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Rio De Janeiro

 

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

We are yearning, longing, burning for our bridegroom King. He is ever-present yet He longs for so much more from us to be completely united and given to Him because His raging jealous love burns with desire for our full affection. He constantly calls us to come closer and dive deeper in devotion so that the fullness of His purpose for us as Sons, Daughters and heirs can be fulfilled as we are sanctified and consecrated, set apart from the world to reveal and invite all into the Kingdom that cannot be shaken, to come to the desire of all nations, Christ Jesus our Savior King. We left home, family, control and comfort, to fulfill His purpose for our lives. This does not mean that somehow we have arrived and super-christians. We have so much further to press in to fully embrace Oneness with Him. He is perfectly holy and has no mixture in Him. So He calls us to cast off all compromise of conviction and despise the demon of mediocrity so that no veil may lay over our hearts and minds but that with clear vision we may view from eternity’s perspective placing no value on temporary treasures that fade with the wind and are simply a deception of false security and comfort attempting to fill the void that aches for Him. Within our soul we grown for Him so we naively numb the pain through seemingly innocent passtimes that our good and the enemy of the full eternal destiny that Love paid the price and sacrificed His life to offer freely to us but few only want the crumbs and settle for less disregarding the high cost of sacrifice that was paid on our behalf to redeem us from corruption and give us abundant life which is so much more than forgiveness and a ticket to heaven. He is desperate for us to be desperate for Him and Longing for us to long for Him and when we become truly hungry for the bread of heaven and crave and desire Him above any earthly thing than we will begin to rise above every obstacle and fly on new wings with heavens perspective and Joy that vanquishes every opposition of dissolution and settling for less than always more.

We are currently on this journey together as a team and family here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We have been delayed here a while but not inconveniently as the Father is working to bring us into a deeper purity and oneness to release a greater glory and fully fulfill His purpose for us as a community on this journey. There are thirty of us from many different nations living together in small places and can at times become hectic but as we refocus on the goal of this journey which is Christ Jesus Himself we are again refilled with excitement and expectancy that He has so much more for us. We had an amazing last couple of weeks here as our team stayed in poor flavelas (slums) and ministered the Gospel of His love. We stayed a few days in what was said to be the most dangerous flavela in this part of Brazil. In so many places we go people tell us how extremely dangerous it is so we were not too worried. In this place what people were talking about was pretty visibly evident when we got there. As we walked to a worship meeting we were going to have out in the street with a church we passed many members of the drug trafficking gang that ran the area. There were strapped with pistols, large automatic rifles and machine guns. We loved on them not being nervous by the weapons in their hands and even hugged them and prayed for them. We had the opportunity to pray and prophecy over the gang manager and some of the members the last night before we left and they were extremely thankful that we came and their faces lit up with as we spoke life and destiny into them. We were staying with a mission there that did not expect we would even follow through and come because most teams always back out because of fear from hearing how dangerous that area is. We did not have to worry about theft there because they cut off the hand or kill anyone who steals. They don’t want cops to come in so they keep the neighborhood afraid to steal by taking these extreme measures. We realized the main danger was not the trafficking gang but if the police came, in a moment shootouts can take place and people could be caught in cross-fire. There was one moment when a couple of our women had a gun drawn in their faces because they were using a cell phone and the gang thought they were giving information about what was happening in the neighborhood, but when realized that they not a threat it was put down.

The gang manager that we prayed for testified afterward that they were about to go to war with another flavela that night but after we prayed for them he felt such a peace and life that he was confused and decided that they would not go.

