Yesterday (Wednesday) we spent our last day in Brazil. We were all sad because we were planning on going to the beach and we woke up in the morning and saw that it was raining. We spent the morning walking around Rio and going into various shops.
We all pilled into the van at 2pm and headed for the airport. As we were driving we drove past the area of town that was not included in the tour the day before. I knew how bad the area was based on the smell of the air. From the road I could see thousands of homes built on top of eachother and small living spaces for all of the people. There was either little or no plumming available and the living situations were bare. As we were driving by I couldn't help but cry for all of the people living there. All of the kids who know no other life and all of the parents who want so much more for their kids but are unable to get it for them. I can hardly imagine being back and home and returing to my "normal" life. To think of things that I once thought of as a need instead of a want. I know just simply driving by that area of town made me think about my life and what I think is important. I pray that I can bring some of my thoughts and feelings to the states and try to reach people here.
I would like to thank each and every one of you who have followed us on this blog. We have appreciated your thought and prayers as we have went on this journey. We as a team arrived back in Bismarck today around 3pm. We all arrived safe and sound and with all of our luggage. We were truly blessed on this trip. Thank you for your support.
Some of the kids from Chain of Love. They Love getting their picture taken!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Rio De Janiero
Oye from Rio!
Since the last time that I blogged a lot has happened. On Monday we finished up our time at COL. We met with Ken, Jerrilyn, and Chris and they talked with us about their vision for COl and how they would like to see it grow. They have some amazing ideas on how they would like to change things at COL and how to make it more functional. When we were done we packed up and said our goodbyes. I know for me this was a difficult thing for me to do, because we grew very close to some of the kids there and we want to maintain that relationship. I know that I would love to move down here and work with the kids here....oh for that language barrier!
Monday evening we got all packed up and once again headed for the airport. When all was said and done we arrived in Rio. It was not the most enjoyable flight but thankfully we arrived safe and sound and with all of our luggage.
Today we spent the day touring Rio. It is an amazing city and I recommend everyone to come and experience it. I know that I have been able to see things that are a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel blessed. It was also fun for the team to do things together in a much more relaxed setting. This experience we will have to fill you in on later!
Please pray for us tomorrow as we head home. We are flying out of Rio at 7pm and traveling to Washington DC. We will then go to Chicago and for the final flight we will land in good old Bismarck at around 2:30pm on Thursday (if all goes according to plan). Please pray for the team as we travel. That we will all get along and that we will find our way in all of the airports! Thank you all for supporting our trip and keeping us in your prayers!
Since the last time that I blogged a lot has happened. On Monday we finished up our time at COL. We met with Ken, Jerrilyn, and Chris and they talked with us about their vision for COl and how they would like to see it grow. They have some amazing ideas on how they would like to change things at COL and how to make it more functional. When we were done we packed up and said our goodbyes. I know for me this was a difficult thing for me to do, because we grew very close to some of the kids there and we want to maintain that relationship. I know that I would love to move down here and work with the kids here....oh for that language barrier!
Monday evening we got all packed up and once again headed for the airport. When all was said and done we arrived in Rio. It was not the most enjoyable flight but thankfully we arrived safe and sound and with all of our luggage.
Today we spent the day touring Rio. It is an amazing city and I recommend everyone to come and experience it. I know that I have been able to see things that are a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel blessed. It was also fun for the team to do things together in a much more relaxed setting. This experience we will have to fill you in on later!
Please pray for us tomorrow as we head home. We are flying out of Rio at 7pm and traveling to Washington DC. We will then go to Chicago and for the final flight we will land in good old Bismarck at around 2:30pm on Thursday (if all goes according to plan). Please pray for the team as we travel. That we will all get along and that we will find our way in all of the airports! Thank you all for supporting our trip and keeping us in your prayers!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Sunday at COL!
Today was a different kind of Sunday. We are used to waking up in the morning and heading out to church right away in the morning. Here in Brazil you can sleep in and relax on a Sunday because their church service starts at 7pm (this is my kind of culture)! In the morning we worked on finishing up our paintings in the gym. Luckily we were able to complete them after church tonight and the project is completed. It feels great to leave something beautiful behind for the kids to love.
