Emily's Experience
I found this blog to be extremely difficult to write, hence the extreme tardiness for which I apologize. How do you sum up two whole weeks of life changing experiences? Everyone else seemed to find the task easy, so I suppose I ought to just give it my best shot. Here are a few of my recollections and impressions, just a brief glimpse of what I experienced.
It all started last year at Student Life camp. I had been questioning my role in the church, and I had wondered where God wanted me to serve. God told me I was to go. I didn't know when, where or how, but that didn't matter. I had somewhere to start. I announced my desire for missions in one of the last church group times at camp. Then I returned to the work/school routine until the Babers approached me about the Brazil trip. I am so grateful that God placed me on their minds and put in a position to go. I had never been out of the eastern US. I spoke hardly a word of Portuguese. (God revealed his sense of humor to me in this- I studied Spanish for two years for him to send me to one of the few South American countries where Spanish isn't the primary language). I was leaving my family behind for two weeks to travel alone as a minor. So many obstacles just melted away and didn't seem to matter.
The Daily, the devotional that Theresa mentioned, was a blessing and comfort to me. June 23 was written by my leaders at church, Mrs Harris and Mrs McNeil. By that time, tensions had built as we spent 24/7 with each other. As an introvert, I appreciate solitude, and I hadn't gotten enough and was starting to get somewhat unpleasant. Then I read "If God is calling you to love a very difficult person with Agape, rejoice that your obedience will never be in vain!." I needed to hear that. The people around me weren't necessarily difficult, but I was having difficulty dealing with them all the time. I was reminded to love them. and in loving everyone around me, I enjoyed the experience so much more.
A major moment on the trip for me was the night we went to Pastor Marcus' Church after the team had reunited. One of the songs that they sang was "Quero te ver," or as we would say, "I want to see you." As we sang in English and everyone else in Portuguese, I had to pause and consider what I was seeing and hearing. I realized this is a tiny glimpse of the future, when every tribe, tongue, nation and people will stand together and praise the Lord. We will see him! Even now, thinking of this fills my heart with joy. Their churches seemed so alive. Dancers in church were becoming more popular in the area. While people were singing, a group of girls stood at the front of the church dancing to the music, and while I was impressed by their grace, I enjoyed watching Justin and Ben attempt to dance even more!
Going into the schools for the third time was one of the best days, even though it didn't start so well. Mrs. Baber didn't want to go back at all because she saw no progress being made. But we agreed to a time of prayer so that we could prepare our hearts and find direction. When we met again later that morning, the unanimous decision of the teenagers was to go, despite her hesitancy. So we returned to Wizard with newfound purpose and focus, and what an amazing day. When the first class we were to go into was in the middle of test preparations, Mrs Baber wanted to leave on the spot, but with reassurances from Carlos we went to the next class, which was busy also. By this time we were doubting whether we had made the right decision. But God wanted us in the last class, where we found the encouragement we needed. When Ben shared, this time without focusing on the evangecube, which we had been dependent on, the response was powerful. The class of six and teacher accepted Christ! The next class was composed of younger students, whom I had shared with previously using the evangecube. I shared again using a tract with pictures while Carlos translated to ensure understanding. Though I recieved no response, Carlos assured me that they tended to be quieter and more shy, but also that in their culture children weren't expected to understand and wouldn't make any decisions without their parents. When Justin shared in the last class, even though the whole class stood up, I believe only a few were sincere. But that is still a few more for the kingdom of God!
I hope that someday I will be able to serve again, perhaps in Brazil, probably in another country. I am so grateful to everyone else who went on mission with us when they contributed their prayers and money for this trip. Thank you, Emily
It all started last year at Student Life camp. I had been questioning my role in the church, and I had wondered where God wanted me to serve. God told me I was to go. I didn't know when, where or how, but that didn't matter. I had somewhere to start. I announced my desire for missions in one of the last church group times at camp. Then I returned to the work/school routine until the Babers approached me about the Brazil trip. I am so grateful that God placed me on their minds and put in a position to go. I had never been out of the eastern US. I spoke hardly a word of Portuguese. (God revealed his sense of humor to me in this- I studied Spanish for two years for him to send me to one of the few South American countries where Spanish isn't the primary language). I was leaving my family behind for two weeks to travel alone as a minor. So many obstacles just melted away and didn't seem to matter.
The Daily, the devotional that Theresa mentioned, was a blessing and comfort to me. June 23 was written by my leaders at church, Mrs Harris and Mrs McNeil. By that time, tensions had built as we spent 24/7 with each other. As an introvert, I appreciate solitude, and I hadn't gotten enough and was starting to get somewhat unpleasant. Then I read "If God is calling you to love a very difficult person with Agape, rejoice that your obedience will never be in vain!." I needed to hear that. The people around me weren't necessarily difficult, but I was having difficulty dealing with them all the time. I was reminded to love them. and in loving everyone around me, I enjoyed the experience so much more.
A major moment on the trip for me was the night we went to Pastor Marcus' Church after the team had reunited. One of the songs that they sang was "Quero te ver," or as we would say, "I want to see you." As we sang in English and everyone else in Portuguese, I had to pause and consider what I was seeing and hearing. I realized this is a tiny glimpse of the future, when every tribe, tongue, nation and people will stand together and praise the Lord. We will see him! Even now, thinking of this fills my heart with joy. Their churches seemed so alive. Dancers in church were becoming more popular in the area. While people were singing, a group of girls stood at the front of the church dancing to the music, and while I was impressed by their grace, I enjoyed watching Justin and Ben attempt to dance even more!
Going into the schools for the third time was one of the best days, even though it didn't start so well. Mrs. Baber didn't want to go back at all because she saw no progress being made. But we agreed to a time of prayer so that we could prepare our hearts and find direction. When we met again later that morning, the unanimous decision of the teenagers was to go, despite her hesitancy. So we returned to Wizard with newfound purpose and focus, and what an amazing day. When the first class we were to go into was in the middle of test preparations, Mrs Baber wanted to leave on the spot, but with reassurances from Carlos we went to the next class, which was busy also. By this time we were doubting whether we had made the right decision. But God wanted us in the last class, where we found the encouragement we needed. When Ben shared, this time without focusing on the evangecube, which we had been dependent on, the response was powerful. The class of six and teacher accepted Christ! The next class was composed of younger students, whom I had shared with previously using the evangecube. I shared again using a tract with pictures while Carlos translated to ensure understanding. Though I recieved no response, Carlos assured me that they tended to be quieter and more shy, but also that in their culture children weren't expected to understand and wouldn't make any decisions without their parents. When Justin shared in the last class, even though the whole class stood up, I believe only a few were sincere. But that is still a few more for the kingdom of God!
I hope that someday I will be able to serve again, perhaps in Brazil, probably in another country. I am so grateful to everyone else who went on mission with us when they contributed their prayers and money for this trip. Thank you, Emily
posted by "Deus esta conosco" at 6:05 AM
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