Brazil Spring Break 2009-Prologue

Good evening Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Christmastime in March; that is what it feels like for the 49 team members set to embark on another magical trip to our beloved fishing village on the coast of Northeast Brazil, Abreu do Una. In just four days, our team will board a flight that will quite literally take us closer to God. Though our destination is too small to even appear on most Brazilian maps, it occupies a huge place in the hearts and minds of this special group of VFC missionaries.

Why does it feel like Christmas? Certainly not from the mild Fort Worth winter we have been experiencing. But a certain holiday-like frenzy has mobilized the individuals and families involved in this spring's endeavor. The team has been quite busy preparing for what should be a truly extraordinary week in Brazil. Meetings have been attended, Portuguese lessons have been studied, supplies have been purchased and collected, support letters to friends and family have been sent out and responded to, prayers have been prayed. Our hearts are full of anticipation, excitement, and perhaps even a dose of anxiety as the big day gets closer. Yes, quite like the Christmas season. But in the end, we know that all our hard work and effort results in a gift; the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ dwelling within us. Quite like Christmas indeed.

Of the 49 people headed to Brazil on Friday, 20 of us are returning from last year's spring break team, extremely excited to renew the friendships developed last year with the villagers, pastors and interpreters. Those of you who followed this blog last spring may recall the amazing blessings God bestowed that week, not only on the villagers but also on each member of our team. God changed lives on that trip in ways none of us could have predicted, in ways none of us will ever forget. In fact, it is extrmely humbling to note that prior to our arrival last year, Pastor Josue had been attempting to establish a weekly service in the fishing village for over three years,to no avail. But God so helped us in reaching out to the children, teens and adults of the village that the week after we left, Pastor Josue was blessed with over 200 people attending his first church service, and attendance of 75-200 villagers has continued on a weekly basis ever since! That kind of immediate and tangible answer to our hopes, dreams, prayers and effort is truly awe-inspiring. It is God revealing his glory to all involved, directly and personally. Thanks be to God!

But the blessings are only beginning. The 20 returnees have been wowed by the enthusiasm, dedication, talent and love for Christ offered up by the 29 newcomers on the team. Blog followers will have an opportunity to learn more about everyone on future blogs, but suffice it to say that this team is truly something special. We are especially blessed to be joined this year by Ken Miller, a pastor with Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth and his wife Julie Miller, a veteran of numerous summer Brazil teams working in Recife. This team has already proven its tightness by putting on a number of successful pre-trip events, such as a wonderful team-wide yard sale, supply drives and teambuilding luncheons and dinners.

Once again, our group will be ably headed up by Brandon and Cindy Boehme, who have dedicated themselves to spreading God's love to the impoverished children and adults of Recife and the fishing village. The Boehmes' selfless contributions have sprouted amazing results; a church plant in the fishing village, a daytime children's center in the heart of Recife and the purchase of rural property to be used as a Christian summer camp. Any success our team enjoys next week must be directly attributed to the vision and leadership of these two faithful servants.

Our plans for the week are ambitious, building upon the seeds planted last spring. But excitement is brewing both here and in the village, where the children and adults alike are anxiously waiting for our arrival. We are ever so humbled to have the opportunity to allow God to use us to spread his life-giving love and grace to a people in need, and we stand ready to give all honor and glory to Him by ministering to our brothers and sisters in Brazil.

Please keep this team in your prayers, along with the pastors, interpreters, cooks and all other support people in Brazil who will make this trip a reality. May God bless you and your family, and please know how much this team appreciates your interest and support.

Please check back on Friday as we begin our daily blog posts from Brazil.
Obrigado, and Boa Noite!