fact, Luciana, who was translating for Rachel, was weeping so hard she could not finish translating so someone else did. Luciana then whispered into Rachel's ear and said God was setting her free/delivering her through Rachel's story; thus all her weeping. We then all spent time praying over Manaria and prophesying. Jake stood in the gap for all the men who have ever hurt her, used her and abused her and he repented on his knees. Manaria broke down weeping and forgave all the men. It was SUCH a powerful afternoon. The missionaries told her they spent a LOT of time planning the event and that God knew it was going to be just her who would come. They told her that He cares so much for her that He would have died on the cross had it just been for her. We haven't seen her out on the streets since this day. In fact, we found out after that she told one of the translators that she wasn't going back to that lifestyle! We are believing she is now walking in freedom! Woot woot. GOD is so amazing.
We are truly in love with Brazil and the people. We know we will be back. We also know a lot of what we are seeing, learning and experiencing are things we plan to take back to our inner city ministry (Y.O.Y.O.) in Saint Paul, MN. We will see how God grows and molds it and we also know we will be launching a Minneapolis location in the near future.
Thank you all once more for your financial support and prayers. You have been funding the Kingdom of God both in Africa and in Brazil. May you reap the full blessings of your sowing.
SEE attached a few photos of the above items (slums, tea party etc).
Be blessed,
Rachel & Jake
