Today started out as a good day. I woke up thinking about how I got to talk to my friend, Marcia, in Brasil on Skype last night. I got to work, bought some chocolate waxy donuts from the vending machine to have with my coffee for breakfast and started to work. When I got back from lunch someone had put 6 chocolate muffins from Perkins on my desk (wohoo!). Now I have breakfast for several days. My day was rolling along just fine until I picked up a phone call at 3:00pm. For the next oh, I don't know for sure...maybe 30-40 minutes I was on the phone with one of my borrowers listening to them complain about anything and everything and not giving me a chance to really answer any of their questions when he finally said, "Just what do you do there anyway because you don't seem to do it very well. I'm surprised you even got a job there." Needless to say, my day then went "the way of the dodo", as my friend, Michelle, says.
When I finally got off the phone with him I promptly made a sticky note with that telephone number to put by my phone b/c I will not talk to that borrower again. I then went and filled my supervisor in, who came over several times during the call and knew something was amuck. And I told her I will not be talking to this borrower again. If he calls he will get my voice mail and someone else can call him back. She said that was fine and that she would be calling him back as soon as he sent in what he said he was going to send in.
By the time I left for home I was calmer but still angry at this guy for how he treated me. And I began to tell God about it in my car. And God began to fill my mind with things like, "I died for him, too."..."He's created in my image just like you are"..."Maybe he just had a bad day when he called you"..."You need to pray for him". WHAT!!??!!?! Pray for him....um...no thanks God.
That's when He really convicted me. "You mean to tell me," (this is God scolding me) "that you think you he doesn't need prayer just b/c of the way he treated you? Hmmm, how many times have you treated me that way and people still pray for you..." The very core of me wanted to say (with a dramatic roll of my eyes) "Whatever" and just turn up the radio!!
Did you know that not even the radio can drown out the voice of God?
So what could I do but pray for the guy. I'm not saying I liked it but it did teach me, in a practical way, what it means to pray for your enemies. If any of you have heard Beth Moore speak on Loving Well you will know that this guy would fit in my "Testy" category... But God loves him the same as he loves me and he died for him the same as he died for me. And maybe this guy has no one else praying for him. And maybe my simple prayer in the car for this "stranger" in California will prompt the hand of God to move in this guys life...
Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Amen...
Thursday, November 29
Monday, November 19
Last Team Blog
Tonight is the last night for our team to be in Brasil together. I'll miss all the laughs that we'd have on the trip home but I am excited to spend some time with friends here that I haven't seen much of yet. I have laughed so much on this trip with Tyler and Matt...and have really enjoyed spending this time with them. It's been really fun to watch them grow and take in all the sights, smells, and sounds of Brasil while diving in and making their own relationships here. They will be missed most by Geferson. The 3 of them became The Three Stooges here...I have never laughed so hard!!
Tomorrow morning they will leave for the USA and Chris and I will head to the beach with Michelle. We're here until Friday night and we have lots of people to see!!
Thanks for all your prayers for our team while we were here. God answered and I will share some of those with you but not right now. It is 12:35am and I am very tired...
Boa noite...
Tomorrow morning they will leave for the USA and Chris and I will head to the beach with Michelle. We're here until Friday night and we have lots of people to see!!
Thanks for all your prayers for our team while we were here. God answered and I will share some of those with you but not right now. It is 12:35am and I am very tired...
Boa noite...
Saturday, November 17
Videos
Okay...here are the videos...
First is a preschool class counting to 20...
The rest are of...well, you'll see the theme soon enough...
Tyler's birthday...
Tyler's birthday...
Tyler and Matt singing their original tune...
Tyler singing autographs for all the girls...
Tyler playing with the birds...
Tyler drinking a shot of coffee...
First is a preschool class counting to 20...
The rest are of...well, you'll see the theme soon enough...
Tyler's birthday...
Tyler's birthday...
Tyler and Matt singing their original tune...
Tyler singing autographs for all the girls...
Tyler playing with the birds...
Tyler drinking a shot of coffee...
Pictures and Videos...
 |
| FCC Brasil Trip - November 2007 |
Here's a link to my pictures so far...I'm still trying to figure out how to get the videos on here...stay tuned b/c we've got some pretty funny ones!!
Friday, November 16
The Drug Deal and Those Stinkin' Olives!
Hey this is Tyler,
The last couple of days have been great here in Gravatai.Two days ago we exchanged our American dollars for Brazilian currency - Reais. Let me set the scene for how it went down... Two white males pull up in a VW Gol, get out with back packs on and ring the door bell. They come inside, say a couple code words and are taken to the back kitchen in which they put their goods on the table and we put ours there also; transfering the money, the deal was complete and they got back into their vehicle and the day continued...