Most Currently

Most Currently

The last few days have been amazing. We lived in Parada de Lucas which is the most dangerous favela in all of Rio. Drug Lords run those neighborhoods and it is common to see men everywhere with massive machine guns and walkie-talkies. It was amazing to be able to just love these men and the people of the neighborhood praying for them and sharing the love of God. Even just a smile brings joy to their faces. In the area fireworks aRe continually going off signaling other gang members that cops are around because the war is not the hugley between gangs, but between the cops and the gangs. Also there is a law against stealing in the area, formed not by the government, But by the drug lords. If you are caught stealing they will either shoot you or cut off your hand. This all because if you steal then someone will more than likely call the cops and that is what they do not want. It seems a little bit of a contradiction, but for it being the most dangerous place in Rio we were not in much danger of being robbed or shot at. We were not allowed to take pictures and 2 of our team members got into a little trouble with some gang members because some gangsters mistook their cell phone and hand gestures as a them relying information to the cops and taking pictures, but it was all sorted and the guns were put away. Our time in the favelas was amazing just spending time with all the kids that were around 24/7, having services in the streets, getting the opportunity to share stories and testimonies in a public school, and getting to spend the day at one of the nicest most famous recording studios in Brazil with a very well known Brazilian Reaggae band. They let us sit in on their practice time then let us have some time to jam with them in the amazing art facility. It had practice rooms, recording studios, dance studios, and stages. An incredibly beautiful place full of potential and promise from God! Before we left the band and a DJ class that had joined in allowed us to pray over all of them and bless their work in the area! The next day we left the favelas after spending the morning sanding the walls of the YWAM base where we slept on the floors. We had made a contact with a couple, who had a ministry in the dumps and we headed out to spend the day praying and ministering with people who live in and out of other peoples rubbish! A state of living no one is called to! We walked through the many shacks and stacks of rubbish for most of the day. Stopping in homes and praying for people as well as playing with the hundreds of kids that followed us the whole day! That night we set up a film for all the kids on a big screen with a projector. It reminded me a lot of Africa. Finally we headed out to a condo that a family has graciously let us take over in the nicest area of Rio, Zona Sul. Our life is so crazy we never have any idea where we are or what is going to happen, but most importantly we stay open to Holy Spirit's direction and go wherever the wind blows! Thank you to everyone who is continually praying for us, supporting me and my team financially, and really being here with us in spirit! So much love and blessings, Rachael Michelle P.s. for the most current pictures go to my Facebook pictures and look under the instagram album!

Most Currently

Most Currently

The last few days have been amazing. We lived in Parada de Lucas which is the most dangerous favela in all of Rio. Drug Lords run those neighborhoods and it is common to see men everywhere with massive machine guns and walkie-talkies. It was amazing to be able to just love these men and the people of the neighborhood praying for them and sharing the love of God. Even just a smile brings joy to their faces. In the area fireworks aRe continually going off signaling other gang members that cops are around because the war is not the hugley between gangs, but between the cops and the gangs. Also there is a law against stealing in the area, formed not by the government, But by the drug lords. If you are caught stealing they will either shoot you or cut off your hand. This all because if you steal then someone will more than likely call the cops and that is what they do not want. It seems a little bit of a contradiction, but for it being the most dangerous place in Rio we were not in much danger of being robbed or shot at. We were not allowed to take pictures and 2 of our team members got into a little trouble with some gang members because some gangsters mistook their cell phone and hand gestures as a them relying information to the cops and taking pictures, but it was all sorted and the guns were put away. Our time in the favelas was amazing just spending time with all the kids that were around 24/7, having services in the streets, getting the opportunity to share stories and testimonies in a public school, and getting to spend the day at one of the nicest most famous recording studios in Brazil with a very well known Brazilian Reaggae band. They let us sit in on their practice time then let us have some time to jam with them in the amazing art facility. It had practice rooms, recording studios, dance studios, and stages. An incredibly beautiful place full of potential and promise from God! Before we left the band and a DJ class that had joined in allowed us to pray over all of them and bless their work in the area! The next day we left the favelas after spending the morning sanding the walls of the YWAM base where we slept on the floors. We had made a contact with a couple, who had a ministry in the dumps and we headed out to spend the day praying and ministering with people who live in and out of other peoples rubbish! A state of living no one is called to! We walked through the many shacks and stacks of rubbish for most of the day. Stopping in homes and praying for people as well as playing with the hundreds of kids that followed us the whole day! That night we set up a film for all the kids on a big screen with a projector. It reminded me a lot of Africa. Finally we headed out to a condo that a family has graciously let us take over in the nicest area of Rio, Zona Sul. Our life is so crazy we never have any idea where we are or what is going to happen, but most importantly we stay open to Holy Spirit's direction and go wherever the wind blows! Thank you to everyone who is continually praying for us, supporting me and my team financially, and really being here with us in spirit! So much love and blessings, Rachael Michelle P.s. for the most current pictures go to my Facebook pictures and look under the instagram album!

