February / March 2025 Newsletter

An Alternative Sunday Morning

Happy New Year! The rains have started in Fortaleza and the mosquitos, bugs, puddles and floods are here again.

While the world is immersed in discussions about world events, AI, and social media, there is a reality in the slums of Fortaleza, far removed from media attention.

Here is Marc’s story of his experience on Sunday 19th January, when he decided to spend the Sunday morning in the community.

“There is little investment in the peripheral areas of this city. People living here come from outside of the city in a desperate search for work and food. But conditions are as bad now as they were 20 years ago. Rubbish, sewage, disease and terrible public services.

This is a school where our students, the children living in this area are obliged to attend. If they don’t, their parents receive no welfare. The gates are broken, wide open, windows smashed, and the building is falling apart. There is no dignity for children here and little chance of education.

It’s not long before you are confronted with poverty at the most intimate level. When a half-dressed, malnourished child stares into your car as if they have never seen such a thing before, the feeling is overwhelming.

I began talking to families begging on the street. This lady told me she was begging because the welfare payment ran out this month. Another, that she was a refugee from Venezuela.

After talking to this lady with 3 children for some time, I decided to park and get out of the car to continue the conversation.

The lady told me that her house was down a small alleyway near Habibs (a fast-food restaurant). She was breastfeeding a hungry toddler and looked exhausted. She was a little afraid of me, so I did my best to assure her.

I invited her to walk to the supermarket so I could buy her some food. She accepted and humbly told me what she wanted. I bought her rice, beans, salt, milk powder and a few other items. Many of the people in the shop were staring at us. Of course, her boys found the sweets and at first, I said no, but with a face like this looking up at me I relented!

I offered to take her home which was when she admitted that she was actually living on the street. How are you going to cook? I asked, and she told me she had a charcoal stove.

I left her wondering about the conditions she was returning to. Her children clinging to her for security and survival on this Sunday morning.

These are the families that I feel I must reach out to.

In January, we intentionally registered several new families who have previously had no contact with the project. I hope that through this process we maintain our focus on helping those who have no other opportunities or support in the slums.

Many thanks for your continued support and prayers for Ruth and I, and the whole team here in Brazil.”