Sunday, Nov 12, 2017 São Paulo, Brazil

       

Many times on mission trips you are seeing life through a keyhole. What your eyes tell you are only a portion of the entire picture. As we began our journey in Brazil Sunday, we made the attempts to get to know the people here and listen to their stories. We sought to understand how God had brought them to church today, just as God brings so many to church back home in the United States. We were just thankful that we could now be a part of their lives, and we can only pray that something we said will forever remain with them. At the end of the day we know that we are serving the same God, we sing (although in different languages) about the same God, and we pray to the same God. One cannot help but learn from how other cultures view God. It makes you wonder. Despite the prominent oppression of a nation, are they more joyful to live a faithful life in Christ than a nation that has been declared “blessed”? In the United States we remain in a constant state of division and diversion, always looking to progress for the sake staying ahead of everyone else. I have felt God’s presence more in the places of oppression and brokenness than I have in the places that are "free."

On Sunday morning we watched as several busloads of adults, teenagers, and children were brought in to go to church. They have all come from different backgrounds and they all have a different story. Our team split up into different groups and used our strengths to minister. I was blessed with the opportunity to share my testimony with a group of non-believers and I can only hope that seeds were planted. For me it has always been powerful to let others know that they are not alone in their suffering. That although we don’t come from the same situations, we have the ability to speak life into even those that we don’t know.

Later that night we went another location in the state of São Paulo and had church again. There have been several times in my life that I have found myself where the boundary of heaven and earth is especially thin-these have been called “thin places”. Some may believe that God does not communicate with humans anymore-I have to disagree. As I hummed along to the worship music that was sung in Portuguese, looking over the backdrop of the city of Campinas I was in that “thin place”. I could almost hear God’s whisper, “take off you sandals, for you are standing on holy ground”. God works in mysterious ways and can often be found in the cities that you would never see on screen. If one wants to know what true discipleship looks like, they need look no further. 

In the few days that we have been on the ground here we have ministered to babies only twenty-two days old and elderly men and women. I have seen more joy over less than most will have in a lifetime. The joy is found in those moments that others, who felt their lives had no value, find their worth because someone came four thousand miles to say-God loves you. It may seem trivial, but it starts with planting smalls words of encouragement in the minds of the discouraged.

Saturday, Nov 11, 2017 São Paulo, Brazil

Saturday we landed in São Paulo. Within 2 hours of landing I met a girl. I was told that she had nine siblings, and that her mother prostitutes herself to feed her children, and the missionaries who love on them weekly said that they think the girl is starting to do the same thing. 

       

The missionaries often take food to this family, but that doesn't cover a family a family of 11 day in and day out. 11 people sleep in two full size beds. There are so many here who sleep with several people in one bed.

I know some of you are thinking...."Why doesn't the mother use birth control."  But, would she be able to sell herself if she used the cheapest form of it? My first thought is...Praise God that I have never been faced with the decision to not feed my children or sell myself!  I am guessing that if you are reading this, you probably haven't had to make that decosion either! 

        

I asked the same girl how old she was, (thinking she was likely 16-18) and  she responded "twelve".  Without intervention, this problem will perpetuate itself through future generations. It breaks my heart!

The ministry that we work with here in Brazil, AMO- Feed My Sheep, they have been here for 18 years, loving on the people in the slums of São Paulo, and surrounding areas. They make an obvious difference for so many children and families! 

There are probably at least 20 other stories that I have heard the past couple of days that are as bad or worse than the one above. It could get overwhelming real quick if it weren't for God 's obvious hand here. I praise Him for allowing me to be a tiny part of this!  It is such a privilege to be here and watch God work! 

His love is endless...

Serving here in El Salvador has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I cannot begin to explain how each time I enter this country that God begins to reshape and mold my heart even more. This time, being my 5th time to visit this country, God continues to do the same. 

We began our day by going to Cambia Tu Vida, a center that aims to help kids that are at risk of violence and sexual abuse. 

