Day 2 | To Na Fita

One of my prayers has been that our time here would pass by slowly so that we may soak up every moment with these wonderful brothers and sisters of Christ. The Lord has been faithful however; I still cannot believe that it is already our fourth day in Brazil. Our morning began with breakfast and was soon followed by a trip to the church where Marney led us in camp songs as we drove along the dirt roads surrounded by the Brazilian countryside. It seemed as if the campers came immediately upon our arrival. They were so excited to see us and acted as if we had all been friends for years. One of my favorite things about the Brazilian culture is how relational people are. Yesterday in crafts, the meninos made bolsas (bags) to put all of their artes (crafts) for the entire week. They were able to decorate them with fabric markers coloring anything that they wanted to. Sweet children from chime amarello (the yellow team) immediately looked at my nametag and began copying my name to their bag. Whitney was surrounded with hearts on multiple children’s bags. We are told to have a childlike faith and these precious campers have been the utmost example as they love immediately and show no partiality. It was a sweet reminder and encouragement to me that I need to do the same and show the same love to all who I encounter.

Camp in Brazil has been fun for so many reasons but I think that our opportunity to observe and build relationships so intentionally has been my favorite. Our volunteers are absolutely incredible. They are doing such an incredible job of facilitating camp that we have been able to sit back and act as a volunteer at a C3 camp.

I have also had the privilege to be the photographer today. I have been able to freely roam around camp watching every oficina and activity. Crafts made tie-dye bandanas, Man Land made and flew airplanes, recreation played dragon tails and hot dog tag, and Club de la luzinas (Gurl World) made bubble wands that they dipped in a pan of water and blew gigantic bubbles. All of the kids loved everything. In the States we always struggle to have the full engagement of every child. That is not a problem here- they are amazed by everything and are excited to just spend time with people who love them.

Today I have also been able to see the children really begin to grasp some of the Bible stories and connections to the theme. It is the first time for them to hear some of the stories and I am so excited to see what God has in store for the rest of this week. We have great expectations of what is yet to be done here.

God has been so faithful this week during camp but let’s not exclude the funny stories and fun times that we have also had away from the meninos:

Praise the Lord that Gabe is alive. He has survived malaria and a nasty fall from a chair that collapsed onto the floor. Head and back on the ground and arms flailing in the air- we all got a good laugh. Joey has shared what he thinks a perfect woman would be and she may or may not be here with us! We were able to see monkeys- 5 to be exact; They are the Brazilian version of squirrels. One of team members has been suggested to become our ritual sacrifice. Marney is missing her ginger bell (Ginger Ale), Chime 2 make sure not to forget it when you join us on Saturday! We are having so much fun and we can’t wait for what is to come tomorrow!

-Whitney

News from the Team:

Jimmy: It took two years and two trips to Brazil but I finally poked Juliana in both of her eyes.

Melodie: Enjoyed listening to Joey expressing his undying love for Jana, the blue-eyed girl sitting next to him!

Juliana: Is like a plastic bag floating through the air. I get to go everywhere! The beauty of being a translator!!!

Alison: Was knighted the new camp nurse.

Whitney (me): Good thing I’m single because I’ve sure kissed a lot of people today!

Gabe: Led recreation with monkeys.

Adrianne: Loves giving thumbs up and smiles, but really wants to learn Portuguese!

John: Inspired by our passionate, well-trained, talented, blessed, capable Brazilian volunteers.

Maurice: If you’re tired of cold weather, think of Brazil.

Nate: Jumping up and down making a fool of yourself tells kids you’re excited to see them no matter what language you speak! I love my yellow team guys!

Kevin: Thoroughly enjoyed making and decorating airplanes with meninos.

Stephen: I invented the Cupid Shuffle…now I have all of Brazil following my swift feet.

Marcus: Loves playing cachorro quente (Hot Dog Man) with the kids.

Stephanie: Loves Brazil but is really missing American toilets.

Daniel: Loves the Brazilian children, but REALLY misses Cullum a lot- feel free to occupy my office while I am gone.

Jana: Blue is the color of the sky, blue is the color of the ocean, and blue is also the color of the team that is going to win. AZUL!

Marney: “Can I please get my ginger bell?”

Joey: Loves being back in the camp atmosphere, and thinks I’ve found my perfect woman… ;)

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