For lunch today we went out to eat with most of the people who had helped us translate during the eye clinics. This was our way of thanking them for giving up their time to help us. The clinics would not have been possible without their help and willingness to serve.
We were once again fortunate to have beautiful weather here. Before arriving we heard that the weather was cold and that the previous group was extremely cold so we brough lots of warm clothes to wear. However we are having the opposite weather. Since we have been here we have only experienced one wet cold day and all the others have been beautiful. We feel extremely fortunate for what we have been given.
Tonight at church was an interesting expereince. The entire service was in portugese and there was no translator. If I am to be honest I didn't get much out of the sermon!!!! However I did get a lot out of the praise and worship band, when singing worship songs it doesn't matter what language it is in. We also had a great prayer time in the service where the whole congregation paired off and prayed for eachother. It was a neat experience praying with the kids from COL with us praying in English and them praying in Portuguese.
Today was also a sad day for us here. We realized that today was our last full day here at COL. We will spend most of our day here at COL tomorrow and then we will drive to Porto Alegre and fly to Rio. We have mixed emotions about the next part of our journey. We are exciteted to see more of Brazil and experience a different part of their culture, but we are also sad because we have to say goodbye to kids who have deeply touched our lives.
For lunch today we went out to eat with most of the people who had helped us translate during the eye clinics. This was our way of thanking them for giving up their time to help us. The clinics would not have been possible without their help and willingness to serve.
We were once again fortunate to have beautiful weather here. Before arriving we heard that the weather was cold and that the previous group was extremely cold so we brough lots of warm clothes to wear. However we are having the opposite weather. Since we have been here we have only experienced one wet cold day and all the others have been beautiful. We feel extremely fortunate for what we have been given.
Tonight at church was an interesting expereince. The entire service was in portugese and there was no translator. If I am to be honest I didn't get much out of the sermon!!!! However I did get a lot out of the praise and worship band, when singing worship songs it doesn't matter what language it is in. We also had a great prayer time in the service where the whole congregation paired off and prayed for eachother. It was a neat experience praying with the kids from COL with us praying in English and them praying in Portuguese.
Today was also a sad day for us here. We realized that today was our last full day here at COL. We will spend most of our day here at COL tomorrow and then we will drive to Porto Alegre and fly to Rio. We have mixed emotions about the next part of our journey. We are exciteted to see more of Brazil and experience a different part of their culture, but we are also sad because we have to say goodbye to kids who have deeply touched our lives.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The last eye clinic!
This morning a couple of us decided to walk down to the local store and buy some food for the weekend. The store offered all of your basic needs but was in a building that was about 20ft by 30ft. It was fun to walk around and see all of the different things that they have in the store. A boy (Leonardo) from COL came with us to help us not get lost and while we were shopping I (Becky) enjoyed asking him 20,000 questions about the things in the store. He thought I was strange because my questions. All Iwanted to know is why you would eat some of those things....why would one eat pickled onions unles you were on Fear Factor!
In the afternoon we got all packed up and started towards the next town to do another eye clinic. As we were pulling into the community we could tell right away that we were seeing a different side to Brazil then before. The houses were small and poorly put together. The streets were mud and the side streets looked difficult to travel on due to the rain. As we were pulling up to the school where the eye clinic was going to be held we noticed the line of people waiting to get in.The line went down the block and around the corner. It was exciting to see people waiting for us but sad at the same time knowing that there was no way that we could see even half of those people with only 1 doctor.
The clinic started out in mass chaos because people we anxious about seeing the doctor. We started the clinic at 2pm and people had been standing in line waiting since 7am. We were impressed that they were as patient as they were considering how long they had been waiting. When the day was over Dan saw just over 200 people and we were able to find glasses for most of them. They were all greatful for the glasses that were given them and they were excited because they could see better.
Please continue to pray for our team. We are all starting to get tired and warn down. Pray for unity and compassion among the team members. Also pray for COL and their ministry. I know I have been touched by the ministry here and the compassion and love that the missionaries and house parents have for these kids. Pray that they can continue to do the Lords will here at COL!
