Lindsay and Rachel

Just a quick news update: our sisters Lindsay and Rachel arrived back safely today (that would be friday) at around lunchtime.

Picture and Sunday Service

Hello everyone! Here's a picture with all of us in it, plus our hosts, Bishop Lopez and his family. This was our final morning in Brazil, just after having a wonderful service that Sunday morning of just us and the Bishop's family out on the grass outside Lar Rogate. The morning was fresh and clear as we gathered around in a small circle after breakfast. We started the morning singing songs with J.D. leading on the guitar. It was excellent to spend time sharing with each other. Most of us shared something about how God had moved in our hearts and lives, something we'd learned, or some other personal reflection. Also we listened to the Bishop tell his story, as well as some meaningful words from the rest of that sweet family. Then we all shared communion together, and closed singing "I'd rather have Jesus." It was a beautiful time, and a perfect way to close our time there.

Rachel and Lindsay

Two of our members, Rachel Huch and Lindsay Lee, have made the decision (or God made it and told them) to stay another week. Please continue to pray for them. It will be a heavy task for them to be able to keep ministering to the number of children that we were if that many continue to come. Also, tomorrow (Tuesday) they are supposed to lead the entire children's ministry that day by themselves. Pray for them to have energy within and without. Pray that God would complete the work in and through them that He has for the rest of the week.

To Lindsay and Rachel the the team says:

Os da Americana vos saudam em Jesus Cristo!

The two of them will (internet and time permitting) continue to post updates throughout the next week about what they're up to. Also look for updates about what we did on Saturday and Sunday, personal testimonies (both from out group and those around us), what God's doing in the church there, for pictures (we only took a million or so!), and all about our amazing host family! It's exciting stuff, and there's so much we could talk about. But that's all for the moment. God bless you all so very much! Our love to you in Christ Jesus.

Pantanal - Wedneday to Friday

A Graca seja convosco! (2 Thess 3:5)

So we'll fill you in on what we've been up to since Wednesday. It is amazing how much God can pack into a few short days! None of us has returned the same as we left, and we are all also very exhausted!

Wednesday we started working at Villa Pantanal, a small concrete Methodist mission and church which sits near one end of the slum on the outskirts of Curitiba "Coor e ch eba." It is lead by the Bishop's wife, Audir. Having spent Monday and Tuesday visiting the orphanages, which as Roger later commented, were actually fairly nice places, the slums were then a bitter surprise. It was dirty, trash and dogs everywhere. Driving in on our small bus, we saw people pushing around old metal carts piled up with garbage. Rev. Singleton explained to us that many of these people survive by collecting garbage and trading it with the city authorities for food.

At Pantanal, Wednesday through Friday, we ministered to children, in a vacation Bible school type way. We'd have a two ministry times for the children, in the morning and another in the afternoon (because the children there go to school either in the morning or afternoon); then late afternoon through suppertime Thursday and Friday we held a church service.

Wednesday we focused on the story of Joseph. In the morning we had 23 children come. Some of us guys did a short skit for the kids, acting out the story. That afternoon there were 17 children, making 30 all day.

In the evening our hosts had us over for a soccer game - at 9pm - apparently for these Brazilians it's never to late for soccer. Rev. Singleton enjoyed watching us make fools of ourselves when we first played a game of Americans versus Brazilians (the score was likely somewhere around 1 to 85). We hit the sack exhausted that night.

A memorable quote from Thursday is from Troy, "Don't drink the water." He was sick all morning from drinking the water at the soccer field the night before, so he stayed home from Pantanal that morning. On Thursday the number of children which in total had come Wednesday to Pantanal (30) came just in the morning. We taught on the story of Jonah that day (remember this - it will come up later). Thursday afternoon the number of children swelled still more, over 40, twice that of the previous afternoon.

In the evening we held a church service. It was small, comprised mostly of us American's, the local Brazilians working at the mission with us, and children. A few of the parents of the children came. Rachael and Troy shared some thoughts and personal reflections with us. They said some very meaningful and wise things, especially considering they were asked to do so on the spot. Rev. Singleton also asked two of the Brazilian workers with us to share. Sarah, the Brazilian girl with amazing stamina and joy who we'd seen work so wonderfully with the kids, shared a few words. The guitar player from the church we visited Tuesday, Diego, a young man of great sincerity and passion for Jesus, spoke to us about his involvement in Pantanal and in music ministry. He and J.D. lead us in several songs during the service, some in English, some in Portuguese. It was also beautiful to sing some songs that both the Americans and Brazilians knew, together in two languages! By the end of the week a Brazilian was singing "I love you, Lord" in English, and we found ourselves singing things in Portuguese!

