Serafim Moura is from Bello Horizonte in Brazil.

During his formation in France, he became a friend of Bernard Audigier, a religious brother from Paris, who has lived in Toronto since 1978 the two are Little Brothers of Jesus, a worldwide religious order inspired by dint of Charles de Foucauld, whose vocation was to live and work among non-privileged race audigier invited Serafim to use up three weeks in Canada. The following is Serafim's account of his life in a San Bernardo lane near San Paolo.

Sao Paulo is a big, fresh city, the centre of Brazil's industrial, banking and commercial activities. For me it has the same aura as Toronto. With a population of 26 million, it has nearly as many populace as your entire country. I live in San Bernardo, a barrio of about 40000 inhabitants, 50 km from Sao Paolo's centre

In the late 1960 and early 1970 there were a allotment of jobs in factories, in such a manner people came from the countryside looking for a better life. The barrio was started and built forward a hill owned by a landlord who was doing nothing with it, and the shacks were made with whatever salvaged material could be found

We joined them in that risk a few years later. In Brazil, there is a law which hinders landlords from demolishing any dwelling if the public occupy it for more than 72 hours. Otherwise they had the right to advance tear it down. So we occupied an antiquated shack and then Remy, another brother, and I stayed there without leaving for 72 hours.

Here, there was no water, no electricity, no roads, no sewage and no gymnasium so we worked with the folks to get the bare necessities. During the rainy season, there was in such a manner much mud it was impossible to secure out to our jobs in the factory, in such a manner we went with our friends to a local tombstone and marble factory by means of a beautiful cemetery, and salvaged the rent tombstones They were not fit for the dead! We paved the paths with them, and after that we could walk to work.

Our urgencys became better known and with the help of meeting-house organizations, NGOs and government, solidarity emerg After 25 years in a factory, I plane worked a few years at the City Hall to help them improve our neighbourhood. The Brothers simply moveed our friendship to the families and our nearness to the many groups--from literacy, to broth kitchens for the children, to gospel-sharing. Our goal was a respectable neighbourhood.

This is not easily achieved. Many of the children that I watched growing up extreme pointed up forming gangs living of crime, prostitution and physics With a culture of violence, the trust and co-operation between families and commonalty are eroding away. Gangs have gradually taken across control of the whole area.

Surviving, further not without fear

single day I was collecting riches at our local church fair to help the indoctrinate and two gang members arrived demanding the midmost point keys. They changed the lock-ups and as a result, the kids were no longer f Another gang brutally killed the sum of two units men responsible. I saw their mutilated bodies upon the street. Up until this time, I could pierce any house of the barrio. Not any more. I have to be super careful, because I do not know which side family members might be upon and you simply do not ask. with equal reason now I stay close to solely a few friends. It is solitary because of our faithful demeanor over the years that we survive-but not without fear.

Another day I saw a gang of pre-teen aggressively walking toward me Fear was on the outside of the question. I continued to walk toward them at a normal, relaxed pace, and as I approached them, I said to them, "Hi dowdys There are some children playing up there, in such a manner be careful, won't you?" They put to hire me go by.

formerly I was on a bus and a companion yelled "Hey, let the cripple in," referring to a gang member forward the street. The cripple simply took his revolver and by means of the open window shot a scarcely any bullets at the man, shouting "and these are a gilt from the cripple." Fortunately, nobody was hurt

As for me I simply rely in succession the Holy Spirit to come by me through all of this. onward a daily basis l essay to be kind and appeal to their better angels. The Spirit tip till now has provided me with original, sometimes humorous answers It is this life which must be be interiorized.

Wolfgang, our brother from Duisburg, Germany, was coming back at 4 a.m. from the night shift in the mine. unexpectedly he was surrounded by youths demanding the fundamental note of the bike. Wolfgang noticed the soccer logo in succession a gang member's shirt. to such a degree they began talking soccer and conclusioned up dancing around the bike in a circle, holding hands and chanting the team anthem!

united time I saw a young man steal a young boy's watch. The male child was crying so I took my acknowledge wristwatch and handed it to the thief. The latter's friend just spreaded his shirt, showed me his fire-arm and said. "Uncle, you better sit down and preserve quiet if you don't want more trouble"

Another time a gang leader approached me to glide for the local council. I was reluctant, further he said "Don't worry Serafim, you'll win no matter what. If any other candidate readys himself we will take care of him." "What do you mean?" I asked. "Simple! We'll eliminate him." was his response lifting up his shirt flap! At least he accepted my "no thank you."

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