Here at the Bridges' residence we are either traveling, visting friends, or changing diapers as it might seem this summer. Truly we are a juggling team at best. Yet, we find ourselves blessed in our circle of family of friends each day as they participate in our growing three to four ring circus.
We began the summer by leaving our son, Josiah for the first time with the "grandmas" while my husband, Zach and I ventured to the rather warm country of Brazil, me being 4 months pregnant with the next Bridges boy, Joshua.
In Brazil, we encoutered some of the most horrendous living conditions and our hearts were torn. Mine was especially drawn to the young girls who served as surrogate or biological mothers to endless hungry and in need of a bath children. As a young mother myself, the eyes of these young girls told their story. They were not only in need of physical comforts but of those that only our precious Lord can provide. It was seemingly impossible that our time there would be of benefit to these people, but in our hearts were ready for anything.
Zach and I had the privilege of working with the Missionary whom pronounced us man and wife almost three years ago. Mark Shubert has been working in the favelas/ghettos of Brazil for about 5 years and has made aware and inspired the surrounding communities to lend a hand to those less fortunate than even our poorest of poor.
I don't have pictures to show, but let my words paint a picture that lingers in our minds. Trash, filth, stench, and I am sure plenty of bacteria, this is the fabric of their lives. These communities/favelas/ghettos, build with it, live in, and on it. The only modern coveniences they have are access to a electric line and city plumbing. The rest, well it lies in the hands of drug lords and prostitution rings. In this setting, what would restore the family moral, work ethic, and community spirit? Well, sometimes the best way to solve a problem is from the inside out.
We ventured with a team of 20 alongside our missionary friend, we brought plenty of bandages (food, toys, clothes, essentials), but we also brought something that transcends even the hungriest of bellies. We brought a love that sustains and transforms even the hardest of hearts, the love of Jesus. Resistance is a small price to pay for a message that you find life changing.
We faced opposing forces with some of the community members, they protested our help and refused to listen along the way. But for the true prisioners of the favelas, the women, teenagers, and children seemed to congregate by the hundreds.
The days that we spend painting faces, passing out hot dogs, reading Bible stories, and singing songs will echo in my mind for many years to come. The work there will continue. Mark Shubert and the gang will continue to provide jobs, bring food, teach the Bible and bring God's love to the people in these communities.
It is the faces emptiness that I will not forget, faces that have no hope, and how they shone when surrounded by love and encouragement. Hope, one of our basest of needs lies in the very corners of our heart waiting to be drawn out. Even though situation may not allow, others around us can cause that light within to shine, if only we, the others, would take the time.
We began the summer by leaving our son, Josiah for the first time with the "grandmas" while my husband, Zach and I ventured to the rather warm country of Brazil, me being 4 months pregnant with the next Bridges boy, Joshua.
In Brazil, we encoutered some of the most horrendous living conditions and our hearts were torn. Mine was especially drawn to the young girls who served as surrogate or biological mothers to endless hungry and in need of a bath children. As a young mother myself, the eyes of these young girls told their story. They were not only in need of physical comforts but of those that only our precious Lord can provide. It was seemingly impossible that our time there would be of benefit to these people, but in our hearts were ready for anything.
Zach and I had the privilege of working with the Missionary whom pronounced us man and wife almost three years ago. Mark Shubert has been working in the favelas/ghettos of Brazil for about 5 years and has made aware and inspired the surrounding communities to lend a hand to those less fortunate than even our poorest of poor.
I don't have pictures to show, but let my words paint a picture that lingers in our minds. Trash, filth, stench, and I am sure plenty of bacteria, this is the fabric of their lives. These communities/favelas/ghettos, build with it, live in, and on it. The only modern coveniences they have are access to a electric line and city plumbing. The rest, well it lies in the hands of drug lords and prostitution rings. In this setting, what would restore the family moral, work ethic, and community spirit? Well, sometimes the best way to solve a problem is from the inside out.
We ventured with a team of 20 alongside our missionary friend, we brought plenty of bandages (food, toys, clothes, essentials), but we also brought something that transcends even the hungriest of bellies. We brought a love that sustains and transforms even the hardest of hearts, the love of Jesus. Resistance is a small price to pay for a message that you find life changing.
We faced opposing forces with some of the community members, they protested our help and refused to listen along the way. But for the true prisioners of the favelas, the women, teenagers, and children seemed to congregate by the hundreds.
The days that we spend painting faces, passing out hot dogs, reading Bible stories, and singing songs will echo in my mind for many years to come. The work there will continue. Mark Shubert and the gang will continue to provide jobs, bring food, teach the Bible and bring God's love to the people in these communities.
It is the faces emptiness that I will not forget, faces that have no hope, and how they shone when surrounded by love and encouragement. Hope, one of our basest of needs lies in the very corners of our heart waiting to be drawn out. Even though situation may not allow, others around us can cause that light within to shine, if only we, the others, would take the time.
