Another video....

This is a video that Kelita (Marconi's Daughter) made, we thought we would put it on our blog, its really good footage that we did not already have. Thanks Kel, its a great video, love you, miss you, hope to see you again someday soon!

Brasil countryside

Voce pedo?

So, we are just finishing up our final brazil videos, they will be up later today! sorry we haven't put any up in a while, we had almost no internet for the last 2 weeks in brazil. We are in Germany now, its very cold but we are loving it! After the brazil videos, we will post some stuff about Germany. Peace out ya'll!

This picture is just a glimpse of Germany, we will post more later, promise!

~christian

Pictures of the Xote Santo tour

On the road with Xote Santo
.Setting up the "transformer" stage in Carnaubas. Notice the güy up on the telephone pole getting the source for oür electricity.
Robino, andrew, Regis, Evan, Christian, Wilker, Eric and Olesandro (both on bottom)
Ändrew having a quiet time
Evan (Maximus) and Ceaser (Ceaser)
Sitting around the computer having a laugh :)

Xote Santo

http://www.xotesanto.com/

GLORIA DEUS- Tcheau Brazil

And it's funny how God still loves us and provides for us. We always forget and doubt and try to control God.

Today was departure day and we were sitting in Recife- waiting for Kiki and Eliana to get out of the US Consolate. We waited more and more and the time came to leave. Finally Kiki came out and we headed quickly to the airport. We arrived one hour before our expected departure. The digital flight schedule said our flight left in 5 minutes though. We sprinted over to the line and found that our flight was delayed six hours or so. This added to the prestress. Prestress isn't a word- so the correct sentence would be, "This added to the stress we already had."

Understand though, there is nothing we could have done. Even if we weren't stuck in traffic, Kiki was earlier, and we were there 3 hours before- nothing could have changed what had happened. The entire car ride we were simultaneously thinking, "If we would have left earlier... now were going to be rushed, argh, this is annoying..." And we find after that our flight is cancelled that without even asking we were given a hotel voucher. In miami we were given one- and we had to beg and plead and we got roughly 20 bucks off. Without asking they gave us a hotel voucher for six hours to a five star hotel with unlimited dinner next to a pool. Our room over-looks a section of the beach.

It was totally out of our control. 30 minutes later after sitting in the airport, we were sitting by a tropical pool eating pineapple. Now we got a formal goodbye, real hugs and pictures. We have time to write this update and email Juergen that we will be a bit late:)

We didn't deserve this, and that is how Gods grace is so awesome. We were all complaining, just like in Assu. We always think that we know what is right, and we have no faith. We had no idea what Gods plan was, and how much better it always is- no matter what it seems like when were in the car running late. On top of that, it is totally unnecessary. We should have gone from that hard work straight into an awkward flight and into the freezing climate. But we have been given a night of rest. So... who knows if we will get on a plane in a few hours. God may very well have a totally different plan! So we wanted to tell you that in a bit we are going to be taking a shuttle from the International Palace, Five Star Hotel to the airport in Recife.

Goodbye Brasil! It has been amazing for all of us. Check our facebooks- we sometimes update notes on them giving our personal views and stories. Thank you so much!

Deus Te Abencoe!!!

The team

Cabeza, Hombros, geueliu, e pe (all of which are probably spelled wrong)

For the past couple of weeks we have been touring with a band called "Xote Santo." Xote is a kind of music/dance, and santo means "holy" in Portuguese. We were really able to experience this part of Brasil in two weeks- Xote. For the length's sake and for your sake we will just list the places and a few highlights, because I am tempted to write a novel about this time of my life. The trip went like this: Santana, Acari, Carnaubas Dos Dantes, Currais Novos, Macaiba, Natal (2 nights, one in a church- other in a theatre), Baahia Famosa, Boi Selado, Lagis, and Assu. The rough schedule went like this, show up, set up the stage or "transformer", go back to home base (a local church or pastors house), sleep and eat, get ready, then go back and play, tear down, and either go back to that place or head to the next city. We would open, and play three songs, then head off the stage and listen to Xote Santo. Well, listening is only half right- dancing is what we did. The kind of dancing is "Forro," which is a fast pace and simply dance, with a partner or single. The Forro can be simple or extremely complex and we would dance simply- but the two dancers for the band would go crazy. By the end...well... more of that later... The stage was like a regular trailer with two axles, and literally transformed. It opened up and was dangerous. The total was 4 two-man speakers, 4 equally heavy, smaller speakers, one beast box thing, and a mass amount of other equipment.

It started off with Santana and we hit it off when a larger member of the band named himself "Big Mac" and slowly handed out other nick names. It was obvious as soon as we begun that every single band member were supreme musicians. Any one could hop on an instrument and jam- which was great to say the least. Later on in the trip we found how much of a blessing this would be. It was really amazing to see Veridiano and his wife again, Jacqueline. This was an incredible meet up, but unfortunately she wasn't feeling well. The doctors said that she will need surgery, and in order for them to get the means for it (public healthcare) this may take a long time. Please pray for her health and Gods provision. Please continue praying also for their encouragement and strength, because being a missionary in the country-side here in Brasil we've found is draining and support is needed. We were given another house to stay at though- and we stayed up so late watching soccer with our host on a 13" fuzzy t.v.

