Working with the CCJ

Today we had the opportunity to go to a piece of our program, a place called CCJ. They are a branch of an NGO called Diaconia which is a Christian organization that does a lot of good in Brasil. They fund the CCJ and so we are supposed to work with the CCJ through Diaconia. It has been a bit complicated due to the difficulty of getting things set up between our group and everyone else. There is a thing about northern Brasil, and that is that they can be way relaxed about things and take their sweet time. Due to this, we have been trying to get everything worked out. It appears that we have a full schedule for the next week and a half, but it changes daily so we'll have to see what happens. We are working with a guy named Carbonel of CCJ and he is a pretty cool guy, a guy who loves to spray paint stuff, so he keeps things fun. He has a sincere desire to help his community so I like him. This is him:

During our drive we had the opportunity to see some slums, and it always surprises me how little people have in areas of Brasil. They are literally shacks made of plastic, scraps of wood, and anything they can get their hands on. It is incredible. Cindy and I also saw four people sleeping on cardboard on the sidewalk. It is just sad to see the poverty. Much needs to be done to change the problems that still exist.


Otherwise, my sunburns are still hurting but feeling a bit better than yesterday. I am still red, with a small blister in the middle of my chest, so I'm pretty funny to look at. A human lobster, a martian (assuming they're red), or a bullfighter's cape, they're all pretty good descriptions so take your pick.


Well, not too exciting today but I'll make sure to keep you updated.