Friday, June 19, 2009
A Tidbit from my Journal
No movie on the plane. And I didn’t eat the dinner not the breakfast. It feels like I am being quiet, but I just want to sit and have some one on one time with you Lord. Thank you Lord for the provision and prayers.
The Plaza: Journal Entry
The plaza
Boxes were being shoved to the side so the homeless could take and use as shelter. How I had to come 9 hours on a plane to finally hear compliments. When I am doing God’s work, there is nothing else to say but he shines in all areas of your life. And how desperately I want that. To see you in all of this. What do you want me to get out of this?
The little girl and brother with the dog that Bryan was talking to. The little brother watched the whole time while we were doing the Redeemer Skit and Sketch board. Then after, he wanted to talk to everyone in the group. It was found out that he was not with his sister, but with family that has been living on the streets. Once a week they are able to get a shower. The family takes care of one another bc that’s all that they have.
Boxes were being shoved to the side so the homeless could take and use as shelter. How I had to come 9 hours on a plane to finally hear compliments. When I am doing God’s work, there is nothing else to say but he shines in all areas of your life. And how desperately I want that. To see you in all of this. What do you want me to get out of this?
The little girl and brother with the dog that Bryan was talking to. The little brother watched the whole time while we were doing the Redeemer Skit and Sketch board. Then after, he wanted to talk to everyone in the group. It was found out that he was not with his sister, but with family that has been living on the streets. Once a week they are able to get a shower. The family takes care of one another bc that’s all that they have.
A Picture of the Boy
These girls below could speak a little bit of English. Mike said that he had noticed them understanding what he said before it was even translated.
The first of many Nugget alerts.
Journal Entry 1
Here’s what I put in my journal,
So, I am here! Can’t believe that it’s so gorgeous here! Tim and Lizzy let me keep sitting with Lizzy. Meds, relaxation tape, eye mask, pillow, made it so easy to just with you Lord. B/c I had to give over control to you. I had to b/c that tiredness and plane was you and me.
Everything here looks like Guatemala, feels like Guatemala. My stomach hurts and I don’t know why. I am so much better at the Redeemer than I was when I first started practicing. Lizzy said good job and Bryan said that I really have my timing down. I feel terrible that I can’t speak to people. How I wish that I could be like Liz. But like Lizzy and I were talking we may just need to realize that that we are just sowing seeds. We are to only play our part in everything.
I am tired and I don’t feel like I am doing my part here. I give you over that magical part that I wish would happen in all of this. Just like my Prince charming that I am praying so dearly for. I want to do your will in all of this Lord. I give up the need to change people and or instantly wanting to come to the rescue. I want to do your will, to know your purpose, what is all of it?
I give it all to you Lord. Not in I write this down and I halfway mean it sort of way. Away in when you reign supreme.
So, I am here! Can’t believe that it’s so gorgeous here! Tim and Lizzy let me keep sitting with Lizzy. Meds, relaxation tape, eye mask, pillow, made it so easy to just with you Lord. B/c I had to give over control to you. I had to b/c that tiredness and plane was you and me.
Everything here looks like Guatemala, feels like Guatemala. My stomach hurts and I don’t know why. I am so much better at the Redeemer than I was when I first started practicing. Lizzy said good job and Bryan said that I really have my timing down. I feel terrible that I can’t speak to people. How I wish that I could be like Liz. But like Lizzy and I were talking we may just need to realize that that we are just sowing seeds. We are to only play our part in everything.
I am tired and I don’t feel like I am doing my part here. I give you over that magical part that I wish would happen in all of this. Just like my Prince charming that I am praying so dearly for. I want to do your will in all of this Lord. I give up the need to change people and or instantly wanting to come to the rescue. I want to do your will, to know your purpose, what is all of it?
I give it all to you Lord. Not in I write this down and I halfway mean it sort of way. Away in when you reign supreme.
The Start of it All
Well, I really don’t know how to begin. I suppose the plane ride there. They had TV’s on the back of the chairs, and so everyone could see one. But, we waited to take off b/c they would not work. So, b/c I was tired and a little nauseous, I did not eat the dinner. I listened to my IPOD, which I mainly listened to the most wonderful Breathing Exercises. If you have trouble with anxiety, panic attacks, you need to get Carolyn McManus’ CD. I bought it off of Amazon.com. Just listening to someone talk slowly with wonderful music helped me sleep many of nights. So, I was really tired and so I let my friend Lizzy watch a movie on my IPOD. By the time I woke up, it was breakfast time and a little while later we came to Brazil.