Next stop was Acari. Toward the end of the show, a few accepted Christ. This was a very "productive time" in getting to know the band. By this we mean that toward the end of setting up there is not a lot to do, and it is a perfect time to break the ice. The "scoop" game is simple- you swiftly brush your finger against the nipple of another man and say "scoop" in a higher pitched voice. Along with scoop we taught them "melon, trout, viper..." If you don't know these, its okay- just know that they are similar and disturbing like scoop. Big Mac picked this up all too quickly- and the game soon became trying to avoid him. Lifting heavy speakers becomes more difficult when someone scoops you. This game lasted until the very end of the trip, every few minutes. We stayed at the pastors house that night and long until the next afternoon. The next day we got to play guitar, read the bible, pray, visit and rest together. One man showed up who was an alcoholic and fell to his knees in front of the stage. He accepted Christ

Carnaubas was beautiful. This is a warmer place, and our relationships were more established. We were reintroduced to the infamous "slup" ice cream. Christian was drawn in by a group of rough little boys who asked him to play guitar. Christian wanted to pray for them, and asked Eliana to come translate more or less. Her idea was to share the Gospel first. Christian and Eliana in broken english/portuguese shared the gospel with the 3 boys. The boys said that they had some friends recently accept Christ and wanted to know more about it. After sharing the Gospel, the 2 prayed over the 3 boys and Christian continued to play guitar and sing with them.

Currais Novos was a huge night for us- the most people anyone of us have ever played for. We played on a real stage with hundreds there. This was the night that we started to learn more of the dances- which was very entertaining even for me. Again, we were given a place to stay there with a huge amount of food. This night we were invited to do a dance up on the stage. In what seemed like a millisecond- we were up on the stage and the rest was a blur. We were face to face with hundreds trying to do a dance we were unfamiliar with. I'm not sure if it was videotaped, but it sure should have been.

Macaiba is the place where lily of the Valley orphanage is located. We were able to take a trip back to this place, but this city is a lot more dark. There was another guy that showed up that was high. He walked up to the front of the stage with his hands in the air. After Marconi and a Pastor talked to him, he told us that the man said, "I want freedom, i have to get rid of these drugs..." Luckily the Pastor knew him and was going to be able to meet up with him afterwards. Later on we headed home to Marconi's house about 10 to 15 minutes away. Ju Ju, Ceaser, Eric and Big Mac stayed over. We had coffee, laughed at youtube videos and hit the hay.

The next two days were shows in Natal. First was at a theatre- which was incredible- but before we had a beach day at Ponta Negra beach in Natal. It was the four from the band, us three and Kener. We rented a surfboard and tried to ride it. That's all there is to that. The second night was good though because this is where we met the professional violin player, Luiz, who conducted an orchestra. Getting to play with him was so awesome.

Baahi Famosa was the next stop. We were given another beach to play at before setting up! Three guys accepted Christ that night. Marconi asked us to go up to the front of the stage with the people who wanted to accept Christ and pray for them. This was a radical and exciting thing for us- remembering that encounter with God. After praying for them Evan pulled one of them aside as well as his friend. He sat down on the curb away from the stage between the two and talked in portuguese-spanish-english about drinking and God.

Home again, home agian- Boi Selado. This is where we feel most at home and comforted. Fatima is our hostess there along with her whole family and extended family. This was a time of planting more seeds for us. All the people here knew why we were there, and it was just putting God in front of them more and more. We were living out and living with them what we told them the trip before. Refer to the story below for some more details on Boi Selado.

All we had was one guitar and a box. Every single show, Andrew was able to use the guitar of "Olisandro," (guitar player of Xote Santo). Evan doesn't even know how to play the box- and we were faced with some small and some huge crowds. The theme for this was "five loaves and two fish." The idea here is that we knew that we are nothing special, and all we got is... nothing special honestly. Time and time again though, we were given something. For instance, I am sitting here listening to Andrew playing with a violin player named Luiz Antonio that came along who is professional. One night in Natal he played in his church with us to a song, "Amazing Grace" by The Almost. In this song, there is a trumpet playing in the back ground, and this guy hopped in playing with us- the exact same part as the trumpet. He has never played with us nor heard this song, but just played with us improv, and it was so beautiful. Night by night, band members joined and added to what we had, and other singers helped as well from Marconi's family. One night (in Boi Selado) we met back up with Cabrinha (little goat) and had Luiz playing violin. Just them played with Kelita (Marconi's daughter) and her friend and a few others. After, we played with Luiz and it was the same deal. We were blessed every night of playing.

