On Thursday, we had the morning off which meant a second cup of coffee. Ruth offered to take us to an old Belem prison that has been re-purposed as an Art and Crafts showpiece. We wandered about the place for quite a while and saw the beautiful work of local artisans.
This area is a major mineral producer so there were many shops highlighting local semi-precious stones. Some of the shops were located in the old prisoner cells. If only those walls could talk!
In the afternoon, we headed off to find two of the poorest and most dangerous areas of town (suffering high crimes rates and drug abuse). The first visit was to the commmunity of St. Joseph’s (Pratinha) where the children outnumber the adults. I don’t think I ever saw such poverty before but the people in this parish were full of joy. The children smiled, laughed, and danced for us. We told them we were from the land of ice and snow and they told us that they were honoured with our presence.
On the way to the other ministry site, we went down a particular street that our guides indicated had the most drug dealers anywhere in town but yet was one of the safest streets for crime. We asked why that might be and they told us that the drug dealers self-policed the street. They don’t want the police there so they made sure that all was calm and all was bright!
At the second parish (St. John the Baptist -Terre Firme), Rev Marcos Barros shared with us that the ministry to the neigbourhood children included a guitar programme as well as a lending library. After the ever-present food and drink, we headed to the Cathedral for tea with the equivalent of our Diocesan ACW. Our time there included a conversation about their social and outreach ministry and then presentations and gifts. It has been a good but long day.
Stories From The River 
I hope you played guitar for them,