Today, most of our group toured the Amazon Rainforest. What an experience! I never thought I would have an opportunity in my life to see a rainforest.
Even thought today was our "tourist day", it was a time for reflection. Part of my reflection today focused on how I will describe my trip to others when I return.
Leading up to the Mission, many people could not understand why I would spend my only week of vacation this summer working. A few times I wondered whether I made the right decision. Of course, now I have no doubt I made the right decision. My question is " when can I do this again?"
When I return, I can explain to others that in many ways the mission resembled what others would do on a vacation. We had a lot of fun, I enjoyed the company of new and old friends, and we helped each other feel and spread God's love. The main difference from vacation was that we worked during the day. I found the work very fulfilling and further, I think others who have not served on a mission would feel the same. I encourage those of you who are still reading this to consider serving on a mission (or another).
Sincerely,
Ryan Witkowski
"Senhor legal" (Mr. Cool)
p.s. If any of you meet my new friend Mark Carlton, ask him about the "Anaconda story."
Gabbie lends a helping hand to team member Blair Bullock.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Goof off day
Today is a "goof off" day for me. Taking a "boat" trip up the Rio Negro to the meeting of the Amazon River. The Rio Negro is wide and deep with a depth change of 60 feet from wet season to dry. They say there is more water in the Rio Negro/Amazon than the next eight rivers combined. Nice breeze on the river as long as you are moving. We have all been working hard here in Brazil and the break is OK. We have two more days to work to build the church and school. We have new members this week to replace those that left. We have accomplished an amazing amount of work so far. Real progress. The Brazilian people we have met so far are very gracious and kind. Its ok to visit, but too hot and humid even for an old DC boy. Leave a light burning in the window.
John "VoVo" Rogerson
John "VoVo" Rogerson
Why did I come?
People asked me why I wanted to come here. They wondered why I would risk all the negatives: the diseases, possible injury, contaminated water and crazed monkeys. I wondered why I wouldn't go. I wanted to help people, experience a culture I never had, exist in a place I didn't fully understand. But mostly there was the need to put myself out there for people I had never met.
Getting here was the tricky part of being part of the second week. We had a time to meet and drive to the airport to catch one of the 3 flights we had to take. The first was fine, but when we boarded for Atlanta, that's wen all hell broke loose. We waited on the plane for 2 hours while the crew looked for 8 bags to remove. This time was spent with no on air entertainment or food. At that moment I was glad I had bought that Milky Way and Cosmo. Jenna, Ryan and I took the Cosmo quizzes to pass the time and found deeper levels of our personality we hadn't known. (but not really). By the time we got to Brasilia, we had missed our flight and were stuck with two options: 3 hour flight to Manaus or 3 day bus trip. Since we leave Friday night, the bust trip seemed impractical. Bob got on the phone with Delta and let them have it while he was whisked away by a staff member of GOL airlines. The other 5 of us received help from a Brazilian woman who simply wanted to help us. But before we knew it (2 hours later), we had a flight booked by Bob and the GOL staff memeber. the 6 of us arrived to Manaus around 3:30. Some how through all the flying we all slept (there are pictures proving I can sleep anywhere), except Jenna. I'm still shocked and amazed. The longest day ever (I will call it Saturday) was capped off with me flooding our room with my shower. Regardless of anything negative I was having a ball and it has stayed that way through everything.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned here is: the work is hard. You'll wake up sore from the previous day and know you'll be sore again tomorrow. You'll get bruises and not be sure where or how you got them. You're never going to sweat more in your life. And you'll be asked to do work you've never done before. And it's all completely worth it because you'll never meet people more welcoming, more gracious and more eager to learn. They will love and accept you instantly just for being you. Already I have made friends with Gaby, my favorite 2 year old, become an English teacher, had my Space Jam t-shirt translated into Portuguese, given out and received email addresses and will have a new Facebook friend. I can't help but smile around these warm people. Their happiness is contagious. Being around them makes me realize why I never questioned my decision. If my small contribution can affect their lives for the better, I'm all in.
Liz McConville.