The last night was in Assu. By the last day we were all tired and worn out. It started to get extremely redundant, lifting and moving heavy stuff, battling with language, hitting our heads repeatedly- all of this and more in the hot hot sun. And as soon as we got done, we had to take it down (at that time) for some unknown and (what felt like) ungodly reason. Regis (the accordian player) gathered everyone together in prayer. Later on that night, it was affirmed that we were going to be playing on a huge truck- similar to the ones that were used for advertising. This was an 18-wheeler lit up with speakers across the sides. It was beautiful. Evan sang "head, shoulders, knees and toes" or "Cabeza, Hombros, gueliu e pe" in Portuguese for the crowd on the truck. Our last night was the most of all, joyous dancing in the streets. Hundreds of people surrounded the stage that night. After, we didn't have the painful experience of packing up and it was so much more glorious than the trailer. We had no idea what was really in store for us:)

It is funny because we are just like the Israelites in Exodus. In this story in the bible, God delivers them from slavery, performs a mass amount of miracles, and is in a personal relationship with them. He protects them time and time again- and miraculously rains food down from heaven... etc. And when things get confusing or they struggle- they ask for God to take them back to slavery. They complain and moap around. If i was God i would be infuriated. But God continues to love them more and more. With this stage we were all complaining and whiney, but we found that Gods plan is perfect everytime, even when we are out in the hot sun, tired, hungry and burnt out. God is good.

This entire trip was very draining in some aspects. Marconi left us more for ourselves with the band, and we were getting tired physically from the struggle of communication. In addition to this, we would stay up late moving heavy stuff- and try to sleep in the bumpy car....

On their Way...

V-Team has left the hemisphere. Yesterday, their friend and mentor Marconi, drove the Team many hours, to the airport. After 40 days in Brazil Andrew, Evan, and Christian have now moved on to Germany.

V-Team spent their last 14 days in Brazil on the road with the band "Xote Santo." Andrew said that they would sit in and play with the popular band for the first songs in the setlist. And for one of their last concerts, they played to a crowd from the top of an 18 wheeler truck that was parked on the beach. Andrew told me briefly that he couldn't bring his guitar along, but asked God to provide one if he was supposed to play. Every night, a guitar somehow 'showed up' for him to play. Watch for more stories like this in their future blog post updates -- once the Team gets connected in Germany.

In the meantime, the Team would like for you to pray for the believing friends they leave behind. Please pray for those in remote and isolated places like Boi Selado, Currais Novos, and Negros do Riacho. Please pray for their friend "Little Goat" and friends like him, who are living out their faith, in difficult and isolated places in rural Brazil.

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Watch for more about Brazil, after the Team recovers from serious jet lag. Check out the big time difference on the world clocks on the blog sidebar ... zzzzzz.

~KjL

Pictures & Prayer

Correction: The Team is now in a town called Lajes ... and aren't back at the base of Challenge Ministries yet. They're still on the road traveling with a popular local band. Stay tuned for updates when they get back into Natal.

Some pictures...

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Andrew being Andrew.
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.Evan being the 'Wolverine.'
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Christian being Christian.
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Check out The Prayer Link
If you'd like to see a running list of the Team's Prayer needs, look to the right. There is now a prayer list on the sidebar of this blog. And if you are praying, THANK YOU!!



~KjL

"On Tour" in Brazil

Below, find an excerpt from a quick late-night letter written to V-Team's email and prayer teams. The Team will be out on the road again in Brazil, touring for a few days with a local popular band.

V-Team on Tour. Who knew?

Just wanted to stop in and say hello. Its about 1:30 or 2 a.m. here... and I am excited to write this to you as I am drooling on the computer and falling asleep. I hope that this email finds you with joy!

We leave tomorrow to tour with a really popular band to ten different towns. We have built a lot of relationships with people already because we are traveling to a lot of places we have been before. Also, we are going to many places we have never been before- we are excited to see what will happen in this time. The tour bus they are on is having a lot of troubles, and there are some unclear complications thus far. We have faith that God is going to work miracles, and this is going to be a fruitful time- even if it is not even close to our plan. Gods plan is often different from our own- and it is so amazing.

Please pray for Marconi and Challenge Ministries. We really need prayer over this trip- direction, passion, wisdom and energy. So many people will hear about Jesus and so many are going to be touched. Pray that we would be effective for Gods purpose. This trip is going to be a huge opportunity!

Thank you for your continued support. Internet will not be available as far as we know, but feel free to shoot us an email or comment on the blog.
Thank you again, and I will be clear:

YOUR PRAYERS ARE INVALUABLE; its awesome.

With faith,

evan andrew kristen

The Food Poll

And now, the belated results of the last Blog Survey Question ...

"Which of these real Brazilian foods has the team NOT eaten?"

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Guanana 0%

Turtle 27%

Goat Brains 27%

Cashew Juice 27%

Goat Intestines 18%

And the winner is ... Turtle.

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Yes, both goat brains and intestines have been consumed on this trip, along with cashew juice, peanut butter popsicles, and a variety of cous cous and bean meals. So, if you picked turtle, you won!!

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V--Team friend (groupie?) Doug Leavy, was the only one to claim his official "V-Team Congratulations Email" on the last survey. So, if you are a winner this time, email the team or comment on this post. Claim your prize!

worldboundmissions@gmail.com

~KjL

The Low Down...

