Você pode ajudar a África?

África, um continente dotado de imensos recursos naturais e humanos, bem como grande novidade cultural, ecológica e diversidade económica, África ainda permanece subdesenvolvida. A maioria das nações Africanas sofrem de ditaduras militares,corrupção, Guerras civil e extrema pobreza, do subdesenvolvimento e millhares de pessoas morrendo por causa do Virus do HIV/AIDS. A maioria dos países classificados pela ONU como países menos desenvolvidos estão na África. Várias estratégias de desenvolvimento ainda não conseguiram produzir os resultados esperados. Embora alguns acreditam que o continente está condenado a perpétua pobreza e escravatura económica, a África tem imenso potencial. África é a minha cruz e minha maior alegria, ao mesmo tempo. Hallelua!

As imagens de dor e de sofrimento em todo o nosso canais de TV. Essas imagens vêm do Iraque, Afeganistão, Israel, Palestina e África. Vemos a morte e o sofrimento de perto. Pensamos que é apenas notícias, como imagens alimentadas a nós através de câmeras, satélite, telefones vídeo, imagens fixas. A cada ano, vemos milhares delas, elas vêm de todo o mundo.

O mundo está apenas olhando e não estar fazendo nada. Vemos as imagens, temos pena, mas a maioria de nós não fazemos nada. Vemos imagens da África, as crianças com fome, garotos soldados no Congo, no Norte do Uganda e do Sul do Sudão onde milhares e milhares morrem de fome e por causa das Guerras civis.

Há anos que eu tenho levantado dinheiro para Projetos africanos ou viagens que eu fui para a África. Fui três vezes à África e sempre quando eu volto para o Brasil, eu sempre tenho encontrado essa atitude de piedade das pessoas, essa atitude de sentir pena da África, mas essas pessoas não colocam em ação seu sentimento. Gostaria de contar a história da África, as suas possibilidades, suas riquezas, seus recursos, a história de um povo que tem fome de liberdade, fome de Deus e fome das coisas básica da vida como comida. Eu encontro pessoas nas Igrejas e elas falam assim pra mim as vezes “Tenho pena das pessoas na África, mas porque elas não têm menos filhos e os seus problemas podem ser resolvidos - ou - Por que precisamos ajudar a África - se tudo o que eles fazem é matar uns aos outros - Eu sinto muito por eles, mas a África é longe e temos necessidades aqui no Brasil ou nos Estados Unidos, mas eu tenho pena deles. "

África não precisa da nossa pena, nosso sentimento triste por eles, mas o que eles necessitam é da nossa compaixão. Pena conduz à inação, vemos as imagens de crianças com barrigas distendidas, vemos mulheres emaciado, homens sangrando e sentimo-nos tristes, mas não fazemos nada sobre isso. Pena leva a sentimentos de inação, se tornando anestesiados do sofrimento, dor, injustiça que está perante os nossos olhos sobre a tela da TV ou nos Jornais.

Estou tão animado, porque Deus está me permitindo levar uma equipe para a Uganda e Sudão, em Dezembro de 2009. Neste momento temos 11 pessoas que vão e a maioria de nós não temos idéia de onde vamos conseguir o dinheiro para ir. Cada um de nós temos que levantar perto de 4 mil dólares para a nossa viagem. Nós acreditamos em um milagre e sabemos que Deus vai providenciar de alguma forma. Por favor, peço-vos a todos que têm orado e clamado pelo continente africano. Agora é a hora de agir todos vocês que conhecem o nosso ministerio, e você pode fazer isso de muitas formas, uma orando para nossa equipe, orando por mim como o líder da equipe e, obviamente, financiando a nossa viagem missionaria. Por favor, Se você quiser fazer uma doação para nós como equipe ou se você quiser enviar uma doação financeira para mim especificamente . É muito fácil e rápido. Basta me enviar um e-mail: sidneypereira915@hotmail.com ou ligue no meu cellular (19) 9291-1278.

Sua ajuda é fundamental, porque as crianças da África precisa - agora mais do que nunca! Crianças que necessitam de cuidados de saúde, educação, alimentação, abrigo e cuidados e apoio. Mas, com o seu apoio, A nossa equipe vai poder satisfazer todas as necessidades básicas dessas crianças; também você pode trazer esperança, oportunidade e salvar vidas de pessoas!