brazil

Most Currently

The last few days have been amazing. We lived in Parada de Lucas which is the most dangerous favela in all of Rio. Drug Lords run those neighborhoods and it is common to see men everywhere with massive machine guns and walkie-talkies. It was amazing to be able to just love these men and the people of the neighborhood praying for them and sharing the love of God. Even just a smile brings joy to their faces. In the area fireworks aRe continually going off signaling other gang members that cops are around because the war is not the hugley between gangs, but between the cops and the gangs. Also there is a law against stealing in the area, formed not by the government, But by the drug lords. If you are caught stealing they will either shoot you or cut off your hand. This all because if you steal then someone will more than likely call the cops and that is what they do not want. It seems a little bit of a contradiction, but for it being the most dangerous place in Rio we were not in much danger of being robbed or shot at. We were not allowed to take pictures and 2 of our team members got into a little trouble with some gang members because some gangsters mistook their cell phone and hand gestures as a them relying information to the cops and taking pictures, but it was all sorted and the guns were put away. Our time in the favelas was amazing just spending time with all the kids that were around 24/7, having services in the streets, getting the opportunity to share stories and testimonies in a public school, and getting to spend the day at one of the nicest most famous recording studios in Brazil with a very well known Brazilian Reaggae band. They let us sit in on their practice time then let us have some time to jam with them in the amazing art facility. It had practice rooms, recording studios, dance studios, and stages. An incredibly beautiful place full of potential and promise from God! Before we left the band and a DJ class that had joined in allowed us to pray over all of them and bless their work in the area! The next day we left the favelas after spending the morning sanding the walls of the YWAM base where we slept on the floors. We had made a contact with a couple, who had a ministry in the dumps and we headed out to spend the day praying and ministering with people who live in and out of other peoples rubbish! A state of living no one is called to! We walked through the many shacks and stacks of rubbish for most of the day. Stopping in homes and praying for people as well as playing with the hundreds of kids that followed us the whole day! That night we set up a film for all the kids on a big screen with a projector. It reminded me a lot of Africa. Finally we headed out to a condo that a family has graciously let us take over in the nicest area of Rio, Zona Sul. Our life is so crazy we never have any idea where we are or what is going to happen, but most importantly we stay open to Holy Spirit's direction and go wherever the wind blows! Thank you to everyone who is continually praying for us, supporting me and my team financially, and really being here with us in spirit! So much love and blessings, Rachael Michelle P.s. for the most current pictures go to my Facebook pictures and look under the instagram album!

in the flavelas

Our team went to a favela (shanty towns in Brasil) the other day. We met Pastor Marcelo at his church which is located right at the entry of the favelas. He sat us down and began to explain about the area. He told us all about the favela being really dangerous, wars between the gangs in the area that were especially hostile at the moment because of recent murders and so on. He smiled really big and said, “We heard ya’ll aren’t afraid of stuff like that so lets go!” Marcelo has been given permission from the head narco trafficker in the favela to walk freely around to bless the people, so we would be fine as long as we were with him.
We started down the street and I was amazed at the pastor. It was like he knew everyone.. people were smiling at him and waving. He greeted so many people and introduced us to them. We prayed for person after person as we walked. Soon we were warned that the other gang was coming to attack at any moment and people started closing up their shops. We decided to keep visiting the people and continued walking as police cars with guns pointing out the windows patrolled past. For a little bit you could feel fear settle over the area but whatever, light shines so bright in darkness. Honestly we were all just relaxing, strolling around as sons and daughters of God blessing people and praying for the sick not really bothered at all. It’s funny how when you are so aware of the kingdom of God the kingdom of darkness is just not that intimidating.
After hanging with the people we headed back to the church to eat some lunch before going back to our house. We had a great time eating and blasting worship music from the speakers. When we got back to Carole’s house her mom said, “You’re back and you’re okay! I have been calling people to pray.. the gang came to attack and its all over the news right now!” “What, really???… everything was just fine while we were there.” Apparently at the same time we were in the church for lunch the gang actually did end up coming. God is great at keeping his people safe

anniversary

It's our IRIS Latin America team anniversary today! Exactly one year ago today a bunch of our team met up at Bethel Church in Redding, CA and got commissioned and sent out by our mama Heidi Baker... 18 nations later our traveling family from all over the world is still on this crazy road trip.Our team has grown since we started.. so many different backgrounds, personalities, languages, etc. all thrown together learning so much about community and being the body of Christ through constant change, never knowing where we will sleep at night, car breakdowns, running out of money and so on, all the while preaching the Gospel, praying for the sick, ministering in churches, slums, back alleys, jungles, prisons, wherever God ends up taking us.. trusting Him every step of the way.
-Natalie Mantai

Always Alive

Praise Him. Yesterday was packed with incredible God stuff. We spent some time in a neighborhood that was supposedly the most dangerous in the Cabo Frio region where there are constant gang wars that take place. There was recent shootings and a planned attack while we were there. We roamed the streets praying for people and bringing the joy, peace and love of God to many broken afraid people.We had an evening church service there and the heavens opened up over that place as we declared and brought peace and hope to that neighborhood. The police were roaming with guns ready at any second and people were lining the streets awaiting an attack that never happened while we were there. Instead God brought healing, love, hope and salvation to many people. Thank you, Jesus!

Ablaze