Boy´s turn for the Spotlight

Bom Dia!
This is Linda :-) ... We came in to town this morning to use the internet because there´s only one computer in the camp and we didn´t want to use that one too long so that others can use it. Let me tell all of you about our wonderful day yesterday.

Well, everymorning we have an amazing time with our groups having a devotional. Eventhough it´s in Portuguese we are able to understand the Lord´s teachings.

We get to drink the best hot chocolate I´ve ever tasted for breakfast. Right after breakfast the girls had to pack up again and drag their luggage accross camp because the night before, we plugged the hair drier and blew a fuse which caused us to lose electricity. (Hey we don´t wake up looking this beautiful... we have to work for perfection... just kidding)
So they gave us a new room but in there, we had no water. We just can´t have our cake and eat it too?!?! When we finally got ALL of the HEAVY bags to the new room, the electricity came back in the old room. Figures... We are learning to survive with one bathroom and 9 girls, and sometimes Freezing cold Showers, or a long line for a not so pleasent smelling bathroom experiences, If you will, but you get the picture.

Alissa did a wonderful job (once again) with the games for the children, and they absolutely loved it! She introduced them to the suitcase game and balloon pop game (where i injured my tailbone while trying to pop it. Ouch!) Justin and Ryan organized the kickball and the dodgeball tournaments. The kids took winning seriously, they are very competative but still manage to enjoy the games.

I spent some time working on my testimony during the free time so that i can share it at the evening service. Pastor Alvarado had told us that for dinner we had to dress for Wacky Tacky Night and the winner was named the most ridiculous person (also to earn points for our team). At first, none of the "American" girls wanted to participate because we felt we would be the only ones dressed silly. but we did anyways. We tried to come up with unique outfits but when we saw all of the children dressed up for the contest we were shocked at how much effort they put with the little they had. They used mud and toothpaste to paint their faces, tree branches on their hair, and ripped clothes stuffed with pillows.
All of us girls looked like 80´s rejects and Jordan (the only Americano that participated) dressed up like a Giant tree giving their team enough points to win. Between him and Caleb, they are the loudest and the most team spirited group leaders.
I think that was the funnest event I´ve ever experienced!!


The praise and worship in Portuguese has been so touching. It amazes me how the children really get into Praising the Lord with all of their energy. Pastor William was nice enough to translate the songs for us in English. After that we went outside for a real treat. They made a bonfire where Jordan and I gave our testimonies and Ryan Spoke about the Life of Job and overcoming trials. At the end he made an altar call where he invited anyone to come up that wanted to turn their lives over to Christ. I´d never given my testimony in front of a lot of people but it felt great to share my life´s experiences with them in hopes that they can relate.


Tonight is our last night with the meninos and meninas from Cidade dos Meninos and we will be crying our eyes out!! :-( We made wonderful friendships and it´s going to be hard to say goodbye. They´ve already commented all day asking if we are coming back next year.

Please keep us in your prayers because some of us are getting colds, stomach aches, allergy attacks, lack of bathroom visits (me and Tina.. ask us when we get back.. Hehe. Oh, and pastor Luis too.) Also, pray for our trip tomorrow to Vitoria. We will be leaving at 6:30 (5:30 your time) and meeting up with the college group from Livia and Benahia´s church for a weekend retreat.

Mom, Dad and Samuelito, I miss you guys and am praying for you. Also you Monet :-). It´s been a wonderful experience that I will never forget and i can´t wait to come home and share the fun stories with you. Jason, I love you and miss you like crazy and I hope to see you at the airport on the 31 (our 9 month aniversary) . I hope you can take me to a nice restaurant so i can eat a big meal with a salad and steak and cheesecake. Thank you for your support and prayers because without you guys and everyone at Boca church, I wouldn´t of had this wonderful trip. I LOVE YOU ALL...
GOD BLESS!!!!

Linda