Can you help?

Africa, a continent endowed with immense natural and human resources as well as great cultural, ecological and economic diversity, remains underdeveloped. Most African nations suffer from military dictatorships, corruption, civil unrest and war, underdevelopment and deep poverty. The majority of the countries classified by the UN as least developed are in Africa. Numerous development strategies have failed to yield the expected results. Although some believe that the continent is doomed to perpetual poverty and economic slavery, Africa has immense potential. Africa is my cross and my greatest joy at the same time. Hallelua!!!

The images of pain and of suffering move across our TV screen. They come from Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine and Africa. We see death and suffering up close and yet are comfortably enough removed from it. We see them as news, as images fed to us via cameras, satellite, video phones, still images. Each year we see thousands of them, they come from around the globe. Most of the time we see them as mere images and not as the people and lives, the families, the communities they represent.

The world is standing by doing nothing. We see the images, we have pity, but most of us do nothing. We see images from Africa, children starving, boy soldiers running around in Congo, Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan where thousands upon thousands have died.

For years now I have been raising money for African Projects or mission trips I took to Africa. I have been three times now to Africa and I have found this attitude of pity from people, this attitude of feeling sorry for Africa but not putting it into action as the prevalent mood of the day. I would tell the story of Africa, its possibilities, its riches, its resources, the story of a people hungering for freedom, for the basics of life and I would get “that is nice, I pity them, but why don’t they have fewer children and their problems be solved – or – Why do we need to help – if all they are going to do is kill each other – I feel sorry for them, but Africa is far away and we have needs here in Brazil or in the United States, but I do pity them.”

Pity regards its object not only as suffering, but as weak, and hence as inferior, and I am sorry to say that such an attitude still exists in the year 2008. Africa does not need our pity, our feeling sorry for them, but it needs our compassion. Pity leads to inaction, we view the pictures of children with distended bellies, we see emaciated women, bloodied men and we feel sad, but do nothing about it. Pity leads to feelings of inaction, becoming anesthetized from the suffering, pain, injustice that is before our eyes on the TV screen or in print.

Compassion on the other hand leads to action that is not based on pity for someone lesser than, but reaches out to a fellow human being. Pity might give a handout, whereas compassion not only tends to the immediate needs at hand, but also empowers the person in need to be all that they are meant to be.

I am so excited because God is allowing me to take a team to Uganda and Sudan in December 2009. Right now we have 11 people going and most of us have no idea where we are going to get the money to go. Each one of us needs close to 4 Thousand dollars for our trip. We believe in a miracle and we know God is going to provide in some way. So please I call all of you who have prayed and cried for Africa. Now it is the time for all of you to act and you can do that in many ways by praying for our team, praying for me as the leader of the team and of course by financing our mission trip. Please let me know if you want to do a fundraising for us or if you want to send a financial donation. It is very easy and fast. Just send me an e-mail: sidneypereira915@hotmail.com or call: (19)9291-1278.

Your help is critical because the children of Africa - now more than ever! --- are in need of health care, education, food, shelter and care and support. But with your support, they can meet all basic needs; also you can bring hope, opportunity and save their lives!

You were not created to be Mister "Cool"

Have you ever noticed what "Christians" look like or like to perceive themselves? Of course it is not all of them but most Christians have tried to show to the world that they are perfect if not perfect close to perfect. Many people in the church think they gotta have everything together and be good or sometimes they even describe themselves as cool people. But something you never really hear is that they are messed up people and they have no clue of what`s going on in their lives or around them. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and I know life is not going to be all good and fun like we want it to be. But we don`t hear that from Christians or churches anymore. We only hear that after we accept Jesus Christ, everything is going to be fixed (good,fun,easy). But I have some bad news for you or I am going to mess up your theology.

After you say yes to Jesus or better saying become a follower of Jesus Christ, disciple of the King. Your life will never be the same because it just can`t be. It is funny how Jesus or the Bible always teaches us the contrary of what the world values or says we should have. Remember? We serve an awesome God and he is very different than the God we hear in churches. We serve a God that loves the prostitutes, murderers, street kids, prison inmates, Osama Bin Laden, Hitler, Fidel Castro the same way he loves us. His heart is crying out and calling all the destitute, forgotten people to have a relationship with him.

