As we stepped into the front entrance of the brothel, the security guard looked at me sideways as if to say, “What is that American woman doing, taking her time to visit these prostitutes?” I imagine he was thinking that of all the places to go and things to see in Brazil, why on earth would she come here? I smiled to myself, and we proceeded to climb the stairs with our birthday cake and Brazilian snacks, knocking on each door and inviting the women to join us for a party. For over an hour, I had the pleasure of hanging out with a woman who recently gave her life to the Lord and is praying for Him to make a way out of the brothels for her. We talked as friends and sisters in Christ, faith and joy was rising in us as we traded stories. We shared our journeys of meeting Jesus, inviting Him into our lives, and learning to walk as new creations. She hates the “job,” despises every encounter she must have, but she doesn’t see another way to provide for her children. I remember hating some of the choices I made early on in my walk, but not knowing another way. In Brazil, there are almost no places that can help women in her situation. I dream of seeing homes raised up that can care for and disciple the ladies who genuinely want out of the numerous brothels in Belo Horizonte. Will you pray with me to see this happen? On the flight home from Brazil, I was struck with the proverb below. Sitting in a tiny back room of a brothel, looking into the eyes of a woman who is daring to hope that God has so much more for her, I found great riches.

There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
-Proverbs 13:7