Below, you will find a 3 part entry of our week, we know its long, but a lot of stuff happened, thats why it is in 3 parts.  Its from Evan's perspective, because he wrote it.  Thanks so much for taking your time to stay updated on what we are doing and would love to hear your thoughts/feedback/comments/etc... Shoot us an email or a comment on the blog! 

~christian

Boi Selado, Currais Novos, and Negros do Riacho Part 1

Where do I begin? Boisolado... it's an oppressed and dead place- with one light. We arrived here this morning, just in time for breakfast- but headed straight to the school. Marconi has this awesome method of ministry where he is extremely good at facilitating a way for the gospel to be shared and utilizes who ever is with him. Marconi is awesome at utilizing Christian and Andrews music talents. We have got to experience this time and time again, by going to places all around (schools in particular) and inviting them to another place later on outside to really share. We play some songs, and share with them a bit of what we're doing- but its just a sneak peak of whatever God wants to say later on in the night. So- here we are in the metropolis Boisolado of 700 people or so; and go to the school. We share with the older and younger kids about our trip story and our hearts for this time in Brazil- pass out Gospel tracks, play some ball, sing, pray, take pictures- you know the drill. Marconi tells us of the one man in this entire place who had put his faith in Jesus Christ alone, and worshiped Him as the God of his life. There was one man who was living out Jesus' instructions and walking side by side with him, in a personal relationship. We left to go meet Carinha, or little goat, in Portuguese. As we drove over there, I started thinking while looking over a sunset. "How in the world would he not conform? How could there be a love so good that he would live alone in a dark place and fight by himself...?" We were pleased to see all the parts in the bible that he liked painted on his house and rocks nearby. Marconi, Andrew, Christian, Carinha and myself gathered close outside his house to pray. After praying- I had the opportunity to encourage Carinha. It was the most amazing thing to sit with my brother across the world- having NOTHING in common except for our love for Christ.

To sit there, pray and watch God empower him. Before leaving, Marconi told us that he would be meeting up with us later on that night to play guitar with us- but we had no idea what was about to come. At the school earlier, Marconi got the unheard-of invite to talk and sing at the Catholic Church. This was huge! So, because of this amazing but odd offer, Marconi took it and investigated it when we returned back into town. As Andrew, Christian and myself entertained 40+ people with our broken Portuguese, Marconi found out that not only was he invited, but we could wear shorts! We exhausted every subject we could talk about- soccer, music, the Samba (dance), and... soccer. Before we knew it, as we sat in the town square, families were surrounding us and laughing at our poor performance but hard effort of Portuguese. I have found out something about God. He has a sense of humor. Time and time again, I find that He urges me to sometimes look like a fool or do something I am uncomfortable with to bring Him glory. More about that later. So, we walked over to the Catholic Church. This was all new to us- all of us. For some reason, we believed that God wanted us there. Marconi got to sing the Lord's prayer and go through it- like a lesson. As the service went on, I couldn't help but sing "Amazing Grace." For some reason it came to my mind over and over again and I couldn't keep the concept of grace quiet. I mean, who could? That we don't have to earn Gods love or the life he has for us. As it was over, we walked about 15 feet to the town square again, set up our stuff and played. God had divinely rounded up about 200 people in this little area to come listen. LIFE. We stepped out into life. We began to play and God met us here. Carinha was letting go and playing his instrument. I was acting like I could play the drum- but I had a blast. Its funny because even though not all these people had anything to be joyous about, but we were all able to laugh out there. We were free from criticizing tradition. We had the opportunity to share the Awesome News about Jesus being the way to heaven. His sacrifice was total and complete. He is SITTING at Gods right hand. We have to accept His gift, and it is life changing. God wants us, and there is a love that is more complete and full than we could imagine- its grace. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. Its Jesus. We finished up and engaged with the locals. So I walk up to a group of guys- and begin the soccer conversation. Somehow I ended up having to do my impression of the Samba dance- which mind you I cannot do. So this is not just a group of little kids giggling, it is that along with guys my own age and older. Thank you God. This has happened more than once. After things died down- we said goodbye to Cabrinha. With tears in his eyes, he left at once. Later we were informed by another man who came with us that the last time he saw Cabrhina playing guitar in that town square was when he had a beard down to his chest and he was completely wasted. He was up drinking and playing until 5 a.m. Now, years and years later, this new man sits in the same flesh playing songs as thanksgiving for his redemption. He was using his instrument for a totally different purpose, and that spoke louder than anything else tonight. People remembered him as that, and now he is this. Redemption. Grace. That he was blind, but now he sees. Cabrhina was a professional guitar player- but quit his band after coming to Christ because of the pressures of being in a band here in Brasil. He has not had a job since, and is waiting- just pursuing Boisolado, because he loves these people as God does.

But okay, besides the update of the day, let's focus here on what God is doing in Boisolado. When we see this story of Little Goat, I cannot help but think of Paul.

