Gabbie lends a helping hand to team member Blair Bullock.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

A World Away

Greetings! For team #2, or the Newbes, after a 24 hour plus travel experience through D.C., Atlanta, Brazilia and finally Manuas, we arrived to a veteran welcoming team glad to see us arrive. God provided us an angel in Brazilia through a lady who could barely speak English but reached out to help us get a flight to Manuas.


Our team is busy at work and construction is moving quickly. Today was a very productive day with floors being poured, walls going up, windows installed and so much concrete and mortar flowing, you just wouldn't believe. I came to Brazil on mission trips before and the loving nature of the Brazilians has not changed. They are so open, friendly and beautiful in spirit.
On Sunday night, we were blessed to attend a service in one of the areas outside Manuas. It was hot but the Word was taught, people baptized and a wonderful message was preached. Gordon, our missionary contact, helped interpret for some of us and we heard a powerful message about the question "What is your identity?" He was preaching about how we identify ourselves. His examples were money, possessions, our favorite sports team or wherever we chose to place our identity.

The last two days have been tiring but the Lord has provided the strength. I am not accustomed to construction work but God can use our willingness in a amazing way. If you have ever thought of a mission trip for yourself, I would strongly encourage it. One thing I can assure you of, you will be blessed beyond your expectations.

Written by Mark C!



Brazil in a Nutshell by David Hoefer


While walking through the slums of Manaus, I can´t help but think of the different stratospheres in which we live. Our differences of needs, wants, and dreams. As I have not had a chance to speak in depth with anyone from , I can't help but wonder what they dream of. A condo in Los Angeles? Job stability? A new car? XBox 360? A coach purse? A loaf of bread?

For many of the people in Manaus, luxuries are a dream, a fantasy. With us, they are a want or even in many cases, a need. When we first arrived, we were told that people from the United States were seen here as celebrities, movie stars...you get the idea. Does that mean we are a fantasy; something fictional and unobtainable? While walking through sewage drenched neighborhoods, I feel this way.

I'm not pointing fingers at anyone; the situation we are born into is not our choosing. But the differences I see are colossal. The world, physically, is huge. But our outlook on life, of every individual on this planet are much larger and make things much more complicated. I'm confused, but I also feel happy and sobered that I can witness the world as it truly is and not through a computer screen.
On a positive note, my experience thus far as been fantastic. Charming people, tasty food, new experiences. Manaus is a city I could live in for long periods of time. I feel safe, welcome, and wanted. We are accomplishing so much already. The kindness being passed through our work site is unbelievable --both of the team members and Brazilians.

Michael and I have forged relationships with the Brazilian youth. They are Christian kids who laugh at (slightly) dirty jokes, lament over lost family members, reach out for help when financial burdens are controlling their lives. In these basic tenants of life, we are the same. As human beings we share a foundation. I'm having a great time.

Greetings from Brasil!

Manaus is a bustling and vibrant city, and our mission team has displayed the same characteristics with much energy and enthusiasm for our work.

On Sunday, one of the Brazilian pastors took us for a tour in one of the "poorest of the poor" neighborhoods. The houses are built on the edge of the river, and are as close together as they can possibly be. Garbage is evident underneath the dwellings. The conditions are staggering and I found myself wondering if God had indeed forgotten these people (of course, I should have known better!) My question was shortly answered. The pastor invited a couple of our team into a home where we were warmly greeted by an elderly sick woman lying in a hammock. She stretched her hands out to us and greeted us as if we were angels. The pastor gathered her in his arms and prayed for her. Although I could not understand a word either of them said, it was obviously meaningful as tears streamed down the woman's face, and all I could think of was "surely the presence of the Lord is in this place." Please pray that we have a safe journey home and don't forget to pray for the Brazilian people who are so in need of our help. They have fed us physically with delicious food, and fed us spiritually with their gracious hospitality and warmth.

Judy Hampton.

August 9, 2010

Yesterday our new team members arrived after a long trip. We went to a different church last night.

It's always great to see people we met last year and meet new . Church last night was great. We witnessed about 16 new baptisms, some young and some elder. Great music. Today, Monday back to work. More bricks, mortar and concrete. It's hard for me to stop working and do devotions at 3pm. But Laura did a great job. She talked about getting out of our comfort zone. I told her for met to write a blog was mine.

God bless,

Jesse
p.s. Hi Linda!

Home

I am home now, and back at work. I miss Brazil, the heat, the work, the people. (My husband.)

I had a dream I was Teca Greathouse.
In my dream, I am working to end poverty and child suffering in Brazil, one small church and school at a time. I am endlessly patient, kind and enduring. I am traveling in a never ending mission to improve the lives of people all over my country, striving to give them the dignity that they (we) all deserve, in the most difficult of situations. I translate. I am a tour guide. I tell stories of catching Parana with my flip flops. I sell candy from my boat in the rain forest. The Rio Negro and the Amazon rivers swirl around in my dream--combining into one water, rather than running side by side.
I woke up exhausted and sweaty, not unlike a typical day on the Manaus job!

And while perhaps the Rio Negro and Amazon rivers will never really mix, God's hand has stirred up the hearts of these Brazilians and Americans with one central purpose. Walking hand-in-hand in love. I will never be a Teca Greathouse. But I do cherish my time working in the country she loves. Her work for God's love-- inspires my dreams. (But I sure could use a little more rest.) :)