But really we were fortunate to be able to have these two guys; they were able to transfer the money with an exact translation instead of having to pay the exchange rate that can be expensive to pay for large sums of money. They were able to do this because we were helping them out by switching their money to American currency because they will be traveling to Africa very soon and exchanging that money will alow them the same convenience they gave us.
Yesterday we had a big grill out (Churrasco) in the backyard of the Geiger's home. It was a lot of fun and a great time to get to know and have a closer relationship with the people of the community and some of the people that serve and work for the Lord here. The food was all very good, as is all food that I eat here in Brazil; the funny thing is though sometimes the things they make and eat are in no way close to the things we eat in America. For instance last night I was eating a macaroni salad, one of my more favorite things to eat with food in America. I knew it had olives in it as does most macaroni salads and I was expecting to bite through one when my tooth struck harshly on one of the pits that was inside on the olive. I could have sworn I had chipped my tooth but luckily no. This would have been the first time I ever ate an olive with a seed inside of it as America pits all their olives... Needless to say Matt and Amy had a great laugh off of me.
Overall the experiences I have taken in have been great and i have learned so much and am looking forward to coming back here to Brasil in the near future.
Hope the readers of this are having a great week and that they enjoyed it.
The last couple of days have been great here in Gravatai.Two days ago we exchanged our American dollars for Brazilian currency - Reais. Let me set the scene for how it went down... Two white males pull up in a VW Gol, get out with back packs on and ring the door bell. They come inside, say a couple code words and are taken to the back kitchen in which they put their goods on the table and we put ours there also; transfering the money, the deal was complete and they got back into their vehicle and the day continued...
But really we were fortunate to be able to have these two guys; they were able to transfer the money with an exact translation instead of having to pay the exchange rate that can be expensive to pay for large sums of money. They were able to do this because we were helping them out by switching their money to American currency because they will be traveling to Africa very soon and exchanging that money will alow them the same convenience they gave us.
Yesterday we had a big grill out (Churrasco) in the backyard of the Geiger's home. It was a lot of fun and a great time to get to know and have a closer relationship with the people of the community and some of the people that serve and work for the Lord here. The food was all very good, as is all food that I eat here in Brazil; the funny thing is though sometimes the things they make and eat are in no way close to the things we eat in America. For instance last night I was eating a macaroni salad, one of my more favorite things to eat with food in America. I knew it had olives in it as does most macaroni salads and I was expecting to bite through one when my tooth struck harshly on one of the pits that was inside on the olive. I could have sworn I had chipped my tooth but luckily no. This would have been the first time I ever ate an olive with a seed inside of it as America pits all their olives... Needless to say Matt and Amy had a great laugh off of me.
Overall the experiences I have taken in have been great and i have learned so much and am looking forward to coming back here to Brasil in the near future.
Hope the readers of this are having a great week and that they enjoyed it.
Tuesday, November 13
Fun with Licorice...
Last night after the orphanage we had the opportunity to be interviewed on a sports radio talk show. When we arrived at the station Shane (the missionary) wasn't sure the room we were waiting in was soundproof and since the "on air" room was right next to us we were trying to be quiet. They were interviewing someone before us so we had to wait about an hour...and it was proving difficult to stay quiet because we were so tired that everything was funny. First, most of us needed to use the bathroom and the door squeeked when you opened it and when you closed it. Then Bill got out his bag of Licorice and he, Shane, and Geferson proceeded to stick it in their ears and noses and use it to make a mustache, etc. We were crying we were laughing so hard!! And it went downhill from there. You can see the pictures in my Brasil album here...
Even when we were being interviewed we were making faces at each other and stuff like that...it was hard to keep our mind (mine anyway) on the interview. But we had fun.
We came home and had a surprise birthday party for Tyler and by this time it was midnight. We were getting more tired by the minute and everthing was getting funnier. Matt, Tyler, Thais, and I stayed up until 12:30am playing "Would You Rather..." and then we decided that we'd better call it a night b/c we had an early morning.
Today we spent at another school. We did our drama and baseball stuff twice before lunch and twice after lunch. And lunch was again with the teachers. Then we came back and had the rest of the afternoon and evening to rest and continue to be goofy! Now it is 11:08pm and they are still out in the living room laughing. I think I'll go join them...
Tchau for now from South Brasil...
|
| FCC Brasil Trip - November 2007 |
Even when we were being interviewed we were making faces at each other and stuff like that...it was hard to keep our mind (mine anyway) on the interview. But we had fun.
We came home and had a surprise birthday party for Tyler and by this time it was midnight. We were getting more tired by the minute and everthing was getting funnier. Matt, Tyler, Thais, and I stayed up until 12:30am playing "Would You Rather..." and then we decided that we'd better call it a night b/c we had an early morning.