"even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me... Jesus came into the world to save sinners- and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on my so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience..." 1 Timothy 1:13, 15,16

All they knew was that people were saying, "The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!" And they praised God because of me. Galatians 1:23,24

Both of these are from Paul. He was known for trying to actually destroy Gods church. But God knew before time that He would redeem Paul so God would get glory for the amazing grace he had. Imagine what people think about Cabrhina's God. What happened to him? He was known for this, and out of no where- He is pulled out of that, and wants to share with those same people of the crazy love that has the power to do so. What in the world would motivate him to turn around so much that he would not budge or conform when he is the only one like him. That there is a love, a grace so good and complete, final and perfect- that has taken his life. It's so sweet. What kind of love would redeem Paul. What kind of grace would pull them in, and transform them? It is weird how we constantly feel that there is no such thing. There couldn't be a love great enough. We HAVE to do SOMETHING. We need to make sacrifices... travel hours to Carnaubas and walk up a brick-paved mountain on our knees, burn candles and endure the hot wax, make the unnecessary promises to saints, whatever. But there is a love, a grace that could accept us how we are. That kind of love makes me want to stand strong in a dark place- even if it's by myself.

Boi Selado, Currais Novos, and Negros do Riacho Part 2

On Thursday we went to Currais Novos. After waking up early from Boi Selado, we went directly over to the school. This was a really big federal high school where we shared with a much larger group of kids. This time it was more of a school assembly. It was a bit different though at this school, because the theme was bullying. We played a lot of songs and it all just happened. Each time is completely different, but we follow the general blue print of talking about why were there and playing music. This time we had an hour and a half, so we had the opportunity to really pour our hearts out. It is funny because as I was talking, i found that i was much more of a bully than I thought. I was much more of a broken and messed up person than I thought. I really was a screw up. And after communicating this, I saw how good God was for taking all that crap out of my life that really just caused pain and straying. It is funny too, because I found the oppression of tradition and being fake- being luke warm- had infected these areas severly. So the challenge for this place turned out to be the same as Boi Selado- being real, and being hot or cold. To be authentic, and live for one thing. Do you like who you are, do you like who your friends want you to be? Do you like going through the motions of what your parents do? Afterward we talked to a teacher and she said something along the lines of, "I don't have God in my heart like you do, but i can see Him in this. I am really touched..." Praise God. One girl even rave us her rosary beads so we would remember all that had happened that day with them. We repeated this one more time for an older group (seniors) then drove over to one of Marconi's friends' houses. There we prepared little "goody" bags for the children of Negros. There we had these amazing chicken and beef empanada's that are hard to describe how good they were. At night we went to the Presbyterian Church and got to play worship and hang out with all of them. After handing out some Gospel tracks, we went to our final destination: the city park. Currais is a fairly large town (30 or 40 thousand) and so there is a lot of night life and its all over the place. At this point we were SO exhausted from minimal sleep and much travel and conversation, that our plan was to sit down and just play- just see what happens. Our plan usually is to just go and see what God wants. It is funny too because we didn't even know where we were sleeping that night either:) This is a pattern too. We just meet people, and divinely- I kid you not, divinely they are hospitable and welcome us in for lunch and dinner and the sort. This happened in Negros too- God provided everything. He was all we needed because we didn't have the security of family to rely on a house and food. IT was Marconi looking at his distant and close network in every place we went. Every meal was provided, every bed, water- perfect. Sometimes is was dirty and bug ridden with no running water and no electricity- but that is how i like it. Bottom line is that we go in with faith, and God gets us home alive, rested, full and more joy and content than we could ever imagine.... Anyway, close to a hundred people (guessing) showed up and were standing around clapping. We had just let go and all this was happening around us. It was not only fitting but relaxing for some reason that we were sitting underneath a gigantic replica of a statue of Jesus in Rio De Janiero. In the middle of this oppressed and tradition-locked community- there was a statue of Jesus with His arms open- and welcoming everyone who could see Him to come to His feet and listen and see what He was doing through us and around us. Once this time finished,

Marconi shared about God and left us to the dirty work: socializing while he got to clean up. Its funny how cleaning up suddenly has become such an easy job:) So we filter our way through and made some friends. Marconi received an invite to stay at another church leader's house... so off we went. Us three crammed in this small room and woke up the next morning refreshed to go to Negros. And by the way, this place we stayed at this time owned a store too! This was a mini-grocery store with owners who were eager to provide for our needs. So much to their enjoyment and not as much to mine, i took their offer of a popsicle. Turns out that flavor was peanut. And I kid you not- it really was a peanut popsicle. It was probably mostly chunky when they made it, but after the mixing it, it was in this indescribably gross form of half chunky half smooth. A type of peanut butter I now hope they never produce. So this frozen... popsicle if you dare call it... wasn't the coffee or chocolate flavor I had hoped for in my exhaustion. This happens everywhere though- in Boi Selado... our hostess Fatima was oh so kind and hospitable. No joke, it was really nice to have... but the yogurt was not what I thought either. True, real, raw spoiled and solidified milk. I need say nothing more. How about the "farofa." This is a really good flour mixed with all kinds of seasonings to put on your food. But in the country- it is flour. I made that mistake as well. And just to add, one of the girls from the school in Currais emailed us (we passed out Gospel tracks with our email and blog and info on it) and asked us more of what we were about and about her life. Good stuff... well anyway, back to Negros.