For example if you think about Jesus ministry. He used to hang out or better saying talk to prostitutes, tax-collectors, murderers, fisher men, lepers, orphans, widows and most of the time Jesus used to slap spiritually the religious people and he used to call them liars, fake and a bunch of other ugly names. Oh, I almost forgot to tell Jesus never looked at this people and thought I am talking to a prostitute. Not even once. Never!!! but he always I guarantee you thought I am talking to my daughter, someone that I love and care about. Wow!!! It messes with your theology. Hum?

Jesus is tired of all those people in the churches trying to fit in and be cool. God is trying and calling out those people that want to jump from the windows instead of going through the doors. Almost every christian is coming in and going out through the doors, but God wants to raise up a generation that is radical and is not conformed with the normal anymore. God is tired of people that are tiptoeing through life but he wants people that are willing to run as fast as they can or jump in life for Jesus and the kingdom of God.

Is Our Generation ready for the Challenge?

I hear a lot about our generation` selfishness, pride, lack of commitment to God. Sometimes I wonder if our generation is going to make it? But when God allows me to speak at cell groups, youth services, churches around Brazil or around the world I find some young people that are willing to pray that dangerous prayer "God, Here I am, so use me."

When our generation decides to pray this dangerous prayer and when they decide to stand up, stand out and make the difference then something radical and noble it is going to happen in our world. It is hard today to find a devoted, fully committed young person completely in love with God in our generation and ready to impact our world. Nowadays, we need young people that are willing to give up their comfort(family, fame, power, fun)for the cause of Jesus and the expansion of the kingdom.

I went to a cell group last Friday and I met some awesome young people and I am so thankful to Jesus because when I meet young people like that it really encourages me because sometimes I feel I am a weird, strange, radical young person that is by himself. It is so encouraging to meet and find other crazy young for Jesus. God is good!!!

There is nothing better than living my life for Jesus and for this suffering and dying world. I want to love the unloved, care for the forgotten, embrace the orphans, care for widows, accept and minister to the despised people of our world. My calling and purpose is to serve and bring help to the poorest of poor. "God, Thank you for being with me".

Is the Church Dead?

The church today is not changing and upsetting the world, it has lost its way. Christians doesn`t speak from the rooftops the things they have heard in secret anymore. Satan is winning in this world. Over a million babies are slaughtered in the womb. Divorce is rampant. Children are abandoned by their fathers. Parents are not parenting and the children are lawless. Pornography is a national disease that ruins the minds of young boys. And the Gospel is not being preached in most pulpits. The Gospel of Jesus has been replaced with a message of convenience. Preachers are pressured to offend no one. Leaders have heard the cry for ear-pleasing worship and they are giving it.

For example: Most churches just wait for special holidays or events to help the poor or in the slums here in Brazil. Most of the churches here in Brazil and also in the world wait for Christmas time to give things to the poor communities. But God has called us for something greater. He has called us to be agent of change, restoration, healing in this world. We need to influence, impact locally and globally especially on this issue of poverty. We cannot become weary of doing good and think we can`t do anything. Nowadays we have a lot of lazy and faithless Christians inside of the church. We have so many Christians that are fat spiritually speaking, obese spiritually speaking and they are just concerned about themselves and their little world but when they are doing that. Just check this out:

The world, some 26,500 children die every day.

That is equivalent to:

- 1 child dying every 3 seconds

- 18 children dying every minute

- A 2004 Asian Tsunami occurring every week

- An Iraq-scale death toll every 15-36 days

- Almost 10 million children dying every year

- Some 60 million children dying between 2000 and 2006

The silent killers are poverty, hunger, easily preventable diseases and illnesses, and other related causes. In spite of the scale of this daily/ongoing catastrophe, it rarely manages to achieve, much less sustain, prime-time, headline coverage.

Unfortunately, it seems that the world still does not notice. It might be reasonable to expect that death and tragedy on this scale should be prime time headlines news. Yet, these issues only surface when there are global meetings or concerts (such as the various G8 summits, the Make Poverty History campaign in 2005, etc).

Who is going to speak up? What is the church of Christ doing today? Are we sitting by on the sidelines saying it is not our business or are we speaking up and proclaiming God's will? Where does the church stand on the things that matter to God?

