Brazil Spring Break 2008-Day 2

Greetings, Friends!

We are happy to report that the team arrived safely this evening in Sao Jose da Coroa Grande on the Northeast coast of Brazil, after enduring 36 hours of airports, lines, car transfers, planes and busses. Going through customs in a foreign country after three plane transfers is never easy for a group of 38 adults and children, but with the 19 extra duffel bags full of 900 pounds of supplies for our ministry, our hands were full, to put it mildly. But God's grace was in evidence, as the group hung loose and went with the flow. The children behaved amazingly, without a single gripe or fuss. Wow, God is powerful!

From the airport, the group met with our wonderful team of translators, who will accompany us the entire week in the fishing village. These young men and women greeted us with huge smiles and warm hearts. The love of Christ was evident in each one of them, and their mere presence seemed to infuse everyone in the group with an immediate love for the Brazilian people.

After a two hour bus ride through the beautiful, lush Brazilian countryside, we finally arrived here at our base of operations for the week. Following a quick dinner, prayer, scripture reading and devotion time, the group discussed the next day's activities. Anthenor, an attorney and pastor from Recife who has helped VFC immeasurably over the last few years in the purchase of the Kid's Place after-school center in Recife and the soon-to-be constructed Christian camp, joined us for dinner with his lovely family. His easy going demeanor, friendly manner and obvious love of Christ further underscored the fact that God has placed a very special community of Christians here in Brazil.

The team is motivated and unified! We feel extremely fortunate and blessed to be right here, right now, to honor our God who has given so much to set us free. We thank you for your continued prayers, and ask you to pray again tomorrow for a successful first visit to the fishing village.
Obrigado, and Boa Noite!