Boi Selado, Currais Novos, and Negros do Riacho Part 3

As we arrived to Negros, I certainly sensed the darkness. It is weird, because most places have this sense of morals- right and wrong. Where there is some structure and discipline. Out of all the poverty I have seen so far, none is like this. Economically it is worse than a ghetto in the US, and socially equal. Children were timid and scared of us, but angry and hostile toward each other. The adults (for the most part) liked to stare. A stare of, "you are an american in my land and i have the right to stare at you because you are weird..." is what we have experienced- maybe even some hostility as well from guys our age- but nothing like here. It was more uncomfortable. And the only thing that we could sense was an oppression. An oppression of laziness, no education, lack of abilities, no motivation, lack of anything healthy- people, relationships-you name it. Just all around it was depressed and dark. Just no hope, no advancement, no joy no nothing! There is hope. We went the school, and after a few songs, Marconi straight up asked the kids if they wanted Jesus in their hearts. The entire classroom raised their hands. He rephrased his question, making sure they understood what that meant, and asked them to stand and say "I do." :) They stood and said I do:) Now, of course nobody knows except for God who is legitimate, but it was a movement! We played soccer with the kids- a big group in fact, but it was not our typical experience when a legion of kids run up screaming foreign languages and pulling on your leg hair. One boy had a ball, and i asked to play. He stared at me petrified, along with the other five or so. After some encouragement, it got to where we could pass it, from me to andrew to that boy. In five minutes the five were playing, but still petrified. After ten or so, things were loosened up and there was a futbol war happening in Negros. Not a game, but 20 boys, everyman for himself. Again, this darkness was here. They would hit each other; find the weak one and push him, make him cry, then laugh. Of course he had to protect himself, and this would cause more fights. WIth the girls too, every person for themselves under 12 in Negros.

There is hope. After lounging in our hammocks over-looking the gorgeous desert valley we went back into town to play the movie, "Facing your Giants." This movie is kinda cheesy, but it was good! It is extremely effective for this region- Brazil. The huge crowd (probably the entire population of Negros) stood around and slowly filtered out. The little boys ran around kicking dirt up and acting like they were motorcycles. But two women accepted Christ after that movie. Now there is three christian adults or so, and, from what we know, a multitude (20) of kids. It is wierd, because how in the world could anybody live that way. You have no hope of advancing, of learning, stimulation, growth, joy or even satisfaction in your life. No minimal anything. It is just dark, and they have nothing. Our need for God is made apparent when we have nothing. What in the world could ever get this place going? The government? No. they've been trying for far too long. This place is forgotten and left behind. Descendants of slaves. How could they get through? And it is funny, because they didn't even seem to understand the idea that there was a God who loved them. This saying has seem to become hackneyed to most in the US, but it was refreshing to those who had nothing. When the women wanted that love in their life, Gods power in their life, it was different in Negros. Our Host, Marconi, Andrew, Christian, the ladies, and a few others sat in the dirt. We formed a semi-circle on the dirt road, while Christian played his guitar. We all sat singing, in all different languages, and clapping to whatever beat we made up. It was not uniform, but uniquely beautiful. This small group sat under the cool, Brasillian, moonlit desert and clapped at random times and sang whatever we felt while Chrstian was strumming. This is a beauty I have only found in God. It was dark outside, but it seemed as if it were so much lighter than before. The ladies would actually speak to us after that, and hug us. I always come to this place of "lack of ability" to communicate and it is because what happened in Negros was so much bigger than what i have words for. That probably sounds pretty cheesy:) its true though. We headed back home to our brick house located at the edge of a hill, over-looking the valley. This used to be a fruitful river which provided for everyone, but is now dried up and suffering crops lie dried in the sun. We all layed outside in our hammocks, swinging in the breeze. Our host made us coffee, real coffee. It was black and there was nothing sweet to it:) Mmmm... black coffee. I will be the first to say, black coffee has never tasted so good.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need."
The Bible, Psalm 23:1

Gear Talk

Hammocks

Andrew explained something to me this week that I think most Americans don't know. And it's all about hammocks. In the U.S., we sleep on mattresses.In beds, bunks, futons, or on the floor, we expect mattresses wherever we travel. But that's not the case for all travelers worldwide. V-team is equipped with Hammocks. They brought their own beds.

(Pix: Andrew hanging in his ultra light)

Some of us think only of hammocks as being on beaches, or hanging between trees, or high up on a mountain climber's ledge. But, hammocks are an international means of sleep. Many traveler's hostiles and homes across the world, have guest rooms have 'hooks' on the wall, installed during construction, specifically for guests to hang their hammocks.

In their Brazil host home, Evan and Christian are sleeping on mattresses, and Andrew is suspended over them in his hammock. In the different places they will live across the world, sometimes all three will be dangling from the walls. Many of their homebases will have hammock hooks for the guys to sling up their beds.

For their global trip, each of the guys is equipped with their own ultra-light travel hammock. Their portable sleepers weigh around 18-ounces and are made of super thin nylon, like parachute material. Travel hammocks like theirs support up to 400 pounds and quickly collapse into a self-stowing sack the size of a softball.

