June 8-9

Oi ninos,

Wednesday: Last night we were woken up to a very loud rain…except for Julie. Of course we should have known this was coming being in the Amazon. The rain was made even louder because we had a tin roof over our heads but we stayed dry and it stopped after about 15-20 minutes. The morning was a slower one as we did not have anything planned until 2:00 so much of the tam woke up around 9:30. At 2:00 we were going to have a baptism for the church we were staying at in Manacapuru. We left for the lake where the baptism was being held about 11:00. When we got to the lake we had fun playing in the lake, setting up our rede (hammocks) and eating good food. Some of the girls were not keen to one particular item on the plate (a whole, none cut, fish). Needless to say this was interesting for them and a fun new experience. The baptism was scheduled for 2:00, but like much of the Brazilian set times it started a bit later than planned (3:30). The service was a very moving and enjoyable times and afterwards everyone got in the water. An injury update on the team, Ben broke a board while trying to do a front flip into the water and scrapped his foot, but he is ok. After the baptism we left for the church to set up for the night service. We set up a large projector screen to watch “Jesus”. It was a very moving piece and afterwards two individuals accepted Christ into their life! After the service we went out to eat at a local restaurant. While we were there, the Copa de Brazil was on T.V. This is the biggest soccer game in Brazil. Every T.V. in the town was watching the game. While we were at the restaurant the game ended and many of the locals were rooting for the team that one. All at once a spontaneous parade of cars, motorbikes and people came flowing through the streets cheering for their teams win. It was a pretty cool event to witness.

Thursday: Today we got up early and 6:00 to leave for Manaus. We got out at 7:30 and took a ferry back. We arrived at the Seminary around 10:45. We are chilling here until 2:30 when we head to a local orphanage. Unfortunately we will only be able to be with the kids for an hour but we look forward to the time with them. After the orphanage we will head to a local mall WITH AIR CONDITIONING!!!!  Our plan is to but a few trinkets for the fam and friends and then head out to eat at a local steak house for our final night in Manaus. It has been a joy to experience God with these people and we are sad to see our time here come to an end. Even though we have been here for less than 2 weeks, the friends we have made will last much longer. The good byes have started already but we look forward to seeing you all soon when we get home.

Thank you for your precious time

Brazil Team

            Written and directed by: Benjamin McClure

June 6-7

On the morning of the 6th we were able to visit a public school. It was awesome. We were able to go into a few classrooms and speak a few words. The school gathered all the children into an assembly type room, where we played a few songs. The kids were going crazy. After Ben had given his testimony the kids started swarming us for autographs and just to say hi. When we were leaving the kids chased our van a good ways down the street.
That afternoon we started our journey to the interior. We stayed in a church in the small city of Manacapuru. On our arrival, kids of the community curiously came over to check out what was going on. At first the kids were quite timid with us, but after some coaxing from Emily and a few other group members the kids began to lighten up and have fun.

The 7th started out with us traveling across the Amazon River to a small community. We were told this was a common spot for Brazilians to relax on an off day. Our team caught up on some much needed rest. While we were there, we had the opportunity to speak to the community.
That night after traveling back to Manacapuru, we set up a mini stage and blocked off the road for a message. Our songs, combined with Kristen's painting and Kirsta's testimony set up for an awesome experience. The pastor was able to tie in all elements into his message to the community. A few of the children came up the except the Lord Jesus Christ into the lives. It was a very heart warming experience. Seeing so many come to the Lord was just a blast to see.

Daniel

June 4-5

Hello Everyone!
     Things are going great here in Brazil. The other night was the monthly district wide youth service with bands jamming, people dancing and Kristen painting,  all for the glory of God. It was really awesome to worship with the Brazillians. We also sung a couple songs in English up on stage with some musical accompianment from Brazillians. It was such a praise that that all worked out smoothly since we hadn't practiced one of the songs very much. Then yesterday we had the girls spa party at the church which was geared to reach out to the adolescent girls. I shared my testimony about beauty and finding your security in Christ. Then we enjoyed a time of pampering the girls including massages, hair, foot washing, painting nails and face masks. The girls got so excited about the toothpaste and sunglasses we gave them. Then that night was the Sunday worship service at the local church we had been heavily involved with since we've been here. We've built relationships and it was emotional saying gooodbye last night.  (Goodbye because we're going to the interior today which means that we probably won't have internet access to blog until Thurs night.) The Alvorado church surrounded us, blessed and prayed for us and wrote us a thank you note in English up on the screen. It was all so touching. Last night we were able to spend some quality time together as a team, which is always fun. I am soooo thankful for the awesome people God has knit together to form this team. Thank you for your prayers for our unity. God is doing great things. Well, that's about all for now. We're about to go share Jesus in a public school. Please pray for our ministry in the interior for these next couple of days because it will be a lot different lifestyle than what we've experienced here in the city. Thank you all so much for your love and support. It is greatly appreciated.
Julie Ruse

June 2nd and 3rd

Hello everyone,

We are having a wonderful time here in the beautiful country of Brasil!

