Sunday, June 20th

Today started with breakfast eaten in shifts rather than our normal group breakfast. This was because the drama team and support group were headed to the juvenile detention center while the rest of the team went to the Chinese Presbyterian church. Pastor Todd delivered the sermon, which was translated into both Portuguese and Chinese. The entire team met up together at the Chinese church for lunch. Think of an old fashion church potluck with all authentic Chinese food.

(Anna goes through the buffet at the Chinese church)

It was a great opportunity to try some new foods. They were celebrating a Chinese holiday so we had a special dish which consisted of sticky rice with meat wrapped in a bamboo leaf. It is a special treat that they only have once a year. We felt so blessed for them to share that with us. After lunch most of us went to a nearby street market to do some shopping. Most of the vendors were closing their booths because Brazil played at 2:00. Once again we witnessed that EVERYTHING shuts down and stops when Brazil plays soccer.


The people across the street from the church decorated the streets. They tied ribbons on strings and hung them up. It was a bit disturbing to see them standing on scaffolding in the middle of such a busy street. Remember if you get hit by a car here, it is not the driver’s fault. It was even more disturbing to see them grabbing the electric lines to tie their string to. They definitely live without fear here!

During the soccer match we had some rest time. It is quite difficult to sleep with all of the horns, yelling, and fireworks…lots of fireworks! Some people watched the match and others went down the street to the neighbor’s house for a swim.

We were provided a delicious snack around 4:30 which consisted of orange glazed rolls and fruit. At 5:00 we had the 1st evening service. During this service we celebrated with all of the people who had given their lives to Christ lately. Each small group took turns marching across the stage with all of the people who had recently received salvation. Wow! The groups were huge! People here really understand the concept of discipleship, and they take it to heart. This is definitely an area that we can learn from and grow in back in the United States. The celebration rivaled the noise of the soccer match in the sanctuary with cheering, horns, and music. They really know how to celebrate in Brazil! When the celebration ended, Anna gave her testimony. We were all praying for strength for her because on Saturday when she was trying to read it to some team members she only got to line 2 or 3 before she broke down and sobbed. God gave her the strength to get through the entire testimony without cracking. She had a great spirit of joy about her and a smile on her face. Todd gave the message at the 1st service and talked about giving up our problems to God and letting him have control.

During the 1st service Tara and Jamie led a children’s service. Things did not work out exactly as they had planned but all came together in a way that impacted the children. Isn’t it funny how we have plans, but God has better plans?

(Jamie at the kids church)

(Some of the children at the kids service)

(Tara speaking to the kids and Nick translating)

After the 1st service the team met downstairs for a team meeting. A few people went to bed at this point; we are all getting quite tired with all of the late nights and early mornings. The rest of the team returned to listen to the pastor give the message for the second service. He talked about financial and spiritual prosperity. He told us that spiritual prosperity is more valuable than financial prosperity. In order to receive spiritual prosperity we need to live close to God by reading his word and praying. After the message he asked the team and all of the church pastors to come up front and we prayed for people. We were able to witness some powerful and miraculous sites, like we’d never seen before. We serve a powerful and awesome God.

The majority of the team left the service at 11 even though it was not finished. We went downstairs and ate the meal that the ladies of the church so graciously kept warm for us. They are absolutely amazing! They were still here after 11 last night waiting to serve us and back at 7 starting breakfast. It is extremely humbling to be served so sacrificially.