According to Andrew, they are comfortable and the material 'breathes' well. He says he stays pretty cool in a hot climate, and doesn't get as sweaty as he would if he were wrapped in sheets -- which prevents getting chilled, too. People have asked, "How do you roll over?" He says it kind of folds around you, like a cocoon, so it's not really easy to flip out of it. And that's saying something because, yes, he does turn over and flip around -- and kick. Ask any of his brothers. :)

He sent a couple of pictures so you can see how it works.

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Andrew's ultralight travel hammock. And, a hammock hook that can be flipped-up and stowed-away behind a flap in the wall after use.

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So, I guess you could say V-Team is good with hanging from the walls. But we already suspected as much.

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Got Hammock Questions?

Email the Team. worldboundmissions@gmail.com

Or, do a web-search on "ultra light travel hammocks."

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~KjL

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Just us 3 with acoustic guitars, a drum, and a voice.

Let me paint a picture for you to start... So, we have been asked to lead groups in worship or perform songs or share... things like that many times since we arrived in brazil. Most every time, we will get up in front and I wont really give it my all, I hold back and I don't allow myself to truly worship, I get timid and start to feel afraid of what people think, or "can my voice do it?", basically I begin to question the power of God. And every time we go up do it, Evan always reminds me "Do it for God, don't care what people think, God has given you the gift of music and leading, Just do it, be bold!" And some of the time, i take what he says to heart, and I really focus on letting the spirit lead me.....So that kinda paints the picture for you.

Last night, as we were walking home last night from the bus stop and the 3 of us had been in conversation about music and worship and what God is doing with the group in that area. Andrew ran ahead to talk with Kenner and I stayed back to continue talking with Evan. He started asking me questions about why I tend to hold back and what I really thought the cause of it was. I didn't really know what to say, however I began to respond. Sometimes you just have to talk about something out loud to begin to understand, atleast I know God works in me that way sometimes. I began talking about Zayin and how singing with them, it was different for me, there were loud electric guitars, heavy drums and bass, and so the vocals were not really the driving instrument in the songs, everything pretty much played an equal role. So, even though I was the frontman for Zayin, I wasn't REALLY the front man (you know what i mean?). Since we've been here, there have been no electric guitars and heavy metal drums, just us 3 with acoustic guitars, a drum, and a voice. In this setting, the voice becomes more of an upfront instrument and everything tends to become a backdrop. This is new for me, so I'm almost having to relearn how it all works. So, when would play and worship, I would tend to hold back from the full potential God has given me as a vocalist. I explained that I didn't want to be a distraction with my voice, I didn't want to take away from the worship and the real reason we were there, because I was singing too loud or too out front. But as I was talking to Evan, God began to show me truly what was going on in my heart. I was basically 85% committed to being spirit lead during worship, and about %15 still holding on to insecurities and wanting to be the leader (Not allowing God to do it through me). It was really good to get that out, because it was something I hadn't really understood till that moment. So God, through that conversation with Evan, told me that I need to give him that %15. If I trust him completely with worship and leading and sharing, if I am attentive to his voice, he will guide me.


So thats what's been on my heart for the last few weeks being in Brazil. thats all!

~christian

Great to see you all!

It was such a great and surreal experience to be apart of a WPCC worship service, thousands of miles away. It was great seeing familiar faces and being able to take part in the worship, steve leigh had it hooked up so we could listen to worship, great to hear TZ's pretty voice again! Thanks WPCC family for being apart of all this with us, we were so happy to be able to do that yesterday, and totally praise God for this, usually skype will cut off your conversation because loss of signal, but we were on the same 'skype call' for almost an hour without it ever cutting out! God is awesome! Please send us an email, tell us how you are doing, it would be great to hear from you!

Peace out Trout!

~christian

Politics -- Brazilian Style

Presidential voting season in the U.S. has it's own quirks. The media goes wild. Yard signs. Bumperstickers. Talk Shows. Commercials. Newspaper and Web ads. Obama/Biden. McCain/Palin. It's everywhere yelling for our attention. But we're not alone in the world. Brazil has it's own loud political clamour. And the Team is seeing it first hand.

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In Brazilian elections the trick is to stand out in what is a very crowded field. Brazil allows candidates to register under any name and many pick the most bizarre in order to grab attention. Among the more than 350,000 candidates in the current local elections races "were such familiar names as Barak Obama, Bin Laden, DJ Saddam, Bill Clinton and Jorge Bushi," writes traveling journalist Tom Hennigan, (The Irish Times).

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"In Rio de Janeiro Santa Claus was battling it out for a seat on the city council with Tarzan and US 1960s radical Jerry Rubin. Two brothers running for mayor and councilman for the ruling Workers Party registered as Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, allowing them to plaster their home town with red posters asking voters to elect Marx and Engels. More than 200 candidates renamed themselves after the country's wildly popular president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva."

.And for the last couple of weeks loud and free-roaming campaign trucks have been driving the streets, blaring campaign slogans and propaganda from huge speakers afixed to the tops of the vehicles. Last week, Christian mentioned the trucks to me as a being common part of their daily lives in Brazil.

