Things are going great. Everyone having a great time. I know that I mentioned more than once that one of my goals for this trip is to push your students out of their comfort zone and to teach them something new about themselves. Well, this group is challenging me in this area. They are all jumping right into every challenge they are being given without hesitation and exceeded my expectations.We are still not having any issues finding people to present testimonies or to share the gospel through some form or another. Every student has shared their story at one point or another (many several times even).
Tuesday we did visit downtown Sao Paulo again and there was some exposure to some pretty dismal conditions. Appreciation for life and what they each have will not be an issue for your students when they return. We walked through one favela that even scares me a little when I walk through it and everyone did great. In another favela we had an interesting event that just kind of happened without plan. We were outside the hut we use for services as there was a woman's Bible study taking place on the inside. Somehow David ended up with a borrowed guitar from one of the residents and we begin to sing in the streets (dirt path) and kids and adults from the community gathered around and next thing we knew there was a concert taking place. I will let the students give you the details of the event and what was taking place around us at the same time! (don't worry, they were safe).
Your students have been exposed to some real world stuff this week. It will be interesting to see how it is all digested. I apologize up front, but I will not be bringing the same people back with me that I left Smyrna with. This group has been as impacted as any group I have ever seen. They are all doing great.
I am going to break mold this time and call out individuals for what I have been most impressed with. The four returning students have done an excellent job of preparing the first time students for the trip. Samantha Scott, Jordan Prewitt, Ryan Tidwell, and Chris Loveless also have developed as individuals exponentially since last week. They all four did an excellent job with testimonies and sharing the gospel. Taylor Thompson and Lizzy Campbell are work horses that have jumped right into the environment and are shining brightly. Callie Mills jumped right in the quickest and is first to volunteer for any and every thing. Jordan Owens is a natural with the kids and has absolutely fallen in love with the people here. I asked her yesterday if she was still scared of the lice situation and she just said "what lice?" Taylor Simpson was the slowest to share her testimony and to talk in front of people, but when she did step up, wow, it was great. She had tears everywhere as she shared what God has done for her (mom be proud). Amy Adkins is probably the quietest of the bunch, but is in the middle of everything as well. She just takes it all in and throws herself into the middle of whatever just to make sure she is making a difference. Randle Alignamath is a young man that does not hesitate to share his believes with anyone and has a passion for Christ that is unmatched for his age. Mariah Suri is another awesome young lady that has embraced Brazil and its people with full force. She is having an awesome time and enjoying every minute of every day. Parents be as proud as I am because this group is exceeding expectations.
The connection is still too slow to upload pictures. I will try every time I can and hopefully one day I can get some pictures posted, but don't worry, each of you will see more than you care to see once your student returns.