Travel and Reflection

Today we packed our bags, said good-bye to our new friends from Itaobim & Itinga, and loaded the bus for the trip to Governador Valadares. We made lifelong friends in those cities, and we will never forget how they changed our lives. Pastor Bras was there in the morning as well, and as he said good-bye he was visibly moved by the work we had put into the people of his church. However, it was the people of the church that did the biggest work in us. Our team left Itaobim & Itinga forever changed and with a true love for the people and country of Brazil.

We travel five hours by bus to Governador Valadares. On the bus many caught up on much needed sleep, while other played games, or had wonderful discussions about how God had worked in their life over the trip so far. We arrived at a much anticipated restaurant..Espeto Churrascaria..loosy translated "lots of different meat on sticks served to you as fast as you can eat it". The team enjoyed a large salad bar, fresh meat of all kinds, and even our own vegetarian, Emily, ate a chicken heart from off the stick. Lastly we enjoyed BBQ pineapple with cinnamon, and then waddled out to the bus for the hotel.

Across for the hotel is a park where we sat and reflected on the first part of our trip. Over the past three days our team was split into four smaller teams: two evangelism teams that worked in Itaobim, and two construction teams that went to Itinga. Each team leader shared the highlights of what they accomplished and then each team member shared as well. Over the course of almost two hours many tears were shed and stories told that opened our eyes to God's master plan in this trip that went way beyond our planning and dreams. Mark G. shared how Pastor Bras opened up to both construction teams one day about his apprehensions and fears on having another American team come to Brazil and work with his church. Many years ago Pastor Bras said he decided he would never work with another group of Americans because of a bad experience he had years ago. However, our team was used to rebuild his trust and hope, and allow him to overcome his bitterness he had been caring for many years. Our team was very moved when we considered how God used us to heal Pastor Bras's heart. Mary M. shared how a member of the church asked her a question that really made her think. The member asked why Marena was chosen to have her roof replaced when so many other people in the church had needs as well. Mary shared through tears how it wasn't until the bus ride home that God gave her the answer: How were we chosen for salvation when so many others still have need of the Gospel? It was a perfect picture of God's grace in our life, and those whom we were serving. David V. closed our time by reminding us that our trip and work is not done, and that we need to finish well.

Later in the evening the ladies went to a ladies retreat at Pastor Geraldo's church, and Lauren A. shared her testimony and Alisha M. shared a message to everyone. The men supported Pastor Nelson S. in cheering for his hometown soccer team at a local restaurant. His team, Cruceiro, won 1-0.

It was great day that allowed for some much needed rest, prayer, team building, and reflection on what God had done in each of our lives.