In the afternoon we got all packed up and started towards the next town to do another eye clinic. As we were pulling into the community we could tell right away that we were seeing a different side to Brazil then before. The houses were small and poorly put together. The streets were mud and the side streets looked difficult to travel on due to the rain. As we were pulling up to the school where the eye clinic was going to be held we noticed the line of people waiting to get in.The line went down the block and around the corner. It was exciting to see people waiting for us but sad at the same time knowing that there was no way that we could see even half of those people with only 1 doctor.
The clinic started out in mass chaos because people we anxious about seeing the doctor. We started the clinic at 2pm and people had been standing in line waiting since 7am. We were impressed that they were as patient as they were considering how long they had been waiting. When the day was over Dan saw just over 200 people and we were able to find glasses for most of them. They were all greatful for the glasses that were given them and they were excited because they could see better.
Please continue to pray for our team. We are all starting to get tired and warn down. Pray for unity and compassion among the team members. Also pray for COL and their ministry. I know I have been touched by the ministry here and the compassion and love that the missionaries and house parents have for these kids. Pray that they can continue to do the Lords will here at COL!
A busy couple of days!
Sorry for the lack of posting but due to the crazy past couple of days I haven't had much time to post. So I will try to catch you up. On Thursday we spent the entire day here at Chain of Love. We continued painting in the gym and we were able to finish a couple of the paintings. However, we still have a ways to go until we have completed the project.
In the afternoon a couple of us went around to all the different houses and gave away the presents that we brought for the sponsor kids. It was exciting to see them open their presents and see their smiles across their face. The kids were all excited to show off their presents and pose for the camera. I was facinated with how excited the kids were to recieve the smallest present, and how greatful they were that someone had thought of them.
Friday was a long day. We got on the bus at 8am and headed north to the hill country. We arrived there just in time for lunch and we were given free lunch at a Brazilian BBQ! This BBQ is nothing like what we experinece at home. They have no hamburgers or hotdogs....its all different kinds of grilled meat. Everything from beef, chicken, pork, to the non regular meats such as chicken hearts!
We spent the afternoon exploring the town. This town was mainly a German community and the houses all looked like little German houses. At one point Kelly said "I feel like were in a different country," to which I replyed "Kelly we are in a different country." It was neat to see the change in the coultre from down near the ocean to up in the hills. At one point we were walking through the street and we were talking and a couple of people walked up to us and asked us if we were from the USA. We could tell that they were also due to their accents and we discovered that they were students from Indianna who were doing an exchange program here in Brazil. It was fun to talk to people in English.
In the evening we did another eye clinic. The day was rainy and cold and we were warned that their might not be anyone coming due to the weather. When the clinic started there was only a couple of people who showed up but Merle and the pastor from the local church went out on the street and started recruiting people to come. This was great publicity for the church because they were stopping people on the streets and many of the people who came had never been in the chuch before. The clinic started out slow but began to pick up. As the people recieved their glasses they went home and brought other family members back to the clinic. It was fun to see them excited about their glasses and they were not picky about what pair that they were given because they could see. These people were so thankful that we would make the long journey to help them out.
In the afternoon a couple of us went around to all the different houses and gave away the presents that we brought for the sponsor kids. It was exciting to see them open their presents and see their smiles across their face. The kids were all excited to show off their presents and pose for the camera. I was facinated with how excited the kids were to recieve the smallest present, and how greatful they were that someone had thought of them.
Friday was a long day. We got on the bus at 8am and headed north to the hill country. We arrived there just in time for lunch and we were given free lunch at a Brazilian BBQ! This BBQ is nothing like what we experinece at home. They have no hamburgers or hotdogs....its all different kinds of grilled meat. Everything from beef, chicken, pork, to the non regular meats such as chicken hearts!
We spent the afternoon exploring the town. This town was mainly a German community and the houses all looked like little German houses. At one point Kelly said "I feel like were in a different country," to which I replyed "Kelly we are in a different country." It was neat to see the change in the coultre from down near the ocean to up in the hills. At one point we were walking through the street and we were talking and a couple of people walked up to us and asked us if we were from the USA. We could tell that they were also due to their accents and we discovered that they were students from Indianna who were doing an exchange program here in Brazil. It was fun to talk to people in English.
