The Last Few Weeks | Orphanages

Working at Rio: Hey everyone! We are finally home (minus Josh who is still in Brazil) and it was difficult to leave people in Brazil who had become such a huge part of our lives in such a short amount of time.
The last few weeks we had in Brazil were spent with some of the most amazing kids I have ever met in my life! About twelve kids stay at an orphanage in Rio de Janeiro called Amai. We spent the week getting to know these kids and understanding the difficulties they have already faced in their young lives. We took them to a museum, did VBS with them at the orphanage, and the boys did some manual labor, helping to clean up the orphanage. When I arrived back in Lubbock, I was asked about the people in Brazil that I saw Christ in the most. The woman who was the director of Amai was the first person who came to my mind. Although the children were a huge blessing, her heart of strength and compassion was so visible in everything, from the way she welcomed us to the tears she cried when telling the stories of the kids at Amai.

The "Christian Home" orphanage: The last orphanage we worked with was Lar Cristao in Cabreuva, a small city outside of Sao Paulo. Lar Cristao is significantly larger than any other orphanages we visited in Brazil. We did VBS with the kids there as well and because we were staying at the orphanage, we had to the opportunity to be around the kids all day. We played games with them, soccer, and just got to know them on a more personal level. I think the team would agree that our stay at Lar Cristao was definitely one of the best parts of the trip. We did not want to leave! One of the reasons I loved working with these orphanages is because I got to see real strength and humility in the people who work with the kids. The greatest respect was shown to us at Lar Cristao and at Amai. After spending a week with tons of kids I realized how much dedication it takes to give your life to a work like loving orphans. Although I did not enjoy hearing the kids' stories, I learned something: Evil is the same everywhere. Satan works consistently in the lives of people to destroy and bring pain. I saw, however, that God also works in a much greater way to bring healing and redemption especially through other people. That gives me the hope which is sometimes hard to find in the midst of such obvious suffering! Hope in Christ. I am reminded of a scripture in John : ...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Thanks to everyone for your support and e-mails! We love you!

-Briana

Brazil Mission 2008 | Video

Teaching the Bible | Building Relationships

Hello, I hope that this finds you well. First of all, I want to thank everyone reading this for your support. It is encouraging to know that our loved ones back in the US are praying for us and want to hear what we have been up to. This last week we taught an English course at the "Escola da Biblia," or School of the Bible, which is a ministry that the church here is involved in. One of the directors asked us to do this a few weeks back. He wanted us to teach a week long English class using The Bible as the source of our class material. Brazilians are really interested in learning English as a second language, and so through this class we were able to make many contacts for the church in this city.

The week as teachers: After many hours of preparation and some advertising around the city, our first day of classes rolled around. I was nervous at first, because I have never done anything like this. Tyler who has teaching experience with students in the ESL program, took the lead as we taught about 80 students spread out over 3 different class periods. The second day we split the group into a more advanced level focusing more on conversation, and an intermediate level focusing more on basic things. I was able to focus with the intermediate level group. Here is a break down of how a normal class would go: We would start with teaching the students a new song like God is so good. After singing the song through a few times we would then have a game with a grammar exercise (one day it was prepositions). After that we would take a break for a bit for some coffee or some water. The second half of class we would go over vocabulary in the story we were about to read, and different verb conjugations. Then a native English speaker would read the Bible story out loud so they can hear how we pronounce different words. After that it was the students turn to read in smaller groups so everyone got a chance to read. This was followed by questions about the meaning of words they did not understand in the story and doubts about pronunciation. If there was time we would have discussion questions after that.

Lasting memories: After the week was over, I requested to write this blog entry, because this has been one of my favorite parts of the mission trip so far, the reason did not have anything to do with what happened inside the classroom; rather, it was because we got to know our students before and after class, and during our breaks which was supposed to be 10 minutes, but ended being more like 30. It was amazing to talk to people young and old about many different things. At first it was hard, because I wanted to practice my Portuguese and not speak English. But I knew it was not about me. The last day of class, the night class students made us a poster thanking us for our work and all of us received Brazilian gifts. The poster had a short paragraph, and one line stood out to me. It said "this week, you have taught us more than English".

After many pictures, exchanging of emails the week was over. Saturday night, we had an "English Cafe" with a coffee shop feel and the amazing Tyler Bethea providing the entertainment, and Mike Pruitt offered a word of encouragement to all the students that came. It was an amazing week for everyone. One thing I learned is that no matter where we are or what language we are speaking or are teaching, people have a deep desire to be heard and understood. I hope and pray that we can all continue to seek out the people who get overlooked and just need someone to talk to. I pray that God gives us the courage to talk to the people we come across in our lives.

So what is next? Tomorrow the teen camp will begin, with the theme of "The Apprentice". The goal is to become better disciples of Jesus. This is a great outreach to a lot of people who are not Christians. Please keep us, and everyone that is involved with camp in your prayers.

- Miles

Our Second Week: Kids | VBS | Mugging

Some of the most troubling moments in traveling come when you experience a situation in which you know what you would do as an American, but not what you should do now and here. The other day I realized I hadn’t asked whether or not it was acceptable to tip cab drivers, and so I gave the fellow a few extra Reais (R$) and left before an awkward exchange. There isn’t much you can do when there’s a language barrier that prevents you from asking simple questions or understanding the answers. On the other hand there are moments when you realize that conditions are the same the world over.

