We Must Go

Day 6 Update....

The service at Gleba-B last night was one of the best I have ever experienced there. The music was right for the service. The place was packed beyond anything ever see before. We had about 150 people in a room about 12' x 25', and that was with the front of the room set up for the band/singers! The testimonies of the students tonight were absolutely AWESOME! God was speaking through the hearts of some young adults last night. Ryan Arms had the room he was in in tears, the whole room, and he was speaking to teens that live in one of the roughest environments in the world. Lifepoint has done an awesome job with the youth ministry! The teens of our church are some of the most prepared teens of any church out there.

Every group that I have brought down here as had its own uniqueness and all groups are special in their own way. This team's trademark to me will be its passion for God and love for evangelism. Everyone is eager to volunteer for testimonies and opportunities to evangelize to people. This group has been the most active group with evangelism by far. And to keep that in perspective, all groups have done an excellent job with this in the past. I think the path this team has taken to get here helped with that passion. The delay from the March group, the visa issues, and just the amount of time they have waited (almost a full year), all has played a role in the maturity level of this group. Just to make sure this fact is not overlooked either, the sharing and leadership of the teams from the past has also played an important role with the preparedness of this team. THANKS to all who have contributed.

Today we wrapped up the last of the classroom time together. We discussed how reaching your life goals is a process and that the process is driven by your thoroughness of navigating through that process. It was good information for the future leaders of the church! We have also done some misc. light construction type work around the property. Emily Johnson and Brianna Parrish are here with me at the library creating an AMO facebook page to help take the communication between AMO and its extended family! Look for an invite to this page or contact someone to help receive an invite. We are only 3 hours from the last church service of the week. Everyone is looking forward to tonight and seeing some of their new friends (but sad as they also know it is the last time they will see some of those new friends).

We are at a time in the trip that I never know whether or not it is my last blog or not. If this is the last you hear from me, then see you Sunday morning as I bring back your new young adults. Be proud of them all. I will try to blog at least one more time to let you know we are on the way. Here are a few more pics of the week.

  

Emily Johnson (she is in Brazil doing an internship for 2 months)

 

This is the Towers community from a distance. It is a rough area. This is the area getting bulldozed that I mentioned in earlier post.

Cameron painting at Gleba-B, our youngest traveler this time.

Cameron's helper!

April with two of Gleba-B's future leaders!

 
Chase and one of his new friends!

 
The bar your students hung out in one afternoon! Really!   
 
 
 

Day 5 Update....

Everything still going really well. Tuesday the team spent the day in Sao Paulo working in a couple of favelas. We started the day in the Towers area that many of the ppl who have been here know well. It was a depressing day as the residents of the community were dealing with city attorneys that were there to give the residents the details of having their community destroyed with bulldozers later this week. It was really emotional watching the people react in different ways. Some were angry, some were in shock, some were depressed, but just knowing they were being forced out of a slum area out into the street was not an easy thought to handle. The students did get to see REAL poverty on Tuesday as well. Let's just say that the emotions finally started to surface. I will let them share the stories when they return, but yesterday was the day where life change for many of them.

Last night the guys went and held a mens Bible study in the home of one of the members of the AMO home church. It was an enjoyable evening that ALL the guys enjoyed a lot.

Today we are back in Campinos at Gleba-B. Again the emotions are flowing today. The digesting of the reality of this trip is in full swing. We have service tonight here and will make it home around midnight. Another 18 hour day.

Everyone is doing well and your pride in your students should be swelling right now. Everyone sends their wishes and love to their family and they are all grateful for all that was done to allow this trip to be a reality.

Day 3 Update....

Hello everyone, a quicker than expected update. Our visit to Gleba-B yesterday was as awesome as always. To see the children of the community grow more and more with each visit is such an awesome privilege. The students on this trip jumped right in and ran with the torch left behind with the past groups. The relationship with the Gleba-B community and Lifepoint is simply put, confusing to me at times. Both are about as opposite as possible in every way in the world, except one, the love of Christ. The common bond with AMO has created a partnership that can only be understood if you have personally been to Gleba-B. GOD is awesome and has a great sense of humor!

During the service last night the team did a great job with the worship arts. Kaleb, Morgan, and Brianna did a great job leading the program, and the rest of the team was awesome in support by singing aloud and praising God and leading the Brazilians by letting God speak through them with their actions. After that part the church broke into 4 groups; adults, teens, and 2 kids groups. Everyone joined in with one of the groups and shared testimonies and stories. Everyone in this group is doing awesome at stepping up to the plate and sharing their testimonies or volunteering to do whatever is needed. The Brazilians always enjoy the stories from the Americans, and the Americans always enjoy hearing from the Brazilians as well. The skits, crafts, and candy have been the usual huge hit. The team is doing really well.

