Cracolandia on a Saturday Night

Diane and I visited our 4 amazing interns in Sao Paulo recently.  Saturday night Diane and Leah (intern) had a special function to attend with the women missionaries of CENA.  So us four men (Cody, Jake, Logan and I) had the chance to go out into Crackland to go "fishing for men".  

 

After a time of prayer we went to an area that is about one city block where roughly 1,000 people gather in the evenings to smoke crack and drink.  What a horrific sight this is!  We had the chance to talk to many people over about a 2-hour time period.  Here are a few of the encounters we had:

Claudia is a 42-year-old woman who does not live on the streets, but is hooked on crack.  She has an older boy friend who was very drunk at the time.  Claudia is very attractive, considering her life style. Though when you look close, you see that the many years of drug abuse has destroyed her teeth.  Her family has disowned her and she has not seen them for years, including her children.  This breaks her heart and yet she continues using crack.   

Claudia is very ashamed of her life and when she went to “light up” she told me, “look at that” and while I looked away she took a hit.  We shared strongly with her that Jesus could change her life and Mission CENA is the place to start.  For now she is not ready to make this change.  The drug has imprisoned her and it holds her captive.

Paulo is probably in his 50’s, yet he looks like he is in his 80’s.  Paulo is a heavy drinker and has lived on the streets for years.  I shared with Paulo that Jesus can change his life and Mission CENA is here to help.  Paulo went on to tell me in very strong words, “my heart is full of darkness, just look at where I live, I am too far gone”.  I told him that Jesus can cleanse his heart and give him a new start in life.  Paulo could not believe that.  I told him again and again that Jesus can do all things and he just needs to start by going to CENA.

Leandro appeared before us out of nowhere.  Leandro shared that he is 26 and has a wife and a 6-year-old son.  He shared that he had walked with Jesus before in his life but then lost it all, ending up in Crackland.   

Leandro was slightly drunk but our conversation with him sobered him up.  He shared deeply and started to weep, tears rolling down his face in streams, right in the middle of this big mess of people.  He told us, “I want to leave this right now, help me”.  He pleaded with us over and over to help.  It broke my heart---yet thrilled me to hear his desire to change.  We were able to arrange for some housing and a connection to get help.

People were pretty amazed to see the four of us white-skinned men, there for the sole purpose of wanting to help them.  We stood out with our blond hair and blue eyes!  When we first entered the crowd a man turned to me and said, “welcome to hell!”

Bringing hope to the captives in this "hell on earth"---Crackland,

Jeff and Diane