If we'd thought that 70 children was a lot to deal with throughout all of Thursday, we were in for a surprise Friday. In the morning alone we were gladly overwhelmed by 75 children in attendance! All these in a small concrete building. Another 75 precious children came Friday afternoon. By this time we were looking around at each other in awe for the sheer number of children. We talked about the story of the Prodigal Son that day.

Also on Friday several of us (J.D., Nate, and Colin) got up earlier than is healthy to go with Pedro (one of our hosts, the Bishop's younger son) to paint the church (Pantanal), J.D. having powerwashed it Thursday. We experienced the hospitality and generosity of the couple who live behind the church in the slum. The man is a painter by trade, so he came out to help us, even continuing to paint while we went to eat lunch! His wife brought us out some of the amazing Brazilian coffee in the morning (the best coffee you'll ever taste). (unfortunately we forgot that the coffee was made out of the local water, so we found ourselves echoing Troy's wise words, "don't drink the water." Also on Friday, Steven, the artist in our group, put his skills to work finishing painting some children's pictures on the wall's of the church. He did a beautiful job! Some of the rest of the team helped finish the painting later in the day. We think it looks great, especially the name in bright red lettering!

Friday evening was an incredible experience. Have you ever attended a church service with an average age of approximately 5?! At the service at Pantanal Friday evening there were 150 children, plus about 25 to 30 adults. The service was a bit chaotic at times, having that many children (and in a concrete building which echoes all their little voices!). It was also very hot and sweaty! (For this reason many of us decided to buy them ceiling fans - for only 20 American Dollars apiece). But despite the physical discomforts and all, the service was a wonderful experience. The best word to describe the service, if not simply "Jesus," is the word "overwhelming." This was our last time at Pantanal (so we thought at least, for we went back briefly on Sunday), and here before us was the culmination of our work there all sitting before and among us, in the form of 150 sweaty, smiling children. Indeed the poignancy was heightened in that this was our last time to see the children, for the time on Sunday there was mostly just the Brazilian workers and us. Nate and Pastor Roger shared some things on their hearts to the children and the rest of us. We sang several songs, in both languages, all the time mixing both languages up. One thing is for sure though: the Brazilians there love to clap when they sing! So that evening we all left red-handed (but not from illegal activity) and many of us left red-eyed (though not because of the cameras).

Shortly before we left, Pastor Audir gathered us around after the children and their few parents had gone and spoke to us moving words which affirmed and defined for us all that we'd seen and known that week. We then prayed, joined together in an uneven circle behind the church, surrounded by concrete and with the moon above shining clear. Perhaps needless to say, we were all roundly exhausted. Yet there was the feeling as we gathered there in such a humble state, that we were a part of something so much bigger.

We wonder if perhaps someday we will say, "I was there back in 2006." Or perhaps it may be that we won't see the results. Bishop Joao Carlos himself, (our host), now a great man of God and of love, whom God has used in causing incredible growth and life to the church there, grew up very poor and was brought to Christ by missionaries to his family when he was young. We all wonder who may be among all those children? May it be another like the Bishop? What else is God doing there? God has been sparking amazing life all over that region; it is reminiscent of the early church. With excitement we wonder and look to what He might do from a small, concrete church in the slums. We can only wonder, watch, and pray.

Home Safely

Hello everyone. We have made it safely back to South Carolina about an hour ago. We're terribly sorry about not having updates throughout the second half of the week. May I just say that Brazilian internet is incredibly reliable (not!). Our internet connection was down every evening since Wednesday. At any rate, just wanted to let you all know we're back ok. I'll now this afternoon work on updates about what we did the last several days. Continue to pray for two of our members, Rachael and Lindsay, who decided to stay on until this Thursday. Also pray for us as we process all that we experienced, that God's work begun would not lay stagnant but would flower and grow, and as we prepare to speak to our churches, friends, and peers about it all, that we would speak boldly and frankly. Blessed be our Lord Jesus, and God our Father.