Today we spent at another school. We did our drama and baseball stuff twice before lunch and twice after lunch. And lunch was again with the teachers. Then we came back and had the rest of the afternoon and evening to rest and continue to be goofy! Now it is 11:08pm and they are still out in the living room laughing. I think I'll go join them...
Tchau for now from South Brasil...
Monday, November 12
Baseball in Brasil...
Brief synopsis of Sunday night here: We went to the church in the Rincao and then we split into two's and each group went to a different house for dinner. My and Brittany went to my friend, Flavia's, mom's house. We had fried chicken, fried rice patties, potato salad, and rice. For dessert we had chocolate cake. It was very good and it was very good to see my Brasilian mother!!
Day 2 in Brasil...
Today we went to the school in the Morro do Coco neighborhood. The schools here have multiple sessions per day, each with a different age group. We did our human video first in the morning and the afternoon sessions and then we taught them some baseball fundamentals. We set up three different "stations" around the playground and they could try their hand at batting, catching, and pitching. We brought some whiffle bats and balls with us to use and the younger kids (morning session) seemed to really enjoy learning the skills. The older kids (afternoon session) only seemed to care about which one of them could be the first to crack or break the whiffle ball or hit the ball over the wall into the house next door. And after a while they didn't even want the candy we were handing out if they hit it...they only wanted more balls to try and break! But we survived...and we laughed a TON today!!
In between the morning and afternoon sessions we were able to have lunch with the teachers and I was able to converse a little bit with my Portuguese.
Now we are resting and in a little bit are going to an orphange for dinner and the evening. Today is also Tyler Leichty's 18th birthday...and he gets to spend it with us in Brasil! We are having a little surprise party for him tonight after we get back from the orphange. Shhh...don't tell him!! Also, if his mom is reading this, he is doing a GREAT job of relating to the people and several times I have caught him standing on the front balcony just watching and observing the culture. It's very cool!! Also, I have a hilarious video of him from lunch today...that's why we laughed a ton! If I knew if would upload on this computer I'd put it on here...maybe later.
Tchau for now from South Brasil...
Day 2 in Brasil...
Today we went to the school in the Morro do Coco neighborhood. The schools here have multiple sessions per day, each with a different age group. We did our human video first in the morning and the afternoon sessions and then we taught them some baseball fundamentals. We set up three different "stations" around the playground and they could try their hand at batting, catching, and pitching. We brought some whiffle bats and balls with us to use and the younger kids (morning session) seemed to really enjoy learning the skills. The older kids (afternoon session) only seemed to care about which one of them could be the first to crack or break the whiffle ball or hit the ball over the wall into the house next door. And after a while they didn't even want the candy we were handing out if they hit it...they only wanted more balls to try and break! But we survived...and we laughed a TON today!!
In between the morning and afternoon sessions we were able to have lunch with the teachers and I was able to converse a little bit with my Portuguese.
Now we are resting and in a little bit are going to an orphange for dinner and the evening. Today is also Tyler Leichty's 18th birthday...and he gets to spend it with us in Brasil! We are having a little surprise party for him tonight after we get back from the orphange. Shhh...don't tell him!! Also, if his mom is reading this, he is doing a GREAT job of relating to the people and several times I have caught him standing on the front balcony just watching and observing the culture. It's very cool!! Also, I have a hilarious video of him from lunch today...that's why we laughed a ton! If I knew if would upload on this computer I'd put it on here...maybe later.
Tchau for now from South Brasil...
Sunday, November 11
Chegando! (We have arrived!)
Hello from Brasil! After 4 take-offs and landings, approximately 8 hours of layover time, turbulence, 2 movies, very little sleep, and one stop at McDonald's we are finally here. We arrived around 7pm last night. (Mom, that's 3pm your time.)
We unloaded our bags at the Geiger's house and then headed straight for Shane and Erin's for a Churrasco (Brasilian BBQ)! Oh, how I love Churrasco! Lots of people were there and it was good to see them again. We headed back to the Geiger's around 11pm and we were exhausted. This morning I was wide awake at 6:30am...so I layed there as long as I could and finally got up close to 7:00 and showered. I've been spending my morning getting all the gifts prepared that I brought for people. It's not much by our "American standards" but I know I will enjoy giving them as much as they will enjoy receiving them.
We have one hour before we need to leave this morning. On today's agenda is visiting a church in Porto Alegre. It's the church of another missionary family and it's in the same building as the school they have for the MK's (missionary kids). Then we're having lunch there. And tonight we are going to the youth group at the church in the Rincao and then to church there and after that we are having dinner in the homes of the people of that church. I'm especially excited for tonight as this is the church, and the people, that I worked with when I lived here and they are very dear to my heart.
I better go or this could get much longer....keep praying for us! We're having a great time!
