Vila Rosalina Presbyterian Church is tucked in on a street surrounded by houses, gardens and even a sty of pigs. Older folks sit outside to escape the heat of their concrete houses. Children play in the quiet streets and run after older boys who ride bicycles around and around the neighborhood. It is not uncommon for groups of children to wonder into the church, especially on Wednesday nights, grab a hymnal and take a seat next to a stranger on the wooden pew. This evening three brothers made themselves at home during Bible study, one next to me. I helped him locate the scripture reading and follow along in the hymnal. We exchanged looks of curiosity and gratitude.

Part of Wednesday night Bible study is praying in groups of two. At the beginning of college I prayed one on one with others often. I had forgotten how intimate and comforting this practice could be. It creates a space in my heart for the movement of the holy spirit.