some days are harder than others...

Some days are harder than others...or maybe I should say some weeks are harder than others...Last week was Carnaval here in Brazil. Carnaval is similiar to Mardi Gras, but more than a thousand times worse(similar to Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible)...so last week was a week "off" After only being here for two weeks at that point, I didn't want a week off, but I took some time to enjoy it. Our team went to the beach for the day, and that was nice. The beaches here are similar to the US, but the bathing suits people wear are not similar. Since most people head to the cities for a "fun" time at Carnaval, the Christians head to ranches or retreat centers. So, a group of 300 youth were here at the base where I live...that was overwhelming. People were everywhere all the time. Luckily they were only here for a few days, but it was like one BIG loud Christian party. This week I was asked by our team leader to organize a arts and crafts class and english class two days a week in the favela for the children of the favela. I was very excited, but also nervous because it's been a while since I've done something like this(luckily I have lots of experience in daycare) so I am looking forward to using arts and crafts to teach the gospel to the children in the slums (It has taken me over a week to just write that simple entry above) A whole week has gone by....

So, this last week I had the opportunity to go to the school we have here in Brazil. It's a school to teach about the supernaturalness of God, every opportunity I get, I take it all in. This week we learned about deliverance. I have always feared deliverance, I didn't like to see people manifest demons(and it's more intense in a foreign country than America) it is something I don't fear anymore...because I have ALL authority in Christ. It was definitely a great learning opportunity. And I know some who read this may not believe in demons, but if you believe in angels, than there are demons. But, I'm not here to argue belief's, just sharing my heart, and what God is teaching me.

So, this morning I was taking some time with God, I've decided morning time is the best, start my day off with a little bit of God, it's great! The verse He shared with me was from Acts 20:35 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

(so I'm still learning this whole blog thing, and it definitely changed my fonts, but anyways) I read that verse this morning, and I was like ummmm....God, I am giving, and it feels like I am giving all the time. Just this week I had the amazing opportunity to go out and talk with a bunch of homeless people on the streets here in Brazil. They asked me what the homeless situation was like in the States, so I told them what I've seen in Philadelphia. One man began to pray for my financial situation, he felt privileged that I was in his country to help him rather than the states, but I felt honored to be in his country and honored to pray with him. He and his son were homeless, and his son was addicted to alcohol(we got to pray for bot of them.) We met a woman, who was only 20, she had a baby a month ago, but it was taken by the government, she just expressed to us how alone she felt, so we told her we would be her friend, and just spent time talking with her. We went out another night, and I brought her clothes, but we could not find her. The homeless here move around a lot to stay safe. It's hard sometimes because you don't see HUGE or MIRACULOUS changes, but it's not about that, it's just about showing them the love of Jesus, giving them a blanket to stay warm, showing them unconditional love, we want nothing from them, we just want to share what God has done in our lives, in hopes that they will want that for their life, but if not, it's okay, and we have just made a new friend. But anyways(I feel like that was a long tangent) I am working on giving more...I don't know what this will look like, but I'm asking God to give me more opportunities to give, and not always giving money, because I don't have much of that, but giving of time, giving of gifts, whatever God wants of me, His will be done :-)

But alas....I would like to to ask each person who reads this to take a few moments and think if you are able to give financially in order to help me show God's love to the people I encounter in Brazil, will you please give...here is an easy link where you can give, and it will all go to helping me share the love of God with the homeless, prostitutes, transvestites, and people in the favela's(slums)

http://www.shoresofgrace.com/about-us/ministry-staff/winnie-moyer

I understand that not everyone can give financially, I also love to have your prayers too. God is doing great and amazing things here in Brazil, and I wish I could have each one of you by my side. Thanks again for all your support and encouragement. I pray that God blesses you abundantly with his awesome love :-)

~Winnie (Marylou)

PS...tomorrow I am going to the favela's again, it has been two weeks, and I am so excited to see my friends again :-) I hope and pray I get to see my little friend Stephanie!!