Orphanages

Hello everyone! An update here quickly.

The last two days (Monday and Tuesday) we spent visiting and ministering at orphanages. On Monday we visited one in the morning that housed many children in foster style homes. These children are not all orphans in the technical sense but are victims of abuse, mistreatment, abandonment, etc.

After lunch we visited another orphanage that operates under the same style. The director spoke to us about the orphanage and then showed us around. After a breif exchange of names with one young boy, his gesture toward a soccer ball and the mention of "football," (soccer) a game sprung up with the children that lasted most of the afternoon. When we left the director and the children prayed with us. One young girl had this to say, speaking for the rest of the children: "I would like to thank you for coming today. Our doors are always open for you. may the Lord bless you. And may you be safe on your trips back to your home."

Monday night we ate with our hosts at one of their favourite restaraunts. The fellowship and food were phenomenal. Our waiters were tickled by our attempts at speaking broken phrases in Portuguese, though we did discover some of them to be brothers at our stuttering of "God Bless" in their native tongue.

The language difference had continued to serve as a source of amusement, both for us and them. Several times we have struggled to say to a small child "what is your name?" in Portuguese, only to have them reply, "Pedro," and then in near perfect English, "good morning, what is your name?"

Tuesday we got up early, visited Pantanal (the church mission in the slums), and then went back to downtown Curitiba, visited the Bishop in his office, and then after having lunch where they priced our meal by its weight, we went to a third orphanage. After about a half-hour drive, on the way there we stopped to get gas, at which point form the back of the bus one of the girls said "um, where's J.D.?" Apparently he'd gone to put his guitar away and we'd driven away without noticing! A great laugh was had by all! Anyway, we arrived at the orphanage during the heat of the afternoon. This housed the same sort of children as the others and operated the same way, though it was less officially Christian affiliated. The children here were absolutely precious. We all wanted to take one (or more) home with us.

That night we attended a weekday church service at a small church where the pastor at Pantanal mission used to be the pastor. We were tickled to our bones that they sang songs we knew! So the singing was bilingual that night. We also performed our play for them, which went very well. A great time of food and fellowship with them afterward, and we also contributed funds to help them roof their church.

It is now wednesday lunchtime (the rest of the team is eating at the moment). This morning we began our ministering at Pantanal, which we'll be doing as soon as lunch is done and the next few days.

That's the basics of what we've been up to. Look for some deeper thoughts about it all when we have more time. Until then, signing off. God bless each one of you, and thank you for your prayers. We are witnessing a growing unity in our team, which has been the prayer of many of us. Continue to pray for focus and energy and a prayerful God-centered spirit in each of us. Graca e Paz.

That we may be known by face and name and not only as an abstract group we have here photos with our given names and some things about us. The girls first…

Name Year Major Years in CELP
Kelly Davidson Freshman Pre-Med Major 1st
Iman Green Junior Music 1st
Rosanne “Rosie” Gusmus Freshman Business major 1st
Rachael Huch Junior Math Ed. 1st
Lindsay Lee Junior Psychology 2nd
Lane Wellnits Senior Business 2nd


Here are the girls, from left to right:
Rosie, Iman, Lindsay, Lane, Kelly, and Rachael

And this is the guys…
Name Year Major Years in CELP
Patrick Burnett Freshman Education 1st
Nathanael Cooke Sophomore Music 2nd
Steven Herron Senior Art n/a
Troy McDowell Junior Music 1st
Colin Pond Junior Accounting 1st
J.D. Revels “J-Dizzle” Sophmor Musik secund
Cruz Thomas Freshman Criminal Justice 1st
Roger Yarbrough Junior Psychology 1st

Here’s they guys:
(back row) J.D. (our guitarist), Roger (the Pastor who can sing the entire Beverly Hillbillies theme song), Colin (the REALLY tall guy), Steven (shaved head – afraid of lice apparently!), Robby (bass player), Pat (the happy flip-collar-Polo guy). (kneeling) Nate (typical Nate: not looking at the right camera), Troy (on tha keyz), Cruz (“4 real B.” Our brother with more energy than all the rest of us combined!).

But here we are actually being ourselves….

