Monday, March 1, 2010
Amigos!
These are three of our best friends here in Bateias! Their names are Daniel, Igor, and Jean. Super fun kids and growing Christians! Every morning when they're done doing their work for Paul, they come to either our window or the boys window to talk to us. Its so funny! So we had to take a picture......:)
Busy weekend!
Bom Dia!
We've had a busy weekend here in Brazil! Finally have a moment to drop a quick update. On friday afternoon we started out by cutting back a big hedge that goes around part of the ARCA soccer field. It wore us out, but it was a fun project! Near the end of the afternoon, Bethany and I got a little tired so we headed back to the house to make some beijinho (a delicious Brazilian chocolate candy)! It was for the 18th birthday party of Emily Gil, who is the Abel's neice. Luckily for the boys, there was some extra which we brought down to the work site. They got some nice Brazilian refreshment to spur them on to finish the hedge!
That evening, we were able to have a relaxing evening at home. Becky set up the projector and we watched the Passion play. Every Easter the people in Bateias put on a huge production of the Passion of Christ. It is an amazing play, and even seeing it on film was moving. The people of the town really come together to make the production happen, and their love for the Lord is evident. The average attendance is around 1000... an excellent way to share the gospel!
Saturday we went to the Language House in Campo Largo. Our job was basically to go into the different classes and talk in English. The students were at varrying levels of proficiency with their English skills, but they seemed to enjoy talking to "real Americans". Not only was it a learning experience for them, but the school also gains credibiliy if they have actual English speakers in the classes. It was nice for us to not speak Portuguese for awhile too:)
After classes, we went to the Gil's home for Emily's birthday. Our first Brazilian birthday party! The Gil's have a beautiful home and were very welcoming to all of us. It was great to get to know some of the 11 kids in their family!
From the party we headed back to Bateias for youth group. Bethany, Jon, and I shared testimonies and Nathan gave a sermon. We also sang a worship song in English and Portuguese. A few of the youth kids hung out with us til the night was over. It was a long, but productive and enjoyable day!
Yesterday was also full of excitement! Every sunday morning there is a HUGE street fair in Curitiba. We packed up early and headed there for a real tourist experience! The vendors go for what seems like miles! They sold everything from jewelry to clothing to picture frames to toys. Paul gave us all a stack of tracts to hand out as we walked around so please pray that some of the recipients of those are impacted by the Lord!
The real excitement came that afternoon. Our very first Churrascaria! Brazil is known for this amazing event. Steak cooked over a fire like you've never tasted before! Everything tasted so good. If you're ever in Brazil, that is one thing you must try.
After the cleanup for that we spent a nice afternoon playing card games, ping pong and worship music with the local kids. They are always so fun to have around! Many come from broken homes, and Paul and Becky's home is a real haven for them.
The night was finished off with church on the far side of Curitiba. It was the first church that the Abel's planted! We shared similar to what we did for youth group the night before, though the song seemed to go a little better. Becky did a wonderful job translating as we spoke! On the way back home, we stopped at a hot dog stand and finally tried our first Brazillian hot dogs which are NOTHING like American hot dogs. There are so many things that they put on them! Everything was excellent as most Brazilian food is.
Now it is lunch time on Monday. Jon, Nate and I went to the English school this morning for about an hour and will head back there with Bethany this afternoon.
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!
Amanda
We've had a busy weekend here in Brazil! Finally have a moment to drop a quick update. On friday afternoon we started out by cutting back a big hedge that goes around part of the ARCA soccer field. It wore us out, but it was a fun project! Near the end of the afternoon, Bethany and I got a little tired so we headed back to the house to make some beijinho (a delicious Brazilian chocolate candy)! It was for the 18th birthday party of Emily Gil, who is the Abel's neice. Luckily for the boys, there was some extra which we brought down to the work site. They got some nice Brazilian refreshment to spur them on to finish the hedge!
That evening, we were able to have a relaxing evening at home. Becky set up the projector and we watched the Passion play. Every Easter the people in Bateias put on a huge production of the Passion of Christ. It is an amazing play, and even seeing it on film was moving. The people of the town really come together to make the production happen, and their love for the Lord is evident. The average attendance is around 1000... an excellent way to share the gospel!
Saturday we went to the Language House in Campo Largo. Our job was basically to go into the different classes and talk in English. The students were at varrying levels of proficiency with their English skills, but they seemed to enjoy talking to "real Americans". Not only was it a learning experience for them, but the school also gains credibiliy if they have actual English speakers in the classes. It was nice for us to not speak Portuguese for awhile too:)
After classes, we went to the Gil's home for Emily's birthday. Our first Brazilian birthday party! The Gil's have a beautiful home and were very welcoming to all of us. It was great to get to know some of the 11 kids in their family!
