20. Some safety tips for outreach during the World Cup...

Dear faith fellows,

We are so exited about the World Cup getting closer more and more!

There are several teams getting ready to come and we already have others settle down here with us in Brazil.

The personal safety and teams security is an important issue for us specially now, because of the times Brazil is going through.

That´s why we want to present some tips for you to keep in mind, to keep you and your team secure while you are ministering, specially on the streets and during the games.

Guilherme Schelb is an attorney and a specialist in public safety and criminal investigations coordinator for the Security Department here in Brazil. He presents us with some basic safety guidelines to help churches and people who are planning outreach activities during the World Cup Soccer 2014.

We hope they will be helpful for you!

• Social Context of the Events
• Public demonstrations and strikes are expected during the World Cup, especially on days with programmed matches. 
• Demoralized Brazil´s public security forces.
• Large number of people from different nations and costumes. 
• Drunkenness and drug use will be common.
• Security forces will suffer naturally of psychological stress.

• Strategic Orientations for Churches
• Don´t gather large groups in public: The security authorities are expecting hostile demonstrations organized and the large groups gathered generate security risks. We suggest forming groups of 20 people maximum.
• Do not bring backpacks or big banners, due to the risk of being identified as hostile protester by the authorities. Our suggestion is to use small transparent plastic bags to carry brochures or bibles.
• Avoid the presence of teenagers or people with limited physical mobility for evangelism in the local crowd.
• To work in evangelism, do it always in groups of two or three people. If it is possible, try to put always men and women together in the same group.
• Use external identification (like a name tag), complete with name, position and represented institution. We suggest use the typical size for identifications models for official events (20 x 15 cm).
• Avoid approach children or teenagers without the company of their parents or in a isolated place.

• How to deal with safety authorities
• Respect and follow the guidance of officers of the Military Police, Civil Police, Army, Federal Police, State Transit Department agents, and private security guards in private buildings or stadiums.
• Never yell or argue with the safety authority.
• Treating safety authority always with the vocative "Sir. or Mr.". 
• Whenever possible, to reach a place of evangelism, notify the nearest police authority maintaining a dialogue of cooperation and service. This guidance does not apply to situations where there is crowd or atmosphere of hostility.

• Attitudes of personal safety
• Realizing a situation of sexual exploitation of children or teenagers, tell your leader and always act together with others, never alone.
• In case of physical aggression or provocation, never retaliate. Remain silent, especially if the attackers are in group. 

  

 

19. Rio de Janeiro: God´s love trough football soccer, is it possible?

Hello All!

Do you remember our YWAM Base in Rio de Janeiro?

They developed a Football Soccer school for the youth community in the slums at Borel.

Maracanhá in Rio de Janeiro is getting prepared for the World Cup spending millions of dollars in stadiums renovation. Lots of Football fans are with high expectations for THE Event of the year. And the Borel community is not an exception.

But there are many football lovers who, despite their young age, have critical views about this investments. This video made by "Canal Futura" (a TV channel with broadcasts social programs), shows us one of the many sides of the World Cup and Brazil´s reality:

"In my opinion, this World Cup  is not completely right. There´s lots of money spent in a championship despite of all the people who are starving and suffering. I think this World Cup is unnecessary, at least here in Rio. While it is a big event, it´s more important to FIFA than to us..."

"I think it´s good to have a World Cup in Brazil, but what is really happening is that an absurd amount of money is spent in stadiums while the health system is poor, and there are even communities needing help for their basic living. All the investments ( the government) made will profit only football and the World Cup..."

" There are so many slums with poor people in need and they (the Government) are throwing lots of money at the World Cup..."

These young critics football lovers are part of  Borel´s Football Club. A project developed by YWAM Rio de Janeiro with 60 boys.

Participation of this Football Club is free. The only requirement is that participants attend school.

Beside football school, this YWAM base in the Borel Community is offering services like basic health care, counseling based on christian principles, educational support, computer lessons, and a daycare service for very young kids of the slum´s community.

"Football provides us a good opportunities to teach the kids to work with determination. And we need that in the slums community´s life. Through football we can reach anyone ... And that´s what we are trying to do. To show the possibility of different opportunities despite of the fact of being born in a slum community. So, through football and the actions involved we can see transformation and change..."

So... What do you think? It isn´t a great example of being light in the darkness and a way of bringing hope despite of life´s hard conditions?... This is a great example of practicing God´s love and care, making his love real through His people...

Don´t stop to support them with your prayers! We count on it!

Thank you again for your interest and your prayers!

18. Kick Madagascar off, to Brazil & Beyond!!!

Dear Friends,

YWAM Madagascar is getting ready for the World Cup!

Kickoff Mada is a ministry of YWAM Madagascar, and will come to Brazil during the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.

They are still raising funds to complete their budget to come to Brazil... Please, pray for them and if you feel that God is calling you to support this mission, check this site: http://www.youcaring.com/mission-trip-fundraiser/kick-madagascar-off-to-brazil-beyond-/178006.

