Fogo em meu coração

These last two months have come and gone before I have had a chance to blink. My eyes have been opened to more things than I could put into words. The disparity among classes in Brazil is some of the worst I could have imagined. The rampant disregard for life is not something I expected in the culture where people will take another's life for a missed drug payment that is the equivalent of less than $1 USD. The idolatry of futebol is more of a religion than even some of the most devout Christians I know.

At the same time, the veracity of many of the believers that are walking after God is inspiring. Their devotion to God and intensity of prayer is powerful and is provocative to spur my own faith forward. The Iris base in Fortaleza is full of people that lay their own dreams and desires down to serve one another and to encourage each other.



Unfortunately, my phone was taken in the midst of a crowd and so I am without many pictures other than what I can borrow from others. After all I know, you'd think I'd have more wisdom in certain situations... At the same time, it was good to not be tied to technology and simply BE in the moment. So bear with me!

While there:

- our first night, 8 brothels for children were closed and pimps arrested
- established a house of prayer that ran nearly 12 hours a day
- partnered with local churches and brought teachings as well as equipping for outreaches
- outreaches in the favelas to children and others that lived there
- I was able to go to a match and see the world champions play
- held a banquet for the women we met, which ended up leading to a couple giving their lives to Christ
- saw physical healings
- outreaches to those caught in sex slavery
- went undercover to find brothels
- worshipped in the midst of the streets and had a block party
- learned more than I could discuss about community and family



This was just a glimpse of some of the things that we encountered while there and there's so much more to it that I have yet to even unpack myself.

I will continue praying for Fortaleza and earnestly desire that you would be led to do the same to stop the injustices that are allowed to happen. Pray for the enforcement of police to shut down brothels, for legalized prostitution to cease, and for the church to awaken to bring restoration to the streets.

Bom dia!

Headed to the World Cup

Since my last post in Switzerland, a lot has happened and I have yet to unpack it fully. These months in America have been laced with some good moments as well as times of forced resting and letting go of what I was wanting to make happen in my own efforts.  I was severely tempted to re-enter the workforce and seek my own satisfaction in Colorado, to be surrounded by things I enjoy doing and just make something happen rather than wait for what God has next. This desire led to my "dream job" in Boulder which I didn't feel peace on and I chose to wait for what was next.

Through a series of dreams last year, reconnecting with good friends, prayer, and counseling I found that next step: Brazil.

I'll be joining Exodus Cry in the Liberdade movement (http://exoduscry.com/liberdade/) in Fortaleza, a northeast coastal city in Brazil. We'll be partnering with locals and other missionaries to set-up a house of prayer in each of the twelve cities hosting the World Cup as well as seeking after an end to sex trafficking in the country as we love on those in the cities.

My heart is full to see this slavery movement ended and I could not be more prepared and excited to be partnering with this mission.

Whenever a large worldwide sporting event takes place, the demand for sex tourism increases and the injustices that are permitted to occur will no longer take place without those standing up for freedom in this day and in this hour.

“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.”  - William Wilberforce, a key figure in the emancipation of slaves in the 1800's across the world

If you have a desire to find out how you can become involved in putting an end to sex slavery in your area please don't hesitate to reach out and I can put you in contact with others. 

Expect to see updates during the course of the World Cup here. 

Additionally, there are a number of future ventures that have been put on my shoulders that will be coming to fruition as time progresses. If you would like to receive additional updates in the form of a newsletter please send me your email address to imsmith456@gmail.com.

And of course the part I know you're all curious about, what about my amazing beard? Well... I have set it free to be all it was created to be apart from me.

Our external circumstances follow what we've created inside of ourselves. Make sure to take the time to know you and be the change you want to see.

Namaste