Let me paint a picture for you…the dawn is barely breaking through your window. It’s 5:30 and you open your eyes, sit up and see your teammates getting ready for the day. You feel the cool breeze from the open window make its way through the room and across your warm skin. You turn and put your feet on the floor and it hits you…you realize that today is the day that the Lord is using you to change the lives of children thousands of miles away from your home!!! When we stepped out of Agua Viva this morning, the sky was beautifully hung above the vibrant green mountain range as the sun crept across the beautiful landscape and made the clouds dance with pink and orange and purple and blue. It was truly a blessing to be able to open my eyes to the Lord’s creation this morning.
After a delicious breakfast, we set out for Igreja Batista El-Shaddai (this is the church in which we are serving) in the city of
After the whirlwind that is Groupo Grande, we headed outside for officinas (skills). I (Jon Gill) headed out to set up one of my favorite games for the recreation skill…Spider Tag!!! If you don’t know what Spider Tag is, ask me sometime. It’s really fun. The other officinas were arts and crafts and “Meninos e Meninas” (boys and girls) where the boys made something comparable to Nickelodeon Gak, and the girls made bracelets. Needless to say, the kids had a wonderful time pegging each other with the dodge balls, making bracelets and picture frames and Gak!
After skills, the kids went off to school and now we’re waiting for the next group of kids to come. After the children left and before lunch, the guitar player at the church, Niel, taught me how to play some of the Brazilian songs he knows that we’re singing at camp. The Brazilian people are incredible and so so friendly and hospitable. I’ve loved getting to know them as much as the language barrier will allow and then some. One menino in particular. O nome dele e Gabriel. (His name is Gabriel). He’s 16 and he is one cool kid! We’ve been working through the language barrier a lot by spending time trying to speak to each other in our native languages. Learning a new language is incredibly fun. So the first morning of camp is done and we eagerly await the afternoon crew to arrive. We’ll be doing the same thing with them this afternoon. After that, we’ll be headed back to Agua Viva for some dinner and much needed rest. To everyone in the States, much love and we’ll see you soon…until then tchau tchau!
Tori Frazier- Is contemplating taking all of the kids home with her to the States.
Whitney Stancil- Has a new best friend in
Alyssa O’Leary- Is our rising star as she will be staring in our Beach Blast Production!
Jessica Hendry- Really enjoyed learning a Boy’s Camp game- spider tag anyone?
Megan Gaither- Was tackled in dodge ball and no longer has sunglasses.
Katie Underwood- Has definitely spent too much time working on her Portuguese; she no longer can recognize English.
Juliana Anderson- Was unintentionally kicked in the face (no black eye though) and accidently told a group of kids to form a daughter instead of a line.
Lauren Bennett- Loves going to the officinas, especially “Gurl Wurld,” with the Red Team.
Tricia Watts- Was bling blinging it as she taught our Brazilian ladies how to decorate some jewelry.
Norma Thomas- Is proving to be crafty!
Ken Thomas- Is working hard on his tan… that SPF 70 definitely has come in handy.
Brent Fielder- Is becoming a “redneck” more and more each day.
Angela Fielder- Is getting back to her Brazilian roots as she is adding some color to her white complexion.
12 comments:
Way to go team 1!!!! We are praying for each of you. Enjoy this time.
Speedy
Team 1,
I am praying for each and every one of you that the Lord is able to work through you to minister to these kids and the community that you are in. Juliana, I laughed really hard when I read your status! :) I'm jealous as you all get to wake in God's beautiful creation at Aqua Viva. Take it all in- the beauty, the food, the culture. May the Lord provide you with rest, strength, and the language to speak with the Brazilians. Team 1, you are in my prayers! :)
-Brittany Boyter
Hi all,
We love you too Jon Gill!!!!!! Mom, Dad and RT
You guys are having as much fun as those kids.
We are praying for each and everyone of you.
Keep your eyes on him.
The Gill's =)
Love this update! I can picture it all in my mind. Great action shots. God is blessing your work & the seeds you are planting.
Great update! I can visualize it all. Terrific action shots w/ the kids. God is blessing your work & the seeds you are planting.
Thank you for all the detailed news.It's great to hear what the Lord is doing! Enjoy Brazil and the wonderful people! We are praying that the Lord will be with you all and that many will come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Juliana, we love you and miss you.
Andersons -Dad, Mom, William and Joel
What's up bro!!! Need some help if you can. Or anyone really. Spring Break Mission Trip is coming up and I am Games Leader. Could you guys give me some game suggestions for these kids. We're going to a place similar to boys and girls club. Love yall and am praying for you and think its such a blessing to those kids that yall are there. Thanks for your help God bless.
Yay for a return appearance of Maurizio (top photo)! Sounds like a great first day Team One
Driving passed the Rome exit on my way home (GA) from home (KY) and smiling so BIG as I glance at the update on Day 1 of camp in my home outside of the States (Brazil)! I'm so proud of your joyful obedience Team 1... keep those "Why nots" at His feet, encourage one another while it's called today, make the most of every opportunity and as you soak it all up - stay drenched in His Word so that is what is rung out of your sponge! Leave not one chance to be His witnesses behind you... pray expectantly for them. "You have not (insert your name here) because you ask not..." James
Asking expectantly with you and celebrating a great beginning! "The end of a thing is better than the beginning..." Solomon
From the land of tigers and eagles,
We're both so excited about the work y'all are doing. We'll both be praying for you. Please take care of Corley, she is accident prone.
Caleb and Haley
Ya'll have come to mind so many times each day...know you are being prayed for as you walk throughout each day! There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord is doing some incredible things in and through each of you! I smile everytime I read each of these posts! Have SOO much fun in the coming days and let His light shine! Much love to you all! - Adrianne
La... miss having you here in our "gurl world".. Jon Gill... Your car may or may not have been tp'd. Praying for ya'll!!!!!
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