This morning we had reflection time where we shared the feelings and thoughts of the first 2 days in Brazil. The team has a very sound grasp of what is going on and how God is using them here and why they are here. What an honor it is for me to be able to share these moments with so many Lifepointers! After reflection time we spent about 2 hours doing some evangelism training conducted by the AMO team. It was an awesome experience. They have a new tool they use to open doors and opportunities so they can share the gospel and bring people to Christ. It has been very effective thus far and appears to be something they will use for years. Currently Pete, David, and myself are at the public library using the internet while everyone else is enjoying a couple of hours of downtime before we go out into another community to practice this new evangelism tool.

Pray continuously for your students and the team as a whole. Great things are still ahead for them to experience. The emotions are just beginning to surface!

A few pics of first two days......

  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Finally, an UPDATE!!!!!! Day one and two.....

We are all safe and sound in Brazil. Currently at Gleba-B in Campinos for Sunday night service. Sorry we did not get an update out last night, but I spent 2 hours trying to connect to internet and finally gave up about 1AM. We are having problems connecting to the internet on the property so it took coming to the city to get a connection. All is going better than expected. That first 40 hour window still amazes me in how much we get done and how busy it is.

Travels went very well, about as smooth as possible. We were actually early arriving in Brazil. Immigration went slow this trip, but customs was not a big issue. The entire process took about 75 minutes, which is slower than usual, but no where near the worse experience I have ever encountered with the process.

The weather has been awesome so far. When we landed it was overcast and high 50's. It was no longer raining so we were able to visit all areas as planned. As promised, 2 hours off the plane and the team was right in the middle of The Towers (favela community). The team split into 2 teams; with one doing the children services and the other walking the community and visiting homes. The youth team did an awesome job sharing the story of Noah through skit and craft. The evangelism team visited homes and was able to take part in a new way of sharing the gospel along with the Evange-a-cube. I will let them share the details of the visiting personally when they return home. as we walked into the first favela community I did my usual routine of following the team in and watch the faces of the first time students and listening to their comments when I get the chance to speak one on one. The comments and reactions are always the same. The reality of what is experienced here can not be explained in any words or emotions. Everyone did really well and you should all be proud of the entire team.

We had the usual lunch on the sidewalk along side the Wal-mart. Those of you that have been here have the visual image of what I am talking about, those that have not been here, the lunch at Wal-mart is worth the trip by itself. The drive home saw nothing but a bunch of people sleeping as it appears that no one slept any at all on the plane.

It was chilly last night (almost cold) which resulted in perfect sleeping conditions. Church went well this morning with a larger than normal crowd as the weather was very clear and warm outside. Plenty of soccer and playing with kids. We did the usual serving of lunch to the church family. We are now in Gleba-B. The all time favorite place of everyone from Lifepoint!!! We have plenty of hugs and gifts to share with residents here from our Lifepoint family.

I will try to share pictures after I post this, but not sure the connection is strong enough to upload. If not, I will get the pictures posted as soon as I get a chance.

Be proud of the team and your students or family members here. Every person in the group is stepping up and doing their part willingly. A very good group! I will get an update out as soon as I can and hopefully in the next day or two.

Here We Come

The July 2010 high school trip part 2 is under way. We are currently in Houston awaiting our connecting flight to Sao Paulo. No issues at Nashville airport. Group did really well leaving this morning. Thanks to the families and friends of those on this trip. This trip has 17 people going; 10 students, 8 adults (including David and Todd), 8 returning and 9 newbies! We also had 2 first time fliers (and no one got sick so that is always a relief).

Pray daily for the group and for those we will encounter. Taking this trip with the students is still a privilege that I have been Blessed with and I still enjoy is as much as the first group. Lifepoint is changing the DNA of the church through the teens of the church and being in a position to see the transition has been amazing. It has also been as exciting to watch the AMO group grow and mature as well.

Short and sweet for this first trip blog. Be proud of your students and your church. You will be very excited to meet the person that returns from this trip and all your worries will be worth every ounce.

2010 HS Trip Summary

Another very successful trip for the Brazil team at Lifepoint. Lives were changed on both ends and new friendships that will last a lifetime were made. If you had a family member on this trip (or any other trip in the future) understand the need for time to digest this trip upon returning home. Coming home after spending 8 days (and 2 long nights on a plane) in the environment encountered on this trip can have an impact on you. The first few days back are sometimes difficult to accept and fitting your new perspective on life into your old lifestyle can be difficult.

To the students I had the chance to become friends with on this trip, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I was very impressed with this team and am so excited to see how you will change the world. Be proud of your parents for letting you take this trip and making i possible.