I was nervous about doing the Redeemer Skit. I had been training with my sister, (thanks Jenny) but it’s different in the crowd. We were able to do it in church so I knew about doing it in front of a crowd. But, when you do it in front of a bunch of kids, you can see there faces change. When you do it in front of a bunch of boy juveniles, you can see the change. Right after we finish the Skit and get up, the Sketch board is started. Mike B, our fearless leader did a lot of them. While he is talking about the Titanic and how it pertains to the gospel or talking about Jose, who has everything he wants, (drugs, women, drinking, and money). But what he desperately wants to fill is this whole in his heart that only The Father can really fill.
We went to a couple of schools while we were in Sao Paulo. The kids came up to us after the skit and sketch board was complete. There was an invitation at the end always, and to just see children praying in a school setting was wonderful. And different, since I work in a public school and was thinking that it would never happen to do the Redeemer in front of my kids. Lizzy, who also came with her husband Tim, is a teacher. We were talking about how she believes that her children know that she is a Christian. The things she talks about that happens in her life. That’s what I want my kids to know also.
I was nervous about doing the Redeemer Skit. I had been training with my sister, (thanks Jenny) but it’s different in the crowd. We were able to do it in church so I knew about doing it in front of a crowd. But, when you do it in front of a bunch of kids, you can see there faces change. When you do it in front of a bunch of boy juveniles, you can see the change. Right after we finish the Skit and get up, the Sketch board is started. Mike B, our fearless leader did a lot of them. While he is talking about the Titanic and how it pertains to the gospel or talking about Jose, who has everything he wants, (drugs, women, drinking, and money). But what he desperately wants to fill is this whole in his heart that only The Father can really fill.
We went to a couple of schools while we were in Sao Paulo. The kids came up to us after the skit and sketch board was complete. There was an invitation at the end always, and to just see children praying in a school setting was wonderful. And different, since I work in a public school and was thinking that it would never happen to do the Redeemer in front of my kids. Lizzy, who also came with her husband Tim, is a teacher. We were talking about how she believes that her children know that she is a Christian. The things she talks about that happens in her life. That’s what I want my kids to know also.
Back in Action!
So, I am back before I put anything on this blog. A couple of times I had access to the Internet, but only wanted to write a quick Hey to my mom and Jenny.
What was my prayer for this trip? To grow in my relationship with God.
Not only did that happen, but I also was given another family. Let me tell you about them so you will know when I speak about them.
Bruno and Camilla Costa with their daughter Marianna: Words cannot express how wonderful they are. Bruno goes out by himself or with help of a couple of volunteers each morning. He sets up everything and preaches the gospel to anyone who will listen. I was told that Bruno is trying to go to every school in the city that they live in, Sao Paulo. I was surprised that my church, Roswell Community Church is the only one that monthly gives to the family. They only have 2-3 teams a year that come to them. We went to their lovely little apartment and were told that 80 % of what were saw were given by donations. I believe that each month, give or take the change in currency, they have about 65 % of the money that they really need. They instantly welcomed us like we were family. They even gave us presents; candy that is well known there, and a key chain with the Brazilian flag and our names on it. I would say the big thing that you could be praying for is that they would be able to get a visa to come to the US. They tried earlier in the year, but was turned down b/c they don’t own land/car. Everything that they own is in OAC’s name.
Hadassah: She was our wonderful translator and Camilla’s cousin. She lives an hour by plane ride away and works for the government. She also teaches school. The wonderful thing about her, well there is so many. She was the best translator. When Bruno and/or Camilla wanted to tell us something long or quickly, she was instantly ready to help out. What Mike had said was that she not only knew English, but also slangs words or movies/TV shows. She was able to be my roommate while we were in Rio. She was how my relationship with the Lord grew stronger. He brought me to meet her. While we were about to eat lunch, she had mentioned that she had been engaged twice. Not to give too much away on her account, but we shared so many of the same things. All I did was keep saying, I know!! I know!! By then end, she took my hands and prayed for her and me. She prayed for our husbands and the children that we were going to have. She really wants to come to the states, and you can pray that God’s will be done. She wants to come to school in the US to get a masters degree in Linguistics.
Tim and Lizzy Spainhour: Lizzy is a teacher and Tim works as a MRI technician. I remember Lizzy and I talking about our kids from school. How she hopes that they can see she is a Christian and loves them. Her eyes just lit up once we got there. She wanted to learn all about the sketch board and other things.
Elizabeth Blackburn: She is a wonderful person. She loves Brazil like I love Guatemala. She went a week before we did and spent time going to schools with Bruno. I am so happy that we got to know each other even more than we did. I am so happy that we are friends!!
Carolyn Compton: Our picture taker. I don’t know how many times I thanked her for taking pictures, as I was happy that she was.
