Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Brazilian Worship on the Bus
A few seconds of worship with the Brazilians on the bus ride to our last night of outreach.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
BRAZIL - MY EXPERIENCES
A little bit about what I experienced personally in Brazil. This one is a little longer, but it's not a story so feel free to skip around if you like : - )
Thursday, July 15, 2010
BRAZIL 2010!
What to say? – The past two weeks in Brazil have been phenomenal.
Lots of rice, bread, and beans, as well as powerful outreach throughout Belo Horizonte. Many people were impacted by God’s love and many also received salvation. There is a response to God from the Brazilian people that we don’t see in America (at least not in the same way, or as much…. YET!) The Brazilian people seem to receive Truth much more readily. They understand that they need God and they choose to believe. They don’t have as many hang ups when it comes to committing their lives to God. So it was very encouraging and a great privilege to be present with a number of people who called on the name of Jesus for the first time and received His living HOPE. Several times throughout the trip I prayed and thanked God for giving me the privilege to see and experience these things with the people of Brazil. There are few things more enjoyable and enriching.
Our team of 13 ate and slept at a church in the city. We got to team up with some of the same translators from last year – which was exciting – it was great to see our friend Bruno again! (being able to speak multiple languages is a tremendous gift, may those who are able use their gift unto the Lord)
Two weeks went by fast. We worshiped at the brothel three nights and held a banquet for the prostitutes, and ministered in Praca Sete (Belo’s Times Square), rehab communities, the favelas, and under a bridge with the homeless. We also did the drama (Puppet Master – there are lots of pictures on facebook). Drama is an awesome tool to show people God’s love because it’s a universal language. When the drama doesn’t have any words, people don’t need to speak the same language to understand God’s love for them. I played Satan in the drama and wore make-up most of the days. Some people think it may be more difficult to talk and pray with people when I look like this, but it actually ends up helping because people are interested in seeing why I have make-up on.
God worked a lot on my heart as well. Spending this much time serving and worshiping the Lord definitely got me thinking about my own life. God helped me to see how much grace He gives – the fact that there are things wrong with me and issues that I’m going through, but that He still chooses to bless me and use me in spite of all those things. I also learned a lot about serving and choosing to believe and worship and pray whether I feel like it or not – and that just because I don’t have a super emotional experience every time I participate in something spiritual doesn’t mean it’s not effective or real. Being in Brazil gave me more of a burden for America too – and to keep doing what we’re doing here.
Thank you for caring and sowing into this outreach with prayer and support. The people of Brazil definitely reaped a blessing from your generosity and prayer! And the outreach is not over. We must continue to battle in prayer for our brothers and sisters who have chosen to walk with Christ because the temptation is very strong.
(THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HAPPENED – GONNA PUT UP SOME ACTUAL/SPECIFIC STORIES SOON!)
Thanks for caring!
Love, peace
Riley
Lots of rice, bread, and beans, as well as powerful outreach throughout Belo Horizonte. Many people were impacted by God’s love and many also received salvation. There is a response to God from the Brazilian people that we don’t see in America (at least not in the same way, or as much…. YET!) The Brazilian people seem to receive Truth much more readily. They understand that they need God and they choose to believe. They don’t have as many hang ups when it comes to committing their lives to God. So it was very encouraging and a great privilege to be present with a number of people who called on the name of Jesus for the first time and received His living HOPE. Several times throughout the trip I prayed and thanked God for giving me the privilege to see and experience these things with the people of Brazil. There are few things more enjoyable and enriching.
Our team of 13 ate and slept at a church in the city. We got to team up with some of the same translators from last year – which was exciting – it was great to see our friend Bruno again! (being able to speak multiple languages is a tremendous gift, may those who are able use their gift unto the Lord)
Two weeks went by fast. We worshiped at the brothel three nights and held a banquet for the prostitutes, and ministered in Praca Sete (Belo’s Times Square), rehab communities, the favelas, and under a bridge with the homeless. We also did the drama (Puppet Master – there are lots of pictures on facebook). Drama is an awesome tool to show people God’s love because it’s a universal language. When the drama doesn’t have any words, people don’t need to speak the same language to understand God’s love for them. I played Satan in the drama and wore make-up most of the days. Some people think it may be more difficult to talk and pray with people when I look like this, but it actually ends up helping because people are interested in seeing why I have make-up on.
God worked a lot on my heart as well. Spending this much time serving and worshiping the Lord definitely got me thinking about my own life. God helped me to see how much grace He gives – the fact that there are things wrong with me and issues that I’m going through, but that He still chooses to bless me and use me in spite of all those things. I also learned a lot about serving and choosing to believe and worship and pray whether I feel like it or not – and that just because I don’t have a super emotional experience every time I participate in something spiritual doesn’t mean it’s not effective or real. Being in Brazil gave me more of a burden for America too – and to keep doing what we’re doing here.
Thank you for caring and sowing into this outreach with prayer and support. The people of Brazil definitely reaped a blessing from your generosity and prayer! And the outreach is not over. We must continue to battle in prayer for our brothers and sisters who have chosen to walk with Christ because the temptation is very strong.
(THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HAPPENED – GONNA PUT UP SOME ACTUAL/SPECIFIC STORIES SOON!)
Thanks for caring!
Love, peace
Riley
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