1. Spelling = Carnaval. That isn’t a typo. If you haven’t heard of it, don’t let the Brazilians know. It is their claim to fame: The biggest party in the world. Wikipedia says that 70% of annual tourism to Brazil happens during Carnaval (This is where New Orleans got the idea for Mardi Gras). Only Brazilians can turn a three day holiday into a month long celebration: not much gets done in the new year until Carnaval is over.
2. Blocos. The official picture of Carnaval is one big party that revolves around parades that are presented by different Blocos. Think Macy’s day parade with sexy women dancing the samba instead of Snoopy. Blocos are different groups/clubs that get together and give themselves names (like "o cachorro lambeo tua cara" --the dog licked your face), sell matching shirts or crazy outfits, have a band, and at least one Trio Electrico (fancy ones have floats), which is a truck with huge speakers on the roof and a dance floor on top of the speakers with singers/dancers going crazy on top of that. Carnaval is the time to forget, it is the time to dress up and be someone else, to let it all go.
3. A Catholic holiday. Carnaval culminates on Fat Tuesday. The basic idea is to get in as much as you can before Ash Wednesday, which begins Lent, the 40 days until Easter, and traditionally a time of self-denial. That is the only part that resembles anything religious. For most Christians in Brazil, you do what you can to get away from Carnaval, so most churches have a church/beach camp. Carnaval leaves a big mess everywhere, especially in people’s lives with violence, addiction, and prostitution. Carnaval accounts for about 80% of annual beer consumption in Brazil, and probably the same statistic for prostitution.
4. The dark side. While Carnaval is full of bright colors and laughter, for the many in poverty, Carnaval is dangerous and victimizing. Many with money come and take whatever they want--and then leave the pieces. The ones who suffer the most are the children, whether they are at home and their parents/neighbors are drunk, or they are in the street selling beer and snacks, or pick-pocketing. It is not uncommon for children go to missing or get lost during Carnaval. There is also a high level of drunk driving and violence.
5. The bright side. This year, Pastor Flavio and Cajueiro Claro had church camp, and some of the children from Living Stones were able to join them for a time of worship, fellowship, and fun on the beautiful Brazilian beach. It was a wonderful time where the children were able to be a part of families who loved them and showed them what it was like to live a healthy life. Please pray for the children who were not able to have this experience. We thank God for his protection and safety this Carnaval (Which ended last Wednesday).
Eduarda, from Living Stones, came with her mother, who recently gave her life to Jesus
