Brazil, Obrigado

Leighton on the terminal. In Teresina there was gates to airplanes so you had to walk outside. 

Saying goodbye to Grami and Papa

 Leighton turned thirteen! How do we have a teenager?! Her contentment from an early age and easy going personality are still shinning even through the emotions of adolescent changes. We are so thankful to be your parents, Leighton. You are mature and we pray you continue to grow in stature and wisdom. 

The day after her birthday, we had the opportunity to go to Teresina, Brazil with my parents. Grami and Papa have been going 1-3 times a year for the last 15 years. Wes, Michael and Katie have all been able to go with them before and I was thankful to get the opportunity and take Leighton with me. Katie also came again and brought their oldest, Connor. It was nice to have them as travel buddies since we came back a week earlier than my parents. As always Katie is fun to be with and an easy friend. It was nice to get to know Connor even more with concentrated time together. I had wanted to do an overnight trip with Leighton when she turned 13, I just didn't know it would be going to a new continent. I praise God for orchestrating everything. In the past, I had thought my anxiety/fear of panic attacks would have prohibited me which at the same time frustrates me. I am thankful the Lord cared for me and gave me this chance to be in a different culture. 

Leighton and I started our trip by flying from Cleveland to Ft. Lauderdale FL to meet Grami and Papa 

We all enjoyed getting out of the airport and eating lunch by the ocean before our long flight that night to Brazil

So my parents have always started their travels in Teresina due to their contact with the local church association in which they partner. Depending on who is with them they either stay in Teresina or travel to neighboring cities (~ several hours drive) to visit other church communities in which they build physical buildings and serve the community finically. The entire time my dad is traveling (airport, Teresina, or village) he is sharing the gospel. He uses bracelets/tracks in Portuguese. 

I took pictures of Grami eating plane food as Sadie is always curious what is served 

Our second flight was FL to Belem, Brazil

 Belem airport was small and not much to do for our long layover 

Leighton wearing compression socks to not have swollen ankles like Katie and I 

Belem to Fortaleza to Teresina and we finally arrived 

We spent our time in Teresina which is also where my parents purchased a house a couple of years ago. They traveled so much back and forth for several weeks they wanted a home base to stay in and allow others to use. 

Outside of Mom and Dad's house. They have a walled in courtyard like most complete with prison wire and a lockable metal sliding door. They also have a security system that is not common. 

Inside the courtyard is their house/front porch that Leighton is standing on

There were a couple of general thoughts/memories I want to remember:

- we didn't encounter any one from another country from the time we landed in Brazil until we left except maybe 1-2 Americans/Canadians at the Sao Paulo airport. 

use in middle school and Mom showing baseball/glove

- everyone knew we were not from Brazil; everywhere we went we received stares and/or ask for pictures

We were at a middle/high school and they wanted a picture and were interested to talk to us on their break

- sometimes we were peoples first encounter with an American

- Brazilians are extremely hospitable

- Brazilians do not like to touch their food; use knives and forks, do not pick up food, use gloves at higher end restaurants to eat burgers

- It was a very clean culture; if the Brazilians could control it, it was clean (bathrooms, stores, homes); the govt controls the cleanliness of the streets and sewage system (you couldn't flush toilet paper)

- Brazilians dress up for restaurants, airports, church compared to the States (and shower 2x a day which I can understand after sweating in the heat)

- Teresina is a top 10 city (~1 million people) but is not a location for tourism or international trade so we only met/saw people from Brazil (versus Rio where more tourism occurs due to climate and landscape)

- There is a  big disparity in income status; top 1% are wealthy and shopping at the mall/eating at nice restaurants, top 10% are doing fine (~$1300 USD/month) but over half the population makes </= ~ 100 USD/month.

