Entrance to funicular railway

 This shows the entrance to the funicular railway on the favela of Dona Marta. It has greatly improved the lives of many of the residents.
Because the drug runners have all been cleared out of the favela, it is now safe for local visitors and tourists alike to go up. We can well remember the day we took the then British ambassador and his wife and the consul and his wife to visit the work with the children that they had so kindly donated towards.

New Rainbow coloured houses.

They arrived at the church car park in a Rolls Royce I seem to remember but we decided it would be better to do the rest of the short journey in the more ordinary church vehicle. Their bodyguards declined to accompany us.
We arrived at the steep, uneven steps to be greeted by a couple of young men reading Bibles and  with machine guns slung over their shoulders. They knew me of course and I explained that these were friends who were helping with the children's work. They said "OK auntie, go on up". Little did they know!
The visitors were due to spend 20 mins.but actually stayed a couple of hours.
In those days the houses were not like these new brightly coloured ones that have replaced the shacks pulled down to build the funicular railway. These were built by the government, I am not sure if the were paid for by those who moved there. Property is relatively expensive on the hill because it is so central.Some of the old ones still exist. Who knows when they will be replaced too.



The picture on the left and the one below, right show some of the older type homes which are often ingeniously constructed   higher and higher as the money allows and more materials can be laboriously carried up the steep slopes.The picture below shows houses made of bits of wood and corrugated asbestos, plus whatever else can be obtained to keep the residents dry from the frequent showers.They are at the very top of the hill, above the top of the funicular railway and about level with the permanent police post. I should add that it is free to travel on the funicular railway.

People who live here have had hard lives, especially when the drug barons ran the place and spiritism was rife. Now over 80% are practicing Christians and there are many churches on that hill which is overlooked by the statue of  Christ.

Some people call Rio the Marvellous city. It is certainly an amazing place to live.
Please remember to pray on Wednesday 4th April for the interviews (in UK)  for  the new chaplain here at Christ Church. We are merely standing in until one is appointed. May all concerned have wisdom and discernment.