We unloaded our bags at the Geiger's house and then headed straight for Shane and Erin's for a Churrasco (Brasilian BBQ)! Oh, how I love Churrasco! Lots of people were there and it was good to see them again. We headed back to the Geiger's around 11pm and we were exhausted. This morning I was wide awake at 6:30am...so I layed there as long as I could and finally got up close to 7:00 and showered. I've been spending my morning getting all the gifts prepared that I brought for people. It's not much by our "American standards" but I know I will enjoy giving them as much as they will enjoy receiving them.
We have one hour before we need to leave this morning. On today's agenda is visiting a church in Porto Alegre. It's the church of another missionary family and it's in the same building as the school they have for the MK's (missionary kids). Then we're having lunch there. And tonight we are going to the youth group at the church in the Rincao and then to church there and after that we are having dinner in the homes of the people of that church. I'm especially excited for tonight as this is the church, and the people, that I worked with when I lived here and they are very dear to my heart.
I better go or this could get much longer....keep praying for us! We're having a great time!
Friday, November 9
Getting ready
I'm not sure I should have titled this blog "Getting ready" b/c I'm doing anything but right now. It's 9:14am on Friday morning and I'm sitting at my kitchen table drinking coffee and checking my email. I haven't even gotten my suitcase out to start packing yet but I do have a pile of "don't forgets" on my desk. We're leaving at 4:30 and need to be at the airport by 2:30. I need to be a Bill and Chris' by 2:00 and I have one more errand to run and I need to be doing that no later than 12:30. So, I really should be packing...
But I did have some "business" to attend to on my email. There are four bible classes that I am required to take for ABWE and I am going to begin the first one once I get home from Brasil. I went online and ordered my books Wednesday night and I reserved a Proctor from ABWE...someone who will keep me on task and look over my homework, etc...and I needed something from my email so I could send them what they requested.
And I thought since I'm already online and sitting here I should touch base with all of you. Wasn't that nice of me?
We will arrive in Brasil tomorrow at 6:35pm their time. Right now we they are four hours ahead of us. So it will be just shy of 24 hours travel time. I hope they have some good movies on the plane...
I'll do my best to blog while I'm there and I would really covet your prayers. For the team...safety, to stay healthy, flexibility, unity. For my personally...that God would show me new things about Himself and about Brasil. This is my 6th trip there and I don't want to have any expectations. I want God to be free to work in my heart like He needs to without me getting in the way. I guess I would pray that for the team, as well.
Ok...I really need to start packing now. Até mais (until later)...
But I did have some "business" to attend to on my email. There are four bible classes that I am required to take for ABWE and I am going to begin the first one once I get home from Brasil. I went online and ordered my books Wednesday night and I reserved a Proctor from ABWE...someone who will keep me on task and look over my homework, etc...and I needed something from my email so I could send them what they requested.
And I thought since I'm already online and sitting here I should touch base with all of you. Wasn't that nice of me?
We will arrive in Brasil tomorrow at 6:35pm their time. Right now we they are four hours ahead of us. So it will be just shy of 24 hours travel time. I hope they have some good movies on the plane...
I'll do my best to blog while I'm there and I would really covet your prayers. For the team...safety, to stay healthy, flexibility, unity. For my personally...that God would show me new things about Himself and about Brasil. This is my 6th trip there and I don't want to have any expectations. I want God to be free to work in my heart like He needs to without me getting in the way. I guess I would pray that for the team, as well.
Ok...I really need to start packing now. Até mais (until later)...
Friday, November 2
This 'n That
Here are a hodge- podge of pics from my recent life...
My friends, Molly (center) from Chicago and Lisa from Norwalk.
B-Mack on our trip to see Kaila at Northwest Missouri State. ALL MY LIFE I WANTED TO BE A BEARCAT!! Whoo Ha Whoo Ha!
My nephews on Trick-or-Treat night...
The Caveman (Lucas)...
The Robot (Tyler)...
Both raring to get candy!! Both costumes are homemade by their mom...
Halloween night dinner...
Witch's Brew...
...and Eyeball Tonic...
My brother and his wife on their way to a "Murder Mystery Dinner" at the Five and Diner in Des Moines. Theme? The 50's...
My friends, Molly (center) from Chicago and Lisa from Norwalk.
B-Mack on our trip to see Kaila at Northwest Missouri State. ALL MY LIFE I WANTED TO BE A BEARCAT!! Whoo Ha Whoo Ha!
My nephews on Trick-or-Treat night...
The Caveman (Lucas)...
The Robot (Tyler)...
Both raring to get candy!! Both costumes are homemade by their mom...
Halloween night dinner...
Witch's Brew...
...and Eyeball Tonic...
My brother and his wife on their way to a "Murder Mystery Dinner" at the Five and Diner in Des Moines. Theme? The 50's...
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