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

Most Precious Ones

How could you not love them?

For many people, children, at best are a nuisance. For too many others, they are like trash –unwanted, disposable, and easy targets of violence and abuse of every kind. Many of the over two hundred children who live in Cidade dos Meninos, a loving Christian community just outside of Campinas, SP, that provides loving homes, school, social activities, church, vocational training and “hope without limits,” were at-risk children rescued from societies’ discard heap.

Several Intercultural Studies students from Mount Vernon Nazarene University were privileged to do their Intercultural Practicum in this environment. It is hard to imagine any ministry closer to the heart of God than caring for and educating children who have been rescued from violence, abandonment, and hopelessness. Helping to prepare meals, or serving at meal time, or playing with the children after class may hardly seem like significant mission activities. At such times, Jesus’ words “whatever you did for the least of these you have done to me,” reminds us that a smile, an English lesson, a romp on the playground, a stern no to misbehavior, a hug, anything done for these precious ones is ministering to Jesus himself.

On Wednesday, May 7, I had the privilege of getting up before 5:30 AM to catch the local bus to get into the city in time to ride the workers’ bus to Cidade dos Meninos with MVNU students, Laura Erskine, Miranda Stull, Deirdre Mc Cord, Chase Penix, and Scott Brubaker. What a day! It was long, it was tiring, it was mostly non-stop busy. When we came back into the city after dark, my heart got left behind. No, the kids didn’t steal it, I gladly gave it to them. You see I got to play with some of the kids. I tasted the meal several of the teen boys had proudly prepared in their cooking class. I took dozens of pictures of precious little ones, they took our pictures with them, and they posed, smiled, and soaked up the love that we gladly shared with them. We didn’t get to sing and dance with them in chapel because it was held on Friday, but we have been told that as young as they are, many of them have already learned to love and worship God.

In a very profound way, Wednesday was a day of worship for me. Throughout the day I often prayed for the children, I thanked God for the men and women who have understood the significance of their gift to God by taking care of, teaching, and serving the children. No missionary calling could ever be any more important or have any longer lasting results than the investment in the lives of hundreds of children who now have “hope without limits.”

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.

Serving at the Faculdade Nazarena do Brasil

Some people just think about things, or about doing things, but others just go ahead and get things done. That is how I see the ICS students who are here in Brazil this semester. They don't just want to think about it. They want to get on with it by getting their hands and clothes dirty and learning in the process. This week they pitched in and helped the Brazilian students who were cleaning out an old warehouse, then went on to their Practicum or other class activities. Just in case you were tempted to think that I just watched them or took pictures while they worked, I want to assure you that I also helped out, and even got smacked in the forehead with a piece of lumber in the process (my own carelessness, for sure).

Last evening, these same students went out to help distribute tracts and hot soup to the homeless men sleeping on the streets of Campinas. We were also able to distribute food to several mothers and their children on the street. We purposely did not take pictures. We are not here to collect photos, or memories, or even chalk up intercultural activities on our resumes. This is not a practice run, nor even preparation for the future. We are here now to serve alongside of our Brazilian brothers and sisters who actively represent the Kingdom of God in this place. The students did not hang back, either. They boldly prayed for the people as they were served. They shook the hands and expressed their love and compassion for these men and women who just happen to be more badly affected by their own sinful choices or those of others than most people.

Again, though, we were reminded of grace. But for the grace of God we too could be just as sadly affected by sin, injustice, and evil. We were saddened when we finally ran out of soup and bread around 10:00 PM and had to leave before taking care of everyone's needs. It was such a stark reminder of how many still wait for someone to respond with hope. How many people? How many places? How long must they wait? Where are all of the young people who offer to serve the Lord whereever?

One of my Brazilian brothers reminded me last evening how prone we are to complain about our personal circumstances and "problems." But when we get out on the street and get involved in ministry, it is so much easier to recognize how blessed we are and how grace filled we are as we serve the neediest people in society. By John Hall Jr.