In the evening we did another eye clinic. The day was rainy and cold and we were warned that their might not be anyone coming due to the weather. When the clinic started there was only a couple of people who showed up but Merle and the pastor from the local church went out on the street and started recruiting people to come. This was great publicity for the church because they were stopping people on the streets and many of the people who came had never been in the chuch before. The clinic started out slow but began to pick up. As the people recieved their glasses they went home and brought other family members back to the clinic. It was fun to see them excited about their glasses and they were not picky about what pair that they were given because they could see. These people were so thankful that we would make the long journey to help them out.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
"Best day of my life"
Greetings,
Today (Wednesday) has been a very busy day here in Brazil. The day started out by the teams breaking out into our groups and continuing with our projects. We worked on putting edging on a house and continuing to paint our paintings. It is very excting for our painting team because the pictures are starting to take shape and we can now see how they are going to look in the end. It is also fun because the kids are so excited about the painting and they are extremely eager to help us out.
In the afternoon (2pm) we all jumped into the van and headed to Porto Alegre. We were given an opportunity to spend the afternoon shopping and spending time in the city. We were all suprized to see the amount of people who live in the city. We went shopping in a market and then headed to the shops on the streets in downtown Porto Alegre. I found it extremely entertaining that in every store that we went into today there was a tv on and everyone was watching the world cup. Even though Brazil is no longer in it they are all excited to see who wins it!
After spending some time in downtown we headed to the Baptist Seminary. The seminary is from the NAB and we went there to do a small eye clinic for the students there. We only opened up the clinic to the students and staff and we were able to see 27 people. It was interesting to see the Bible school and the people there were very happy to see us. After the clinic we got a tour and we even when into a class and talked to the students about where we were from and what we were doing here in Brazil. They were very encouraging to us. They prayed over us, for us to have a good time while we were down here and for safe travels back home.
To conclude our extremely long day we went to get some supper. Supper in Brazil is much later and we started eating at around 9:30pm. We were taken to Don Vitto's which is a pizza place here. Pizza is quite different here in Brazil. They do not have your typical pepperoni pizza, instead they make every kind of pizza they can think of. There are about 60 different types...our favorite ones were the dessert pizzas! This was a great time and we enjoyed being able to sit around the table and laugh about all the different kinds of food that they were bringing us. It was a good way for us to relax before our next couple of days that are full of activity.
Today was, in the worlds of Kelly ´the best day of my life ever...I´m not kidding´
Today (Wednesday) has been a very busy day here in Brazil. The day started out by the teams breaking out into our groups and continuing with our projects. We worked on putting edging on a house and continuing to paint our paintings. It is very excting for our painting team because the pictures are starting to take shape and we can now see how they are going to look in the end. It is also fun because the kids are so excited about the painting and they are extremely eager to help us out.
In the afternoon (2pm) we all jumped into the van and headed to Porto Alegre. We were given an opportunity to spend the afternoon shopping and spending time in the city. We were all suprized to see the amount of people who live in the city. We went shopping in a market and then headed to the shops on the streets in downtown Porto Alegre. I found it extremely entertaining that in every store that we went into today there was a tv on and everyone was watching the world cup. Even though Brazil is no longer in it they are all excited to see who wins it!
After spending some time in downtown we headed to the Baptist Seminary. The seminary is from the NAB and we went there to do a small eye clinic for the students there. We only opened up the clinic to the students and staff and we were able to see 27 people. It was interesting to see the Bible school and the people there were very happy to see us. After the clinic we got a tour and we even when into a class and talked to the students about where we were from and what we were doing here in Brazil. They were very encouraging to us. They prayed over us, for us to have a good time while we were down here and for safe travels back home.
To conclude our extremely long day we went to get some supper. Supper in Brazil is much later and we started eating at around 9:30pm. We were taken to Don Vitto's which is a pizza place here. Pizza is quite different here in Brazil. They do not have your typical pepperoni pizza, instead they make every kind of pizza they can think of. There are about 60 different types...our favorite ones were the dessert pizzas! This was a great time and we enjoyed being able to sit around the table and laugh about all the different kinds of food that they were bringing us. It was a good way for us to relax before our next couple of days that are full of activity.
