It felt great to wake up in a foreign country! We all slept in and had a breakfast at 9:00am, which is a rarity for camp. It’s amazing to be able to walk out of our living quarters and see lush tree topped mountains in the distance with cows grazing. The weather today has also been wonderful with a light shower to cool things off. After a great breakfast we went over our “oficinas” or skills that we will be leading with a Brazilian volunteer. The four oficinas are arts and crafts, rec, gurl world, and man land. With the help of a translator we were able to teach the material for the week to the volunteers so that they will be able to lead the oficina during camp. Man land and rec did our oficinas together with Claytón and Priscilla, whom are getting married in December. We had fun leading the activities and letting them to explain the games to us. They are going to do a great job! While at lunch our two other teammates arrived from the states, Daniel and Alison. They could not fly down with us due to problems with their visa. We are glad to have them down here with us so that our team is complete again. After we finished our delicious lunch we were able to relax, walk around this working farm, relax in the pool, and lounge in the hammocks on the front porch. Agua Viva actually has the champion bull and cow of Brazil. It is a pleasure to pet the champion of Brazil. While walking around the farm and soaking in the sights that this beautiful country has to offer we have seen very beautiful birds and plants. There are two owls that live close to the house, and they live in the ground by burrowing a tunnel.
Before leaving for church tonight we celebrated one of our staff members birthday. Whitney Stancil turned 22 and we had a great cake with peaches on top. Muy delicioso! Brazilian church services take place in the evening, not in the morning. We are excited to attend church tonight and be able to worship our Lord in Portuguese. I am blessed to worship God in the company of Brazilians having a translator there to help us understand what is being said. I never imagined that I would be able to experience a place where I sit in a circle needing a translator to communicate. This is honestly something that I have only seen on TV, and now I am experiencing it! It has been fun spending time with these people and being able to make small talk with them and playing charades to figure out things and what they call cow and tree and other various things.
We are all really excited about working with these amazing people do camp with them and teach them about camp and little games so that they can continue similar programs when we leave.
From Agua Viva we all thank all of our family and loved ones back home for their prayer and support. We all covet your prayers. Please continue to pray for safety of everyone here, while traveling the 45 minutes to the church where we do camp and just in everyday activities. Please continue to pray for the campers that we will come into contact with and show the love of Christ too. Please pray for Team 2 as they prepare to come to Brazil next week.
Thank you from everyone on Team 1 and all is well and we are anxious to serve our Lord this week!
-Kevin
A little blurb from Team One...
Joey- Learning all the tribes of boy’s and girl’s camp… including colors! (Happy Birthday Aunt Kathy)
Stephanie- Is happy her travel buddy made it to Brazil (Alison)
Maurice- Is saying hello to everyone in Richmond.
Nate- Addicted to Guarrana (Brazilian soda)
Jimmy- Thinks Tricia would be very impressed with the accessorizing of the stage (spot lights from scratch).
Gabe- Does not miss the American pace, but is missing the sorority (his family)
Juliana- Has a nice farmers tan and loves translating for mans land!
Kevin (me)- Has already gotten sunburn, but loving being out of the country for the first time!
Marcus- Brazilian people are so amazing and chill, COFFEE!! is sooo good here, and thank God for translators!
Alison- My visa is not expired, and glad to be with her travel buddy (Stephanie)!
Adrianne- Has been enjoying her naps in the hammock and sunshine.
Melodie- Had a wonderful conversation with Patricia (Brazilian volunteer), thanks to Juliana and is loving being back in Brazil!
Stephen- Is having a great time playing ping pong with the Brazilians!
Daniel- So glad that I made it to Brazil!
Jana- Loving the tropical weather and anxious about serving!
Whitney- It’s my birthday!!!!
John White- Is glad that Daniel and Alison made it to Brazil, enjoying the naps, and loved star gazing last night!
Marney- Is missing her cat and loves working with the Brazilian volunteers!
4 comments:
Glad everybody made it to Brazil, leave it Daniel Black to mess something up. D, everything in your office has now been hidden around the office. Everyone keep your eyes on Stephen M, the Brazilian girls will go after him....he's almost a married man.
Stay safe, love on the kids, watch God move.
So glad everyone made it! Now I'm afraid my Visa is not going to make it. Even I don't understand it! Jimmy, please keep an eye on Nate and Kevin. Especially Kevin, refrain him from trying to shoot any of the animals there, this isn't America... I would like to see him go up against a baby owl, though. Ask Alison to tell you guys the story about Brandon's run in with "the owl" last year. Everyone watch out for Mr. John and Andre. They like to play pranks on innocent camp counselors when they're together! Praying that God uses all of you this week to do indescribable things for the glory of His kingdom! Ate Logo Time Um!!!!!!
So thankful everyone has made it to Brazil safely. I am sooooo enjoying reading what is happening each day. I will continue to pray for all of you!!! Joey's mom, Susan!!
Love being able to see waht you are doing in Brazil - thinking and praying for all of you with a special hug to Jana from the Fortunes!
Post a Comment