Goodbye Brasil!

We arrived safely to Greensboro Sunday, June 19 at 11 am. Sad to say goodbye to our wonderful hosts, including Flavia and Sergio who Lauren had to the opportunity to speak English and Portuguese with!

DAY 8: Last Day of Day Camp

Our final day of day camp started out with breakfast and a staff discussion of the structure of Palavra da Vida and Highland Camps. Steve Theis served as director of Palavra da Vida from 1989-2005; then Ivan and Virginia Correa took over in past print as director. Ivan spoke of the mission of the camps and overall set up. They currently have 20 Bible Institute student and their goal for next year is 40. Palavra Da Vida (WOL) has missionaries on staff, interns, an academic dean, teachers and the ministry.

The staff participates in bible teaching in public schools; missionaries in bible teaching.

Nathan, on staff, started bible clubs in local schools/churches

After the students listened to the first general session, Ivan asked the four of us to meet with him to discuss their outreach, our input into the week and asked us to offer suggestions to improve. He discussed the geography of the Nordeste region. WOL is responsible for 9 of the 27 states of Brazil; 55 million people in this region and 23 million are young people. Their desire is for the bible school reach more missionaries in these areas.

Problem is not open door in public schools, but they need people to go to these places and teach the bible. There are more doors open than people to go. The local church had not woken up to opportunity. WOL's goal is serve the church, not be the church. They count on many churches in Brazil and US; all over to support their mission. The Mission in interior of state; dry area

The Bible classes consist of once a week at 5 schools. They reach 2,100 students a week in the schools. Grade 1-9 learn the bible.

Bible institute to be recognized as WOL site through WOL Schroon Lake

2006 closed bible ministry but later reopened.

We suggested to Ivan that more food was needed at the snack sessions at the end of camp, more dish towels at the clean stations in the kitchen, and most expensive but needed, retiling of the surface of the pool surroundings. A staff member tripped over broken to tile and was injured. Many children run around the pool and it's easy for them to slip on the uneven tile with broken pieces all over. Ivan was very responsive to our suggestions and was very thankful for our help and presence the entire week.

Camp Turnout:

927-children total!!!  106 decisions for Christ!!

2 General sessions; 

Schools wide open; they want to come bring in the students 

Expected 280 on Day I and over 340 came

Children in matching shirts from their school

Day 7: Day 2 of Camp

Day 2 of the Day consisted of much of the same schedule as Day 1:

Breakfast: 7 am
Devotional and staff meeting to assign tasks: 7:45 am
Students arrive: 9 am
General Session I: (Time dependent on student arrival)
Pool/play time
Staff Lunch: 12
Students lunch with staff serving, cleaning and washing dishes: 12:30 pm
General Session II: 1:30 pm
Small Group Sessions with Westover, GBC staff and translators
Pool/Play time
Snack
Students Leave campus: 4:15 pm
Clean Up: 4:30-5:30 pm

Meals for staff at mainly consisted of rice and beans; a meat, a root and fruit. Students had the same.
Sessions went well but it was difficult to get students attention.

The small groups were an eyeopening opportunity for us.. Children revealed their family situations; sexual relationships and general chaos in home life or reluctance to make a decision for Christ. One girl spoke of an alcoholic father and uncle; which caused her to have intesitinal issues and stress. Marissol and Pam had a small group who discussed complicated situations.  

One of the teachers accompanying a class, David, had a conversation with Marissol and she asked him candidly, if he died today where would he go? Marissol approached him to ask about his tattoos and the conversation turned turned to God. The next day David made a decision; and Marissol gave the verses to him she had promised. David is from the same area of the two girls in the small group. Homier on staff, a pastors son, has a church close to where David lives. David said he would go to church and take the two girls with him one Sunday.

We were able to experience a soccer game in Brazil after camp supper that evening! Santa Cruz best their opposing team on their home turf in Recife.

Marissol and David

Small Group: Marissol, Edylin, Pam and Beatriz

Lauren's small group Day 2

Sergio leading one of the General Sessions:

Paz - Peace

Amor - Love

Conflito - Conflict

Solidão - Loneliness

Esperança - Hope

Perdão - Forgiveness

Medo - Fear

Culpa - Guilt/At fault

Homem - Man

Deus - God

Crer - Believe

Receber - Receive

DAY 6 but Day 1 of Day Camp!

What a busy first day of camp! We started with breakfast at 7 am then a devotion and prayer with the Grace Bible Church Ohio and all of the Palavra de Vida (WOL) team. We had a meeting assigning us to to certain tasks for the morning portion (swimming pool duty, sport duty, and play groups). We welcomed nearly 350 meninos e meninas (boys and girls) along with their teachers to camp at 9am. Each child was given either or blue or yellow wristband assigning them to the specific team as different sports challenges took place. Many children came to camp without a swimsuit but enjoyed playing in the pool. Imagine nearly 100 kids in a pool at once with 10 staff,, whistles and only a few translators!  We had to keep our eyes peeled. After play time was lunch and then music, then the children heard from the word from one of the missionary team members. From there we broke up into small groups of 8 - 10 children each where each group had a staff member and translator. Children were asked if they understood what was told to them. They shared their story. Lauren had a great small group and translator, Leticia, was wonderful. Liz and Pam's group had girls who wanted to pray and share about their family situations. Some children stayed quiet but acknowledged what was shared with them during the meeting. Afterwards was a second round of playtime then a snack, where all children were given a tract; it was called God Knows My Name. Complete translation below:

Campers arrive! They are given either azul (blue) or amarelo (yellow) wristbands

Steve leading the first General Session

Lauren's small group

Piscina! Pool Time!

