Rio de Janeiro,Brazil
Youth With A Mission             
Complexo do Alem�o
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Carta Informativo do Rodigo em Portugu�s...
Our first Newsletter :)
Information
Transition Phase!
Here in Complexo do Alem�o we have had a lot of new changes in the last two months. Daise and Edvan (a married couple), left to start a new phase of their life and are preparing to go to India next year. They are now doing a 6 the childrens program that they started up just last year. Our new leader now, is Heloisa, she has been working in the community for about 6 years. For about 2 years, Heloisa and Daise were the only staff that were working in this very intense and violent environment. They are great examples for us of two courageous woman of God, and we are blessed to have Heloisa as our new leader.             
During this time, at the beginning of this year, Luciana came to help out with the work here, also, Eli an American (dude) arrived in February. In June, Cl�onice arrived to take over the responsibility for the leading of the childrens              program, thus making us a team of 4. Praise God!
This time has been a great time of learning and growing together as a small family. Of course, it was not easy to lose Daise and Edvan, but we are now starting to flow as a team, each, working hard to do our party. At times, we have all felt small and insignificant when we start looking at all of the problems and the people that are so far from Gods purposes and              plans.
We also have a volunteer/staff member with us at the moment, his name is Tim, he?s from England and shall be              staying with us until mid-September. Here are some words from Tim:             
What it's really like living in a favela...
I walk out of the front door of our house (which has been built on top of another house), there are several diseased looking dogs wandering around on the concreted roads and paths...  there's not really any grass or trees in sight...  I start walking... being careful to avoid treading in the animal excrement that appears to be everywhere...  the air around is thick with the      smell of marijuana, I peer into a bar...  there's a 9 year old boy buying cigarettes and several drunkards already completely drunk before 8 o'clock in the morning. I wander past a stand where small bags of white powder are being sold like confectionary, with anyone who wants to buy cocaine or marijuana or any other drugs, buying...  adults, children, none are turned away if they have the money...  I hear the sound of fireworks...  lots of them...  either the police are entering the favela, or exiting...  I see 3 men walk past me, all armed with semi-automatic machine guns slung over the shoulders...  grenades on their belts...  knowing that they could have well been involved in the killing of two people from another gang the night before...  whilst most people see the news on the TV the next day, I hear it happening at 4am...  the shots, the wars...
it's just another normal day in Complexo do Alem�o ... the sad reality of life here, the reality that God is longing to see change for Him.
Courses!
We now have 6 fully functioning computers that we are able to use in the computer lessons that we are offering to the community. Jefferson and Andr� (2 of our volunteers) together with Tim are responsible for giving the classes.
On Saturdays we give English classes.  Luciana heads this up with help from Tim (and Cl�o during the month of August, as Luciana is in Greece on a short term mission trip).             
Just recently we finished giving a course in culinary arts, that Brice (another volunteer) gave!
Our objective through these courses is not only to give the residents of this community the opportunity to become more professionally equipped but also to reach out to them in an practical way through the love of Christ. Through the              relationships that are made during these courses, we are often able to start bible studies, which are held in the homes of the new and existing believers, this opens up great opportunities to really impact their lives.
Childrens program!
We have the joy and privilege to work with and be examples in the lives of many children every day. Most of  them do not have any role models of any kind, other then the gang members, drug addicts, drunks or prostitutes on the street. Each day, the children receive biblical principles told through bible stories, which is helping to mold their character to become more Christ like. Essentially, trying to rebuild their self-esteem and manners that they?ve never learnt or received from their family.             
At times it is very difficult for us, but we are delighted that we are starting to see the transforming power of our awesome God working in the lives of each and every child.  Furthermore, through the work with the children we are hoping to              start visiting their families in order to be able to work with them  also; this would also help us to understand why the children are the  way they are. Please be praying for us and for our work with the children.
Discipleship!
As a team, we have been working with one family every Wednesday night. Luciana is leading the bible studies, and has been a great example for us all, using her wonderful creativity with the family.
When we first started visiting this family, we constantly were confronted with the problems of the family. The lady of the household takes care of her three grandchildren, as her daughter is unable to because of her drug addiction. She has also lost two of her sons as a consequence of the drug wars between gangs. Her husband drinks heavily every day, and              in the beginning, when we would arrive, his wife would start to fight with him and curse at him. As a result of this, he would never stay in the room to participate. As time has passed, he has slowly started opening up and has started aspiring to learn more. He has since given his life to God and is now participating every week. It is amazing to see how God has been working in the lives of this family. Instead of complaining and fighting, the family is much more united, full of laughter and their circumstances are also improving.             
Project:             
Criando Raizes!
Our dream is to have one house for our staff to live in and another house for community center where we can receive people from the community.
Making Roots!
Living in the Complexo do Alemao...
The reality is that we live in a war atmosphere. There are always drug dealers on watch duty with their guns. They do not mess with you if you keep out of their business. At night is when the shutting starts and you never know if they are fighting the police or other drug dealers from near by slums. Other then that most of the people are very nice and receive you with open arms. 
Our housing condition...
At the moment we have five staff and two houses that we are renting, both located in the slum. One of the houses is where we offer courses to the people in the community. Which is no more then an apartment, cause we only have the up stairs.  The house above is where we have workshops with the kids and where the girls live. We have the opportunity to buy this house, which has a strong foundation to build a third  floor.
Now after telling you that do you think you would have the courage to come and work with us? That is why I find it very important for us at least to have nice housing for our staff.  If you did not even have housing that has a comfortable living environment would you stay to work with us?
Our Goals:
That God will put our ministry on your hearts to pray for us and the community. Giving you the opportunity to be part of  our work.
To buy our first house here in the community to offer better living conditions for our staff. We need $7,000 to buy the house.
Secondly to start building rooms on the second floor for our staff. To complete this we are estimating that we will need about $5,000 this will also be including bedding and furniture for the rooms.
The second floor is where the boys live and where our courses are held.
Address: JOCUM  Complexo do Alemao, Caixa Postal 35004 Cep 21062-970 Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brasil
Contact: [email protected],
Tel: 021-2590-8031 Cell: 031-21-9797-3230             
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