Our First Week: Culture | Community | Creation

Getting our feet on the ground: When we arrived to Brazil, despite being slightly jet lagged, it did not take our team long to realize how breathtakingly beautiful Brazil is. From the beautiful landscapes and historical churches, to the trees, the ocean, the flowers, the graffiti, and even the slums; it is all overwhelming beautiful. Our first few days in Recife were spent getting to know some of the city, seeing the coast, doing some painting at the church, and going to this beyond awesome soccer game. We are taking in the culture that is so different from the one most of us were raised in.

Beyond the scenery, the people here are just remarkable. Josh’s family and church family have welcomed us with open arms, generously showering us with love and hospitality. Also, there cannot be enough said about the community that they have provided for us. We never feel a lack of friends. The one thing that is probably the most frustrating is the language barrier, but as the days on by and with much effort from everyone, it is getting easier. We have been blessed with an amazing team, and hopefully we will all be able to continue to encourage and love each other at all times. It’s hard for each of us to be away from our families and friends, but we feel that our presence here can be used to bring glory to God as we humbly try to follow him. Please keep our team in your prayers.

- Nicole

"Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord's message will spread quickly. Pray that others will honor it just as you did. And pray that we will be saved from sinful and evil people. Not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one. We trust in the Lord. So we are sure that you are doing the things we tell you to do. And we are sure that you will keep on doing them. May the Lord fill your hearts with God's love. May Christ give you the strength to go on."

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5