Ivan, Director of Palavra Da Vida, with Steve Theis translating to staff about the organization of the day before the campers arrive

The tracts the smaller children received with translation

God knows my name

God created everything and he knows everything that exists in the world

He knows your favorite color

What's your favorite color

Surprise! God already knows

God knows my name he knows many hairs I have on my head.

Are you able to count the hairs on your head?

God knows even how many stars are in the sky; he made all of them and put each of them in the right spot! 

God seems me when I go out to play and he seems me when I lay down. 

He takes care of me all the time because he never sleeps!

When I play hide and seek and I hide in a very hard place to find, God knows where I am

No one is able to hide from God

God knows how we feel, if you are sad, happy, ashamed, or discouraged.

He worries about us.

Before he created the world God already knew us.

Before I was born he already knew all my life; whole life.

God knows you very well the same he knows everyone in the world and he loves them.

The bible the word of God teaches us

John 3:16

Fighting

God loves us even when we do wrong things and those wrong things he calls sin.

Everybody that does wrong things deserves to be punished. But God loves us so much that he sent his only son to be punished in our place. He died but was resurrected. 

If you receive Jesus as our Savior we can live eternally with him in heaven. 

Do you believe in this with all your heart? 

So talk to God right now and says:

Dear God thank you for loving me so much I know I am doing. Wrong things and now I have surrendered thank you for sending your son Jesus to be punished in my place for my sins, come to live in my heart and teach me to live always by your side!

Day 5: Quality Time with Missionary Family in Olinda and Recife

We prayed for Orlando after hearing of the tragedy there on our way back to Recife. We had the afternoon free and Steve, Marissol and Ivan lead us on a tour of the town of Olinda (Oh Beautiful), from which you can see the skyline of Recife. Olinda is home to 22 churches and 11 monasteries. Several Catholic churches were burned and taken over by the Dutch, later to be converted back to Catholicism. The view from the top of Olinda is scattered with many church steeples.
We visited Casa da Cultura, a former prison converted to house of culture where each cell was a different vendor selling local wares. We had a meal in Recife with the GBC group then turned in early in preparation for Day camps!

Our team with Marissol Theis in Recife

Olinda (Oh, Beautiful!)

Olinda

Catholic church, burned down by the Dutch restored as Protestant church, then later converted back to a Catholic church and restored in the 1930's and 70's

View of Recife from Olinda

Olinda

Casa da Cultura de Pernambuco Recife; a former prison transformed into a house of culture! Each cell was a different vendors selling local wares.

DAY 4: VBS and Sunday evening service with Concordia Baptist Church

The morning was spent at Palavra da Vida (WOL camp) before heading back to Recife. We enjoyed a traditional Churrascaria before heading to the church to help with VBS Day 2. The church is in a very impoverished neighborhood not far from the city center of Recife. We welcomed nearly 100 children and GBC had brought bubbles (Bolhas), chalkboard paint, face paint and the craft was a faith bracelet with 6 different colors representing: Yellow = Heaven; Black = Sin;  Red = Jesus' blood; Blue = Faith; White = Purity and Green = Growth in Christ.
Bible verses for each color:
Yellow: John 14: 2 & 3
Black: Romans 3: 23
Red: Romans 5:8
Blue: Galatians 2:16
White: Psalms 51: 7
Green: 2 Peter 3: 18

The children were very receptive of us, although they could not believe that we did not understand Portuguese. Steve Theis, missionary sponsored by Westover, told us some of the children may have never even been in their own city center. Their world is in their own neighborhood and though they knew we were different, they showered us with affection and called us "Tia"- auntie.
We were called to be the hands and feet of Jesus here and these children have been the hands to hug us.

After VBS concluded, we stayed at Concordia for the bilingual evening service. Brazilian church services are traditionally in the evening and this service began at 7:30 PM. The service was completely packed with people, many parents of the VBS children, and the children stayed for their own children's service. What was so touching was hearing the music and so many came up to give their offering; even the children dropped in some coins. These people have so little but they give so much-who are we to give begrudglingly?! Service was officiated by Ivan, current WOL Nordest director, Steve Theis translating and Pastor Mark from GBC. Pastor Mark spoke on Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden". He encouraged the people not to hide their light. Bracelets were given at the end of the service that said Jesus Me Ama. Jesus Pagou o Preco. Jesus Loves Me. Jesus Paid the Price.

Hands and feet of Jesus

Yellow = Heaven; Black = Sin;  Red = Jesus' blood; Blue = Faith; White = Purity and Green = Growth in Christ.

Children enjoying a snack

Hugs and love

Church members bringing donations; and we give begrudgingly!

Children praying with Ivan and Steve at the evening service

DAY 3: VBS with Concordia Baptist Church

Bom Dia! We have had a late morning as we refresh from the travel. We had a devotional from Psalm 65, it prepared our hearts as we read how God takes care of the earth. We take so much for granted as he "faithfully answers our prayers with awesome deeds".

Psalm 65:9 "You take care of the earth and water it,
                     Making it rich and fertile.
                     The river of God has plenty of water
                     It provides a bountiful harvest of grain
                     For you have ordered it so".

Today our ministry program includes lunch at Word of Life, then we will leave to the Church at 1 and will help with VBS with Concordia Baptist Church here from Ohio.

Pray we will be energized to help the children at VBS!