Today was, in the worlds of Kelly ´the best day of my life ever...I´m not kidding´
Eye clinic in Hovo Hamburgo
Last night we went out into the city of Novo Hamburgo to do an eye clinic. This was an eye opening experience for some of us. When we arrived at the place that we were going to be doing our clinic we discovered that we were working out of a house of one of the members of the church. This lady opened up some of her property because she wanted to give memebers of her community an opportunity to recieve glasses.
When we arrived there was a large crowd gathered waiting for us to start. They were very excited to see us and very patient when we were setting up the clinic. The clinic started at about 7pm and we went to about 11pm. During that time we were able to see about 150 people. Handing out glasses in this community was very different from the last clinic because the people were extremely appreciative to recieve whatever glasses we could give them.
The people there kept telling us that we were angles and they were shocked that we would come down here to Bless Them! Kelly replied that it was us that were blessed to be able to come down and help them. We even had one family that came to the clinic because they heard that there were people here from America who spoke English and they came down to practice their English. The family didn't come for glasses but just wanted to practice their English. Dianne and Becky spent about half an hour talking to them and practicing their English. When the family left they all gave us hugs and kisses and the mom told us that she was praying for us. It was a great moment to experience.
Overall things are going very well here in Brazil. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
When we arrived there was a large crowd gathered waiting for us to start. They were very excited to see us and very patient when we were setting up the clinic. The clinic started at about 7pm and we went to about 11pm. During that time we were able to see about 150 people. Handing out glasses in this community was very different from the last clinic because the people were extremely appreciative to recieve whatever glasses we could give them.
The people there kept telling us that we were angles and they were shocked that we would come down here to Bless Them! Kelly replied that it was us that were blessed to be able to come down and help them. We even had one family that came to the clinic because they heard that there were people here from America who spoke English and they came down to practice their English. The family didn't come for glasses but just wanted to practice their English. Dianne and Becky spent about half an hour talking to them and practicing their English. When the family left they all gave us hugs and kisses and the mom told us that she was praying for us. It was a great moment to experience.
Overall things are going very well here in Brazil. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Funny stories
Since being here we have had a couple of entertaining stories happen to us. Some we will post and others we will wait till we get home. Here is one of the stories that we all like....and there is a picture to go along:
Yesterday while we were working on our main work project here Kelly was hard at work painting. While she was painting Taiaria thought it was funny to come up to Kelly and put a dab of green paint on Kelly's nose. This was the start of the paint war. Taiaria didn't think it was enough to only pester Kelly but she thought she would threaten to do it to Bryce as well. Bryce pinky swore that if she drew whiskers on his face then Kelly would do it too. When all was said and done we had two new cat members of the team! Bryce didn't think it was fair because Kelly had skin color paint on her face and he had green.
Yesterday while we were working on our main work project here Kelly was hard at work painting. While she was painting Taiaria thought it was funny to come up to Kelly and put a dab of green paint on Kelly's nose. This was the start of the paint war. Taiaria didn't think it was enough to only pester Kelly but she thought she would threaten to do it to Bryce as well. Bryce pinky swore that if she drew whiskers on his face then Kelly would do it too. When all was said and done we had two new cat members of the team! Bryce didn't think it was fair because Kelly had skin color paint on her face and he had green.
Its Tuesday morning and we are well into our work projects. This morning a couple of the guys started the project of putting edging around a couple of the houses. This looked like quite the project and I can honestly say I have no idea what they were doing but they did a great job and it looks good.
As for the rest of us we continued working on our painting project in the gym. We were working for a couple of hours and all of a sudden we had tons of little helpers. I was amazed to find that all of our helpers were boys. They were excited to be included in the painting project and loved the picutres that we were painting. They kept coming up to us and saying that the pictures looked beautiful. If they were not helping us paint they were cheering us on. It is truly a blessing to see how God is working in their lives and how these children can find joy in everything.
Please continue to pray for our team as we try to reach these kids and the community.
As for the rest of us we continued working on our painting project in the gym. We were working for a couple of hours and all of a sudden we had tons of little helpers. I was amazed to find that all of our helpers were boys. They were excited to be included in the painting project and loved the picutres that we were painting. They kept coming up to us and saying that the pictures looked beautiful. If they were not helping us paint they were cheering us on. It is truly a blessing to see how God is working in their lives and how these children can find joy in everything.
