Andréa's Thoughts a Couple of Weeks Ago

In my last entry, I talked about how God helps to bring me through times when all I can think of is home and it seems like everything would be so much better if I were in the United States. That is so true! But since then I have come to appreciate and even love my situation here and my mind is not so consumed with thoughts of home. Now I find myself thinking about returning home in a few weeks and wishing that I could stay longer so I could learn and grow more.
Things are still frustrating at times. Like when I got lost on the bus on the way to orchestra practice for my practicum this past week. Talking with the bus attendant, driver, and the others on the bus to find my way through a part of the city where I’ve never been was a true test of my Portuguese abilities and my nerves. My speaking and understanding were certainly less than perfect, but I made it to practice……45 minutes late. Things like this continue to test and try, but my excitement for being here and my love for the wonderful Brazilians that I see day in and day out makes me think that I may have reached the other side of culture shock.
I have truly fallen in love with the family that I am living with. They are just that, family. My mãe (Brazilian mom) gets concerned when I get the sniffles and she talks with me about culture and helps me with Portuguese while we do dishes together. My pai (Brazilian dad) brings me popcorn while working on homework. Bruna, my Brazilian sister, watches TV with me, lets me tag along when she’s hanging out with her friends, and certainly lets me know (in love) when I haven’t said something right in Portuguese. I couldn’t ask for a better family! I have loved learning about what it’s like to live in a Brazilian home with this family. They have taught me so much and I hope that they have enjoyed having me as well. These next few weeks I will be savoring my time with my Brazilian family and trying to soak up as much Brazilian learning as possible. I am so happy with what God has taught me here, but I hope that it is not over yet!
By Andréa Woods

You will know when you grow up ...

All my life, people have said to me that I will know when I have grown up, because I will realize that I know nothing at all. I've never really appreciated the saying much, least of all now. The phrase has certainly never hit home this hard. I still hold true to my feelings when I first arrived in Brazil; it has been the biggest learning experience of my life. Every day I learn a new word, idea or practice, and I find joy in this. But I have also never been placed in a more humbling situation.

I am still learning the language; I am still learning about the culture, and while I find myself fitting in more and more, I am also more aware of my cultural differences and the difficulties that are involved in bridging cultural and lingual gaps. In three months I have learned the basics of how to communicate. I can hold out on my own, buy food, go shopping and hold short conversations. And while this is a definite accomplishment for the short time that I have been here, I am still not able to give direction in the church theater group I am a part of, or share a devotional without the help of a translator. I am primarily limited to observing the ministries I am involved with.

I am daily blessed by the kindness of my host family and church. Their guidance, love and generous hearts have made this semester the most influential one of my college career. But I feel ashamed for not giving back to them in the way that they have given to me. I have found myself rationalizing my inexperience and language barriers instead of completely stepping up to the opportunities given to me and offering them over to God. I do not know what God can do with someone who is faced with these cultural challenges, but I am ashamed for not giving him a better chance.

I realize that my education has been here to remind me that I am capable of nothing without God, not to make me self-sufficient. I came to Brazil hoping to depend upon what I had learned through my classes and church experience, but realize that I can do nothing without God's power. He is the only one who can step past these barriers. And with his help and blessing, I pray that he will lead me and use me throughout these next two weeks.

I covet your prayers, and am anxiously looking forward to being with my friends and family again. Your support has given me a steady supply of hope and peace. I love you all.

-Jamie Noel Schmelzenbach

ORDEM E PROGRESSO

Andréa Woods

Having been here for two months, the novelty of being in a new country has worn off. That doesn’t mean I don’t still get excited about eating fresh mango and not having to wear a coat when I go outside, but at the same time I’m getting used to things that one can only get accustomed to through time. For example, I don’t expect to walk into a room and be able to speak to someone in English. I’m also familiar now with the social norms of using public transportation, like how far in advance to stand before my stop comes and whether or not to take a seat at all. Beyond these superficial things, the extended amount of time here has helped me to learn that the Brazilian people are fun-loving, hospitable people that truly look to progress as their motto says “Ordem e Progresso.”

Not everything about being here is smooth sailing. But when things are getting tough and it feels like I’m banging my head against the wall trying to speak Portuguese, and it would just be easier to pack up and go home where everyone speaks the same language, God steps in and reminds me that He is with me, loves me and has a plan for me here. God’s obvious faithfulness to me inspires me to serve Him and share His love with those around me, particularly the kids that I work with at ANA (a before and after school program for shanty town children.)

God gave me one of those reminders at the evening service on Easter. I went to church that evening missing my family and being frustrated with my Portuguese progress, but during the praise and worship time I came to the realization that I understood nearly all of the worship songs. I’m still not thrilled with my Portuguese but I was overjoyed that after almost 2 months of being here I could wholeheartedly participate in the worship music. I am so thankful for times like this that are so encouraging. It helps make the hard parts of being here not so bad.

Taking a trip to the beach and Rio de Janeiro wasn’t bad either. Although we missed Miranda terribly, we all had a great time of fun in the sun! We stayed in a couple of apartments in a little tourist town called Arraial do Cabo. We had some good times hanging out on white sandy beaches, making brigadeiro, and seeing “Big Jesus.” It was a great week and I can’t wait to go back to share it with Miranda, but I’m really excited to get back to learning Portuguese and working with the kids at ANA.

We Speak to Nations

Leah Barker

Hear the sound; the sound of the nations worshipping.
Hear the sound; of sons and daughters singing.
Who will go for us?
Who will shout to the corners of the Earth; that Christ is King?

Hear the sound; the sound of the nations calling.
Hear the sound; the sound of the fatherless crying.
Who will go for us?
Who will shout to the corners of the Earth; that Christ is King?

We speak to nations; be open.
We speak to nations; fall on your knees.
We speak to nations; the kingdom is coming near to you.
We speak to the stronghold; be broken.
Powers of darkness; you have to flee.
We speak to nations; the kingdom is coming near to you.
We speak to you; to you.
BE FREE!

This has been my theme song throughout this Cultural Experience. It didn’t really hit me until a few days ago when my team and I had the opportunity to be involved in the Soup ministry at Central Church of the Nazarene in Campinas Brazil. This ministry on [Tuesday and] Thursday nights goes out into the community and distributes soup to the homeless people as well as shares the gospel with them.

These people are broken and searching for answers and all they may see in us is that we are great people who care enough to give them food and to talk to them. This is an example of a nation that is unseen a lot of the times. But we are reminded that God sees them and He cares. As we were out, this little girl came to us with her mom and another lady to receive some soup. When I gave her the soup it was too hot to eat, so instead of putting the bread in the soup I handed it right to the little girl and her face just lit up. I have no idea when was the last time she had eaten, but let me say that her caring eyes and the joy that was expressed by her smile blessed me so much.

If we aren’t open to God and what He has in store for us we may miss a great experience like this one I have just shared with you. This ministry hears the sound of a nation crying for God and they speak to this nation. Let me challenge you today to be open to the world around you. People are hurting and you may be their only connection to God. Don’t be afraid to express your love for God. Keep in mind that even though the powers of darkness may be fighting against you, God is stronger and by faith you can defeat that dark power. God is faithful and He gives us all the hope and love that we need. God has written a song in our lives that needs to be shared; so go and share.