Kathleen Stephenson serves in Brazil with Ecumenical Coordination for Service (CESE). The United Church has worked in partnership with CESE since 1995. Here is an excerpt from a letter Kathleen wrote.

A military dictatorship ruled in Brazil from 1964 to 1985. My CESE colleague Eliana Rolemberg was imprisoned and tortured during this period. Eliana was asked to give a public testimony in June 2011 regarding her experiences [as] part of a project financed by the World Council of Churches. Here is what Eliana said:

I didn’t go in the house. Anivaldo went in to pick up a package of material pertaining to a survey we had done with other young Methodists, and a man came to the door and told me to come in too. So began the terror.

We were pushed into a car and driven to a place that was not, at that time, designated as a legal prison. We were met by angry men who kicked and punched us and called us foul names. I was thrown into a cell. I spent two nights denying who I was. But electric shocks, simulated gunshots, and other physical torture….

After two years Eliana was released. Her powerful testimony closes with this statement:

I want to acknowledge the opportunity given to me some 28 years ago by CESE: the opportunity to support social movements in their struggle to ensure all rights of all citizens and to build a society where democracy and justice prevail.

As partners with CESE and the World Council of Churches, we have walked with many who have been imprisoned unjustly. We can do so because of congregational support for mission and service.

Every gift to the church’s mission and service is used wisely and helps transform lives. Please continue to give generously - visit the Mission and Service donation page.

(Photo by Rice Bear)