James Wilby is well known to people in Norfolk through his career as a weather forecaster and broadcaster. He left a wintry Norfolk in March for the sunshine of Brazil, to lead a team of British Christians in a project to work alongside Latin American Christians in both practical and church related work. The project is part of Latin Link, a Christian charity that sends missionaries out to Latin American countries on short term 'step' teams, to longer individual placements. Now you can read James' diary as he works from Brazil: March '06 I'm writing just before I leave. The first two months of the project will be spent working in Belo Horizonte (Brazil's third biggest city) helping to extend the working area of a crèche. The Christian run crèche takes in kids from the local area which includes some from the infamous 'favelas' (shanty houses- often poorly constructed and very small housing sometimes large families). Of the 180 million people living in Brazil, 40% live below the poverty line. It is estimated there are six million street children in Brazil. We will also be involved in evangelism in the local area as well as recreation with the kids in providing them entertainment through story telling and day trips. The second two months I will be working in Goinia (near Brasilia- Brazils capital in the heart of Brazil) with a Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre helping to build a meeting room. The project is also involved in outreach to the local area and there will be the chance to get involved with the Church and evangelism.
 | | James Wilby |
I know what you're thinking - weren't you a weather man? Well, yes. I was based at the University of East Anglia (UEA) with WeatherQuest. I joined them in the summer of 2003 having spent two years working in Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres after graduating from the UEA in 2001. I started doing radio broadcasts in September 2004 until now- you may have heard me on BBC Radio Norfolk! Becoming a Christian I became a Christian at the end of my first year at University. I soon learnt that God loves everyone, including me and you. I realised that He is passionate about people that are often overlooked. In Brazil, as in many other countries, street children and drug addicts are deemed to have little worth and therefore receive little help. But stirred by Gods love in them Christians have begun the huge task of reaching out to these vulnerable people. This is my motivation - to go to Brazil and make a lasting difference - albeit a small one. Leaving behind friends and family is hard, but it's only for a relatively short time. I have found it hard to leave my house and job - but it had to be done. I will have to draw on my faith more now and in the future than perhaps I ever had - for strength - as this is something I could never do in my own ability. I speak very basic Portuguese (the main language in Brazil) so I'm a little worried about that. I am sure as Friday draws closer, I will allow a tinge of excitement to come through. One thing for sure is the weather will be considerably warmer than here. Trust me I am a weather forecaster! Uhmm. April '06 As I write, I'm struggling to type words that express all that I've experienced over the last few weeks. My life is so different from back home in England and I can safely say that I feel settled in my new, albeit temporary home, in Brazil. I've had to draw on my relationship with God in a big way. Most days start with breakfast at 7am, to be followed by an hours quiet time. For the uninitiated, that's time to spend time with God to pray and read the Bible. God has been drawing near to me through the Holy Spirit and encouraging and strengthening me each day. God has been teaching me the importance of knowing who I am in Him. Trusting in His grace and the amazing things that God declares about me, that He knew me before He created the world. He knows each day of my life before it comes into being. And teaching me to derive my security and significance from Him and not to try and find this in other people or things. When I get a glimpse of this reality it enables me to reach out to others. As well as this we also have daily devotions, normally in the evening, when we gather as a team to pray, read the Bible and generally encourage one another. Hard work The work is often hard and is made more difficult by the heat and occasional thunderstorm!
 | | Working on the creche in Belo Horizonte |
We've spent most of our time in demolition on part of the crèche so that we can help build a new large extension. The crèche is called AGAPE- a word used to describe the unconditional love God has for us. Some of the children come from difficult backgrounds and have turbulent home lives with mums as prostitutes. The crèche offers some stability and structure, as well as the love shown to them by the staff. The other project linked with the crèche is a support hostel for people suffering from HIV/AIDS. We had the opportunity to visit one afternoon. We sang a couple of songs and one of team performed a trick demonstrating Gods forgiveness. Following this, one of our supervisors, a pastor, preached the gospel and several of them became Christians. The number of evangelical Christians in this country is growing rapidly. It is very exciting to see God so at work. I've noticed that people here are more open to hearing about God than in England. Also, it is seen to be cool to be a Christian, which makes a refreshing change! Most of my time is spent between work and meetings but with some breaks at the weekend. But I feel fulfilled and fully alive! One of the team members used an analogy of being in a greenhouse. I feel like I am doing a lot of growth, spiritually, in a short time. These are tiring, but exciting times. Will write again soon. James | 
