Critics accuse capital security forces of supporting the protestors. Authorities arrested one ex-security official and the former head of capital police, Anderson Torres. He reportedly “gutted” the police force before leaving on vacation.

“The conflict in Brazil reflects a climate of instability in a divided country,” Ricardo Kroskinsque with Trans World Radio Brazil says.

“We are praying for the Lord to pacify hearts and encourage leaders in the Brazilian Church to pray for the authorities. We believe they were constituted as a part of God’s plans.”

On January 8, Bolsanaro supporters stormed the presidential palace, Congress, and Supreme Court demanding a coup. “We still have people that don’t agree with this new government, but things are calm right now,” Kroskinsque says.

Pray for peace in Brazil and unity among the followers of Christ.
(Photo courtesy of TWR)

Brazil’s October election was the tightest race in the country’s history. Political loyalties run deep and keep society fragmented. TWR Brazil endorses a different response.

“We encourage the exercise of meekness and self-control – qualities of the fruit of the Holy Spirit,” Kroskinsque says.

“We’re asking listeners [to pray] for us for wisdom in this process because we need to understand that [the One] who will reign our country is God. We are asking God to do what He wants to do, what He needs to do.”

Header image depicts people at a street party in Brazil. (Photo courtesy of Anna Kapustina/Pexels)

Brazil has become an epicenter of COVID-19, even as the country proceeds with its reopening. President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been vocally dismissive of the virus, has tested positive.

But poverty in Brazil is making the crisis even worse. Vanessa Viotti of Compassion International says, “When this kind of situation happens in poor communities and poor cities, it [gets worse] dramatically because they don’t have any research or support to face this.”

Most people in Brazil work every day to earn food money for that day. Lockdowns severely disrupt this system, making the cycle of poverty even worse.

This is where the Church steps in. Viotti says, “During this season, their families don’t have basic food. So the sponsorship in this season is even more key because, with the sponsorship support, the Church is able to provide food for these kids and their families.”

What Compassion International is doing

Domestic abuse cases have skyrocketed around the world as lockdowns have been installed. Compassion International has a hotline that kids can call if they need help.

In addition, the ministry usually hosts a parade to bring awareness to sexual abuse. That can’t happen this year, but it has been replaced with an online competition in which children participate through music, theater, or art. Compassion International has also used this campaign to bring awareness to their hotline.

So far, Compassion International has distributed over 250,000 kits of food and 150,000 hygienic items to these families. The ministry also works with local hospitals, providing them with 200,000 pieces of protective equipment.

And you can be a part of this ministry, Viotti says. “In Brazil, we have almost 7000 kids without a sponsor. So, through sponsorship, you can be part of this big movement of COVID-19 response in the world.”

Aside from aid, the churches in Brazil have been very creative during the pandemic and lockdowns. “They are using WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Zoom. They continue to serve the kids and the families, preaching the Gospel and supporting them in that emotional way.”

Pray that COVID-19 would recede from Brazil soon. Thank God that the Church is working, and pray that many would be drawn to Christ as a result.

The header image shows Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. (Image by Nuno Lopes from Pixabay)

TransWorld Radio Brazil uses their broadcast to encourage a prayerful response.

Amazon fires: the hype

Amazonas, Brazil’s largest state, declared a state of emergency last month following reports of heightened fire activity. NASA quickly seconded claims made by Brazil’s satellite monitoring system, though later amended the page.

Fire detections from NASA satellite between August 15 and 22.
(Photo courtesy of NASA)

U.S. celebrities quickly took to Twitter as media coverage grew. French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial Tweet about the Amazon fires triggered an ongoing spat with Bolsonaro. At a G7 climate meeting on August 26, Macron rallied support around a $20 million aid package for countries affected by the fires.

Bolsonaro’s initial rejection of the aid offer raised criticism and concern. Brazilians and outsiders alike claim Bolsonaro should set aside personal slights and accept the aid package. On Friday, leaders from Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname met to coordinate disaster response efforts; Bolsonaro joined the one-day summit by video phone.

What’s the situation on the ground?

TWR’s Ricardo Kroskinsque tells MNN, “We have some local partners in the region that work in Amazonas area. What they’re sharing with us [is] this time in Amazonas [is a] time of fire. So, it’s [a] regular time that we have this situation there. Sometimes they need [to] burn to renew the pastures there; or, the land.”

Reports like this emphasize current Amazon fires as the worst in a decade. While that may be true, BBC News observes fire activity was greater in number and intensity in the mid-2000s. Most fires are currently happening on already-deforested land, the Foundation for Economic Education notes. Furthermore, 80 percent of Brazil’s Amazon territory is protected from deforestation and remains untouched.

Additionally, while Brazil holds 60 percent of the Amazon, deforestation has been steadily declining since the 1980s.

How to help

The Amazon fires have become a political football in Brazil and on the global stage. Kroskinsque says TWR Brazil uses their broadcast to shift the focus to Christ.

“Our answer for this issue is prayer. We use what the Bible says [in] 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to pray for our leaders and presidents. This is what we are doing now.”

Pray TWR can ignite a fire for God’s Word in Brazilian hearts. “Pray for our leaders in Brazil [that God will] give them wisdom to understand what we need and what is best for our Amazon,” Kroskinsque adds.

Learn more about TWR’s Latin America ministry here.

Header image depicts August fire activity in Brazil’s northern states. Photo courtesy of NASA.