Christ`s Care for Women in Recife, Brazil

I am spending one month in Brazil as part of USPG`s (United Society of the Propagation of the Gospel) ´Expanding Horizons Programme`. I am staying in the Anglican diocese of Recife with time in Recife and a town 2ookm away, Caruaru. The aim is to experience the Anglican Church in a different context

During my first week here I spent time with over 100 women at a Christian Course  (cursilho). The course took place in a beautiful area with exotic plants and trees in a large  self-catering hotel. The course lasted 3 nigths and four days and was aimed at continuing women`s discipleship and also bringing people to faith. The course was organised by the Cathedral in Recife. I was really impressed with the whole event, even though my Portuguese is very bad, the women were hugely welcoming and loving!

A team of women run the event from all the catering, the workshops, prayer, music, entertainment. There was an overwhelming attitude of Christ`s love and care, as well as a lot of tears and a lot of laughter. The fact that volunteers organised the event and showed their discipleship through service to the women on the course was an excellent witness to their faith. At each meal time a Bible verse was left on each person`s plate and as the days progressed people sent each other encouraging notes of love and small gifts. 

The lives of the women in Brazil are often hard and in particular maintaining relationships is a struggle.  Many of the women are separated or divorced bringing up children on their own or with support from their mothers. Domestic violence is also a widespread problem. The women also told me about the political situation in Brazil which added to their  difficulties. They pay high taxes but most of their money is wasted through corruption.  In this context of struggle in their lives the message of Christ`s love and care for all people takes on a particular poignancy.

The Anglican Diocese in Recife has met significant difficulties owing to a renegade Conservative Bishop who has severed the historic link with Canterbury taking many priests and churches with him. Those priests that are left, committed to staying in the Anglican Communion, have a huge task of rebuilding the churches at the base level, not least finding the money to build new churches. Most are working without pay and supporting themselves through other work. Brazil also has a highly competitive religious environment. On my street there are five different churches. It is difficult for the Anglican Church therefore to witness here, but important that this message of love and transformation is communicated. In this context therefore the excellence of this women`s Christian Course is all the more to be celebrated. I hope that some of the women may join this Blog and add their voices to `Young Anglican Women from Around the World´.