Home

Well, we made it home safe and on time. No real issues coming back, but it was about 26 hours from hotel to front door. We had a bunch of great folks meet us at the airport. Now it looks like it is facebook time. There are pictures and friend requests flying left and right.

We look forward to gather pictures and videos and be able to share some of the tremendous things God did in Brazil and in the oneChurch team. I think we have some new Brazil regulars for next year. It was a huge honor and privilege to go with these guys and gals. Each one was a blessing.

Thanks to all that supported us in ANY way! When you see us, ask us about what happened. You made a difference in a lot of lives.

By the Numbers

We had a terrific church service last night as expected. Lots of folks showed up. There were some kids there that we had built relationships with at VBS throughout the week. Lots of tearful goodbyes. We leave in a few hours for the long bus ride to the airport, then fly out tonight for the US. Here are some numbers to hold you over for more pictures later.

2: number of chuhascarias (sp?) eaten

5: number of ice creams eaten

60: approximate number of VBS kids, day 1

225: approximate number of bibles personally delivered

47: number of times we were served cake

225: numer of bibles delivered to church for distribution throughout this summer

24: travel hours, one way

70: approximate number of VBS kids, day 2

1: number of "etc" experienced by our team (Stinky)

80: approximate number of VBS kids, day 3

2: number of bus drivers (so far)

136: number of VBS kids, day 4

27: number of kids saved Friday night

3: number of oneChurch team to share faith for first time to stranger

3: number of oneChurch team to have someone accept from their sharing

4: number of shower head sabotage victims

368: number of bathroom ants

We had Church this Morning

We had a great church service this morning. Jill and Kristen gave a story. Todd, Ryan, Luke and Brandie gave testimonies. Brandie knocked it out of the park. Paul gave a message. We were excited that about 50 Brazilians came as the morning service is usually very poorly attended. We saw folks there that we had invited while passing out bibles that had never been there before. Of course most of you saw that Kristie and Hannah video-ed into the morning oneChurch service.

After church, we handed out bibles again for a few hours as more people are home today. We had been given lots of oneChurch Brazil team t-shirts to give away. We gave those away after this morning's service to the people that came. Half of them put them on right then and went with us to hand out bibles! My team was Ryan, Hannah, Kristie, Brandie, and Stinky (aka "Carlee"). Stinky got some pictures of us handing them out. When I get a couple I will post and you can see what that looks like - quite different from your neighborhood.

We are about to go to church again. This is the big service and will be very emotional for many people. This is where we say most of our goodbyes and it will not be easy.

Odds and Ends

Hopefully here will be a few interesting things for you to read as we wait for a few others to send in some good words and pictures. It is harder to keep this up to date this time around because of our late night schedules.

Last night's VBS:

We had 136 kids show up for our last night! That is a great number for a Friday night - or any night. As best we can figure, 27 preteens and teenagers made a profession of faith that was obvious and forthcoming. At least twice that many prayed without us knowing the true impact. Three of our group excitedly shared with us that this trip was the first time they shared their faith with a stranger. Three (not necessarily the same three) also shared that this was the first time that someone accepted that message from their sharing!

From a classroom a few days ago:

Leah, Luke and myself (Cory) went to a classroom of young teenagers to share with them along with our translator. Only moments into it there was some student conversation and then some giggling while I was talking. When I asked what was said, the interpreter told me that the kids said Leah and Luke were pretty. And without missing a beat, she added "But they didn't say anything about you."

Tonight:

Tonight we went to a farm for a thank you cook-out in our honor. It was wonderful because we experienced some exceptional hospitality and generosity. One of our dear friends brought his trike motorcycle and gave us the keys. We took turns riding and driving into the country and back until it got dark. We ended by spending about an hour joking with each other, then we kind of migrated into singing - taking turns in each language. It was extremely moving.

Church:

We will be going to church in the morning and will be sharing testimonies and singing. Paul will have a message. In the evening, we will go to church again. Remember, that in Brazil, the bigger service is the evening service. Paul will have the message again and we are expecting a very large crowd. (We will be handing out bibles door-to-door between services. If you personally know someone who is on this trip, you should ask them about some of their super cool experiences while doing this.)

Hotel:

The hotel staff made us a cake today and decorated it with "One Church Team". They are very aware of what makes us different (and we do not take credit for that) and always watching us. It is a blessing to have impacts like these that are a result of how well we are getting along and how much people see that we love each other.

Okay - hopefully some others will be able to share tomorrow. Night, night.

Stay Tuned...

Last night’s VBS was a huge success. There were 136 children in attendance! We told them about the gift of salvation that Jesus offers, by using our “Cubes” - a tool with pictures that helps us explain. We played games and sang a few songs with them and followed up with bracelets with colored beads that help them remember what the Bible says about Jesus’ free gift. There are many stories from our team, and we are working on collecting them for the blog later this afternoon. Thank you for your prayers; God is answering!

Jill

VBS Pics

The following pictures are from our Vacation Bible School. The mayor of Bady Bissett gave us permission to use a public gym, and that has been a true blessing as it is late fall in Brazil and the people are cold. Last night it was raining and cold, even to our team. Our Brazilian friends were concerned that we might not have many children show up, but we had over 80 students attend!

