Welcome to Brasil ECC

Interesting enough God sent us a little welcome when we got to Sao Paulo. The bumper
sticker on the right reads" Jesus Chirst, the same yesterday, today, and forever..."

For those of you who do not attend our church... we have this same exact phrase to the right of our projector screen...

Off to the USA

Ok folks... sorry there was not much blogging during our trip. I felt the PC was a low priority to the time I could give the people here in Sao Paulo. Hopefully the pixs where good.
I will be doing a wrap up with the team and adding the blog posts after the trip.

Each day presented a new anointing, each day was blessed in a new and different way. We have so much to share but the best part is... our new family here in Brasil. Love to all the workers... umm..... servants at Project Touch. We love you very much and we will always have you with us in our hearts.

Until next time,

The US Brasil Team

PS - Family picture posted ;)

2am (short) Update

Ok... I am committed to typing up a detailed blog entry this weekend but I just wanted to give an update to let everyone know that the team is doing very well. We are really loving on the people on the streets as well as the Brasil team. We (the US team) is growing very strong with one another and this is really proving a GREAT growing experience for us all. We are all closer to each other as well as much close to God as we serve this mission.

It's amazing how people in this world are living... and the contrast here is very high. You will see lots of expensive buildings and technology and right next to it is a broken down old abandoned building with homeless families.. adults and children, living there. Prostitutes working the streets, people trading whatever they can for crack or more money for crack. Many folks in poor health both physically and spiritually.

It's interesting... it's been really easy for the five of us to love on all these people. Kevin is amazing with his desire to learn the language and try and communicate with everyone. He is like a little kid in the candy store. I admire him very much. I will blog about his AMAZING Wed afternoon service he provided the kids at CENA (more later about CENA). Even now, thinking about it as I type I get tears in my eyes. God heart is beating in Kevin. Actually, all of us. Dina is amazing with the kids, and with the Brasil team. I love messing with her and playing around. Dina is a very upbeat team member... I just love that about her. The girl really has a heart for these kids. Dina has really been added to my heart as another sister. Greg is like one of the most PERFECT mission buddies. The guy can talk to ANYONE. He has a great childlike enthusiasm about him that I just love. His faith is so strong and he has a great heart for the Lord. I meet him every morning in the living room for bible study and discussion. Love the guy. Tami is still one of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Her strength, wisdom, and faith not only carry her but helps carry the team. I once asked God to be with me, and walk as my friend. With that request, he sent Tami. I love her dearly and am honored that we share a strong friendship. Tami just shines so brightly as she talks with the Brasil team, the homeless, the children, and the prostitutes and transvestites. Even in her moments of weakness you can see Gods strength. It's simply amazing.

I have a new family I met here in Sao Paulo with I will talk about in a latter blog. I will say this... I have never in my life meet people with such big hearts as the ones here in Sao Paulo working in this ministry. What a great reflection. They truly are being the moon...

Gods love to all. May peace be in the hearts of the broken...

Arrival in Brasil

Ok folks!
We are here. More blogging and pictures later!
We love you all!

Grabbed a bite to eat and now taking off to hit the streets.

Cheers!

Chao.

Ready... set...

GO!!!

Packing... preparing

Here I am, cleaning my home and planning for a two week absence. I am also planning my daughters schedule and hoping that things will run smoothly while I am gone. Actually, here is where I STOP... remember that I have a loving God just a breath away,.. and say a small prayer.

Ok, back now.
Feeling better. Amazing... every time.
I spent about an hour with my mother on the phone today discussing friends and relatives in Sao Paulo. I am thinking that this may be the beginning of many trips to the area, working with Carolina and basically ripping open a ministry in Brazil. THe thought if it is both inspiring and at the same time... a bit overwhelming. Which takes me back to leaning on God. I have learned this little trick well from one of my best friends and fellow traveler, Tami Firman. God bless Tami Firman, Thank you God for such a great friend.

Here is what I get from my window right now:
Warm breeze
Lots of outside human activity outside
Bird chirping
Cat sitting in window, her fur fluffed
Beautiful lighting on the trees
BBQ smell
Helicopter in the distance
A dream of the future...
Last Thursday the team all met up at ECC to pack up our team bags in addition to praying over the mission trip.
The bags consist of items donated to us for the people of Brazil. I can't speak for the story of most of the items (hopefully another team member can) but I can speak to the story of three wonderful donations from people I know. I have two co-workers at my job that left on their lunch break and when shopping for supplies for the individuals we will be working with. I know that during this lunch break these two individuals just simply enjoined themselves as they thought of the people of Brazil and what their needs might be. This was such a great example of how people participate on a mission without ever stepping foot in the mission field. I just love this... This is one of my personal forms of worship.. serving. Maybe because it's easy for me... or maybe... God simply built me that way. What ever the reason... I am glad that there are many different ways to worship. The third donation I mentioned was from my dentist. Yep... good old Dr dentist. They donated LOTS of tooth paste and LOTS of tooth brushes. I think it's safe to say that the people we encounter will at the very least have clean teeth. Ha!

Prayer... this is the first mission I ever signed up for and the first mission I prayed for in a more formal setting. It was very... interesting. As I stood, holding hands with my new set of friends...actually.. family in Christ, my mind took me on a walk. A mind walk. I traveled as I listened to the words of my family and talked/prayed about what I saw and came across. I shared thoughts and ideas.. almost visions off what I imagine this trip to be like. It was a very good time with God, connecting... just as we prepare to do his more in the mission field.

Packing took about 40 mins. It was quick, easy, and smooth. The team seems to really enjoy each other and I think that if nothing else, Sao Paulo will really be entertained by the love and fellowship they see in this team.

Love to all.
Houston, here we come...

CHA

Yellow Brick Road

Ever wonder what the begining of the yellow brink road looks like?
Me either.

Well, here we are, the 2008 Brazil mission trip team. 6 days and counting.
I am just setting up a blog that we can all use to document our mission trip to Brazil. God give me the strength to not only serve this mission but also the strength, and desire, to document our experiances here as well.