Spending time with the kids: This week there have been several incidents which have opened our eyes to the conditions our Brazilian neighbors live with daily. I Peter 4:12-13 says “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy,” and at times this world certainly seems strange. At the beginning of the week we were in a small, poor town in the interior of Brazil. We had plans to do VBS with the children of the neighborhood. This was my first time coordinating anything, and for some of our team it was the first time to participate in any way in a VBS program. However, they took the concept and ran with it. They worked hard, played hard, and colored with the best of them. It came off like a dream. In between sessions we would visit members’ homes and share a meal with them. Some of the homes appeared to be in the middle of slums, but the hospitality and generosity always overflowed. On the second day of VBS the father of a boy told us he had invited another little boy, a six year old, who hadn’t come. While roaming his neighborhood he witnessed the robbery of a bakery. The thief later found the little boy and killed him.

The Hard Side of Brazil: Only a few days later we were back in Recife and enjoying an evening at the beach with youth from the Boa Vista congregation. While at the beach, nightfall came quickly and the twenty of us were made to sit down and hand over our cell phones by three guys claiming to be armed. They shouted at us, threatening to take our lives, ignoring our pleas for mercy. One of the younger boys apologized over and over as he rifled through Briana’s purse looking for her valuables. These young people have been greatly harmed by the snares of the world, lured into a lifestyle of darkness. but there is hope. Hope that is forever, hope that surrounds us all. In our community of faith we can be sure there are others who are striving toward bringing hope to them.

Here in Brazil the church has spread across Brazil in only the last thirty years. The local churches are hoping to open a new orphanage soon and everywhere we go we find friends. In my Father’s world I can find comfort in everything, despite the risks and the despite the fact that I know my mother worries (by the way, sorry for not telling you earlier about the beach thing, Mom, it didn’t quite come up in conversation). This week we are preparing for the next events scheduled as we continue to go about our Father’s business. Next week we will be teaching three English classes a day using Hymns and the Bible. The week after is a camp for the local teens. We have lots of materials to prepare before then. Finally, at the end of July we will be in the Lar Cristão orphanage in São Paulo, where we will use what resources we have to help with reconstruction there. The world may never be perfected, but we are perfected in our striving. For that we will continue working and praying. We are all thankful for our continued safety and the ability to do.

- Robin

“They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains to pieces.” Psalms 107:13-24

Our First Week: Culture | Community | Creation

Getting our feet on the ground: When we arrived to Brazil, despite being slightly jet lagged, it did not take our team long to realize how breathtakingly beautiful Brazil is. From the beautiful landscapes and historical churches, to the trees, the ocean, the flowers, the graffiti, and even the slums; it is all overwhelming beautiful. Our first few days in Recife were spent getting to know some of the city, seeing the coast, doing some painting at the church, and going to this beyond awesome soccer game. We are taking in the culture that is so different from the one most of us were raised in.

Beyond the scenery, the people here are just remarkable. Josh’s family and church family have welcomed us with open arms, generously showering us with love and hospitality. Also, there cannot be enough said about the community that they have provided for us. We never feel a lack of friends. The one thing that is probably the most frustrating is the language barrier, but as the days on by and with much effort from everyone, it is getting easier. We have been blessed with an amazing team, and hopefully we will all be able to continue to encourage and love each other at all times. It’s hard for each of us to be away from our families and friends, but we feel that our presence here can be used to bring glory to God as we humbly try to follow him. Please keep our team in your prayers.

- Nicole

"Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord's message will spread quickly. Pray that others will honor it just as you did. And pray that we will be saved from sinful and evil people. Not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one. We trust in the Lord. So we are sure that you are doing the things we tell you to do. And we are sure that you will keep on doing them. May the Lord fill your hearts with God's love. May Christ give you the strength to go on."

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Brazil Mission 2008 | Sharing our Stories

God has presented us with the opportunity to serve him in the streets and homes of Brazil! Our team is comprised of six college students - Nicole, Robin, Briana, Tyler, Miles, and Josh - who have it in their hearts to discover what it means to serve Jesus in a different part of the world.

And so we packed our bags, said our goodbyes, and set of on an adventure to Recife, Brazil. We are staying with the Pruitt missionary family who has been working in the area for many years. Recife is one of the largest cities in Brazil, and is also one of the country's most violent and impoverished. The need for Christ's healing, comfort, and message is greater than ever. And with this in mind, we have organized a mission effort that will take place in the months of June and July.

We will be working with many kids, some who are part of the church, others who live in orphanages. We will be working alongside our brothers and sisters in the region, meeting some of the many needs that God will show us. And in the meantime, we expect nothing less than to have our worldview expanded, our comfort zones challenged, and our hearts broken for Christ and His kingdom.

This blog will serve as a record of our stories, experiences, and feelings. You will also be able to see our pictures and videos. There is also a link to our Paypal account at www.livewalklove.com if you would like to contribute financially to some of the needs we encounter in a third world country.

We are greatly thankful to all who have supported us to get this far, and for the prayers you have gracefully showered upon us! We as for your continual encouragement and the journey goes on.

- Josh