Lost in Translation

I hope that the students did NOT feel lost in translation this week, because I was their translator! It is so interesting to see how God works things out. I had wanted to come to Brazil in time to participate in the Children as Risk school. I was not able to come in time because of my visa, and God did amazing things in my life during the "extra" time that I had at home. Now that World Cup is over the children at risk school classes are resuming, and I was asked to translate for the school! I only committed to trying it out this week, so I was able to be in the classes, and translate from Portuguese to English for the English-speakers in the class. On my DTS outreach last year I had done some translating for my team- some testimonies etc, but translating a 3 hour class was a whole new level of translating for me! It was also a challenge since I am still learning Portuguese. I am thankful for how gracious the English-speaking students were, and also for the help from the teacher (who spoke both languages), and some of the students who spoke both languages. It was a challenge and a stretch for me!

It was a very full week. The week was split between two teachers and two different subjects.

One of the teachers taught on Vacation Bible school for 3 afternoons and a morning. This weekend I helped out with the school and their Vacation Bible school for the the children of the staff and children from the community on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning.

 

 Singing in VBS

Playing games with the older kids

Helping out with some translating during VBS

Random

Today we did not spend an hour and a half on bus and subway to get into center Recife, or the beautiful coast. Today we went right across the street to spend time with the people in our neighborhood and build relationships here. It was great. :) We (meaning not me, but other girls from our base) played soccer with some of the girls from the neighborhood, and spent time with the people that were attracted to the blaring music, the guy with the mic, and the crowd watching soccer. :)

And on a random note. They have pretzels in Brazil! Yay!

Out and About in the City

Last week we went to Fan Fest to share with people about human trafficking, and share with people or pray for them as we were led to do.

 This weekend I was able to go to the house of prayer that is going on during World Cup. It was soo good. :) Reminded me of Gateway.

 

Beautiful Boa Viagem-in Recife

 This weekend we went to a large park in the city and drew a crowd through dance, and drama, and then shared Jesus with them. As were were there and the group was dancing and proclaiming Jesus through the songs I thought about what we were doing was having an impact in the spiritual realm as well. God is so good.

World Cup Outreach

Monday we went to Olinda, a nearby city for intercession, outreach, and speaking out against human trafficking. It was a great time. One thing in particular that was so cool was that some people from our group felt like we should read scriptures in square where we were, so we did! We split up into groups and people were reading the book of Ephesians in three different languages out loud. God is so good, and his word does not return to him void! Gloria. :)

This picture is overlooking part of Olinda, and the skyscrapers in the distance is Recife.

We had a long trip to get to Olinda, it consisted of a bus, metro (subway), walking, bus, and more walking. :) On the subway our group broke out in song and dance, the video doesn't accurately portray the energy and volume involved, but its a glimpse. It was neat. :)

As you think about us please pray for us as we go out and share the light and message of God! :)

Brazil

I'm in Brazil!

 It has been a great start and good to be back.

World Cup started on Thursday. There are a lot of people here at the base during this time and we are spending our time going out into the city sharing with people about the problem of human trafficking, and ministering to people as the Lord leads. A typical day includes one group going out into the surrounding community or city for the morning and the second group going out in the afternoon to different areas around the city- outside hotels, the beach, the bus station, and tourist spots. The group that stays on the base does cleaning, and cooking at the base etc.

These two pictures are of the World Cup stadium and surrounding neighborhood around the base. Last night was the first game here and we could hear the roar of the crowds from our apartment!

Getting Ready to Go

A New Chapter For My Blog :) 

Thus begins a new chapter for my blog. Same country, same person going, different role and time frame. Same passion to share God's love and hope with others, and to work with children at risk.

I am almost ready to go back to Brazil, I need a visa yet. Please pray with me that it will come through soon!

Recife, Brazil

 Thanks for reading my blog!

Back in the US

Hello all! I've been back in the US for just over a week ago, which many of you may very well know that because you've seen me in the past week. :)

I do not have pictures to share of graduation, but we had a nice ceremony with testimonies, worship, laughs, and handing out of certificate of graduation from DTS. Then we celebrated with food, fun, and dancing....Latin Americans love to dance! :)

Just another short story of an impactful experience from Brazil. The day before I left Brazil I accompanied one of the guys who is a part of the street ministry team to go into Recife and do some house visits. This was the first time that I went along for a house visit, and it was quite an experience to go into one of the slums, walk through the side streets that are only wide enough to walk on, and arrive at one of the last houses which was built on the edge of the river. It was a very poor looking home by far, and was filled with the smell of smoke. We visited the adults and two children living in that very small shack-like home. It was heart-breaking to see the circumstances that they are living in. We also visited some other families, and also went to see an area of slums that had accidently burned down recently and left a hundred families without their homes. YWAM works with building relationships with the kids on the streets, the kids' families, and many more people who they meet as they are in the slums doing house visits.

Please continue to pray as I seek direction from God for the future.