We spent the morning talking, playing soccer, painting faces, and loving on the kids there. After leaving the center, we had lunch and then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  

Yep, the mid week slump hit me. I was exhausted! I just wanted to go back to the mission house and go to sleep. The entire way to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, a private run orphanage, all I could think about was how ready I was to rest and be in the safeties of the mission house.  God knows how whiny I can be at times. I am honestly surprised that He hasn’t gotten fed up with me already, but instead He chooses to love me, imperfections and all. 

I know this because the very second I stepped out of the bus I was engulfed in His love. A sweet little boy that I met the first time I was at this center came running up to me and wrapped his arms around me. He gave me the biggest hug and smiled at me with big brown eyes that melted away every bit of exhaustion. For the next couple of hours this little boy was my best friend. He gave me the job of holding his popcorn while he jumped on the inflatables. He gave me the job of holding his popcorn while he ran to get the two of us snow cones. He gave me the job of holding his popcorn when he went to get more popcorn.  Today, I was the official popcorn holder, but I was perfectly fine with that.  

With my broken Spanish skills I learned that he loves school, but not math. He likes cats better than dogs. He is 11 and his birthday is in May. I learned the name of his younger brother, I learned that Steve is his favorite person, and I learned that he really likes popcorn!  I received a lot of sweaty little boy hugs and when he offered me some of his popcorn, I replied, “No. Gracias!” However he looked at me with those brown eyes, giggled, held up the popcorn, and I opened my mouth and ate the popcorn. 

Later his older brother who is now 16 and will soon age out of the system shared with me that their mother had died. He said “I don’t have a dad”. Then pointing to one of the translators of sus hijos, he said “They are my dad now”.  As I fought back the tears I couldn’t help but think about how I hoped he also knew that he had a Heavenly Father that loved him more than anything. 

When our time at NPH was over, my sweet little popcorn loving friend continued to hug me tight. I told him that I hoped to see him soon and that I loved him. His reply was that he loved me too.  He then said in English, “I miss you”.  

Today God placed me in the middle of El Salvador to hold popcorn, share laughs, and hold hands with a precious little orphan. He placed me there to talk with his 16 year old brother. But most importantly He placed me there to remind me that no matter who we are, He loves us. He loves us so, so much.... We are all orphans, but it is only through His love, His goodness, and His grace that we are His children. Because of that, it is our job as Christians to give that same love to others.  (Today my job just happened to be popcorn holder). 

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” -John 14:18

Home Sweet Home

We began this morning by making our way back to the community where we were building the house. Today we were bringing in the furniture and doing all the finishing touches on the house. 

After we completed the house, it was time to present the house to the family. It was amazing to see how the mother’s face lit up as she received the keys to her new house. All her kids went in and excitedly examined their new beds and dinner table. The whole family was overwhelmed and grateful for what God had just provided them. 

Next, we headed up to the community’s common area to prepare to feed the community. Not only did we get to provide them with beans, rice, and a Bible, but we also got to have a fiesta with the children. We had a piñata and cake and balloons for all the kids. We even got to celebrate Jacob’s birthday a day early!

It was such a blessing to be able to pour out God’s love onto these families. Please continue to pray that God will shine through us during the rest of our trip!

More than a house...

We started the day with a two hour bus ride to the community where we are to build a house. This is a home for a lady and her 6 kids. Her husband has been imprisioned four years. Their current living conditions are not acceptable. 

Through donations received, we have the money to build this family a home. It will stand out in her community as a sign God loves and He provides for us. 

We began in mud as it is rainy season and has rained EVERY day for the past 17 days. The situation got worse!  It came a down pour. Roads flooded, mud became like soup. 

We went and had lunch with some people from the community and provided lunch for the family. It quit raining while we ate and we were able to complete the house. 

When God designs something to happen, there may be storms that come. However he will see you through them. 

We ended building day with a two hour trip back that was much quieter   

This family wouldn’t have this blessing if someone hadn’t donated the money for the house, if someone hadn’t went on the trip to do the work, and most of all if someone hadn’t prayed.  

If you feel God calling you to something this might be your opportunity to grow.  Please continue to pray for our team as we serve this week.