Ola por favor! (Hello, please!) This is a common phrase used by Southbound in Brazil, mostly because we just don’t understand the language too well!
They say pictures are worth a thousand words and speak louder than words (or is it actions). Well, either way, pictures capture the action… So, without further a due, dum-dum-dum! (That’s the sound of drama) Presenting (for your viewing pleasure): A short, Yellow team photo montage of Ubatuba – Brazil.
Nelster: our fearless leader has this to say:; our part (in the body) only becomes significant when we step into it. And of course “ acai should be a food group”
Tiaan: money man/ frog/ sausage boy (according to lainey) has appropriately labeled himself as: the geek of the team and lets not forget gadget boy/ ultimate tourist. What he has to say: disunity is but a symptom and if we address the cause (which ultimately is our relationship with God) then it’s a natural outflow (paraphrased)
Lainey: me casa su casa, she has to say: there is a difference between sharing and giving: giving does not always require the development of relationships but sharing demand that we give of ourselves but also learn to receive and as we do this relationship develops naturally (paraphrased)
Max: "If you don't live on the edge you just take up space". "Praise is the key to shifting the focus from you to God, my word I am continually Blown away that a perfect God uses imperfect people to do His will. When we walk on His truth we will walk on impossibilities because we have the power that raised Jesus from the dead inside of us, why cos He makes His home in us! INSANE and totally epic!
Setting the scene
Our house in the middle of the streets...at times you could have sworn that it was a laundromat...
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So that's us and our humble abode... now for some of the things we got up to:)
Filling in the details
Building relationships with our fellow brazilians often entailed some fantastic outings, exploring the vibrant town of Ubatuba. we met some interesting folks along the way and were able to develop relationships that have had lasting impact on our lives as well as theirs (by the grace of God), all the while God taught us so much about hearing His voice and following in his footsteps.
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We had the privilege of celebrating Tellly's 18th birthday with her. We ate a meal at louis' (a church friend) house...very interesting :) We were super spoilt on Lainey's birthday as well, lots of ice-cream and meat. yum!
Ministry
- on fridays we would go to the drug rehab affiliated with Agape church and spend the morning and afternoon with them. we worshiped together, prayed, preached the word, and had bible study with them. God moved incredibly and brought so much freedom in the lives of the men that we met. they sure did teach us a thing or too about soccer and ping pong :)
- we also had the opportunity to minister in the church with drama's and dances
- School ministy entailed us going to a school and doing a programme with them. God really blew our minds, 20 of the kids gave their hearts to the Lord for the first time and we were able to link them with the church. Many of them came to youth the following night. we also had a divine appointment with a little lady on the way back from the school, she really blessed us with money for lunch and a few odds and ends.
- We were also given the opportunity to go to an Indian tribe in the rain forest. The creation story was told for the first time, we baked them some bread, played soccer in the rain and sang with the kids.
In conclusion
The past three weeks have been transformative for us as a team but also as individuals, Each of us on the same journey but at different stages. D groups have played an important role in God challenging us further in unity and teaching us practical ways of living and loving as a body. Ubatuba has been the perfect place for us to grow in this area as it has afforded us the opportunity of developing relationships, ministering through these and walking out the lessons that we have learnt. Though we have had the opportunity to see God move in ministering in large groups God has taught us the most about the value of evangelizing through one on one relationships and discipleship ( like Jesus did and taught). It’s always a struggle because there seems to be no tangible outcome, like if you were to do a work project, but God has showed us that the effects are lasting and the value is eternal. Plus it’s a whole bunch of fun!
As a team we are sad to say goodbye to our family here but we are more than certain that God is going to continue the work that he has started in them (and us), and we could pretty much guarantee that many of you will get to meet them when they come and visit us in Africa do sulJ though it has been a challenging road where we have made mistakes we are certain that we will learn and grow from these…and move from strength to strength in Jesus name!
We have already begun praying for Colombia and God has already stirred up an excitement and expectation in our hearts for Fusagasuga, for He will (because He says He willand we are more than willing) move in incredible ways! We will be involved in more practical ministry so we will be putting our digging shoes on and getting down and dirty with some hard labour. We will link up with a missions organization there that has already organized accommodation for us (thanks Lord). We are the first team going there so first impressions are important; we really want to be his hands and feet and do this with excellence.
Please pray for us for:
- the faith to walk in His promises
- unity
- endurance and rest as we move into debrief
- safe travels (as the team is being split up and some of us get to go to peru as a stop over)
- finances for the rest of the trip
- that we would believe God for miracles
para Deus nada E impossivel (with God nothing is impossible)
Deus abencoe (God bless)
Paz (peace) out
Yellow team