Brazilians are a diverse, energetic people, descended from native Indians, African slaves, European settlers, and immigrants from many other countries. The only Portuguese-speaking country in South America, Brazil is a land alive with natural wonders, from stunning waterfalls and the Amazon rainforest to deserts, mountain jungles, and white-sand beaches. It is the fifth largest country in the world and boasts the ninth richest economy. In spite of the natural resources and wealth of Brazil, the disparity between rich and poor is one of the largest anywhere. The city of Rio de Janeiro has approximately 9 million inhabitants, of which an estimated twenty percent live in relative to extreme poverty, primarily in the favelas (shanty towns) that crawl up the city’s mountainsides.
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Mission Statement
- We are called by God to offer a prophetic witness to the city of Rio de Janeiro, especially to those who struggle with and suffer from drugs, poverty, broken families and violence.
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Downtown Street Ministry
- WMF staff and volunteers are in relationship with about 30-40 children, adolescents and young families who live on or frequent the streets of downtown Rio de Janeiro. Ministry activities include soccer, art and educational activities, Bible teaching, worship and music, meals and prayer. WMF assists in procuring necessary documents and government identification, as well as negotiating the legal system to assist families with people in jail or whose children have been taken away by social services. WMF staff continue to walk alongside a family that received a loan in 2008 for the purchase of a home after their shack was destroyed in a storm.
In 2009, Word Made Flesh Brasil was officially registered with the Brasilian government as Palavra Encarnada. In addition, the first general assembly and board meetings were held.
- WMF staff and volunteers are in relationship with about 30-40 children, adolescents and young families who live on or frequent the streets of downtown Rio de Janeiro. Ministry activities include soccer, art and educational activities, Bible teaching, worship and music, meals and prayer. WMF assists in procuring necessary documents and government identification, as well as negotiating the legal system to assist families with people in jail or whose children have been taken away by social services. WMF staff continue to walk alongside a family that received a loan in 2008 for the purchase of a home after their shack was destroyed in a storm.
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Women’s Center
- After months of prayer, dreaming and searching, a place is found to serve as a project that will minister among women on the downtown streets of Rio. The rental agreement is signed and the space is renovated to better meet the needs of the women. This center will serve women through holding Bible study, art classes, hygiene courses on health and family, and offering social services.
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Partner Ministries
- Projeto Vidinha is a Christian care home for adopted and at-risk children. WMF staff minister at the home as tutors, mentors and volunteers. The WMF sponsorship program, initiated in 2006, pairs children from the home with U.S.-based families who provide needed financial assistance. The children are supplied with basic necessities and educational assistance while opportunities are given for friendships to develop between the supporting families and the children.
Timonis is an after-school program located in a favela in the north zone of Rio de Janeiro. Ministering to children from the poorest and most dangerous part of the community, Timonis offers a variety of activities: Bible stories, art, music, recess time, snacks, tutoring, psychological assistance and home visits. WMF staff work in partnership with Timonis as street educators and teachers.
- Projeto Vidinha is a Christian care home for adopted and at-risk children. WMF staff minister at the home as tutors, mentors and volunteers. The WMF sponsorship program, initiated in 2006, pairs children from the home with U.S.-based families who provide needed financial assistance. The children are supplied with basic necessities and educational assistance while opportunities are given for friendships to develop between the supporting families and the children.