Something comes to mind when I think about a church that is thinking about a global issues but that church is taking global solution. I think about the the morally energized, spiritually motivated church in the Bible that was viewed as radical and a force to be reckoned with. An example of the influence the Gospel is seen in Acts 17. I can assure you that we can become that church again and we can make the difference and we can change our world and especially the numbers of children dying because of hunger or better saying starvation.

5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." (Acts 17:5-7)

I am never going to live for myself and I am ready to fight for this dying world and I am ready to take as many with me to Heaven. I will make the difference and I invite you to do the same. Lord, Help us all. Amen!!!

If I could change the world!!!

If I could change the world, I would do it by putting an end to abortion.

About 4,000 babies die a day in the United States. About 120,000 babies die each day in the world. That's in only one day, and that is a lot of babies. More babies are killed a day by choice than the total men killed in World War II. 545,108 men were killed in World War II and since the year 1995, 34,000,000 babies have been killed by abortion.

Dr. Jean Garton once said that we would have to be quiet for 10,000 hours if we were quiet a second for each baby that was killed by abortion. That is over a year. That is a long time to be quiet. I don't know if you could do it, but I know I couldn't be quiet that long.

Did you ever wonder why we don't have a cure for AIDS or a cure for cancer? With all the babies that have been killed maybe one would have grown up and found a cure. Think about how many famous athletes, musicians, scientists, and teachers must have been killed. How many Michael Jordans, Beethovens, or Albert Einsteins have been killed?

A life starts inside a woman's body. This life will grow, and if allowed to be born, will become a person like you and me. As early as 3 weeks or 18 days you can hear the baby's heartbeat inside its mother. To find out if someone is alive or dead, a doctor listens for a heartbeat. Why doesn't the heartbeat inside the mother mean that there is life?

Another way a doctor checks a person to see if they are alive is to check for brain waves. A baby's brain waves are present at 6 weeks or 40 days. If brain waves indicate life, then why doesn't a baby's brain waves mean that there is life inside the mother? What kind of people are we to kill our own babies?

In the state of Ohio, there is a law that says if an "unborn member of the species homo sapiens, who is or was carried in the womb of another is killed, it is considered a form of murder or manslaughter." That means that in Ohio if you get in your car and have an accident, and an unborn child dies, you can be charged with a form of murder. But, a pregnant woman can get in a car and get an abortion killing the life inside her, and it is not considered murder.

I can't go to the mall and get my ears pierced without my parents signed permission. But I could go to an Abortion Clinic and have an abortion without my parents' permission. It seems to me that what they are saying is that getting my ears pierced is more important than a life of a child.
What would make a woman consider abortion? Could it be FEAR?

Women have abortions because they are afraid their lives will change: they are afraid they can't afford a baby, and they are afraid they will have to raise the baby alone. If you become pregnant, don't be afraid, and don't choose murder. There is help out there! You can choose to give the baby up for adoption to people who want to have children or you can have your parents help you raise the baby. But don't kill the baby.

Just imagine if you couldn't buy a Wendy's cheeseburger, a hot cheesy slice of Dominoes Pizza, or type e-mail to a friend on an Apple Computer. The people who created all of these were adopted. If Dave Thomas's mother had considered abortion there wouldn't be any cheeseburgers from Wendy's. If Tom Monaghan's mother had considered abortion, there wouldn't be any Domino's Pizza. If Steve Jobs's mother chose abortion, you would not be able to type on an Apple computer. What would our world be like without all these great contributions?

About 57% of Americans believe that abortion is murder. What do you believe? Do you believe that abortion is murder? Remember that if your heart beats or if you have brain waves, you are alive. Why shouldn't a baby be given the same right? The fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution says that "The State shall not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law." Where are the rights of the baby?

Three things that we can do to reduce the numbers of abortions are to educate ourselves, and others, write letters, and vote. We could write letters to the media about how we feel, and visit your elected officials telling them how we feel. You could also collect signatures to change the law about abortion. If you are old enough to vote, you could vote for those candidates who are against abortion. There are a lot of different ways that you could help.

Because of abortion we are losing valuable human beings who could make endless contributions to our world. Maybe by raising my voice, I could change the world by putting an end to abortion!