We are here!

The CCBC High School STMT has arrived in Abreu do Una, São José da Coroa Grande

We collected 3 of our 40 bags - hopefully the remainder will come from Miami on July 30th - please pray that they do! We have pooled together anything we had in our carry-on bags and made a quick stop at BomPreco - the local Walmart - for a few extras like sunscreen, soap for laundry, bug spray, and packs of tshirts...... The 3 bags we did receive have just enough supplies for our first day of activities with the teens in the fishing village - God is Good to supply our basic needs once again!

July 2010 STMT

I NEED WORK..." EXPERIENCED BASKETBALL GOAL REPAIRMAN"

OUR WONDERFUL VFC MISSIONARIES FROM BRAZIL

Back safe and sound!

Well...we made it back safe and sound this morning around 12:30. After a while collecting all our luggage (yup, it all made it back), we said our good byes and headed home for the comfort of our own beds. It sure was nice to be able to open our mouths in the shower this morning. Our team this year was incredible. We had a great mix of kids, teens, and adults. Everyone proved to be a unique, and valuable addition to the team. It was cool to see how God used each person this week. Just to recap, the team for the summer trip was as follows (from left to right in the pic at the top of the page): Bella Shope, Sophie Duwe, and Pace Warren (second Row) Cruz Shope, Kennedy Castor, Laura Scarborough, Eden Ashley, Taylor Huse, & Sheri Wickman; (Third Row) Elizabeth Burdine, Rachel Shope, Teri Decker, Ginny Smith, Emily Warren, Colin Wickman, Parker Warren, & Gibson Duwe; (Last row) Landry Burdine, Michael Duwe, Daniel Stockman, Jon Castor, & Jared Shope

The trip ended on several emotional notes. After the incredible night we had Thursday night, where an amazing number of the teens made decisions for Christ, we anticipated that Friday would be a little easier on the emotions. We were wrong. The Brazilian teens were truly moved this week and their emotions were running high. Ours were as well, especially after an emotional feet washing ceremony. We can't put into words what the Brazilian volunteers and pastors mean to these kids. Most of the kids were driven home after camp by their pastors. For all of you who supported this trip, rest assured that these children are not being thrown back to the wolves after a mountain-top experience. They will have a shepherd with them to guide them through the process. Our prayer is that these children will become leaders in their favellas, and voices of change. After this week, they know, without a doubt, that their lives have value, that Christ loves them, and that there are thousands of people in the United States that care enough about them to send them to camp for a week. Trust us when we tell you that it means the world to them. I've never seen a more greatful group of teens. So appreciative of the opportunity that all the supporters of this trip provided them. They were wide-eyed when they arrived, and purposeful when they left. Praise God for that and for the difference you have all made in the lives of these beautiful and precious children. Please continue to pray for them and the missionaries that have dedicated their lives to supporting them. They cannot do it without you.

Thanks so much...Brazil summer team 2010

(p.s. we'll have a few follow up posts with some great pics and videos for you to enjoy. Some funny, some emotional...which will capture this trip perfectly!!) Tchau...ate logo!!

We told the Brazilians that Ryan was a famous soccer star

Pea Lasagna with special sauce?

Pastor Josue is the man!!

Traficante

this is the hardened, drug kingpin that just led a bunch of kids to Christ...amazing night!!

Brazil shirts are cheap after World cup loss

Kids Kamp T Shirts travel 6,000 miles!!

Brazil Night...In Brasil

Tonight we had the special, and somewhat odd-themed Brazil night, right here in Brazil. All the Brazilians and Americans donned their finest yellow, blue and green attire for the evenings festivities. The pics that are included in this post are pretty much self explanatory. It was a great, fun night. The closest thing we've had to a disaster is when Jon Castor left his Iphone on the soccer field. Some of the Brazilian kids found it and turned it into our team. After we let Jon walk around in the rain for awhile, we fessed up and told him we had it. Sorry 'bout that Castor. Also, we had a visit from the King...the Burger King that is.

