Priceless

I get on the plane and head to the States a week from today. That thought has overshadowed or consumed a lot of my thoughts today. I’ve been either near tears or exploding with gratitude for my time here  - those two emotions playing tennis in my mind all day (I hope that makes sense because it was a game of back and forth).

I got home after a productive day at work and a rehearsal for an upcoming concert and stared at my empty apartment. My roommate’s on one of the medical boats this week so it’s just me. Normally I don’t mind the alone time, but tonight I was not looking forward it… and then I heard them. The neighbor kids! Good thing they’re all night owls! I had been wanting to get them all together for a couple of different reasons:

1.) I had some things that I wanted to give them (just things of mine that I don’t really use and some supplies that the Go Team from CCC had left here).

2.) I wanted to make the Gospel bracelets with them.

First for the goodies – I decided we’d play the “dice game”. The same one that my mom makes us play every Christmas. You have a pile of fun presents in a big pile on the floor and then everyone takes turns rolling the dice and when they roll the number you pick, they get to choose something from the pile. The kids LOVED it and squealed with delight when they would get to choose something.

Next, the bracelets – to my great pleasure, as I was trying to explain what each bead represents as you make the Gospel bracelet, they were helping me and they knew and understood the story. I asked if they had Bibles and they said yes – they all had a Bible and they knew all about Jesus! (I JUST realized in all my excitement that they knew about Jesus, I didn’t ask if they know him personally but there’s still time for that)

We had so much fun laughing and chatting – a lot of commotion, but great commotion. I told them I was leaving in a week and that I would miss them all terribly! After everyone had packed up their goodies and we said good-byes I closed the door…but not for long. Soon I heard my name being called from outside and when I opened the window, there was little 3 year old Maria holding a bracelet in a little bag. Her gift for me. Tears. Then came another one with a ring. I think it was her ring she was giving me. Hugs and more tears. One more came with a necklace in a little bag with a bow. The smiles were enormous as I accepted and then raved about the gifts they had given me as I put them on.

But I think the things that meant the most were the words. One of the mothers told me how special I am to her daughter and how much she loves me and will miss me when I go. She hugged me again and again and told me she loved me. I kept wishing I had spent even more time with them. There were definitely times when I really wasn’t doing much inside my house. Why didn’t I go and hang out with them every chance I got? Sigh…

I’m super grateful that God gave me an incredible blessing tonight and I can’t imagine ever forgetting this evening. I was humbled by their kind words and gifts and hugs and kisses and reminded to make the most of every opportunity to spend time with people. People are what matter and those moments are priceless.

Medical Boat

I was recently able to go on the medical boat with a group from Colorado. They welcomed me with open arms and I felt like I was a part of the team. I had one of the best and most challenging weeks since being here. On day one, I sat with the Brazilians (they all say I’m one of them now) and realized that they were discussing translating and who would translate for whom. Pastor Djard said, “…and Cindy, you will translate for the Dentist”.  My eyes bugged out of my head and I began to protest explaining that I couldn’t, that I don’t know all of the words yet, that it’s medical things, that…that… that…  He simply said, “Yes, you can and Yana will help you today and then you will be on your own tomorrow”. Panic! The dentist that I was assigned to pulled a lot of teeth and the poor kids were already scared to death plus I was sure I couldn’t watch that! I was sure gonna try though…

And then my saving grace…while waiting for dental patients to board the boat, I was asked to translate for the chiropractor and I did it! I just had to say the same phrases over and over again and if the patient started to explain some sort of pain that I couldn’t understand I hollered for another translator. I could do this! So I teamed up with the chiropractor and the dentist got to work with Yana – and only Yana.

On the final day, the other dentist who does restorative work couldn’t find his translator and asked if I could help. We were in a little room all by ourselves, just the dentist, his wife who is the dental assistant, the patient and me. And guess what?  I did it!! I translate without any help from anyone! I was able to explain to a very nervous 11-year-old boy why the dentist had to give him a shot of Novocain and was able to help him to calm down. Once the work began, the boy kept looking to make sure I hadn’t left the room and I would just smile and tell him he was doing a really good job. It was certainly one of my proudest accomplishments! Well, with God’s help. I KNOW God was helping me to remember words in português. I just know it!

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The Plan

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about what’s happening now that my time in Brasil is drawing to a close so I thought I’d post it -

I truly love it here in Brasil! It took some time, but I’ve definitely adapted to the culture and my heart is here in a big way! I was hoping to stay beyond the original six months and God seemed to be working out the details so it looked like it was a real possibility to stay! My hopes were dashed when the Federal Police explained that I can’t stay in the country longer than six months in a year on a tourist visa. Tears, tears and more tears as I walked out of the office and in the following days.

My plan now is to return to the States and apply for my work visa which will allow me to stay in Brasil for up to two years. There is a school here that wants to contract me to teach music in English to the students which would be so much fun! I’ll also continue to work with IPM which I really enjoy as well.

SOOOO, just praying that the application is processed quickly and approved. I’ve learned there are no guarantees when it comes to visas between the US and Brasil, but I KNOW that God is in control and that brings me comfort.

Honestly no idea yet what I’ll be doing while I’m waiting to return to Brasil. I’m hoping to return here after Christmas but I really don’t know how many months I’ll be spending in the US which means employment could be tricky. Well, companies hire Holiday help right? I’ll start there.  :)

My flight is scheduled to return to Chicago September 17th so I’ll be seeing a lot of you soon! I really am looking forward to seeing friends and family again!

