Brazil Spring Break 2008-Day 7

Blessings to all our friends and family!

There are a handful of days in everyone's life that make such a profound impact and are of such great import that they are forever inscribed on a person's heart as a beacon and a marker of lifelong change. The feelings and emotions experienced on such days are so deep, so personal, that to attempt to describe them in words is not only impossible, but seems to do them an injustice. Words out of one's mouth or written on the page can never capture the essence of a thought or an emotion. It is therefore with great difficulty that I post this blog entry of our last mission day in Brazil.

On this day, God granted a small respite from the stifling heat and humidity, as a strong overnight rain was followed by a partly cloudy sky, somewhat lower temperatures and a welcome breeze. Most of the team is fairly well acquainted by now with each village child within our assigned age group, so it is a thrill to see their shining faces peering through the gates prior to the session. Several team members have made a habit of going outside the gates before the start time to hug and kid around with the children waiting to enter. The villagers are so happy to see their favorite American take the time to come outside early with the express intent to shake their hand, give them a "high-five" and/or a heartfelt hug. The three station group rotation provides a crucial aspect of structure to each daily session, but the best times are experienced when we have an opportunity to hunch down, get on eye-level with each child one-on-one and communicate with and/or love on them. They seem to thrive on this very personal and exclusive attention, and walls fall away quickly. The bridges built this week between hearts will not soon be forgotten on either end of the connection, if ever.

Many of the children arrived today sporting their ballcaps received yesterday. It is apparent that the Texas Rangers are the adopted baseball team of the village, judging from the headgear...now if only they could send us a pitcher....

The most amazing exchanges occurred throughout the day. Several mothers appeared at the gate asking for specific members of our group, and offered gifts out of intense gratitude for the love and fellowship they received at the Mother's Dinner. Brazilian children also brought gifts to the American kids out of thanks.

At the end of each session, the American team had a chance to thank the entire group of children for the spiritual gifts we have received through this opportunity to serve them. A representative of each age group also got to publicly thank the Americans for this special time.

The childrens' hugs seemed to be a little tighter, a little longer today, and when it was time for them to leave, tears fell abundantly. But the Holy Spirit stayed, in the hearts of the children and the Americans. There was little doubt that those extended hugs from the children were God-inspired, and God-given.

The Holy Spirit also stayed in the compound during break; nothing was able to prepare us for what we were about to experience. After the first session, the team placed all 17 pastors, interpretors and cooks in chairs forming a circle. Team members then knealt before each support staffer, and while Brent Hull delievered an extremely emotional reading from John, Chaper 13, the team washed the staffers' feet. The gesture had a profound effect on everyone present, and many sought a brief time of solitude to reflect on what they just witnessed.

The entire support staff was presented with gifts from our VFC team, and God's grace was felt by all. In particular,the kitchen staff was expecially moved by the generosity, but it would be difficult to repay them for the sacrifce they made for the success of the mission. Each day a group of 4 Brazilian women produced a truly excellent meal of local specialties for over 55 people, all from a kitchen no bigger than most American closets.

In addition to the usual gifts handed out at the end of each session, the village children also received a framed photograph of themselves and a photograph of our VFC team. At the end of the last session, hundreds of kids, teens and adults stayed outside the compound and frolicked with many of the team. Many gifts were handed out to babies, grandmothers, teens and unemployed loiterers, giving us one last chance to discuss the greatness of God with each of them.

The interpreters and support staff were invited back to our hotel for the night, and joined us at our nightly meeting. Two special members of the staff took the time to describe their life, their struggles, their faith, their hopes and their dreams. The stories left our team speechless. These brothers and sisters in Christ have endured unimaginable hardships, yet they radiate love for Jesus Christ and left each one of us with a message transmitted directly from God straight into our hearts. The effect on each member of this team cannot be described, so I won't even begin to shortchange it. I'll just say that due to the contribution of this unbelieveable group of staff, transformations have taken place this week in the hearts of our team and the relationships within our individual family units.

In fact, the coming together of this extraordinary group of Brazilian Christians making up our translator team is nothing short of amazing, and truly directed by God. This blog would not be complete without praising our Brazilian teammates:
First of all, praise goes to Cibelle, whose caring heart, warm personality and unquenchable enthusiasm for the Brazilian children blessed each of us in a truly powerful and personal way.
Praise goes to Carlos, who's quick wit, engaging smile and gratitude-filled heart has inspired us more than he will ever know.
Praise goes to Wilson, who has joined VFC for the fourth year in a row. Wilson is a perennial group favorite, and brings great enthusiasm and uncanny ability to connect with all ages of children as well as adults.
Praise goes to Waska, who brought the gift of music to the compound this week, with a very real love and amazing knowledge of popular Christian music.
Praise goes to Sue, who has dedicated her life to interpreting for American missionary groups in Brazil.
Praise goes to Emanuel, whose bright, friendly, easy-going personality made him a pleasure to share the week with;
Praise goes to Daniel, who has also joined VFC on multiple occasions, and brings an air of clam and peace about him that makes him highly sought after by kids and adults alike;
Praise goes to Regis, who has only mastered English three months ago but felt a calling to lend a hand wherever needed for God's work.
Praise goes to Yugo, Anthenor's son, who decided to spend the week with our group and help out wherever needed, and struck up some great friendships with the Brazilian as well as the American kids.
And of course, all our hearts and thanks go to the pastors and their families who have dedicated their lives to living in accordance with our Savior's commands. It is evident in each face we see that their labor and efforts are having a major impact on a generation of Brazilians. We offer our prayers, sincere thanks and gratitude to Leciu and his wife, Uma, Pastor Josue and his wife Ceca,
Pastor David and his wife Deborah and Pastor Anthenor and his wife Patricia. We pray that God will fulfill all your selfless plans to expand your ministries and impact an even great number of your beloved countrymen.

After a day in Recife tomorrow, where we will attend the formal dedication of the Kid's Place project funded by VFC donations and dinner at the home of Leciu and Uma, we will fly back to the United States on Saturday. I plan on delaying publishing the last post until we get home and I solicit the final comments and impressions of our teammates.

To those of you who supported and followed our mission activities this week, we extend our heartfelt thanks and prayers. This trip was successful only through the power of your prayers, and you delivered. We thank you, and the children of Abreu de Una, Brazil thank you.

May God be with each of you all the days of your life.

I would like to close with Scripture:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds;and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10


Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:43-45

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

Please come back for our Postscipt in a week.
Obrigado, and Boa Noite!