Andrea and Mindy From Brazil November 9th, 2009
Since I was not able to attend our last expedition of the year I am having Andrea and Mindy keep us updated on what is happening in Brazil.
From Mindy’s Blackberry
Yesterday we dedicated Claudio’s house…so perfect! We took the whole group shopping at the grocery store and bought 3 carts full of food. Our group carried the carts up the hills to his house and we stocked the cupboards, fridge and bathroom with supplies. We then gathered the neighborhood and dedicated the house. One of our distributors offered the prayer…sooooo beautiful. Andrea spoke and there wasn’t a dry eye…it was beyond words. Our Expedition group loved every second of it…our refection time was so heartfelt.
The Expedition group has soaked in every single experience we have provided for them. It’s been so beautiful to see their realizations around so many of our programs. The Believers Project 2 program has been so wonderful. This group is the first to truly interact with these kids and it has been such a privilege…the kids are DARLING!
From the iPhone of Andrea Barnes
Hi team, I am shocked that it is already Thursday. We have had two of the most beautiful days. You’ve probably already heard from Mindy so I’ll just through in my two cents. We were so fortunate to be able to participate in Cladios family Nehemiah house. It was such fun and quite an adventure shopping for the family. We filled three full grocery carts full of food staples and other necessities. Sergio told the store owner of our mission and the store owner allowed us to take the carts up into the favela and even sent an employee with us. The route to the house was very steep and the government was busy digging up most of it for new pipes. We had to lift these very heavy carts through much of the journey. We arrived in time to stock the cupboards and refrigerator and set up the bathroom for the family. The ceremony was so beautiful and there was not a dry eye. So many of our expeditioners brought simple housewarming gifts which we wrapped. The mom solemnly opened each gift and placed them tenderly on her lap for safe keeping. We were happy, sweaty and fully spent by the end of the day. Our daily reflections are full of touching joyful moments and we are grateful for what they bring to the experience. Today was Believers II. We had a ball. The school brought in a clown and we played relay races pop the balloon, we painted faces and the kids provided an elaborate and adorable show. BII is in need of so many things and the kids are so terribly poor. Mindy and I feel such a commitment to help make their lives better through our work.
On a lighter note we are excited for a full day in Rio tomorrow. Kudos Val and Linda for all that you did to make the week extraordinary!