We are happy to share with you that we have just celebrated our 6-month anniversary in Brazil; it has been a challenge to settle back in and readjust. Thank God we’ve been able to get started with various activities and projects, since a helping hand is always welcome.
We’re working pastorally with two communities, trying to encourage them to grow little by little and to get more people involved in the work. We’re also supporting prison ministry, working with ministers of the Word, and providing catechumenate instruction, among other things.
We have carried out various activities, including family ministry with married couples, catechizing engaged couples preparing for marriage, and participating in an evangelization and awareness-raising event focused on the BETS theme. This initiative brought to light many cases of gambling abuse in the area and raises the question: What must we do as Christians to prevent this in our society?
We have also been working to identify and implement projects that can support the development of children, youth, and adults in the region. With great joy, we launched several language courses at the Comboni House—including English, Spanish, and French—as well as at the Ype Amarelo Association. It encourages us to see that there are young people and adults interested in acquiring new knowledge and skills that can help them secure better job opportunities and fulfill their dreams at the same time.
We continue with the training and therapy group for women, focused on evangelization, self-help topics, and crafts. We hope to start courses in drawing and painting, as well as monthly talks to inform and raise awareness about drug use and violence against women.
The peripheries always speak of a marginalization that shifts its focus over time—a neglect that affects new generations, especially today in the areas of education and family unity.
We ask for your prayers so that we may do God’s will and help those in need of comfort amid so much sadness and uncertainty.
May St. Daniel Comboni continue to intercede for the missionary work that all of us in the CLM carry out as one great community, and may everything be for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
A fraternal embrace.
Alejandro and Ana Cris
CLM of Guatemala in Brazil