Please continue to pray for our team as we try to reach these kids and the community.
The Orphanage
Before coming on the trip I thought I was prepared to see all of the kids here at COL. Being a social worker I have seen a lot back home and while I knew that it was going to be different down here I was not prepared for how different it actually is.
Chain of Love was established by Ken and Jerilyn Bayer. They started with the idea that they would build houses and have house parents. In each house would be the parents, their biological children, and then up to 10 orphans. They started out with 1 house and now there are 9 houses. COL could possibly house 90 kids on COL property. They also have some kids who are living in the community with members of the church. This depended on needs of the children and best fit for a house parents.
The kids here are amazing. While walking down the road they all run up to you and want to talk to you. Some will do flips and tricks trying to get your attention. Upon arrival we recieved a book with pictures of the kids and each of their stories. It is the same thing that you read on the internet but for some reason it is different after you have met the kids. I am amazed how well the kids seem to be doing despite their horrific pasts.
Chain of Love was established by Ken and Jerilyn Bayer. They started with the idea that they would build houses and have house parents. In each house would be the parents, their biological children, and then up to 10 orphans. They started out with 1 house and now there are 9 houses. COL could possibly house 90 kids on COL property. They also have some kids who are living in the community with members of the church. This depended on needs of the children and best fit for a house parents.
The kids here are amazing. While walking down the road they all run up to you and want to talk to you. Some will do flips and tricks trying to get your attention. Upon arrival we recieved a book with pictures of the kids and each of their stories. It is the same thing that you read on the internet but for some reason it is different after you have met the kids. I am amazed how well the kids seem to be doing despite their horrific pasts.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Blogger: Chain of Love - Configure Blog Posts
Oye from Brazil!
Sorry for the slow posts from here in Brazil. We have been on the run since we got here and have experienced some technical difficulties. But the good news is that we are alive and well and we have been blessed by this amazing country. A lot has happened since we got there but I am just going to update you on today. This morning we were able to relax a little. This was the first time that we stopped moving since we arrived. We reorganized the glasses and got things prepared for our next clinic. This was a morning project.
The culture here is amazing and the people radiate with joy. Walking down the streets of Chain of Love all you need to do is say Oye and smile and you instantly have 50 new best friends. The kids here love to talk to you, some in English, some in Portugese. It is fun trying to communicate with them but once you try to speak their language they love you. A lot of them are trying to learn English and they want to talk to us in our language so we can help them.
This afternoon a bunch of us went outside with sidewalk chalk, a football (American Football), and some frizbees and we immediatly had kids to play with. We spent time with the kids and enjoyed having no agenda for the day, except to spend time with the kids.
In the evening we started our main progect for the week. We were asked to paint murals on the walls of the gym. We were able to trace all of the designs on the walls and get a good start with the painting. Many of the kids were exited to see us painting and were curious what it was all going to be in the end.
Overall our trip has been great! Please continue to pray for us and write back! We love to hear from home! Till tomorrow......
Sorry for the slow posts from here in Brazil. We have been on the run since we got here and have experienced some technical difficulties. But the good news is that we are alive and well and we have been blessed by this amazing country. A lot has happened since we got there but I am just going to update you on today. This morning we were able to relax a little. This was the first time that we stopped moving since we arrived. We reorganized the glasses and got things prepared for our next clinic. This was a morning project.
The culture here is amazing and the people radiate with joy. Walking down the streets of Chain of Love all you need to do is say Oye and smile and you instantly have 50 new best friends. The kids here love to talk to you, some in English, some in Portugese. It is fun trying to communicate with them but once you try to speak their language they love you. A lot of them are trying to learn English and they want to talk to us in our language so we can help them.
This afternoon a bunch of us went outside with sidewalk chalk, a football (American Football), and some frizbees and we immediatly had kids to play with. We spent time with the kids and enjoyed having no agenda for the day, except to spend time with the kids.
In the evening we started our main progect for the week. We were asked to paint murals on the walls of the gym. We were able to trace all of the designs on the walls and get a good start with the painting. Many of the kids were exited to see us painting and were curious what it was all going to be in the end.
Overall our trip has been great! Please continue to pray for us and write back! We love to hear from home! Till tomorrow......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)