Dynamic Duo

In this post I will tell you about (l-r) Cris and Marcio, the "dynamic duo." These two guys have been at the chácara for almost eight months. They are well on their way to recovery from substance abuse. Now they are serving as the two primary "obreiros" - assistants to Isaias, the director. They orient newcomers, give instructions, and help keep everyone on track in following the daily schedule. They bring to Isaias' attention any interpersonal problems that need to be resolved. They work very well together - in fact, sometimes they seem to me like long-lost brothers separated at birth!

Cris and Marcio are both in their early 20s. Cris worked as a day laborer, and Marcio has a mechanic's certification. Both are intelligent guys; Cris taught himself to speak English, and Marcio has studied things as diverse as philosophy and botany. Both made similar mistakes of getting involved with the wrong crowd (i.e prostiution, drug pushers) and literally fell into the gutter. Their families brought them here in January as a last-chance effort. They had never met before coming here, yet their friendship seems as if they've known each other all their life. They were baptized and are learning more and more of the Bible with each passing week. They are winning back the confidence of their families and have earned the respect of the other men with their right conduct and leadership.

Marcio and Cris have begun a new life in Christ, and they want to finish what they have started. Once they have passed the nine month mark, they will begin looking for jobs and transition out of the chácara and back into society. They would continue to live at the chácara at night and work during the day. Pray that they will stay firm in their faith, that doors of employment opportunity will open for them soon, and they will continue to be good examples for the rest of the brothers. Thank God for these two changed lives!

Construction - Men at Work!

There is a lot of physical transformation taking place at the halfway house, work that is partnering in the spiritual transformation of these men! We are currently building a new dormitory, and reforming the existing cafeteria and reception area.

These are the existing dormitories. They are cramped to say the least: 10 men live in each room, all in bunk beds with armoires and narrow space between each set of beds. They only have one bathroom and one shower to share. It is not ideal living conditions, but they manage well. Isaias' goal is to transform these spaces into a classroom and a recreation room, to give the guys more creative space to work on handcraft projets, watch a movie, or study in groups.

This is the new dormitory, halfway finished (18 meters by 4 meters). The foundation was laid in May by local volunteers. In June, a group from Texas A&M University came and spent several days helping lay bricks. This stimulated the men to get it in gear and keep the job going. The roof was put on last week. The next steps are to lay down the flooring, finish the walls, and install the doors & windows, then do the electric work, plumbing & bathrooms, and painting. There is still much to be done, but it is amazing how much has already been accomplished! When the dormitory is finished, it will house 20 men in five different room of two bunk beds. These conditions will definitely be more sanitary and allow for more privacy among the men as well.

Below is the reformed cafeteria. Before this, it was not closed in by walls. The walls have been put up and finished; what remains is to finish the floor, put in walls & doors, and redo the electrick work. Here you can see three of the guys, Rafael, Gutenberg and Gelson, proudly showing off their craftsmanship.

Below is the reformed reception area. Before this, it was open where the walls have been put up, and was smaller inside. The inner wall has been knocked down, and furniture has been donated by some ladies from a local church to refurbish the area. It will be a nice place to receive families of the interns and visitors, and will also serve as Isaias' office.

I have noticed over the past month that these construction projects have injected a sense of teamwork and perseverence in the men. In the past month, only one person has left the halfway house; the current guys are staying together, forming bonds as they work side by side. The physical labor and gradual completion of the projects seems to be playing a significant part in their spiritual evolution. Overall, the men seem more thankful, more humble, more firm in their convictions to follow Christ. I sense a growing spirit of excitement and hope among them as they participate in these projects. These buildings will be tools for a better future, both now and after they leave this place.

One of the most impressive things to me is that most of the funding for these projects has come from Brazilians. To date, our house churches have contributed over U$2000 for the dormitory. The mother of one of the men has also agreed to pay for some of the reforms. Isaias is paying for the cafeteria and reception reforms entirely out of his own means. I would like to thank North Beckley Church of Christ for their generous donation of U$900 that will go towards purchasing the doors and windows for the dormitory!

We are still lacking approximately U$2000 to finish the dormitory. If you are interested in contributing financially to this cause, please contact me at matt.rehbein@familyatfourth.org

Thank you!