Oi from Brazil!

Thanks for coming by my blog!

To see some pictures, CLICK HERE! Only a few are up now, but there will be more soon!

My first few days in Brazil have been really good so far. Saturday night we had an outside meeting by a local scool here in Campinas (the subcity the Costas live in within the state of Sao Paulo), teaming with a local church. The worship team from the church performed some music (not worship music, but with Christian lyrics), and they even had some teenagers from the church perform a few really impressive hip-hop routines. (Reggae and hip-hop are very popular with the teens in Brasil, so this easily drew people in to watch.) Also, some people from the church performed a drama similar to the "Redeemer" drama we do with OAC, but to the song "Everything" by Lifehouse. (There are recordings of the drama online... I would higihly recommend watching it if you haven't seen it-- I get chills every time!)
During the drama, the pastor of the church asked if I would "say a few words" before Bruno presented the sketchboard. My first thought was that I didn't want to. They left it completely open-ended, and I was enjoying attending a meeting and watching it be led by other people. (I also didn't want to come across as 'the American chick who showed up and went on stage just because she was American.) But the pastor thought it would be appropriate and thought it could be a good transition from the drama to the sketchboard message, so I started praying that God would say something through me that would draw their hearts into the message, and/or confirm their thoughts if they identified with the drama (in which the person is brought away from Christ by drugs, alcohol, depression, etc., distracted by the things of the world, but not fulfilled by them).
-Please pray for the seeds that were planted in the hearts of the people who heard the gospel for the first time, as well as for those who accepted Christ that night! Several people came up to ask questions after the meeting, and they were also put in contact with the local church for follow-up.-
Also that night, God took down some of the walls around my comfort zone. Normally when someone would approach me and try to start conversation (in Portuguese), I would respond by saying (in Portuguese), "It's very nice to meet you, but I don't speak Protuguese," or something to that affect. So when a 12 year old boy came up and started talking to me, I was mortified that I could understand what he was saying, because that meant I had to respond... in Portuguese. We talked for several minutes, and God used him to bring me out of my fear of making a fool of myself. (Two 10 day trips and one 5 month class are not enough to make a person comforatble with a new language.) While I understand a fair amount, thanks to similarities between Portuguese and Spanish, I do not speak it comfortably, mainly due to my lack of practice. This was a blessing to "get over myself" and start speaking. : )
Since then I have found myself actually starting conversations with people. They are always gracious with my lack of a vocabulary, and seem to be glad that I try. Works for me!
These past few days have been mostly helping Camila and Bruno at home. I edited a few things for Bruno that he had to write in English, and I have watched Mariana (their 10 month old) while Camila has done housework, cooked, or relaxed. Also, I have been able to spend a lot of time with Camila, talking and looking through old pictures. It has been like one of those friendships where you do not see the other person for months or even years, but when you do see eachother again, you pick up right where you left off. Spending time with them has been such a blessing to me.
I need to wrap this up and grab some sleep, but thank you for taking the time to read this!
A couple more things to pray about:
-for the team from RCC that is currently preparing for some front-line ministry when they arrive here on June 8th: courage and preparation to battle spiritual warfare, both now and while they are here; unity as a team, to work together as one heart as we share the gospel; health and safety; that God would have "divine appointments" ready for us, that HIS name will be made great!
-for my continued health: I have had no problems, though my throat feels a little sore now.
-for God to strengthen me as I battle in spiritual warfare: Satan uses worry and fear pretty much every time I do any kind of ministry. I have been dealing with this, as well as having dreams that cause me to wake up fearful and exhausted. I am struggling to keep my mind out of the distraction of this fear, and focused on Christ and why I am here.
-that I will be a blessing and an encouragement to Bruno and Camila!
-above all else, that God will glorify himself through me and through this ministry!

Thank you again!

In His grace,
Elizabeth