Go and make disciples of all nations... May we help and participate in this great commitment? Starting from Madagascar and going through Brazil to the rest of the world?

Thank you again to help us with your prayers and support!!!!

Loves and Blessings!

17. Some fashion tips...

Look what our Kickoff team had designed for the outreach teams who are coming to Brazil!

Jonathan made a great job designing this T-Shirts. You can download this in our website. Print your church or group´s name in the shirt and come with your own team uniform!

16. Look what´s happening in Manaus!

Dear Friends,

We can´t stop to give thanks for the people who are joining to the Kickoff ministry. God is adding more brothers and sister to this family.

Manaus YWAM Base is a big place with a small but wonderful dedicated team. Manaus is a city in the Amazonian Region. At the moment 7 staff are working there, but they definitely are being used by God.  

They will start an Outreach in their city during the World Cup, so if you want to join them, or know someone who could be interested in this... don´t hesitate! Here is information!!!

The good news is that a group of 150 young people are coming to help the YWAM base in Manus during the World Cup to do evangelism activities and serve the people with God´s love and approaching them to Jesus salvation.

God really worked amazingly. The YWAM staff team was able to rent a huge place in the city to make it easier for the team to evangelize downtown. It is big enough for 150 missionaries, and is situated close to the key places in the city, during the month of the World Cup,  for a great price (almost 1/3 of the real price)... don´t you think this is Gods providence? We definitely do!!!

Is amazing how God makes everything possible when his people are willing to follow His will.

Please, continue praying for Manaus, the big missionary team and the staff who are hosting this team. Pray for God continue pouring his grace on them, so they be a light in the darkness and bring a breeze of hope to the people in the despair... Let´s pray for God to provide more workers, willing to hear the Father´s voice and having God´s heart for Manaus.

15. 24/7 Prayer Rooms in every hist city... Let´s Join them!!!

Hello Dear Friends!

We have more news about our plans for the World Cup!

Exodus Cry, a ministry of International house of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States, has come to Brazil to partner with the local Body of Christ in response to the desire of The Church to be a light set on a hill, that will draw all men, women and children to Jesus Christ. In order to do this, they will have, in each of the 12 cities, where matches will be held, a 24/7 prayer room for any and all people who want to come and pray, receive counseling or to just be in an atmosphere of love and acceptance. The prayer rooms will be strategically located near all of the red light districts in the 12 cities and the ministry focus will be to those working and soliciting in the brothels and on the streets. However, anyone that comes into the room will be welcomed and ministered to as they request.

 

The crux of the vision for Exodus Cry, in Brazil, at this time is to be in a spirit of love, dignity and honor. Loves as Jesus loves, without an agenda. 

This approach, no agenda, does not mean there is no purpose; but it does mean that the Holy Spirit will be sought to lead, guide and direct. This approach is also unique to those in prostitution because usually, everyone wants from them, everyone takes from them; but in order to minister effectively it is imperative not to have an agenda or Christians become just like everyone else. Yes we want them to be free, know Jesus, etc. but in the simplicity of Jesus prepared to be with them where they are, just be with them and speak love, honor, and acceptance.

So you must be thinking, well that is all great, but what happens when the World Cup is over and the prayer rooms are dismantled? Another focal point of Exodus Cry is to train, teach, and equip individuals and the local Church to maintain the vision of loving without an agenda. It is the hope of Exodus Cry that those who participate in this project will understand and duplicate this experience, maintaining the focus- this love must be a love that goes the distance. It is a journey with those who come for prayer, counseling and just to be loved. It is certainly NOT a one time thing. They are real people, no different from you or I, longing for relationship, longing for an encounter with true love.

If you have a desire to work in this places during your outreach, take a look in our "CONTACT" page in this blog. There are all the contacts in the host cities to you sign your team in the prayer agenda of the 24/7 rooms.

Thanks again for your support and your interest. God Bless you all!

Jenny for the Kickoff team, Brazil.



Liberdade is Exodus Cry’s (an IHOP Ministry) initiative to bring freedom to the women and children trafficked in Brazil through prayer, outreach, and training of Brazilian residents who will serve as abolitionists in their home country.
http://exoduscry.com/liberdade/

 

14. Kickoff RIO DE JANEIRO.

Dear All,

The World Cup is getting closer and the teams are getting ready...

The YWAM base in Rio de Janeiro are one of this well-prepared warriors, ready for the spiritual warfare going to happen next month.

Here´s their web page: http://www.jocumkickoffrio.org/.

Stay updated, and please don´t forget to pray for them. Rio will be the most visited city during this World Cup, and we expect that a lot of activity is going to happen... So, let´s pray for the mission teams can be a light in the middle of the darkness and be a sound of hope between the desperation of this "Cidade Maravilhosa (Wonderful City)".