I am overlooking a hill that in the distance looks like no more than series of bright dots. It is the lights of Santa Barbara where “The Mission” is located in Brazil, South American. I can hear the sounds of at least twenty dogs barking at the same time. I hear the sounds of babies crying in the distance and families talking. I also hear the sounds of busses whizzing by in a hurry.

This place is filled with the sounds of life. Even so, only one sound stood out to me for more than an instant; the sounds of one woman crying muffled tears nearby. I could see her in the middle of several men who were obviously upset with her. They were questioning her and it became clear that our desperate neighbor needed to produce promised furniture in order to get the men to leave her alone. Fortunately the men did leave and I went over to see if I could help. The family refused to discuss the matter with me. Their faces were full of shame and anguish and they preferred to stay in hiding.

Have you ever been ashamed of something you did in your life? Most of us have had one situation or another that we wish we could permanently erase from our memories. Every remembrance of that situation is difficult. We try desperately to push them into the back of our minds and ignore them. We wish we had handled the situation differently, spoke different words, not lost our temper and on and on.

Life is filled with these types of painful memories as it is impossible to live without making mistakes. You know they will come and you know you will have to deal with them every time. The problem here is that when we “miss the mark”, we have trouble forgiving ourselves. We see ourselves as being the worst person alive. Thus, you have to manage the damage in such a way as to leave some “grace for yourself.” In other words, we are all works under construction, God’s works in progress.

Like the series of bright dots in the sky, our sins are numerous. Fortunately, God does not carry them against us… You can see them only in the darkness of condemnation and accusation, which does not come from God. John 1:9 tells us that:

“If we (freely) admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to his own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins (dismiss our lawlessness) and (continuously) cleanse us from all unrighteousness (everything not in conformity to His will and purpose, thought and action).” (Amplified Bible)

As I look up to the mountains in the night, there are still hundreds and hundreds of little lights breaking darkness and shining bright for all to see. In those shacks live the very poor, families of 8 children sustained by only one provider-a single grandmother in some cases where the parents are absent.

Our purpose here in Brazil is to bring hope and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. As a United Methodist, I am concerned about their well-being, both physically and spiritually. But even more so at this moment, I am concerned for their shame in being poor.

Please continue to help me put food into 300 homeless children’s mouths. Will you pray that God will provide you with grace to come to Brazil and share your gifts with us?

They are ashamed of their poverty and yet they are turning to Jesus Christ daily here. Please continue to help us.

Rick Bonfim