This was the last night of camp. On this night, the kids are presented with the opportunity to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. It's an amazing evening. The speaker tonight was a former high-level drug dealer in one of the most violent favellas in Rio De Janeiro. His testimony is incredible. The largest favellas in Rio are some of the most violent, dangerous, drug-infested areas on earth. This man was at the top of the criminal food chain and headed for a life of depravity and disaster. Once he was in, there was no getting out...without God. The kids in the room were locked into his every word. The traficantes (drug dealers) in the slums are the law...they recruit the young kids with the promise of money and security. The kids in the chapel are exposed to this kind of pressure every day. This man lived it and lived to tell about it...all by the Grace of God. At the end of his testimony, he gave the kids an opportunity to accept Christ. The response and the overflowing of emotion was incredible. Kids that wouldn't dare crack a smile at the beginning of the week, had removed the walls and were weeping and hugging each other...celebrating the decision they had made to follow Christ. What an amazing God we serve, and what an amazing night.

To all those that supported others to go on this trip...thank you. We hope that you know that your prayers and financial support have directly impacted the lives of over 150 kids that before this week, had very little hope. Now they have Jesus...and we're all witnesses.

We will say goodbye to the kids tomorrow and head into Recife to relax before the long flight home on Saturday. We look forward to seeing you all soon.

We have seen the King

We have seen the light - or atleast the king, and not the King we are telling folks about down here. Last night was crazy wacky night, or something of the sorts, and the Burger King man made appearances at Camp. Who knew.

Hot Dog Anyone?

VFC Shopping Spree

Sophie, Bella, Pace, 4 Brazilians & 2 Red Necks

We are ...REDNECKS.

Ay yay yay. Last night we held a little get together called redneck night. This is when the Americanos dress up like Wally Nascar and the Brazillians dress up as they perceive us. Ironically,as ridiculous as they looked, if I didn't know any better I'd have thought a few of our friends had shown up. These are same good folks that dropped some coinage to fund this little shindig. Fun stuff.

As for today, A Christmas in July of sorts was held in the cafeteria at camp. As a result of many of our kind friends who not only donated money and prayers, they also donated loads and loads of shoes, hats, shirts , dresses and various other clothes.The beauty being when the kids walk in starry eyed and pick out ten items of what we thought was castaway clothing. They meticulously sort through each item looking for the perfect concoction of clothing, and they don't just take something to have it. Clearly, not all of them were impressed with what we brought or the goodstuff was already taken. They are perfectly fine passing if it wasn't an item they would use often. SO, a big thanks for those of you that sent clothing and created one of the most remarkable moments I have ever experienced. For that I am thankful.

On another note, some of the clothing was downright silly and made me a little embarrased to see them wearing it. The sad thing is when I realized it was the clothing from my own personal closet. (not really but don't now want to come across as unthankful.

MD

Brazilian Chicken Dance?

The brilliance of this place is the absolute similarity to "island time." Hurry hurry so we can get ready, only to wait and wonder for the next hour or two what we are waiting around for. That being said, maybe that is exactly what we are supposed to be learning. I and maybe you are constantly running from one event to the next, whether it be work related, sports activities, work out, you name it, and when you get to this place it controls you , not the other way around. We have to learn patience and to not rush everything all the time. The Brazilians make deep friendships in ways that are really so practical ie. odd games, conversation with lots of pointing, lip reading and futbol(soccer). Perhaps its because when you have so little, as it appears many of them do, you learn the value of making friendships, and easier ways to do so.

Today we learned a multitude of things, first off being, you need buns to complete a hamburger. More importantly, we discovered a combination of the Mexican chicken dance, the hokey pokey and a shot of twist and shout, all the while getting lower and lower, and at times trying to hide from how foolish we looked, or I looked. It is composed of running in circles, big circles, skipping, jumping, thrashing the lambada and just an all out workout that I swear we could sell for 19.99, albeit with no commission being paid to Billy Blanks. A blast to say the least and definitely something that puts any quincinera to shame. Anyhow, everybody is safe and healthy, making friends, learning a little patience and having the time of our lives. So until tomorrow, sleep well.