Brandon and Bryan Autry: God brought this family back into my life after both of us leaving New Covenant Bible Church. I had gone on my first Guatemalan trip with Bryan and his daughter, Brittany. I was so happy that we were able to catch up on what had been happening in our lives. I have three younger siblings that I don’t see as often as I do. My brother is the same age as Brandon. It was really nice to have a younger brother on the trip with me, to laugh and cut up with me.
Mike B: What can I say? In the beginning he was not going to come on the trip, but it ended up that he was supposed to. Such a wonderful father figure that I needed to have.
So, I have only the pictures that I took on the trip. Once I get more from Carolyn…. there is said to be more than 1000, I am going to post them. Brandon also was wonderful and videotaped a lot of different things. I am excited for you to see a Redeemer Skit being done. It is one thing for me to talk about it, but you just have to see it being done.
What was my prayer for this trip? To grow in my relationship with God.
Not only did that happen, but I also was given another family. Let me tell you about them so you will know when I speak about them.
Bruno and Camilla Costa with their daughter Marianna: Words cannot express how wonderful they are. Bruno goes out by himself or with help of a couple of volunteers each morning. He sets up everything and preaches the gospel to anyone who will listen. I was told that Bruno is trying to go to every school in the city that they live in, Sao Paulo. I was surprised that my church, Roswell Community Church is the only one that monthly gives to the family. They only have 2-3 teams a year that come to them. We went to their lovely little apartment and were told that 80 % of what were saw were given by donations. I believe that each month, give or take the change in currency, they have about 65 % of the money that they really need. They instantly welcomed us like we were family. They even gave us presents; candy that is well known there, and a key chain with the Brazilian flag and our names on it. I would say the big thing that you could be praying for is that they would be able to get a visa to come to the US. They tried earlier in the year, but was turned down b/c they don’t own land/car. Everything that they own is in OAC’s name.
Hadassah: She was our wonderful translator and Camilla’s cousin. She lives an hour by plane ride away and works for the government. She also teaches school. The wonderful thing about her, well there is so many. She was the best translator. When Bruno and/or Camilla wanted to tell us something long or quickly, she was instantly ready to help out. What Mike had said was that she not only knew English, but also slangs words or movies/TV shows. She was able to be my roommate while we were in Rio. She was how my relationship with the Lord grew stronger. He brought me to meet her. While we were about to eat lunch, she had mentioned that she had been engaged twice. Not to give too much away on her account, but we shared so many of the same things. All I did was keep saying, I know!! I know!! By then end, she took my hands and prayed for her and me. She prayed for our husbands and the children that we were going to have. She really wants to come to the states, and you can pray that God’s will be done. She wants to come to school in the US to get a masters degree in Linguistics.
Tim and Lizzy Spainhour: Lizzy is a teacher and Tim works as a MRI technician. I remember Lizzy and I talking about our kids from school. How she hopes that they can see she is a Christian and loves them. Her eyes just lit up once we got there. She wanted to learn all about the sketch board and other things.
Elizabeth Blackburn: She is a wonderful person. She loves Brazil like I love Guatemala. She went a week before we did and spent time going to schools with Bruno. I am so happy that we got to know each other even more than we did. I am so happy that we are friends!!
Carolyn Compton: Our picture taker. I don’t know how many times I thanked her for taking pictures, as I was happy that she was.
Brandon and Bryan Autry: God brought this family back into my life after both of us leaving New Covenant Bible Church. I had gone on my first Guatemalan trip with Bryan and his daughter, Brittany. I was so happy that we were able to catch up on what had been happening in our lives. I have three younger siblings that I don’t see as often as I do. My brother is the same age as Brandon. It was really nice to have a younger brother on the trip with me, to laugh and cut up with me.
Mike B: What can I say? In the beginning he was not going to come on the trip, but it ended up that he was supposed to. Such a wonderful father figure that I needed to have.
So, I have only the pictures that I took on the trip. Once I get more from Carolyn…. there is said to be more than 1000, I am going to post them. Brandon also was wonderful and videotaped a lot of different things. I am excited for you to see a Redeemer Skit being done. It is one thing for me to talk about it, but you just have to see it being done.
And here we are all together!
I am back!
Hello to everyone!!