Our team had many good conversations, and six young men accepted Jesus as their savior! We are hoping that many more come tonight; we have made lots of connections with children and teens in the local schools.

Today we are returning to a school to visit with their 12^th graders. This is a very difficult age to talk to, but so far this is the age that God has given us the greatest favor with. Please pray that all the students will listen today and hear the Good News.

God bless you, Jill

Wednesday Night VBS

Wednesday was an amazing day. It is all too easy to get caught up in the commotion, fun, and hecticness going on all around us and lose sight of the real reason we are here. But even in the middle of all the craziness, God has made His presence very real and very known.

I had the privilege of leading three young men into God's Kingdom - into the beginning of a life-changing journey. Jon Vito and his two amigos are now on the same path of grace that has transformed my life. And as they begin this journey, my own is being renewed. Faith is the only thing that I know of that actually grows the more you give it away.

It is critical to me, friends, that I make it clear that it was not through any actions of my own that these men chose to follow Christ, however, I am very much honored and more than humbled that God chose me to be His messenger.

Thank you for reading and blessings to all,

Stephen

VBS Rocked Tonight!

Today we visited a public school in Bady Bissett. We divided into four teams with interpreters, so that we could talk to as many students as possible. The students and teachers were very receptive to hear what we had to say. We were able to present the gospel to most of the students and teachers. They asked many thoughtful questions about how to be saved and if there were other ways to God. We had the privilege to tell them how to accept Jesus as their savior and that He is the only way! We also invited all of the students to Vacation Bible School, which we are hosting near the church in a gym each evening at 7:30pm. We were able to leave a Bible with each teacher.

After school we all went door to door with Bibles and invitations to church. We divided into the same four teams and took off with a map of the area near the church. Each team had a “reporter” so that Pastor Daniel, will know which homes have a Bible and their response to our visit. Many of us were invited into homes to pray with people who are hurting. Stephen said this afternoon as we met back at the home of Lillian and Daniel, “that it’s very moving to stand beside someone you cannot speak to because of a language barrier, but know beyond any doubt that you will see them in heaven.”

This evening we hosted VBS at the local gym that is next door to the church. We had a great turn out and most parents stayed to watch. This was our second night and our lesson was about the miracles of Jesus. Our hope is to give the children and their parents a real picture of our Savior. Our interpreters do an amazing job translating our words so that the people can understand. Please pray for their voices and their strength. We also sang a few kid-friendly songs, played some games, served cookies and tang, and made a craft. The kids loved it and we are praying they will be back with friends tomorrow night.

Thank you for your prayers!

Love, Jill

A Message before VBS

Today was another amazing day in Brazil. God has been using our team in so many ways, I am seeing not only the Brazilians blessed but our team as well. Todd is so great with connecting with the local people in a way only he could. He has a heart for people and a faith that he is proud to share. Luke is a giant here, a giant in so many ways. His love for God is so evident in the way he speaks to people. He brings so much to the team. We all have comfort zones and God is breaking them down quickly. He has given Luke the confidence to share his love for Jesus no matter the language. Steven has a testimony that would bring a tear to the toughest man and he is so eager to tell people about the saving grace of his savior. Kristie is such a joy to be around and the kids - well let me just tell you we may not get her to leave. Hannah has to have a tracking bracelet on her at all times she is apt to up and run off with the bus loaded with kids at any moment!!! Please continue to pray for us daily that God gives us the words to speak and the people to receive his word.

To God be the Glory

Ryan

First Night of VBS

Well tonight could not have gotten much more special. We had about 60 kids come for the first night. That is great because our experience tells us that that number goes up by about that amount with each passing night we are here. All the ladies were swarmed by little girls. Everyone on the team participated hard and ventured outside their comfort zone. Leah schooled the fellows in a soccer game and already has goupies. Carly was well remembered from her last trip by the interpreters and already knows several new young girls by name. Kayla said the school talks were so moving that she is determine to smuggle some kids home with her. Brandi has not hesitated to do anything that is asked of her and seems to think the rest of us are nuts. Ryan, Stephen, and Luke are roommates and one-upped each other all day until at supper they each ate fish eye balls. That is not a typo. Kristie doesn't seem to tire out like some of the rest of us and you wouldn't know that she hadn't been here before. Kristen has had to get on to the rest of us guys a few times but she laughs hard and is so positive about everything. Hannah got to be the lead speaker in our only kindergarten class today - oh she was in her element! Todd will push you out of the way to get to the kids - he is so good with them. Paul is doing a great job as usual herding cats and being flexible. We all appreciate the extra 'on' that he has to be for everyone. This is only the third trip in 10 years for some of us where we had some rain. And the only one where we were chilly a few times. But it is great!

The kids have been so easy to love. They have been hungry for our attention. They have been asking lots of questions about us and our home. But all day long, from different classes, the only consistent question from all of them was why we would come all this way just to see them in this little town. It breaks your heart to see how they think of themselves or their position - but that question leaves us wide open to share some great news with them!

Well, VBS went long and by the time we got to eat and be back in our room, it is almost 1am. So, good night for now!