Yesterday we took the day to explore the wonders of the Amazon. This starting with a trip through the market and then on to a boat for a tour. Our tour began with seeing the meeting of the waters, which is where the black river and amazon river come together, this sight is unique becasue the line is clearly marked by the water. A few of the team decided to go for a swim. We then rode through the wildlife and saw a variety of plants and animals, including the occasional pink dolphin. Before lunch we walked through the amazon river on an ant trail that was covered with water because of the season, this took us to a field of giant lilypads. Lunch was then had on a floating restaraunt where souvenirs were also found and bought. The team then had fun holding some exotic creatures, such as a sloth, anaconda, and alligator. After which we proceeded to return to the seminary but before that we bought hammocks. That evening we split into two groups each going to a different home for a small group Bible study, both groups had a wonderful time with the people that were there. Then it was off to bed for a good nights rest before the next day arrived.

This morning we woke to find a delicious meal prepared for us and then as a group began to work on the grounds of the seminary doing various tasks and preparing for this evenings activities and those of the following days. This evenings activities consisted of an array of events. We first met with a local pastor and his church, of which we were helping with an event, before going out to tell others of the evenings event. The event was held in a local park and it began with worship from the praise team of the church, then there was a short skit performed by the church as well. This then led into Kristen painting while both the church praise team and our team sang a few songs. This was followed by a short message. The evening turned out to be a wonderful success as we finished the day in fellowship with friends.

~ Kirsta Tharp

WE ARE HERE!!

It's official. We have arrived in Manaus, Brazil! Thank you to all of you who were praying for us as we traveled. God definitely provided us with one of the best experiences possible. Looking back on yesterday and today and all the "almosts" that happened, it was great to see how your prayers have already helped this trip to go smoothly. A few almosts...

- The keys to the car we were taking ALMOST got locked into the car
- We ALMOST ran out of gas on the way to the airport
-  Kristen's parents ALMOST got a ticket while dropping us off at the airport in Indy
- We ALMOST had to pay for every single one of our 14 checked bags
- Emily ALMOST broke her camera when she dropped it
- Kristen ALMOST didn't make it. A lovely security check had her held up for awhile.

But none of these things happened. So it ended up wonderfully.

Last night we went to the ocean in Miami. Emily has never seen the ocean. If you know Emily, her excitement was beyond words. When she found out there was an opportunity for us to take a shuttle out there, she curled up in the fetal position on the ground in the hotel lobby. It was the perfect night in Miami. Walking out to the beach and swimming in the waves as the sun was setting was the perfect beghinning to this trip.

We were up this morning at 4:15 when Emily posted from the Holiday Inn Express lobby in Miami. We got to the airport, got all our bags checked in, and got onto the plane with no problem at all. A few of us were seated together, but Emily, Jackie, and Daniel were all off in random parts of the plane. They met new people, made new friends, and showed and were shown the love of Christ as we traveled. Then....

WE GOT TO BRAZIL! I've never left the country before and when the plane landed, I'm not gonna lie, I got pretty excited. It was awesome to see that what we have been preparing for finally be here. Brazil is beautiful. I snuck a peek out the window as we were landing and saw the Amazon River RIGHT THERE. It was crazy. We got through immigration and customs so easily and finally arrived at the Wesleyan Seminary where Tom and Grace Ensz and their family welcomed us so warmly. It was hot and we were tired, but we were all so glad to be here.

The rest of the night was filled with planning for the upcoming days. Kristen, Jackie, and Emily worked with Tom to plan out the schedule while the rest of us worked on the crafts we would be doing and practiced our balloon animals. I'm a pro with the giraffe... in case any of you were wondering.

God has been so good these last few days! He has taken care of us in everything and we know He will continue to take care of us as we get our work started here. Thank you again to all of you who have been praying... you are truly a blessing. More to come tomorrow. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm going to bed... IN BRAZIL! :)

Michelle

TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY!!!

Ok.
Location: Holiday Inn Express Miami, FL
Time: 04:49 AM
Team: All here and accounted for.

Michelle was going to blog for all of you last night, but we were having trouble with the WiFi at our hotel. I'm sitting in the lobby of the hotel waiting for our shuttle, so I have like 4.2 minutes.
I will save all of our travel stories for her to share, but here is the spark note version: God has been with  us through every step of this trip so far, and we are all VERY confident of that. We are getting ready to go back to Miami International Airport to depart for Brazil at 07:40AM. If you read this sometime this morning, please be praying for:

Our flight, safety, a smooth transition for all of us, overwhelming amounts of energy for us to be able to accomplish all that we need to do today once we get to Brazil, and just that the community of our team would continue to grrow and be glorifying to Him.

Thanks again for your continued support.

It's SHOW TIME!

Emily

So Soon.

We are all currently at our own homes packing for Brazil. Tomorrow we will meet up at Kristen's house to pack all of the items we have donated - which is A LOT,- eat dinner together, have a devotion together, pray together, and then wake up early on Tuesday to leave. We will be getting to Brazil in the afternoon on Wednesday. I don't know about everyone else, but this is definitely surreal to me (Emily). It has not sunk in that we are leaving so soon. I am hoping that trying to cram everything into my carry on suitcase will help it sink.

If you all could please be praying for safe travels, a smooth adjustment to the country, and for us to come with bright smiles and our hearts in the right place that would be WONDERFUL! I am sure we will have more specific prayer requests as we get more into our trip but that should do for now.

Thanks for all your support so far! We couldn't have done it without all of our family and friends.

Here we go- SHOW TIME!!!!