Ok here's a long overdue update.
Sorry it has taken me so long. Things got super busy when I got back to GA. I started working a summer camp at a YMCA and still have 2 more weeks left.
Things with Brazil have changed a lot(like always) but God is in control. I'm going back to Brazil in October and staying until the end of November. The missionary family who I was living with is moving back to the states and possibly relocating to another country at some point. When I go back to Brazil, I am going to go stay a few weeks with my Brazilian friend Rafa's family, and then my parents are coming to visit for the last two weeks! I am so excited that they will get to visit. I have always wanted them to get to go to Brazil because it has always been so close to my heart since I went there in 2007. I am also really excited about getting the opportunity to live with a Brazilian family for 3 weeks. I spent a lot of time with them before, but this will be an even deeper learning experience.
So, that's the update for now. I know God has a plan and a reason for why things have changed with Brazil many, many times. I really appreciate all the prayers as I have been trying to discern what it is that God wants me to do.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
life back in Morretes
I got back to Brazil on January 20th after spending a little over a month at home. It was so great to spend the holidays in the states, but I was excited to get back to Brazil as well. I can't believe it's almost time for me to leave again.
We've spent some time at the children's home, helping the mom's around the house, teaching English classes to the children, and helping with a yard sale. I've experienced a few different cultural events since I've been back- including two different birthday parties and a Brazilian concert. Birthday parties in Brazil always include lots of food which of course I love :) I'm still spending a lot of time with Rafa (one of my good friends here) and her family. They help me a lot with Portuguese and learning about the culture. I've also spent more time with some the of youth from the Baptist church. It's been great hanging out and getting to know them better.
Last week, I visited one of my old Portuguese professors from UGA. She lives in a beautiful city called Florianópolis (about 5 hours from Morretes). I had a lot of fun staying with her family and getting to see some of the city.
In about a week and a half, I'll be heading back to the states. I still don't have any news about my visa documents that I've been waiting on. I'm not sure if I'll get them in time to apply for a new visa or not. So, I don't know what's going to happen with that or when I can come back. All I can do is pray because it's not in my hands. And I ask all of you to please be praying about that too. I want to follow what the Lord wants me to do, whether He has more for me here or if there's something else He has in store for me.
Again, thank you for all your support and prayers. I honestly could not be here without you guys.
We've spent some time at the children's home, helping the mom's around the house, teaching English classes to the children, and helping with a yard sale. I've experienced a few different cultural events since I've been back- including two different birthday parties and a Brazilian concert. Birthday parties in Brazil always include lots of food which of course I love :) I'm still spending a lot of time with Rafa (one of my good friends here) and her family. They help me a lot with Portuguese and learning about the culture. I've also spent more time with some the of youth from the Baptist church. It's been great hanging out and getting to know them better.
playing volleyball with the Baptist church
people from the church
beautiful view in Morretes, Brazil
my bike (I always wanted a bike with a basket)
the river down the road from our house
Fernandinho's concert in Paranagua
Last week, I visited one of my old Portuguese professors from UGA. She lives in a beautiful city called Florianópolis (about 5 hours from Morretes). I had a lot of fun staying with her family and getting to see some of the city.
the beautiful city
surfing class... so much fun :)
Again, thank you for all your support and prayers. I honestly could not be here without you guys.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
holidays in the states
My time in GA has flown by. I have one more week before I head back to Morretes, Brazil. I've really enjoyed spending time with my friends and family here. I've spent a lot of time in Athens... since that's really where I spent my last four years while at UGA. I've missed Athens soo much. It's been great catching up with everyone. So many of my friends have moved on, starting jobs and internships in other cities and states. It's crazy how much can change in one semester.
Last week, I went to Passion 2012 in Atlanta. It was amazing! It was so great to be in the Dome with 44,000 other people worshipping our God. There were some great speakers and awesome worship. The whole focus of the week was to bring awareness of sex trafficking. We raised over 3 million dollars to help free girls who have been forced into this type of slavery!! God is so great! He is going to use that money to rescue so many innocent girls and to help them start a new life. I pray that He would continue to bring awareness around the world about sex trafficking, that He would allow those girls to feel Freedom in Him, and that He would bring an end to this slavery!
Update on Brazil: My plans for Brazil have changed about 5 times since I left for Brazil last August. I was planning to come back right now and apply for a new visa that would allow me to stay in Brazil until August 2012... but I guess God has other plans in mind. If it were up to me, I would have already applied... but it's not in my hands. I've been waiting on some paperwork from Brazil to get here before I can apply for my visa. I just found out a couple days ago that there's no way I'll get those papers before I head back to Brazil next week. So, I'm going back to Brazil on January 18th and will return in the middle March because I only have two months left on my current visa. Then, hopefully, I'll have everything to be able to apply for my new visa in March. I know it will all work out how it's supposed to. God has been showing me that His hand is in all of this even though it's been really crazy.
The downside is that it takes between 3-6 months to process this type of visa, so I could end up waiting in GA for months. I'm trying to keep in mind that God knows what He's doing and that He has a reason for switching up the plans on me.
The upside is that I'll get to be in two of my best friends' weddings, Ashton Allen's on March 17th and Haley Ridgeway's on May 12th :) I cannot wait to spend their big days with them!! So, that's definitely an exciting part of all this craziness.
Please be praying for guidance and patience as I try to discern what it is God is doing with all this. Please pray for me, Steve, and Shannon as we plan out classes and activities for the children in the children's home. Also, pray for the people in the church and the city of Morretes that they would all come to know Christ and experience His grace.
As always, thanks for the prayers and support. I wouldn't be able to do this without you :)
Last week, I went to Passion 2012 in Atlanta. It was amazing! It was so great to be in the Dome with 44,000 other people worshipping our God. There were some great speakers and awesome worship. The whole focus of the week was to bring awareness of sex trafficking. We raised over 3 million dollars to help free girls who have been forced into this type of slavery!! God is so great! He is going to use that money to rescue so many innocent girls and to help them start a new life. I pray that He would continue to bring awareness around the world about sex trafficking, that He would allow those girls to feel Freedom in Him, and that He would bring an end to this slavery!
Update on Brazil: My plans for Brazil have changed about 5 times since I left for Brazil last August. I was planning to come back right now and apply for a new visa that would allow me to stay in Brazil until August 2012... but I guess God has other plans in mind. If it were up to me, I would have already applied... but it's not in my hands. I've been waiting on some paperwork from Brazil to get here before I can apply for my visa. I just found out a couple days ago that there's no way I'll get those papers before I head back to Brazil next week. So, I'm going back to Brazil on January 18th and will return in the middle March because I only have two months left on my current visa. Then, hopefully, I'll have everything to be able to apply for my new visa in March. I know it will all work out how it's supposed to. God has been showing me that His hand is in all of this even though it's been really crazy.
The downside is that it takes between 3-6 months to process this type of visa, so I could end up waiting in GA for months. I'm trying to keep in mind that God knows what He's doing and that He has a reason for switching up the plans on me.
The upside is that I'll get to be in two of my best friends' weddings, Ashton Allen's on March 17th and Haley Ridgeway's on May 12th :) I cannot wait to spend their big days with them!! So, that's definitely an exciting part of all this craziness.
Please be praying for guidance and patience as I try to discern what it is God is doing with all this. Please pray for me, Steve, and Shannon as we plan out classes and activities for the children in the children's home. Also, pray for the people in the church and the city of Morretes that they would all come to know Christ and experience His grace.
As always, thanks for the prayers and support. I wouldn't be able to do this without you :)
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