I'm so sorry everyone. I know all my family wants to know how the Brazil trip went. But things have been so busy and chaotic, that I haven't gotten a chance. I've tried for weeks to come up with some eloquent post about all the things I learned and all that, but I've decided to go simple and to the point. It was awesome! I miss it all the time. I miss the people, I miss the boat, I miss the Ray of Hope team, I miss doing something actively for God. What I'm going to do is answer the FAQs that I get from everyone. What language is most common there? Most everyone speaks Portugese, but some tribes have their own language and some people speak Spanish. Very few know English (Although there was one boy who was going around telling all the girls, "You has beautiful eyes.") What did you do there? We went to two tribes and three villages and at each one we did "camp." Which means that we went into each place, played with the kids for a bit and then started a service, where we did a mix of worship and VBS songs (both English and Portugese). Someone would give a testimony and then a sermon would be preached. We often did a drama skit. Sometimes there was a puppet show. Some of the tribes performed for us. One tribe even danced with us (That was so much fun). Then we split off into groups. Older boys played soccer, kids under 7 or so did crafts, older girls did beading or made bracelets. We had a prayer team and a medical team. We fed them a meal and played games with the kids, blew bubbles, handed out clothing to those who needed it. What was your favorite part? There was one point where the Ray of Hope team in Brazil found a picture perfect beach with white sands right on the Amazon. One of the men made tiki torches and lined a path leading to a hut where they barbecued sausage and steak for us and then we stood in a circle on the beach and worshiped and prayed under the thousands of stars. I really felt like I heard God that night and I got to minister to one of my new friends. My favorite tribe, we didn't get to stay there long, because we got there late and we had to leave before mosquitoes came out. One of the girls had malaria and we didn't want to be exposed to that. But, anyway, they were so welcoming. They hugged us, performed for us and with us, recited verses for us, painted our faces, played with us. It was so much fun. Was it hot there? It was only in the high eighties, low nineties the whole time, but with 100% humidity, you're constantly sweaty. I sweat in places I didn't even know I could. I'm not usually a sweaty sort of person, but I literally dripped sweat most of the time. How was sleeping in a hammock? Surprisingly comfortable. Especially when we were driving and there was a breeze and the boat was rocking the hammocks back and forth. It was even better when someone was playing guitar in the background. I could get used to that. :) Did you see any snakes? No, but I did hold a caiman (related to the alligator). I dropped it in our boat because it thrashed before I had a good grip on it, which freaked everyone out. It was funny and a little embarrassing. I got to redeem myself and held it again. It was maybe two feet long. Was it life changing? Yes. Yes, it was. I made really good friends. I got to see another way of life. I experienced the effects of spiritual warfare. And I heard God's voice so clearly there. I think of it all the time and I'm hoping and praying to go back next year. Here's a video that shows you a little glimpse of what happened there! Enjoy!
1 Comment
Alex Yoder
7/31/2016 06:04:52 pm
Hannah,
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About Me!Hannah writes to satisfy her imagination. She's written six books so far--five of which need to be rewritten--and is working on a seventh. She ranges through a variety of genres, but favors contemporary YA, fixing broken characters. She wants to use her writing to change people and bring hope. She's currently going to college for Nursing and that takes up most of her writing time. She's a rather stereotypical writer, talking to imaginary friends, eavesdropping on people at the store, secretly being nosy, stashing herself away in her room with a paper and pen and chocolate and her teddy bear. She loves Jesus, the way the morning smells, her family of seven (four siblings), old movies, fairy tales, candles at night and helping people. She writes on another blog at nerdywriter.blogspot.com to hopefully build her chances of publication. My Author Site:Archives
December 2016
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