Heyyyy! I know it has been a while since many of you have heard from me. So, I wanted to bring you up to speed as to what has been going. So, I decided to interview myself for you. I, Yahya is asking the questions and I, Thabiti is giving the answers.
YAHYA: Many of your friends, family and former co-workers would like to know about your experience as a Missionary in the country of Brazil. What can you tell them? THABITI: Great question! Before I answer it, I want them all to know that I miss them and I would love to from hear from them. My email address is:
tyahya@mcumi.org. My experience as a missionary has been just that, AN EXPERIENCE! It has been great and it has been hard in many ways. But, it has never been something that I would not want any of you to have the opportunity to experience. Living in another country with the intent of helping people to improve their way and means of living can be a challenge, but the internal satisfaction and eternal results far out weigh any sacrifice and discomforts I've had to endure.
YAHYA: Well, that begs the question of what is so different in the way you live in Brazil and how you lived in the United States?THABITI: The most obvious answer would be the language. My Portuguese sucks! Portuguese is a very difficult language for me to learn. But, what we have to remember is that people are basically the same regardless of where you go or what country you are in. We all eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. So, the times I can't speak Portuguese, I can definitely make the right motions to demonstrate how I need to use the bathroom (what a mental image that must make) :).
YAHYA: We'll try not to think about it. :) What are some of the things that you are doing in Brazil?THABITI: Well, I left California to help launch Masters Commission in Brasil. You can learn about MCBrasil at
http://www.children-mcbrasil.org/. In short, we are helping others to see and know Christ. We do this not by preaching to people or what some would call "Bible thumping". We do this by meeting the physical needs of people first, then once we have earned their trust by "demonstrating Jesus", we tell them about Jesus and what He did for our life and why we all need Him as our Lord and Savior.
YAHYA: You mentioned "we", can tell us a little about the people you work with THABITI: I have the privilege of working with some amazing young adults. Many of the students in our program are people that we have known since they were 11 years old. Many of them are Brazilians who at an early age in their life found themselves surviving on the streets. Their stories are incredible! We are talking about six and seven year old children, both girls and boys "living" on the streets of Brasil. They have experienced things some of us could not even imagine.
Historically Brasil has major problems with "Mininas da Rua" - street children. At one point, in Rio de Janiero, business owners were paying police to kill street kids as they slept on the in door ways. They were know as "Death Squads". But, by the grace of God and people who cared enough to help, our students were able to get off the streets through a ministry called JOCUM or also known as Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Once they became 18 years old, and through financial sponsorships and gifts, they were able to become a part of Masters Commission. Now they are learning Godly disciplines that will help them to live successful lives and are helping other children who are in the same position they once were. What an example of Jesus Christ in real time.
YAHYA: Wow. Give us some examples of the type of work you all do. THABITI: Sure! We work closely with some local churches and help them with their needs such working with their Children's ministries. We also work in the favelas (slums) teaching children how to speak English. We hope they can use English as a means to, one day, be able to get out of the favela by getting a better education and a good job. You can see some photos in our online photo album at
http://www.mastersbrasil.spaces.live.com/. We also sponsor a weekly outreach to the homeless and provide some food, clothing and conversation. Having someone who is willing to spend some time with you when most people ignore you or make you seem invisible can be a HUGE encouragement and source of hope to a homeless person who may have no hope. And it's all because of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. But, it is not always as easy as it sounds.
YAHYA: I can imagine how rewarding yet difficult it could be. What can someone do to help you?THABITI: I'm glad you asked! I honestly need you to pray for me and our team. I could ask for money (and eventually I will) but, there are some things that can only be done through the faithful and earnest prayers of people. So first, I ask you to pray that our needs are met so that we can meet the needs of others. Then I ask that you allow God use you to be the answer to that prayer.
YAHYA: Thank you Thabiti for giving us a snapshot of your work in Brasil.
THABITI: It was my honor and pleasure!
n’t see me anywhere in the United States, and if I have it my way, you won’t see me in 2009 either. It’s not because I don’t miss you… because I do miss you so much.