Into the Amazon

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of going with my roommate Corrie and Annie and Marta (Brasilian missionaries) into several villages along the Amazon River and the Rio Preto.

We began our journey at 6:30a at the bus stop in Manaus. Annie met us there and we were super thankful because I honestly don’t know how we would’ve figured everything out on our own! After traveling for 4 hours by bus, 1.5 hours by speedboat, and then getting into a smaller motor boat (named the CCC Illinois) for another hour, we finally arrived at our destination – Vila de Amandío. Along the way though, the scenery was incredible! (See the pics below) We were able to see an alligator on the bank as we traveled through a very narrow section of the river. I was super excited!! Dolphins also made their presence known regularly. So cool!

In the village, we stayed with the sweetest family! A lot of people were packed into the house, but we made it work… hammocks were strung up all over the place. While we were there, we would go “visiting” from house to house and Annie and Marta would first chat with the villagers about their personal lives and families.  Then Annie would share a 10-15 minute devotional thought.  Although my portugûes is still limited, I was able to follow her challenges and it challenged my own heart in a big way.  This was the pattern for the villages of Santo Antonio and São Jose as well.

This was the first time Corrie and I were with people for an extended period of time without a translator.  Between the two of us, my dictionary and sign language, we made it work.  It was a fantastic learning experience.

On the return trip we had to sleep in hammocks as we traveled all night on a boat. There was a family beside me with kids that talked my ear off in portugûes. I kept asking them to speak slowing but they were just too excited! They were fasinated by my blond hair and laughed and laughed as we talked. So much fun!

Some of the highlights: Figuring out how to use the toilet which was literally a hole cut in the bottom of an outhouse, seeing a pet monkey up close and personal, getting to hold a baby pig, playing games with the kids, spending time worshipping with a “family group” (like a small group that meets in a house) and just being way outside of my comfort zone and seeing how God steps in to help!

I remember during some of the time in the boat on the River thinking “I can’t believe this is my life! Man, have I been blessed!”

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Reality Check

So tonight I was laying in my hammock, working on my computer when I spied a very large cockroach scaling the wall in front of me. I jumped up grabbed a flip-flop and chased that guy out the window. WHEW! I walked out of my bedroom only to find yet another one in the living room waiting for me. Also big, also gross. This one was not getting away – I whacked him as hard as a could with another flip-flop, scooped him up and threw him out.  In the four months I’ve been here, these are the first two that I’ve seen actually running around in my apartment. While initially I was disgusted and thought about sleeping with the lights on tonight, it turned to gratitude very quickly for two reasons:

1.) My landlord just told me today he would be spraying again this Saturday for “Baratas” (cockroaches). YAY!

2.) I watched a very graphic video on Sunday in church about Christians around the world who are being persecuted. Their faces we beaten in the pictures and there was live footage of a pastor being struck over and over with a baseball bat. Still others were being kicked in the stomach, legs, back and head as they lay on the ground  simply because they love Jesus and proclaim his name. My heart broke, tears streamed and I could hardly keep my eyes on the screen because it wasn’t a movie, it was really life, real people.

I feel blessed to be a missionary here in Brasil (I don’t even feel worthy of that title after watching that video on Sunday). The people here have embraced me, not beaten me. Have encouraged my love for the Lord, not tried to squelch it. Even those who don’t share the same faith as me have allowed me to share with them and although they may have differing opinions, they allow me to have mine.

I can’t get those pictures out of my mind and to tell the truth, I hope I never do. I need to remember to pray for those who are giving up everything for the Gospel… a cockroach or two pale in comparison.

More June Pics

Here you’ll find, more pics of the Zoo, INPA, The neighborhood kids making crafts in my apartment, selling pizza for English Camp, band rehearsals and maybe a new other random pics. Enjoy!

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Some June Pics

These are of: Me teaching at another school for a day – had a blast! Students and staff from Mackinley. Jumping rope with the neighborhood kids. Getting a haircut (that was nerve-wracking but it turned out great). A baby shower. Visiting Rio Preto Da Eva (in the jungle) with a student (Marta) and her family. Breakfast with Pastor JJ (Senior Pastor). Festival I sang at with my friend Ivan. Band rehearsals for English Camp.  The Zoo with my English Class.  More June pics on the way…

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English Camp

English Camp was AMAZING!!  God did great things and lives were changed for eternity!!  There were 208 campers there this year including the 20 Americans that came from Christ Community Church.  The schedule was English Classes in the morning, games in the afternoon and services in the evenings. The students loved the camp and didn’t want it to end…so it’s not! We are continuing with services in English on Saturdays at IPM.  We had our first meeting last night and had a great turn-out. Below you’ll find pics from the camp as well as time with the CCC team! 

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Celebrations (May)

People LOVE to celebrate here…. love socializing. The following pics are of get togethers  and B-day parties. The First B-day here is a HUGE deal.  I was thinking – this is like what we do in the States for a wedding! Maybe not quite to that extent, but close. There are also pics of me singing at an outdoor cafe. The guitarist goes to my church, we’d never met but said he’d heard about me and called me up to sing. I originally declined but he kept insisting so I sang “Amazing Love”.

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May 12 – 21

The following pics are:  me working at the office, Eating out at McDonalds (and yes, the food did taste about the same as the McDonalds in the U.S.), two of the ladies from Friday night English Class, new friends at a B-day party and leading worship at the English Bible Study.

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