Day 3 Info/Pics

Made it back from church and supper. Here are some great thoughts from some of us. Enjoy!

Today was a very cool day. Like most VBSs we did the plan of salvation today. Clark & Janet did a VERY good job of teaching the lesson today but, I wasn't quite sure how the kids would respond. We presented the cube with the big huge cube up front and each of us had our little cube with us. Afterwards Thiesa, (spelling?) a girl that has been hanging out with me all week who is about 13 years old came up me to and asked to pray with her. At first I wasnt sure what I was going to pray with her about but, when we got in private she told me that she had prayed the pray to ask Jesus into her heart durring the lesson. So, with an interpreter, I prayed with her again as she accepted Christ into her heart. It truely was an amazing experince!
God Bless- Jennifer C

Last night at the Marcos' house, after they fed us dinner, I picked up my guitar to play with Lucas for a littlebit because he knows some American songs and he was teaching me some Brazilian songs. About the time that we sat down to play, everyone came in the room to listen, I guess. So, me and Lucas started to play a song and all of us sang together. It was an amazing and worshipful time together with our Brazilian friends. The really cool thing about it was that as all of the Americans were singing the songs in English, and at the same time all of the Brazilians were singing in Portuguese. Again it was a very worshipful time for all of us last night. Music truely is a universal language and I think God used music that night for the Brazilians to speak to us and tell us the message they were singing and for the Americans (us) to speak to them the message even though there was a language barrier. Last night is a night that both the Americans and the Brazilians will remember forever. - Daniel S

(to see some of it, check out the link that Drew set up...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lo--PpmmX0

Tonight was another very special night for our group. We were invited to the Wednesday night service at the church in Rio Preto. While we were exhausted and didn’t relish the thought of another late night, I think we were all very glad that we went. The service is similar to one of our Sunday evening services at home—pretty small, more casual, with a more intimate group. We were given a chance to share stories from the week. Mike pointed out that while we came here to love on kids, we’ve been loved on just as much as they have! After stories were shared about the week, the Pastor spoke briefly about being open to God’s will and responding to it. Afterwards, we were in for a unique treat. The choir director at the church has asked Clark Wooten and Janet Gathright to sing the praise team part on “He Reigns” by Newsboys with the Brazilian choir. What an AMAZING thing to hear “every tribe, every tongue, every nation” singing a love song to our God… in their own language!!! This was truly one of the most awe-striking things I’ve ever seen. After the choir sang, the interpreters we’ve been working with his week presented us with some gifts from the church and spoke of how meaningful the friendships we’ve developed are. It’s been an a blessing to experience such camaraderie with our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Brazil. - Drew S

Wednesday afternoon, we walked from the downtown park a few blocks to the Decisao private school in Nova Granada. Some of us talked with mothers who were waiting in the street and sidewalks in front of the school for the younger students to be released for the day. When you get inside a room as big as the 2BC Welcome Center with about 100 people, the singing and energy is amazing! Daniel and Paul led us and we sang "Father, I Adore You" in a round. Those of you who have traveled with Paul on previous mission trips know how beautiful and strong the harmony is on that song... which matches the message that we sing. The students and the teachers changed demeanor and gave us more undivided attention after we sang. The students were 1st through 3rd grades approximately, but there were also about 15 teenaged girls and women who work there who listened intently. Janet and Daniel presented the plan of salvation using the giant Evangecube, while team members sat with students and also showed them with smaller cubes. When Paul asked if anyone had questions, one of the teachers asked if any of us had ever regretted giving our hearts to Jesus. It was a perfect way to tell them that that there has been more joy and life is better after accepting Christ. Paul explained that some people think they have to "give up" fun life when they become a Christian, but that is not the case... in fact it's opposite. The woman in charge welcomed us and thanked us for coming. She said that we are welcome to come back. Of course, that is a good sign that we might be able to see more of the children earlier in the day next year and that is good news! - Janet G