Sooo much happened today

Day 3

Wow what a day, today the ministry went to Primora (not sure if this is the correct spelling) one of the most dangerous and scary slums in the city. I was a little nervous because I have heard some pretty disturbing stories. When arrived in the slum a man waved down the van, he asked to speak to a pastor about his son. He was very upset, so pastor William asked to circle around and for him to get his son. As we circled around the area the feelings in the slum was dark. We squished together to have the father sit with us in the back and the son sat in the front with pastor William and another team member. As we drove to the room we hold English/bible study classes the father began to tear up. I had no idea what was going on.

 Some team members had to go make copies, so we walked around looking for a store and were able to make the copies. When we got back the other team members had started their small group classes. I had fun making conversation with the kids and they were interested in the "Americana"! Some kids I recognized from my trip last year, which was so fun to see. English and bible study classes are very hard for the kids and reading/writing is not an easy skill for them.

After lunch we went and handed out flyers for the upcoming English classes. This is where I found out what happened to the boy. His name is Miguel, him and his friend had gotten alcohol and drank so much they passed out. The father found them and took them to the hospital where the doctors had said that if he had waited 2 more minutes his son would have died. The child services wanted to take the boy away from the father, and the father had asked the pastor to speak to the women. I later talked with pastor William and found out that this is a big problem for kids in the slums. Drugs and alcohol are easy to get, kids don't have enough postive influences in the slums. I am sharing this story to ask you please pray for this boy who is only10. I would ask you to help God change his heart, help guide his father, and for his son to become interested in the ministry.

After handing out flyiers I got to lead a bible study for women. I was nervous but had already prepared a story for them, I wrote about it in my day 2 blog. After I shared my story, I asked the women if they had any worries they needed prayer for. I went around the room and prayed for each women. Such beautiful people, I am so blessed to come here and share some love with them. It was one of those moments you just want to hold in your heart and never let go.

Finally later today at 7:30 pm I held my first conversation English class. I talked about prayer and we made crafts. I realized I speak English too fast and some of my methods for kids don't work well on adults. It's ok, I am just so thankful to have another missionary there from the U.S.! The class was awesome, I am so full of joy and love. I wish I could send it out in this blog.

Ok, gotta go to bed. Tomorrow a small group class, more slum visits and another conversation class. I slept well last night and I am hoping more sleeps helps with random tiredness. I don't know how people on the ministry do it, I get so tired so quickly.

Here are some pictures from today. Love you all, I hope you all are enjoying this blog as much as I am enjoying writing it.

Today I'll teach about prayer

I found out last night that I will be teaching today. We decided I would teach about prayer and do the prayer box activity. I am going to talk about the different types of prayer such as aloud, journal, singing, and writing your prayer in a prayer box. I get to share a personal story and talk about God is in control and worrying does no good. As a professional worrier wart I am expert at this topic. I am going to start the class playing the song don't worry be happy. I will end with the song oceans, which has helped me through some sad moments in the last year. If you all could pray for me and the lesson today that would mean a lot to me.

Here is the song in Portuguese of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PifkGE2pMGs




 

Beans, Rice & Jesus Christ

Day 1
Hi all,

I arrived safely in Brazil this morning. I was lucky enough to get a row to myself and even got to try some cool food on Korean Air. I was a little nervous about how the service would be due to them being unreachable for some questions but overall I was happily surprised by the professionalism and the care for all people on the flight.

After the flight I made it through security quickly but the second check point I was stopped. I got asked questions from the police and he only spoke Portuguese. I couldn't answer anything, finally he looked at my passport and said in Portuguese oh 2nd time to Brazil, go head. Thank the LORD!

I was able to get all my luggage and my ride from the ministry showed up 10 minutes later. When I got to the center I unloaded all my crafts, and American goodies for the crew.

I will be staying with friends for part of the visit and then probably moving houses when Jeff gets here. Tomorrow is my first visit back to the favellas.

Day 2
Today we went to one of the favella's, I spent part of the morning helping teach an English class and then the other part with a women's bible study.  It was fun to see how the lessons work and see what I can add to them when I start teaching the classes. Today I defiantly felt the jet lag though, I am in need of some good rest and energy for tomorrow.  Tomorrow we head to another favella with more classes and a small group young women bible study. I have been asked to share a story or my testimony...I am still asking God what he want me to share. One event keeps coming in my head about a time where I was trying so hard to control every little aspect of my life. This was the time where I was going through my credential program, doing everything I can to finish...however there was a state test I had to pass before I could go on with my student teaching. The test has 4 sections, I passed everyone the first time except the science and math. I had gone to tutoring, I had taken seminiars, read all the books, studied for hours upon hours and was not passing. I finally prayed to God, I said I can't do this anymore. I can't keep taking this test, I am giving this up to you, if you want me to be a teacher then I will pass this test but if this is NOT in your plan I will fail it and move on. BUT I am leaving you in charge because I am tired, defeated, and over controlling everything. I have to say once I did that I was able to sleep better and even dare I say no worry? I ended up passing the test that last time and was able to finally student teach. It is very easy for us all to want to control and worry but when you give up the worrying and trust he will take care of you. You just have to...for lack of a better phrase...LET IT GO!!!!

Here are some pictures today from today, the faces on the kids always stay in my heart.

Ok, off to eat dinner, plan, and prepare for tomorrow. 

Prayers before our send off

Last night we had a send off dinner at Stone Fire Grill. It was so nice of everyone to come and to have some time to chat with all of our friends.

As favors we gave pictures from last years trip, prayer cards, and beans.

Below is the prayer card

In Brazil, Restoration Ministries focuses on bringing hope to children and their families living in the “favelas” (slums) of Sao Paulo. Most who live in the slums are plagued by hunger, disease and poverty, and are scarred by the devastating effects of prostitution, drugs, and domestic violence. Many families struggle to provide food for their families; often only eating beans or rice for many meals. We have included these beans as a reminder of what they struggle with on a daily basis and ask you to please keep these children in your prayers.

Brazil Mission Prayers

1.     That we would get there safely and get through security easily.

2.     That we would stay healthy during our trip

3.     That we would able to bless the ministry with our projects and help build relationships

4.     That we would be flexible and be able to adapt quickly to any changes or when things go wrong.

5.     That Crystal’s lessons would be meaningful, fun and show God’s amazing love.

6.     That all Jeff’s camera equipment would get there safely and work properly

7.     That Jeff would be able to capture God’s glory and work in the ministry

8.     That we would both be able to finish our projects and bless the ministry in anyway we can. 

Crystal leaves Sunday July 20th and Jeff leaves the 30th and we return together on the 15th of August.