Life in Brazil

this just makes me smile......

I was informed by my brother that the first Christmas gift under the tree at their house is for me.....from my neice Abby.  I love you too Abby and Emily....can't wait to see  you next week!!

Recovering from the weekend......Christmas party for my students in Ilha Bela and Vila Esperança....was a huge success.  I'll be posting some pics soon.  I spent this morning dividing the prizes for tomorrow and Wednesday's "reward" store.  Wasn't quite the same without Dave and Carol this time....but it's coming together.  Promise to post pics from all the events this week.

 

Carnaval Retreat 2011......

 

Well hello there.....I'm back from the beautiful countryside of São Paulo where we were for our church retreat.  I think I speak for everyone in saying that we enjoyed fun activities, wonderful fellowship and delicious food.  It truly was a blessed time to spend these days together as a church family.  Honestly at some times it felt more like a youth retreat than a church retreat with the fact that there were 70% youth and 30% adults and we had some new young people attending which was great.  However, I must say that I can't remember in recent history when we have experienced such spiritual warfare as we did at this retreat.  You name it.....bad attitudes, not being able to sleep, practical joking gone bad, arguments, drama (of the exaggerated kind) and the list could go on.  I could sense what you might call a "spiritual barrier" a few days before we were to leave as well as struggling with a sense of not wanting to go on this retreat.  Well bright and early Saturday morning we were packed, on the bus and heading out.  This sense of a "barrier" continued up until mid-day on Monday with a real break through taking place that night during the "foot washing" service.  It was amazing to sit back and watch everything unfold and God work in the lives of people.  I was especially touched because seven young people approached me to either wash my feet or say what I meant to them....it was hard to hold back the tears.  All the spiritual battling was worth it in view of what God did that night. 

Here are some pictures I was able to get on film hope you enjoy....

 

one of many competitions....

 

Aaron preached a series from Romans.

Soccer..... 

 

and more soccer.....

 

Each group put together a skit to share.......

 

here's another group....sorry mine didn't get pictured.

The group with the most "activity" points. 

   My team had the most points for memorized bible verses.... 

 

and we ended up winning the whole competition....WOO HOO!!

 

Please pray for Michel..... 

 

and Guilherme.....

 

 and Alex....

 

and how God is allowing me to be an "American auntie" to them.  Who knew that I would be privileged to have "Brazilian nephews"?

happy valentine's day......

 
 
In celebration of all things pink and red......here's a little photo mosaic to brighten your day.

Have a wonderful day.......wherever  you are.

Photo Credits:  photo 1 photo 2  photo 3 photo 4  photo 5 photo 6 photo 7 photo 8 photo 9 photo 10 photo 11 photo 12 photo 13  photo 14 photo 15 photo 16 photo 17 photo 18 photo 19 photo 20

today I could use a good water fight.....

 

because it's in the mid 90's today and scorching hot.  When you have to apply sun screen just to walk about 4 to 5 blocks to the grocery store....you know it's hot and the sun is shining in it's full strength.  What's crazy is sitting here in shorts and tank tops....sweating and then seeing what the weather is doing up in the States.  We have seen the pictures of how it just dumped snow in Minneapolis and I've also seen from my brother's facebook profile the snow in Yakima.  The thing is....Kochendorfers and I will be making the trip up there in about two days....they to Minneapolis and me to Yakima.  They will have Christmas with family and then be on the road for about 6 to 7 months doing more deputation.  Me....I'm just going up for my vacation. 

However the thought that keeps running through my head is......in 3 days I will be in the deep freeze....oh my.....yet on a day like today I'm actually looking forward to it.

Well enough about weather....let's get to more important stuff like the Christmas party that took place here at the mission house on Thursday.  In a few words.....it was a smashing success....but don't take my word for it....see for yourself.....

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The only thing we don't have pictures of is Carol and I throwing candy off the balcony.....which was a blast to do.  All in all I would like to say everyone had an enjoyable time....don't you think so??

I would like to take some space to just say "thank you" to all of you out in blog land who give on a regular basis to Kochendorfers, Brakefields and my ministry.  What you see here in pictures is some of those monies at work.....you are making a difference in the lives of many here in Brazil.  I know I have said this many times in the past but we simply could not do what we do without all of you.....you are as much a part of this as we are and we are so grateful for your participation.  How I wish all of you could make a trip here to see it in person but I know that is not possible.  That's why the internet is such a great tool to be able to communicate with you all and at least give you a peek at what is happening.

So for now....ponder the fact that you are appreciated beyond measure here in Brazil.

water fight anyone????

 

 

oh students.......prepare to get wet later this afternoon at the party......HEE HEE!!!!

it's december already????

but it was just Thanksgiving last week.

and that is how life goes........it passes you and you hardly knew it was there.

So how was your Thanksgiving??  I know I'm asking almost a week after it happened....but  you know better late than never, huh?

We had an enjoyable time together and I was able to take a few pics in the process....

The turkey is just out of the oven and Carol is spooning out the stuffing

 

Dave is carving the Turkey

 
When making green bean casserole and you don't have "french fried"onions.....improvise....with shoe string potatoes....works every time.  Well at least we thought it was a good replacement

 

Menezes......being a ham...or is it a turkey???

 

Everyone is at the table....except Luciana....where's Lu?  Oh...she's taking the picture

 

Beginning the "trilogy of holidays".....with thankfulness

 

I was watching Glen Beck a couple of weeks ago...and he was commenting on the holidays....by using the phrase "trilogy of holidays."  He used this phrase to refer to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.  What I really appreciated about his comments was that in order to prepare ourselves for Christmas we first had to begin with thankfulness...and that it's thankfulness that prepares our hearts to receive what Christmas is truly about.....that is Jesus.

It's good every now and then to remind ourselves where we have come from and how much Christ's love has changed us.....are you thankful??

I know I am.....especially at this point in life. 

So....how are you preparing your heart for Christmas?