MDuwe

Brazil Summer Camp Here We Come!!!

Boa Tarde friends and family!

Our team has made it safely to Aldeia, the small town outside of Recife, where camp is held and we will be spending our week. Thank you for your prayers. Our travel went smoothly and we arrived with all 30 bags that were filled to the brim with the wonderful donations you generously gave.

Pastor Lecio greeted us at the airport and took us immediately to Kids Place where we were reunited with old friends. The kids are doing great. Learning English and speaking it very well. Many of them came up to us eagerly saying, "Hello, my name is...". So good to see them thriving and God's faithful hand on this wondeful ministry. Then we were treated to a Capoeira performance by a local group. This is the form of martial arts that is disquised with dance and is very popular in Brazilian culture.




After being served a delicious lunch by the sweet cooks, our team split up. The new people to the trip went with Lecio and Alexandre into the Coque favella. There they visited with mothers and children who are being ministered to from Kids Place. As always, the Brazilians greeted the Americans warmly.





The veterans of the group stayed behind at Kids Place, unpacking loads of clothes, setting up chairs and then playing a little soccer.

We've unloaded at the hotel and have a couple of hours before we head to camp for orientation. We are looking forward to meeting all of the volunteers and staff who we will be serving alongside this week. The word is out and about 70 people have volunteered to give their time and service this week to serve these very special teens. We are expecting 150 of them from various favellas and churches around Recife.

Please continue to pray for us as we meet the staff, volunteers and teens. We are looking forward to all that God has in store for us at summer camp in Brazil.

Tchau-tchau
Summer Camp Team 2010

Spring 2010 Mission Trip

Poured Out

Friday morning began the final stretch of our time in Brazil. After breakfast and a great time of worship in song, Brandon encouraged us all to finish strong and leave every once of energy behind at Kid's Place. We boarded the bus and headed over to spend the day with our new friends.
At Kid's Place Friday's begin with singing and a short time of sharing. Singing with the children is an awesome experience. The children sing with full expression emotionally and physically. Dancing and praising at the top of their voices the children taught us songs like the crooked man who became straight. All of our gang enjoyed the worship and the exercise!
We all then went to our classrooms to have our final round of American Curiosity time with the children. After serving the children lunch we all said goodbye to children. Their were tears on both American and Brazilian faces. These children will own a piece of our hearts for eternity.
When the children had gone we sat down for lunch with our translators, pastors and Brazilian team members. We presented the translators with gifts and words of appreciation. These friends were a gift from the Father. Our frail words were reproduce in beautiful Portuguese to children and their families all week. We learned so many lessons of God's love in their service and friendship to us.
After lunch we began to prepare for hosting a special dinner for all of the couples we had whom we had visited in the Favelas during week. We cooked, cleaned, set up and sweated in the unusually hot Brazilian summer. We hosted a Texas style meal with potato salad, black-eyed peas, pico de gallo and grilled meats. Our new friends arrived. Their bright eyes and loving hearts make us feel like old friends. We sang together and worshiped the Father. Some of the new friends are also new members of God's family this week. We ate and then had a fun time making ice cream using two zip lock bags, rock salt, ice and the inner bag full of ice cream mix. This takes about five minutes of exuberant shaking(aka dancing) which was lots of fun for our Brazilian friends. As with anything, they participated with gusto.
Our late night finished with goodbyes and hope to meet again someday soon, but promises to see each other in heaven.
Our team returned to the hotel, packed and crashed for a few hours of sleep before a morning wake up to catch our flight. Our long travel day yesterday was full of sharing with other the memories of our trip. The day was uneventful until we arrived at DFW at 11:30pm and had to wait over an hour for our bags to be offloaded.
What a shock to us to leave a 90 degree Brazilian morning and arrive to 29 degrees and snowing in Texas.
Thanks to each fo you for praying for us as we served. Your prayers and support were foundational to our time in Brazil.
We love you-