Getting here was the tricky part of being part of the second week. We had a time to meet and drive to the airport to catch one of the 3 flights we had to take. The first was fine, but when we boarded for Atlanta, that's wen all hell broke loose. We waited on the plane for 2 hours while the crew looked for 8 bags to remove. This time was spent with no on air entertainment or food. At that moment I was glad I had bought that Milky Way and Cosmo. Jenna, Ryan and I took the Cosmo quizzes to pass the time and found deeper levels of our personality we hadn't known. (but not really). By the time we got to Brasilia, we had missed our flight and were stuck with two options: 3 hour flight to Manaus or 3 day bus trip. Since we leave Friday night, the bust trip seemed impractical. Bob got on the phone with Delta and let them have it while he was whisked away by a staff member of GOL airlines. The other 5 of us received help from a Brazilian woman who simply wanted to help us. But before we knew it (2 hours later), we had a flight booked by Bob and the GOL staff memeber. the 6 of us arrived to Manaus around 3:30. Some how through all the flying we all slept (there are pictures proving I can sleep anywhere), except Jenna. I'm still shocked and amazed. The longest day ever (I will call it Saturday) was capped off with me flooding our room with my shower. Regardless of anything negative I was having a ball and it has stayed that way through everything.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned here is: the work is hard. You'll wake up sore from the previous day and know you'll be sore again tomorrow. You'll get bruises and not be sure where or how you got them. You're never going to sweat more in your life. And you'll be asked to do work you've never done before. And it's all completely worth it because you'll never meet people more welcoming, more gracious and more eager to learn. They will love and accept you instantly just for being you. Already I have made friends with Gaby, my favorite 2 year old, become an English teacher, had my Space Jam t-shirt translated into Portuguese, given out and received email addresses and will have a new Facebook friend. I can't help but smile around these warm people. Their happiness is contagious. Being around them makes me realize why I never questioned my decision. If my small contribution can affect their lives for the better, I'm all in.
Liz McConville.
Trips to Brazil
Trips to Brazil are always full of surprises. Yesterday, Judy Hampton and I were treated to an impromptu tour of Manaus by Pastor Deonisio, and Luna, complete with fish markets, clothing boutiques, and coconut juice. It is entirely possible that Judy and I saw all 2 million people in Manaus on our 5 hour jaunt. It was mot edifying.
Not surprising is the weather here in Manaus. Unlike other aspects of our trip, the heat and humidity has been incredibly reliable. However, even that has an upside. I've always wondered whether it was physically possible to melt, and now I know: almost.
And of course, I am always surprised by the extent of the love and generosity shown to us by our Brazilian hosts. Sometimes our work seems like such a small offering to deserve the amount of gratitude and friendship that the Brazilians shower upon us. But these people have incredibly deep reservoirs of kindness to share, and just being here reminds us that we all have the capacity to live like that. The people here give us something to aspire to.
Today I started to paint a mural of the Shade and fresh Water Project logo. At least 50% of the paint ended up on the painting surface, so I consider today a success.
Tomorrow we all head out to see a bit of the Amazon on a boat. We have concocted several ways of smuggling home jungle animals, so no one should be surprised when we bring our new friends to church. Open minds, open hearts, open doors, right?
Jenna Cook
Not surprising is the weather here in Manaus. Unlike other aspects of our trip, the heat and humidity has been incredibly reliable. However, even that has an upside. I've always wondered whether it was physically possible to melt, and now I know: almost.
And of course, I am always surprised by the extent of the love and generosity shown to us by our Brazilian hosts. Sometimes our work seems like such a small offering to deserve the amount of gratitude and friendship that the Brazilians shower upon us. But these people have incredibly deep reservoirs of kindness to share, and just being here reminds us that we all have the capacity to live like that. The people here give us something to aspire to.
Today I started to paint a mural of the Shade and fresh Water Project logo. At least 50% of the paint ended up on the painting surface, so I consider today a success.
Tomorrow we all head out to see a bit of the Amazon on a boat. We have concocted several ways of smuggling home jungle animals, so no one should be surprised when we bring our new friends to church. Open minds, open hearts, open doors, right?
Jenna Cook
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