The first few days in Brazil were really hard, for a multitude of reasons. We ended up having to stay in hotels in Oyapoké and Macapa after plans fell through and I entered a valley. After bringing it to the Lord, we felt called to Belem – and so we got on a boat for 24 hours and prayed for more faith, prayed for provision.
On the boat, a man named Victor helped Madison tie up her hammock and they discussed lodging suggestions. Casually, he realized his parents had four open bedrooms and he contacted them to ask and suddenly, we were taken care of, once again.
Upon arrival, you could tell Victor had left out some details about his new friends – that we were seven and all had our lives in backpacks with us. His father just laughed and ushered us into his home, greeting us with anything we could possibly need. Our next few hours were full of pools and saunas in the country club and dinner at an amazing barbecue restaurant.
Jaw drop six, at the very least.
We spent the next few days with the mother, Yolanda and the father, Francisco – constantly cared for and about, even with the communication barrier. We visited Yolanda’s school, met the youngest woman of peace who offered to be our translator and continued to be floored by the promises of God. Yolanda directed us to an amazing contact in Belem before also referring us to the ministry host we spent five days with in Manaus – crying when we left because she felt so blessed by us and that the Lord had chosen her house and her family to house us.
What an amazing perspective on blessing and opportunity.
Our next five days were spent on a boat on the Amazon, trekking to Manaus to spend a week before debrief with the rest of the squad. We took a few days to recover after a cold and a stir-crazy journey before heading to our ministry site – a home and education center for girls who are abused and neglected and in difficult and dangerous life situations.
More than anything, we spent those five days loving the girls. We went to their dance classes, struggled through broken English and Portuguese conversations, played games in the blazing sun, enjoyed coffee brewed without sugar.
Our team was invited to join the Sisters and the girls at the Amazon Theatre to see a play, we shared food, we shared laughter and we shared tears. It’s amazing how much your world can change in just five days. Imagine what God can do in one week if you’re willing to press in. What about one month ? One year ?
After all, He is only good. It’s the recent tagline for my life, remembering even amidst death, sorrow, difficulty, pain – He is present and He redeems every situation for His GLORY. Even if His definition of good looks a whole lot different than ours, I can trust and find hope in the promise.
#praise #ATL #unsungheroes #WRexpedition #brazil #shebrews #pioneers #partthreeofthree #storytime #papacisco #jawdrop #yeslord #frango #cocolikecocochanel #heisonlygood
