Today we visited the slum called Promora. This is one of the most dangerous slums in Sao Paulo but today it was raining all day. So, no agaitas just home visits, bible studies, and giving hugs to kids.
I went to the other side of the slum today where most houses are made from scraps of cardboard, plastic covers. and some thin pieces of wood. Bathrooms are a luxury and the smell made me realize that as well. We went to a home where there was small kitchen and bedroom where a family of 6 live. It tore my heart to see that next to the bed was plastic cover as wall, the ground didn't have floor but parts of concrete. The women who lived there, was very sweet and offered to make us coffee and give us cookies. I found out one of her daughters Victoria is taking English classes with the ministry. She practiced some words and phrases with me. Then she looked all around excited to show me an English book, when she showed me the book it had obviously been found in the trash and was given to the girl. I started to get teary eyed because it just made me realize how so many kids around my country have so much...and this poor girl has so little and here she is holding a torn book like a treasure. I made myself hold my tears back and started reading some words with her in English. She was so sweet and so eager to learn. She then wanted to show me a piece of artwork she created for Fathers Day, she looked around everywhere and realized someone had come into their home and stole it. She started to cry and we all tried to cheer her up. Her family has been through a lot and it so good to see a woman so faithful to God. The family was moved from the government and had been working on getting some money to buy a home away from the slums. The family tried for 8 years and got the grant. I don't know how she wasn't going to give up. God gave her strength and was so faithful.
Later we took Jeff on his first home visit. The woman loves American missionaries, so it was so fun to talk with her about her life, her faith, and to be around such a loving person. We even sang with her, I haven't sang in front of people for many years but every since I have been here during this trip I just feel like God is opening my heart to it again.
I lead another women's group this afternoon. It was a hard topic for me to share, it was about how powerful words can be. I talked about a few times in life that have hurt me and how God showed me that I am not a mistake and he made me wonderfully. I gave each woman a bracelet and told them that every time they heard words that hurt them, to look at it and remember they are wonderfully made. Some of the stories I shared really connected with the women and they appreciated my story. After I prayed for them, two women came up to me and told me about how they had gone through the same pain and that I wasn't a mistake. It is funny to me how God works to use me touch these ladies and they end up touching my heart.
Tonight I taught my job immersion class with a sweet group of students. We practiced good interview skills, handshakes, dress codes, and actual mock interviews. I am going to miss teaching these students but I am really loving ESL and thinking about looking into it at Rock Harbor when I get back.
Here are some pictures from the last class tonight
Pictures from the day before
I went to the other side of the slum today where most houses are made from scraps of cardboard, plastic covers. and some thin pieces of wood. Bathrooms are a luxury and the smell made me realize that as well. We went to a home where there was small kitchen and bedroom where a family of 6 live. It tore my heart to see that next to the bed was plastic cover as wall, the ground didn't have floor but parts of concrete. The women who lived there, was very sweet and offered to make us coffee and give us cookies. I found out one of her daughters Victoria is taking English classes with the ministry. She practiced some words and phrases with me. Then she looked all around excited to show me an English book, when she showed me the book it had obviously been found in the trash and was given to the girl. I started to get teary eyed because it just made me realize how so many kids around my country have so much...and this poor girl has so little and here she is holding a torn book like a treasure. I made myself hold my tears back and started reading some words with her in English. She was so sweet and so eager to learn. She then wanted to show me a piece of artwork she created for Fathers Day, she looked around everywhere and realized someone had come into their home and stole it. She started to cry and we all tried to cheer her up. Her family has been through a lot and it so good to see a woman so faithful to God. The family was moved from the government and had been working on getting some money to buy a home away from the slums. The family tried for 8 years and got the grant. I don't know how she wasn't going to give up. God gave her strength and was so faithful.
Later we took Jeff on his first home visit. The woman loves American missionaries, so it was so fun to talk with her about her life, her faith, and to be around such a loving person. We even sang with her, I haven't sang in front of people for many years but every since I have been here during this trip I just feel like God is opening my heart to it again.
I lead another women's group this afternoon. It was a hard topic for me to share, it was about how powerful words can be. I talked about a few times in life that have hurt me and how God showed me that I am not a mistake and he made me wonderfully. I gave each woman a bracelet and told them that every time they heard words that hurt them, to look at it and remember they are wonderfully made. Some of the stories I shared really connected with the women and they appreciated my story. After I prayed for them, two women came up to me and told me about how they had gone through the same pain and that I wasn't a mistake. It is funny to me how God works to use me touch these ladies and they end up touching my heart.
Tonight I taught my job immersion class with a sweet group of students. We practiced good interview skills, handshakes, dress codes, and actual mock interviews. I am going to miss teaching these students but I am really loving ESL and thinking about looking into it at Rock Harbor when I get back.
Here are some pictures from the last class tonight
Pictures from the day before
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