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Yesterday, while the three guys were doing a skype session with a crowd in Woodland Park Colorado, "about 129 million Brazilian voters went to the polls to elect mayors and 52,137 councilors at 5,563 municipalities. The Brazil elections began at 8 a.m. local time and concluded at 5 p.m." (AP) Votes will be counted today, and final results will be announced tonight at midnight.

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Which reminds me...

Have you voted on the latest Blog Poll? 4 Days left to vote.

Check it out.

~KjL

On the Big Screens

In Two Places at Once.

Today V-Team attended Woodland Park Community Church via Skype. Andrew, Christian, and Evan were broadcasted live on two large media screens in the Worship Center. Marconi, Kattiana, and several Challenge Ministry youth leaders also sat-in for the two Colorado church services from their homebase in Natal. With their Brazilian hosts in the background, V-Team spoke to their home church about personal highlights of the trip so far. Chrstian talked about a key worship experience they had in Brazil. Evan explained their encounters with voo-doo, and God's power in Haiti. And Andrew said that he has been struck with how "God uses imperfect people. He uses weak vessels ... We aren't super Christians, we're just three guys." He was clear that they are just people who are young, imperfect, and regular... and because of that, they're very aware God gets the credit for what they are seeing and experiencing. Their worship Pastor, Todd Zeller, led the Team, Challenge Ministry leaders, and Community in a truly global prayer among people of the same faith, across thousands of miles.

After the prayer, a small crowd of WPCC Youth clumped up on the stage to wave and shout at the Team through the skype camera. And, after the 6 second delay, the 3 guys smiled and happily waved back to their friends; most of whom knew the leaders of 'Challenge', and helped build the same new church in Carnubas where V-Team led worship and visited last week. It was global community at it's best!

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Check out the new poll on the side bar of the blog.

"What real Brazilian food has the Team NOT eaten???"

Cast your vote!!

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~KjL

Pictures of orphanage

Lily of the Valley Orphanage

We went to the Lily of the Valley Orphanage Wednesday- the same place we went to two years ago and painted. It was surreal to say the least.

As we entered the gates, the reality of past and present came alive. The difference was distinct. Two years ago we came here as boys. I remember being that boy painting the wall, and my little boy Adriano came up and tugged on my hand. With a big smile he pulled me over to his friends and a soccer ball. I'll put it this way- it was difficult to stay focused on painting- because of soccer. I remember building that relationship with him.

Now, two years later I sit down next to him. He is not a boy anymore. He's not that same boy at least. He played with his friends and was not so interested in holding my hand as he once was. He remembered me, he remembered soccer and everything we had done there. He remembered our whole team, our songs we sang, and even our message. But that was then: two years ago. Now the relationship is different- and we are building it to be remembered as who we are now. It was a kind reminder that we are not to live in that time, in the past.

There is always a greater adventure ahead of us. That time was good- amazing in fact. But walking through the orphanage was a healthy way to move forward. We realized that God always is moving us forward and growing us.

There is a process called "forging a sword." Blacksmiths would heat up a sword, beat it flat, then repeat. Then shape it, then sharpen it, then go over it again. God is constantly forging us. And we've reached this realization by sitting where we were two years ago- on the beach, at a restaurant, or at the orphanage. That He pushes us forward- today. We have the opportunity to grow, to step forward, to live in that day. Wednesday was that day. Two years ago we were boys. Now we are men.

~Evan

Pics from Carnauba

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These are pictures from our day in Carnauba. We got to see the church that WPCC youth helped build this summer, we also visited a couple of the schools there as well. It was really cool being there and meeting people that knew a lot of our friends from woodland park. The church looked great and it was awesome to be there, that night, we helped with the church service, and did a few worship songs!

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Great work WPCC youth! We are glad we could experience something you were also apart of!

~vteam

The Poll is Closed

The latest V-Team poll is over. Did you vote? Are you a winner?

The Question:

"What is the Team doing in that Picture?"

a. Evan is teaching a class on his own version of Tai Chi -- 12% of votes.

b. Christian was just trying to work a painful kink out of his back. But he's just so dang charismatic, he attracted a participating crowd. -- 16% of votes.

c. American Football on the beach is so brutal, they have to do warm-ups first. -- 36% of votes

d. Andrew got everybody going in a big game of "Statues." -- 20% of votes.

e. The Brazilians are initiating the guys as 'true surfers.' -- 16% of votes.

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The top two answers were Beach Football and Andrew's Statues, followed closely by Brazilian surfers, and Christian's back. Apparently most blog respondents felt Andrew was more likely to lead a game of "Statues" than Evan is prone to teach a Tai Chi class on the beach. But it's all fun to think about!

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The Correct Answer:

C. American Football.

These are pictures of the warm-ups that preceded the Team's beachy game of Football with the Brazilian Team.

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If you won, let us know!

Make a comment on this post, or email the Team -- worldboundmissions@gmail.com.

They'll email you congratulations!

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In the mean time... watch for the next Poll!

And if you are an American reader, be sure and vote on the real deal in the U.S. next month. :)

~KjL