Oi from Brazil!

Hello everyone! This is Tina... The kids here call me "China" (pronounced chee-nah). And Gabe has decided that if they can call me that, he is going to call me "Asia Minor" haha

Anyhow, and update from yesterday... We woke up really early (7 am) and went and had our quiet times outside. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! It was freezing cold! You could see your breath... and there was a gorgeous mist in the sky! The perfect scenery for our talks with God! It was then time for breakfast and as Alissa said yesterday... we had our bread and coffee or hot chocolate. We all met in the chapel afterwards and Pastor Derli split up the children into teams and the kids got to choose which "Americanos" that they wanted to be in their group. Team Verde (Green) chose Bill and myself! The competition began shortly after with different activities, sports and games. The Brazillians are EXTREMELY competetive! (Especially the Meninos... boys) We played one game where two players from each team had to carry the rest of the team across the field on a carpet one at a time. When it came time to choose who would be teh "carriers" all you could here were shouts of "AMERICANOS AMERICANOS!!" So as you can imagine- Jordan, Ryan, Bill, Chad and Caleb had a WONDERFUL time carrying 20 Brazillians and a few Americans about the length of half of a football field!! (sarcasm inserted!) They all took it like champs but were very tired the rest of the day.

The Children here have been so welcoming. I can´t even count the number of hugs and kisses they have given us since we arrived here! It amazes me to see the joy in their faces. They´ve been through so much and have so little, yet they still have incredible attitudes! They are so content! I can´t help but think back to the people in Boca Raton who have everything they could possibly want or need yet they have no joy- no graditude. We are so blessed and these kids are teaching me that every day!

I know for sure that God is working here in so many ways:
1.) He has completely broken down the language barrier. The kids are so interested in what we have to say. They try so hard to communicate with us. Every single one of them have patience with us and try to act out with gestures what they are saying so that we can have a conversation. It seems now that after 4 days with these kids it doesn't even matter that we speak different languages. We know exactly what eachother is trying to communicate.

2.) Our diverse group had really bonded and everyone has a unique purpose/place here in Brazil. God had a reason for each of us coming here. Benahia and Livia have been translating INCREDIBLY! Linda has even picked up with translating for Hilario (our Spanish-speaking friend). Joanne has been able to use her Spanish to communicate with the kids and it~s been a huge help. Justin, JP, Caleb & ALL the guys have been great with playing sports with all the children... they love having the attention from the "Americanos". Chad and Gabe have been around to make us all laugh and make the kids laugh! Melissa and Annie have had a blast getting up with the Brazillians and learning there dances! Bill, Ryan and Matt have stepped into their roles with teaching and they are doing a wonderful job! Alissa has been amazing with planning all the morning games and activities and Samantha has been a huge help to her. Everyone has a unique role here and each is equally important to making it all run together smoothly.

3.) God has made the impossible... POSSIBLE! We didn't have a praise band established before we left. Then Pastor Alvarado came to me yesterday and said, " You ready to sing tonight?" and i thought to myself... NO WAY! We haven´t practiced one time! We can´t do this! But by Gõd´s grace (and the help of our new friend Pastor William) We were able to practice and it turned out to me an amazing night. Everyone was out of their
comfort zone: Gabe playing piano for the first time, & Chad on Guitar for the first time, Melissa Annie and Myself singing in a language we didn´t understand! God was there! He made it work! And it really touched the children.

After the worship Chad and I each shared our testimony. The kids are always so excited to hear our stories. In fact, at lunch today they asked Pastor Alvarado who whould be speaking tonight! They are just so excited! Matt spoke for his first time last night and gave in incredbile message on Faith. I really believe he found his calling! HE has such a way with words and the Brazillina children were so receptive of what he had to say! After the servive we had out hot tea... said our goodnights and went to get some much needed rest!

Thank you so much for all of your comments! We love hearing from you all! You have been such an encouragement to us! We all love and miss you!

-Tina

PS- Hi mom! I miss you too! See you in a week and a half! Tell Aunt Kathy that Chad is safe and I am making him take lots of pictures!! And Jess- The diet coke with lemon is AMAZING!!! LOVE YOU ALL!