From the party we headed back to Bateias for youth group. Bethany, Jon, and I shared testimonies and Nathan gave a sermon. We also sang a worship song in English and Portuguese. A few of the youth kids hung out with us til the night was over. It was a long, but productive and enjoyable day!
Yesterday was also full of excitement! Every sunday morning there is a HUGE street fair in Curitiba. We packed up early and headed there for a real tourist experience! The vendors go for what seems like miles! They sold everything from jewelry to clothing to picture frames to toys. Paul gave us all a stack of tracts to hand out as we walked around so please pray that some of the recipients of those are impacted by the Lord!
The real excitement came that afternoon. Our very first Churrascaria! Brazil is known for this amazing event. Steak cooked over a fire like you've never tasted before! Everything tasted so good. If you're ever in Brazil, that is one thing you must try.
After the cleanup for that we spent a nice afternoon playing card games, ping pong and worship music with the local kids. They are always so fun to have around! Many come from broken homes, and Paul and Becky's home is a real haven for them.
The night was finished off with church on the far side of Curitiba. It was the first church that the Abel's planted! We shared similar to what we did for youth group the night before, though the song seemed to go a little better. Becky did a wonderful job translating as we spoke! On the way back home, we stopped at a hot dog stand and finally tried our first Brazillian hot dogs which are NOTHING like American hot dogs. There are so many things that they put on them! Everything was excellent as most Brazilian food is.
Now it is lunch time on Monday. Jon, Nate and I went to the English school this morning for about an hour and will head back there with Bethany this afternoon.
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!
Amanda
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday thoughts
This is a view of the ARCA soccer field. The trees that are really tall on the right are called Parana Pines. They are the state tree. Basically anywhere you go you'll find them!
Just wanted to say thank you again for all the prayer and financial support! We've been so blessed by all of the help you've given us. God is working so much in the ministry here in Brazil. Its been an incredible learning experience to see what Paul and Becky's. There are many things about missions that we still do not know, and they've been wonderful about guiding us.
Please pray for the Bible school and Miriam Infant Home. Right now there are barely enough Bible students to keep the school open. Also there are only two children at the Miriam Infant Home. A new judge came into town and sent all the children back to their families, no matter if it was a detrimental situation or not. Pray that all the children involved will be safe.
Thanks! (Thank you!)
Amanda
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Good morning!
We just completed Portuguese lessons with Pastor John Abel! Its been fun getting to learn from him and spend the time studying. Today is cold and rainy ... the first time we've had to wear jackets since arriving here! Premium study time, right? Hopefully the next few hours will be spent in deep concentration.
I encourage all of you to read Hebrews 4:12-13. We studied them for devotions the other day and they especially stuck out to me. The Word is living and powerful, stay in it everyday!
In Christ's Name,
Amanda
I encourage all of you to read Hebrews 4:12-13. We studied them for devotions the other day and they especially stuck out to me. The Word is living and powerful, stay in it everyday!
In Christ's Name,
Amanda
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
On the way to church...
Pastor Paul has a bus that he uses to bring people to church in Campo Largo. We've had some crazy times with TONS of people packed onto the little bus....There have been lots of friends and memories made!
This is Willian, a very talented musician who is really involved in the church. We're praying that he decideds to come to Bible school this year! The little girl is Amanda (we enjoy sharing a name!). She lives up the hill from the Abel's house and we're able to spend lots of time with her and her sister:)
Bethany and Jon with two children that joined us for the ride. The girl is Graciele, who is Amanda's sister. I don't know who the boy is, but he sure was cute! Its been so fun hanging out with all the local kids!
This is Willian, a very talented musician who is really involved in the church. We're praying that he decideds to come to Bible school this year! The little girl is Amanda (we enjoy sharing a name!). She lives up the hill from the Abel's house and we're able to spend lots of time with her and her sister:)
Bethany and Jon with two children that joined us for the ride. The girl is Graciele, who is Amanda's sister. I don't know who the boy is, but he sure was cute! Its been so fun hanging out with all the local kids!
Tour of Curitiba continued...
The team plus Karen Ballmann. This was the last day of her 6 week mission trip to Brazil! />
This picture is for my sister Emily! There are butterflies that are alot prettier than this one but this is the best picture i got...
That is a coconut! We went to a huge market and got these as a treat. You are just supposed to drink the water out of it...its nice and refreshing!
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