FRANCISCA'S DESTINY: A BRAZILIAN STORY

Francisca’s Destiny is a story of love, courage, compassion, heartache and suffering. It was inspired by a real Brazilian woman who poured her life out for the sake of others. I knew her for little more than a year, but Francisca's commitment to those who lived alongside her in the slums of Brazil, made a lasting impression upon me. When I heard of her tragic death, I was compelled to create a story honoring Francisca’s memory. This novel draws upon my eleven years of life and work in rural and urban Brazil. The beauty of the land and the people, the struggles to survive poverty, injustice and abuse--I personally witnessed all of these things. Francisca's Destiny begins with her birth on a huge ranch in southern Brazil. When the landowner moves to mechanized farming, her sharecropper father loses his job and the family is suddenly homeless. The disintegration of the family begins with this uprooting. They manage to travel to Porto Alegre and find shelter in Vila Bom Jesus, one of the city’s many favelas (slums). The struggle to sustain a family, the loss of dignity, and the weight of desperation drives Francisca's father to drunken despair. A local priest begins a ministry in the Vila and through him Francisca learns of her namesake, St. Francis of Assisi. Inspired by St. Francis, she takes an active role in community life and helps to sustain her family. As she grows up, she becomes friends with Joél, another Vila resident. Francisca sees Joél as a strong, powerful man, one who will not buckle under the pressures of poverty. They eventually marry and Francisca bears a son. Joél's attention to her and her child wanes and she begins to wonder about their relationship. When she announces that she is once again pregnant, Joél decides they must move. He secures a house in Vila Tres Marias in Esteio. Francisca feels isolated and alone and is shocked to discover Joél has discouraged the neighbors from speaking to her. Joél grows increasingly controlling and angry. After the death of his mother, Joél lashes out and strikes Francisca, and a cycle of abuse begins. In the face of increasing abuse, Francisca makes a courageous decision. Since she has nowhere to go and escape is not possible, she decides to devote her energy and timeto establishing a day care center for her vila. This challenge gives new meaning to her life and ultimately leads to her untimely death. Francisca truly lived out the words of her namesake, St. Francis: Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing you have received, but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.
ASIN: B09YRXWSPS
VSKU: 56JTFR001ZEZ_ns
Condition: Very Good
Author/Artist:Baesler, Dr. Ron
Binding: Paperback
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: Book is in excellent condition. Pages are unmarked. Book may have minimal writing inside cover or on cover pages. Cover image on the book may vary. Ships out quickly in a secure plastic mailer!