Right now, we’re in the middle of Carnaval, the Brazilian form of Mardi Gras, when the general public indulges their fleshy desires in one last hurrah before confessing those same sins on Ash Wednesday; and like most situations, it worsens each day as the drinking escalates and inhibitions diminish. For that reason, It is a very dangerous time in Brazil. In fact, I don’t even go running in the morning because that is when party goers are returning home (or wherever it is they choose to land) to rest for a few hours before starting up again in the afternoon.
Just now – and I mean now! – a huge section of the school wall fell. Boom!
This would be a problem anyway (for obvious reasons) but there are lots of extras complications right now:
- As I mentioned earlier, with Carnaval, it is an even more dangerous time than usual in Brazil.
- With part of the wall down, the electric fence on the rest of the complex’s wall is worthless.
- It will take a team of men and several days to rebuild it. At the moment (due to Carnaval), we have neither men nor materials. Many of the men missionaries are away, speaking at retreats, including all those who live on the school complex. In addition, there are no materials are unavailable since all shops/stores are closed for the duration of the holiday.
- Last year, due to financial strain, the school stopped paying for a night guard and instead bought dogs to guard the grounds (Brazilians are deathly afraid of dogs); however, without a fence, we cannot let the dogs roam the grounds. Right now, we’re going to try to find something around campus to put up as a fence (barbed wire, cut up soccer nets, etc.). Such a barrier would not kee out invaders, it would allow the dogs to be free.
- The complex director is trying to arrange for a night guard, but it will a difficult task to find someone available as the holiday has already begun. It will also be a great expense due to the holiday and the danger involved with the job.
All of that to say, please pray. Pray espeically for our safety here on campus during the next few days; and that God will restrain people from coming onto the complex, either to steal or to be destructive. Pray that we’re able to arrange for a night guard or that it downpours so horribly (rainy season just started) that it would impede those who would steal things from the school. Pray that we will be able to get materials soon and begin to repair the wall.
- With all that said, I do want add that I am not worried. I serve an all-Mighty, powerful God who is able to do abundantly more than I could ask or think. He could have prevented the wall from falling as it did or even simply delayed until after Carnaval, but He didn’t which means there He has a purpose in mind. Pray that His purpose will be accomplished, both around us and IN us. As it is, I’m thankful that the wall did not fall on somebody, for it would have seriously injured them if not killed them. When it fell, there was a little boy playing in the street only a few feet away from the section that collapsed. God is gracious, sovereign and good; let us trust in that.Okay. That’s it. I need to go help clean up. Thanks for praying, Kari