Thank you for reading my blog, even though I have not posted anything and am now back from my trip! I think that I just needed/still need a little time to think about things. There is also a wonderful woman from our trip that took over 1000, yes 1000 pictures. And so when I share my stories, I feel like I should have some pictures ready. And I am not ready to sit down and write about my experiences b/c I think that I would cry b/c I miss it so much. So, all I can say for now is that I had a wonderful time. My prayer for the trip was sadly not so much the ministry but for the Lord to meet me there. To meet me and our relationship to grow stronger. Man he did. He did in so many ways. He brought me a new family of the wonderful Bruno and Camila Costa. There daughter Marianna is so sweet. Then also He brought me Hadassah, Camila;s cousin who can to translate, but really to show me God's Love. We did the Redeemer Skit in plazas, schools, and even in two youth detention (prison really) places. The landscape was gorgeous. We stayed on the beach when we were in Rio. Well, I will post more at a later date. Here are some pictures of me doing Redeemer and my favorite friend, Haddassah.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Meet me in Brazil!
I was thinking that some updates needed to be given and also this is most likely the last post until I am in Brazil!! I leave Friday night, which this being Wed morning, it's not that much longer! I have bags of things in my room in piles, so all I need to do is put it into my backpack and suitcase.
I think that it hit me yesterday that I am really going on a mission trip. Really I am just getting to go somewhere and be quiet with God. So many times my life is congested with work, friends, family, things in general, that sadly my one on one time with my Holy Father is either interrupted, or not even there. So, I can't even type how excited that i am to see what god has in store for me during the next 10 days in Brazil.
Updates:
1. My friend Elizabeth is in better health. She wrote on her blog that she is feeling better and has been scouting the spots that we will be going to while in Brazil. Below in one of my posts I put where we will be at so you can specifically pray about that time and just know where I will be once I get off the plane! I don't know if it was written or showed, but my team of 8 wonderful people will be meeting Bruno and Camila Costa at the airport. We will be visiting their home and Bruno is the guys who will be taking us to preach the gospel. He goes out each day into the streets of Brazil to preach the gospel. We will just be able to be an extra as we will be doing the Redeemer Skit and sketch board in the huge market places and in some schools. I am so excited to meet the wonderful Costa's.
2. I have a job! We were called into the principals office a couple of days ago and I was told that I do have a job in the same spot next year. I am so grateful for my job, as some of my friends weren't as lucky as I was.
3. We were able to get our visas! Brandon and Bryan Autry still need to pick up theirs on Friday morning, so please lift up a prayer that everything just goes smoothly when they walk into the office.
4. My only prayer request for the trip is my anxiousness about the plane ride. I might even be getting myself silly b/c I am expecting to be nervous. But, what I really need to not just say but believe is, if I give this over to God, really give it over to Him, then he will either take it away, or be with me all the way threw it.
5. I want to thank everyone who have given me donations and prayers along the way. I really could not have gone ion this trip without all of your help. You'll never know how much it means to me that so many people gave their hard earned money in order for me to get to preach the gospel.
Well, if I am unable to publish another post until I get home, be sure to know that I will be typing till my chubby hands hurt about my wonderful adventure that God and I had once I get back.
I think that it hit me yesterday that I am really going on a mission trip. Really I am just getting to go somewhere and be quiet with God. So many times my life is congested with work, friends, family, things in general, that sadly my one on one time with my Holy Father is either interrupted, or not even there. So, I can't even type how excited that i am to see what god has in store for me during the next 10 days in Brazil.
Updates:
1. My friend Elizabeth is in better health. She wrote on her blog that she is feeling better and has been scouting the spots that we will be going to while in Brazil. Below in one of my posts I put where we will be at so you can specifically pray about that time and just know where I will be once I get off the plane! I don't know if it was written or showed, but my team of 8 wonderful people will be meeting Bruno and Camila Costa at the airport. We will be visiting their home and Bruno is the guys who will be taking us to preach the gospel. He goes out each day into the streets of Brazil to preach the gospel. We will just be able to be an extra as we will be doing the Redeemer Skit and sketch board in the huge market places and in some schools. I am so excited to meet the wonderful Costa's.
2. I have a job! We were called into the principals office a couple of days ago and I was told that I do have a job in the same spot next year. I am so grateful for my job, as some of my friends weren't as lucky as I was.
3. We were able to get our visas! Brandon and Bryan Autry still need to pick up theirs on Friday morning, so please lift up a prayer that everything just goes smoothly when they walk into the office.
4. My only prayer request for the trip is my anxiousness about the plane ride. I might even be getting myself silly b/c I am expecting to be nervous. But, what I really need to not just say but believe is, if I give this over to God, really give it over to Him, then he will either take it away, or be with me all the way threw it.
5. I want to thank everyone who have given me donations and prayers along the way. I really could not have gone ion this trip without all of your help. You'll never know how much it means to me that so many people gave their hard earned money in order for me to get to preach the gospel.
Well, if I am unable to publish another post until I get home, be sure to know that I will be typing till my chubby hands hurt about my wonderful adventure that God and I had once I get back.
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