We made it - and (NOW) finally have internet

Hello from Brasilia! Team 2 has made it safe and sound to Agua Viva.  We had a smooth flight (Friday night) where several team members were able to get a decent amount of sleep or enjoy wonderful entertainment like “The King’s Speech” and The E! Taylor Swift Documentary.  After an interesting trip through customs and immigration, we were reunited with Andre (leader of WinShape Brazil and husband of Marney) and Fufa (our bus driver from previous projects who will be driving our team this coming week).  After a forty-five minute ride through the city, we arrived at Agua Viva, our home for the week.  As we pulled in front of the house, we heard cheers from our friends on Team 1 who were about to head out to tour the city and catch their return flight to the states. Our time with them was short but so encouraging.  Kind words, notes, advice, funny stories and hugs were shared between new and old friends. As Team 1 loaded up and headed out, we met our Brazilian team of volunteers who will be serving with us this coming week at camp. There are several familiar faces of friends who served on last year’s project, including Niel (our guitar playing worship leader) and Sandra.  Of course, Marney, Mauricio and Elena were here to greet us along with many new friends. After a delicious lunch, we hit the ground running with this year’s curriculum for To Na Fita  (Studio U).

We spent the late afternoon relaxing and getting to know our Brazilian friends better. Some people read and napped in the hammocks, while others enjoyed a tour of the farm with Brent.  Some people enjoyed chatting (which tends to be an adventure in and of itself down here) while some played volleyball on the beach volleyball court.  However, the highlight of the afternoon was a bilingual, competitive, barefoot game of soccer.  I don’t know who had more fun… the players or the bystanders. Needless to say, dinner was well deserved and much enjoyed.  Another highlight to the day was the bonfire that followed dinner.  Niel lead us in several worship songs (ones that both cultures know like Shout to the Lord and Come, Now is the Time to Worship).  We spent time praying in English and Portuguese and ended the night with Grandes Coisas (God of the City).  It was a powerful time that will not soon be forgotten.  Currently, I (LB) am sitting in the living room with a happy and full heart.  There is a group outside keeping the worship going and there are people having meaningful conversations inside, but across the board people are thoroughly enjoying their time here.  We have a lot to be thankful for as we end our first day in Brazil.

Thank you for your prayers and support… we can surely feel them all the way in the Southern Hemisphere.  You can specifically pray for our volunteers as we train them tomorrow on how to step up and lead the campers this upcoming week.  This is an integral part of our project.  We love you and miss you, but are so blessed to have such a strong support system back home.

Now, here is a status update on each member of Team 2:

Mark is popping ibuprofen from the “hat trick” he scored in soccer and is well on his way to the “Brazil 10” (10 lbs. you can easily gain from the amazing food in Brazil). 

Danielle is working on her “Super Hero powers” of tongue clicking and eye blinking.

Kayla is saying “Mai e Pai, I’m ok!” and loving her new Brazilian friends.

Born is glad he still has a travel buddy… even if he has 5 snores.

KT scored 3 goals in his Brazilian soccer debut.  How’s that for some strategery?

Norma is excited to be sleeping horizontally after a restless night on the plane between KT and Brent who slept like babies.

Caleb is glad to be here after a long detainment in immigration this morning. “It’s been a really weird day.”

Nicole has stained feet from a fun game of barefoot soccer.

Kari is never going back to America.

Katie thinks music and the love of God is greater than words.

Ashlyn is currently asleep in a hammock on the porch.

Keenan hasn’t even been here 24 hours and has already consumed each variety of coffee that the Agua Viva coffee machine has to offer (7 to be exact).   

Will wants to take a monkey back to America with him.

Megan is also glad to be free from detainment in immigration (thanks Google).  Love you family!

Haley considers today to be a great day.  Caleb made it through interrogation, she did not lose to Will Marshall in soccer, and she has the best travel buddy ever (LB).

John W is tired from an extended stay at the President’s mansion with Team 1 today.

Stephanie had an awesome first day as a 20 year old!  Shout out to the family! Love you guys!

Juliana is keeping the worship service going outside… now on to hymns.

Mauricio is “fur hur sure”.

Brent is really excited to be in a place that feels like a second home and reuniting with great friends – although missing Angela and Michael.

LB is thanking Team 1 for the encouraging letters they passed my way before they left and is no longer watch-less (thanks Mel)! Basically today was “uh, pri-ty cool”!

Greater things have yet to come…

Team 2 (c/o LB)

Posted in: 2011,Brazil,WSCIP