This is us in Charlotte Airport at the beginning of our trip (hmmm… Nate was in the bathroom). Rev. Singleton is on the far left.

Here’s some pictures of La Rogate. Don’t worry mom, security is tight…

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Plus, we have guards in the backyard:

(no really, those were in the backyard).

Sunday evening we attended church service with our hosts. Brazilians have their church in the evenings. (perhaps American’s could take some tips from them?).

The service was incredible, lasted for three hours. In one service they welcomed a new member, welcomed us, and welcomed (with fireworks and celebration) a group of their own who had just come back from a weekend of intense spiritual encounter. Lindsay spoke to them about our work, and we sang several American songs for them.

The service was a wonderful way to start our ministry here. We were shown in a very real way Paul’s words in Galatians 3:27-28 “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you all one in Christ Jesus.” Across cultural differences (most of us hardly understood a word of the message or the songs) we learned that beyond these minor differences our true unity is in the Spirit.

Tomorrow we begin visiting orphanages, which we’ll be doing all day. We’ll update again later. Please leave us a comment. God Bless.

We have arrived!

It is 12:30 pm on Sunday, and we have arrived safely at Lar Rogate Christian Retreat Center (where we are being housed) in Curitiba, Brazil. That, after some craziness with Passports (JD´s was missing, but we found it - in Colin´s pocket! No one knows how it got there). At any rate we are all here and resting from the LOOOONG flight. Just witnessed a Baptism a few minutes after arriving.

We Leave Tomorrow

It is Friday evening. Tomorrow morning, March the 11th, we will begin our trek down to Curitiba, Brazil, arriving back mid-day on Monday the 20th. Tonight many of us are recuperating from mid-terms this week, completing the last of our packing (or finally starting!), and preparing ourselves spiritually for what lies ahead. Our thanks to all who are in prayer for us. As Brother Andrew said of his work, "all of this would have come to naught had we not bathed every person and every aspect of our operation in prayer. Total, absolute dependence on God was and is the only way we can accomplish anything for him."

What Is A Missionary?

The following words were penned by Keith Green just days before his departure from this earth in 1982. Keith was a christian singer and missionary who had a special heart for the suffering and disadvantaged.

"A Christian missionary is a person whose passion is to make the Lord Jesus known to the whole world. They are completely under the command of King Jesus, and they will go anywhere, under any circumstances, for no pay, with poor living conditions and food, even though no one ever notices. They know that their Sovereign is watching every minute, and that is the only reward and joy they seek. . .

. . . The goal of a true missionary is to please and glorify their God by delivering the whole world into His hands and under His rule. It doesn't matter where they are stationed, for they are always at home in their Father's arms, no matter what the landscape or the language may be. They are only “aliens and strangers” (I Peter2:11), and they are not concerned with trivial things like location or comfort. They are God's soldiers, perhaps hidden to our eyes, but always evident to His. Please, seek Him to see if you might be privileged to take the Gospel to those who have never heard it."

(read full article Why You Should Go to the Mission Field by K. Green at http://www.lastdaysministries.org/nations/whyyoushouldgo.html).

The Cup

Recently a group from a local church returned from a mission trip and shared the following with their congregation.

Upon arriving at their destination, the host missionary held a brief service with them in preparation for their ministry work. He gave each of them a clay cup and explained that things in a foreign country are very different, and often there is a thick spiritual darkness that hovers in the air because of the many other gods worshipped and religions practiced. He explained that they would be out of their "comfort zone", away from their comfortable American lives, and the comforts of home.

He continued by telling them that there might be things, people, and emotions that they had left behind or even brought with them, that they would need to "pour out" in order to empty themselves – of themselves – and allow God to re-fill them, to be used of Him. He had them search their hearts to determine what those things might be and then symbolically pour them from their cup.

It is the same with all of us. We must first empty our minds and hearts of ourselves, before God can truly fill us with his presence and power, to equip us for the task ahead. What is in your cup? Pride, selfishness, self-pity, material possessions or comforts, haughtiness, discord, fear of the unknown? Whatever it might be, are you willing to pour it out so that you can present to God, a vessel ready to be filled with what he desires for your life? Make a list of the things that you need to empty from your cup and then pour them out before the Father.

(contributed by Lindsay Lee, mission team member)