To the adults that went on the trip and I also got to know for the first time, or a little better, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart as well. I know this trip had impact on you as well, but do not forget the impact you had on the students as well. Your leadership was appreciated and "influential" in the lives of the next generation.

To my 9 year old son, Hayden. This was your 4th trip and watching you interact with the teams and the Brazilian friends you have made down there is a privilege. I am proud of you, not just for down there, but for the way you prepare for the trips, the way you share the trips with others when you return, and the way I have watched the trips make you a better person. No parent can be prouder.

To the parents of the students; be proud of yourself. This was an opportunity for your child that many of you probably never had yourself as a child. This was probably one of the top ten investment moments you will ever make in your child's life. Be proud for loving your student enough to make this possible.

Please contact me anytime you need to for information in this trip or any future trip.

2010 trip.....Friday edition

Let the tears begin. We left Gleba-B today for the final time. This is the favela that AMO has been in the longest. It is also where most of the close relationships are at with the trips and the embrace-a-child program. Most of your students developed very close friendships with people in this community this week and saying goodbye to these friends is always very hard. It was realistic to see a few students break down in tears and a brokenness feeling as they left there new friends behind in a world that is unmanageable to think of someone living in, much less leaving someone behind that you care about.

We have reflection time at least every other day during these trips. This is a time where we share experiences and stories with one another to help the digestion process of all that is taken in every day down here. Tonight's reflection time was outside around a camp fire. It is always an enjoyable evening/experience that we end each week with. Again, this group is very level headed and hearing their perspectives about the week was encouraging and very enjoyable. There is a group of young adults returning to Smyrna as new people and with new perspectives on life. As parents/family you should be proud of yourself for allowing your student this experience. I promise you that the trip is worth the price of admission.

We have been able to share a few cultural experiences during this trip as well. Last Monday evening we went to a Brazilian pizzeria. That was an experience that I am sure you will hear about and see pictures of as well. I am sure you will hear about the ice cream pizza! Wednesday we had lunch at a Brazilian churrascaria. Same here as for pictures and stories. Tonight after the reflection camp fire we went into downtown Campo Limpo to eat (X tudo), a sandwich that is a walking heart attack. There is also the driving around in the bus and just seeing the cities and the people.

Chow for now. Again, be as proud of your students as I am. This may be my last post before we leave, therefore if so, we will see you Sunday morning at the airport. I will try to post again tomorrow before we leave for the airport here. I am thinking of posting a top 10 list of things that happened this week, but I was too afraid to post for fear of you misunderstanding the level of safety for your student. Hmmmm. There are stories to share that helped your students grow a little this week. Oti Logo (see you later in Brazilian Portuguese).

 

2010 trip update.....Thursday edition

What a blessing to get another chance to blog again so soon. Things are still going great. The emotions are beginning to surface as everyone realizes that the end of the week is near. I hope the pics posted earlier were appreciated as they did represent the environment your students have been operating in this week. Next week be prepare to offer some emotional support as the students begin to digest the week and go through a debrief period. They deserve the support and help I promise. 

Tonight we had our last church service of the week, and today we got to share some time with a class from an English speaking school. Your students were on fire for both opportunities and once again excelled at sharing the gospel with non-believers. The testimonies have been strong this week, probably the strongest we have ever had down here with one of these trips. That does need to be contributed to all other groups however, as well as the AMO team here in Brasil (the s is correct, it is only spelled with a z outside of Brasil). One of the things we do at the end of each trip is debrief the trip looking for ways to improve the next trip. As a result of these debriefings, the testimony training on the front side of these trips has been much more effective. Thanks to everyone who has taken part in this activity, your efforts and input are paying dividends.

We had our second (and final) seminary class today. This week we have focused on leadership and leading by influencing others. The discussions have been great. There has been plenty of input and discussion concerning the topics. Just another sign of the maturity level of this group. God is going to do great things through each and every one of these young adults just because they have put their "Yes" on the table. Their commitment is second to none. One thing that the students were challenged with today is the importance that college will play on their development as great leaders for the church and God''s kingdom. We also discussed being prepared for the challenges that college offers with letting the enemy impact their lives. I think this group is well prepared mentally, emotionally, and mostly spiritually for the college life. That has come from two factors: home and church.

We had the privilege of witnessing two young men that have recently surrendered their lives to God and who are on fire for Christ do something unheard of tonight. They walked 28 miles to be at church with the group and with AMO. They were exhausted and famished once they arrived. What an inspiration they were for our team. Fatigue is beginning to set in for our group as the week wears on, but these two young men gave us all an instant shot of energy. I thought it was ironic that we discussed leadership through influence this morning and before the end of the day God provided a perfect example from two very unlikely sources. God is great isn't He?

Here are a couple more pics. Be as proud of your students as I am.

 

   

 

 
 

Pics