In Brazil, people don't make a lot of money. The average wage earner in our city makes about R$1,500 to R$2000 Reals a month. That's about $633 to $844 USD. This isn't bad considering other countries where the average is about $30 to $70 USD a month. What hurts Brazilian people the most is that the cost of living is very high. Most people in Brazil live on credit. Payments that can be made over a period of time. You can make payments on virtually anything (clothing, electronics, food). Unlike the U.S., where Americans are guaranteed a minimum wage, housing and food benefits, not to mention a free cell phone, most Brazilians cannot pay the high price of goods. Everything is payed in payments. You can pay a partial payment, short span payments, like 6 to 10 payments per month, until paid in full. This is because of the high taxes on goods.
Think about it, if you were making R$1500 to R$2000 Reals a month, and your house or apartment is R$1200 Reals a month, electricity is R$125 a month, plus you have to pay water and gas, groceries, fuel for your vehicle . . . you get the picture. Things add up pretty quickly. Most people have extended families living with them to make ends meet. It's not too different from the states, but when you consider the cost of goods over here you will understand why people must live in a payment plan lifestyle.
Brazil does have a type of welfare system, but most Brazilians cannot live off the system that's in place. It's just not enough. If you can't work, the government gives you about $R600 and that's it. Medical is free but you have to eat, buy clothing, and if you have kids, things for school. So you are going to have to find a way to make more money. Clothing here is expensive. Well, everything is expensive. There are no thrift stores in Joinville. I wish there were.
Clothing made in Brazil can cost anywhere from R$30 to $R50 for a polo shirt of thin material. Sneakers cost around R$70 to R$150. And women's clothes, forget it! For a printed blouse you can expect to pay anywhere from R$35 to R$100 made of thin material! And to remind you, this is all made in Brazil. So how can one afford to live in such a high cost of living! Well, you find a way.
Let me add this disclaimer, begging is rare, at least in Joinville. People here get creative to make ends meet. They will sell crafts, juggle on the streets, or like my friend, who makes some of the most beautiful wire artwork, bend wire and create wire art of ants, spiders, scorpions, and my favorite,
"Le Penseur", translated "The Thinker".
Meeting him was a true joy. He spotted us while we were walking downtown looking for stuff for the apartment. I noticed the artwork while walking down the sidewalk. I was amazed on how well his pieces were made. Then he started telling us that he noticed we were different from many of the families who walk down his path. He said that he could see that we were a close nit family because of the way we were walking together and having conversation with each other. "Very rare!" he said.
Then he started asking me if I heard about the ant in Proverbs 6:6. "The Bible says", he started saying, "Look to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!" Then he asked if we knew why God says to look to the ant. He goes on to recite verses 7&8. "It has no guide, overseer, or ruler, yet it stores its provision in the summer, and gathers its food in the harvest." "God meant for people to be productive and not be lazy." "God blesses hard work." What words of wisdom.
He went on to say how there is a God in Heaven who loves us. We invited him to our home Bible study. He was very happy and so grateful for this invitation. I do hope he comes. Please pray for him. Brazilian people are very resilient and resourceful. Most don't take handouts. They believe in hard work. God can use these kind of people. And he will. Please pray for them. I call them "Street Artist's." We are working with a few of them. Telling them about the love of the Savior. Many of them have been written off by the religious world. But God is faithful and loves them. Please pray for them to come to know Jesus!
