Lectionary Text and Prayers for Brazil: Luke 17:5-10

Creator God, God of Love, increase our faith in the power of your actions among humans; that your manifestations of love be seen in all the forms of justice and equality: social/economic, racial, gender, among nations.

May your voice be heard among nations where poverty, corruption, prejudices and all forms of injustices occur; let our faith be so strong that we can hear your voice in the everyday bustle of life and bring to fruition in the here and now, the peace you desire for your creation.

May our faith be so increased that though we may encounter obstacles to the realization of your plan, we will go forward, each in our own place, continuing to practice the teachings of your son, Jesus, to love one another as we would wish to be loved; to hear your call in the wind, the rain, the tears as well as the laughter of those around us; to feel your love in spite of the pain of all the injustices about us. Increase our faith in the power your love gives us, that we might continue to be your ambassadors of love.

Special prayers:

On this day, the 3rd of October, 2010, the people of  Brazil, will be going to the poles to vote for the next President of this giant country. Pray that in spite of the poltical ignorance of a large part of the population, the false promises made by so many candidates, the elected persons will hear your voice and work in benefit of the people, not  just for their own..

We pray, especially, for the health educators, doctors, nurses of the Family Health Program once administered by the Association of Community Health Educators of the Canal do Anil, in Rio de Janeiro, as these faithful health workers go through the transition to another administration that the City has forced upon them; that in spite of loss of salary, and lack of job security, that they not forget the population of this shanty town they have served all these years..

We ask you to pray for the new Board of Directors of the Association of Community Health Educators of the Canal do Anil, that they may be given the strength and capacity to continue the work of bringing care and health education to the population of the Shanty Town that this NGO serves in spite of the changes that will occur; that they will work with enthusiasm for the Association's children's project, health education courses and scholarship projects for women's continuing education that they continue to administer.

We thank the wonderful and faithful American Church people for the years of financial and emotional support that has made our health and education ministry possible changing the lives of many. We thank all these people who have shown their love and concern for "the least of these."

We pray for the victims of violence in the shanty towns of Brazil and their families, that they might know that this is not what you wish for your creation. Give them the strength necessary to work for justice and open the eyes of those in political power that this is the result of economic/social injustice..

We pray for the many churches of all denominations, as well as the NGO's who are working to help the families where drugs and the crime this perpetuates, be given the strength to continue and that more and more people will recognize this struggle is one we must all be involved in especially the political leaders.

(Prayer written by Rev. Barb de Souza)

Global Ministries International Partners: 

• Instituto de Estudos de Religião, ISER (Institute for Religions Studies) Involved in research and religious studies as they affect social/economic/racial/sexual policies. An ecumenical institution, which publishes books and articles about religion and religious issues, ISER is active in educational programs, such as health and sexuality, women's programs, special school programs for adolescents and action for the betterment in all these categories.  

• Association of Community Health Educators (AECS) A non-profit (NGO) Association formed in 1996 by the Global Ministers Missionary, Barb de Souza, and students of the training course for Community Health Educators.  In 1999, the City Health Dept. of Rio de Janeiro, signed a contract (renewable every 2 years) for the financial support of the Family Health Program in the Shantytown of Canal do Anil where these women had been working as volunteers since the founding of the Association. The family health program promotes health education and basic health care in  economically poor areas.  The Association's family health clinic at the present time, 2010, has 3 doctors, 3 nurses and 6 nurses’ assistants, 18 health educators, 2 dentists with 3 assistants, and an administrative assistant..  The city has not yet approved financial support for the Association's rehabilitation center, with the 2 physical therapists and a supervisor but it is still hoped that the value of this program as part of a basic health program, will be recognized in an area where there is no such treatment for lower income families. http://www:aecsprojetobrasil.com.br/  As of March of 2010, the Association´s Family Health Clinic is being administrated by a city appointed social organization and with the rent of the Association´s 3 buildings, the physical therapy program is being financed. The Association continues to administer and maintain a children's program whose main objective is to keep the children away from the drugs and violence of shantytown living and the Association continues to maintain the training course for Community Health Educators, and the scholarship program for the health employes to finish high school or professional courses and even college.

• Igreja Presbiteriana Unida do Brasil (United Presbyterian Church of Brazil)

• Ascociacion de Igrejas Metodistas do Brasil (Association of Methodist Churches of Brazil) http://www.metodista.org.br/

• Igreja Evangelica Congregacional do Brasil (Evangelical Congregational Church of Brazil) http://www.iecb.org.br/

Global Ministries Missionary:

Rev. Barb de Souza is a Global Ministries long-term volunteer with the Global Ministries and the Brasilian Partner, ISER, Institute of Relgious Studies, serving as an advisor and teacher of popular education in the areas of sexuality leading to women's empowerment. She retired in 2002 after 16 years as a health education missionary for Global Ministries and in 1996 became a long term volunteer of the Global Minstries´ new international partner, the Association of Community Health Educators. She is coordinator/director of the Family Health Program, a city financed program in contract with the Association of Community Educators which administers it in a 3 building clinic that was built and is maintained by the Association.