- When I was at the mall or one of the nicest restaurants or ice cream shops in Teresina (that only the top 5% are eating at) I felt like i was in the US.... except they had plenty of staff! The labor is cheap so places higher many people (the service was fast, efficient and environments clean) 

They use olive oil on pizza as sauce which I liked. But with no red sauce, you can see sometimes they add ketchup like Maria (Jorio and Nordely's granddaughter)

I found two coffee shops in walking distance to Mom and Dad's house I liked. This one was a Japanese chain called, The Coffee, though I never saw anybody from Asia during the trip. It felt like my normal routine when I would walk here in the mornings with Dad and/or Katie and talk or do bible study. 

This is Leighton at Coco bamboo. She is sitting outside. This restaurant and the ice cream shop across the street appeared as anything we are used to in US but only the top 5% are able to come to places like this.  

- When we were in the middle class homes of Brazilians (mostly condos) they were minimalistic and small compared to the US; my parents home would be consider bigger/ nicer /updated compared to most

us standing in Mom and Dad's courtyard on the other side of wall (you can bring car in at night)

see behind Leighton how there is no window but metal covering to open for a breeze or keep shut for security (we didn't open at their house due to them having AC)

- In the city, people lived in gated condos or they have a wall around their home with barbed wire for security purposes (guns are banned so only the bad guys have guns); my parents have a security system which is rare and while we were there they hired Carlos (Connor made sure he came every night) to stay in courtyard)

food court at the mall seemed like American food court except for everything being in Portuguese 

- All homes, stores, schools, etc had mental doors/gated windows and usually security guards if nicer outside during hours of operation

- they shared there is a lack of jobs; the economy is not prospering as we see in the States; every high school student takes the same exam across the entire country and whether they get into college/what college is dependent on that two day exam (previous student life/grades do not matter) so there is a lot of stress for students; then they take another test when done to see who gets the job (very competitive); jobs such as engineer, lawyer, etc do not mean a high(er) paying career 

Simei (interpreter sitting in back of van with Leighton and Connor) is spending her days studying post high school to get into medical school. She takes the test in Nov. The second picture is from a senior class studying robotics. 

- neighborhoods or outside the city were homes with usually 2 bed rooms a small kitchen/living and 1 bathroom

I told the students when we visited the middle and high schools to ask us anything about America. They asked if we really threw out good items in our trash (constantly redo-ing/changing home decor/items). I told them it was true even if not correct. They do not update unless something is not working/broken it seems. It was a reminder of our wasteful and excessive nature in the US.  The students also asked about where people live, vacation and popular sports. Dad pass around baseballs and footballs which many had never seen in person or held. 

visiting Nordely's prek school; they had showers for the kids during the day and she kept it clean and bright; It is a public school for the area and doesn't receive the funding it needs from the govt

Nordely showing us that she keeps vacation bible school supplies from American churches to use at her school 

Papa sharing the gospel with the school security guard that Leighton later bought a bible for

One lady at bible study asked why we say we are from America. She said we are too, South America. I told her I would pass it along to say North America from now on. Another reminder of our pretentious nature. Several ladies at bible study commented that Katie and I were the most extroverted Americans they had met. They also alluded to the US culture of having huggers and non- huggers. All Brazilians are huggers so the concept of not hugging is forgein. 

Overall it was a unique feeling to be in such a minority that people were starring or interested in what you had to say for the pure fact that very few Americans travel to Brazil (specifically cities like Teresina). People were either interested in American life and/or put it on a pedestal. I can see why due to the economic status and living conditions compared to the abundance and availability for us in the states. It made me sad for how hard they work. On the other hand it made me sad for "North" Americans who do not realize the excess even those living in poverty in the US have compared to other nations. It makes me sad how we give out money from the US govt to people to not work in the US and people in other countries are working hard making 1/5 of that same money. 

Sunday night we attended a church partner in Teresina. Dad spoke and we all introduced ourselves. They were so hospitable and excited to have us worshiping with them. It was a privilege for us. It was in a poorer community of Teresina. They need more space as the community walks to the church and the current space only holds ~ 30 white plastic chairs 

It was also the first time I was in a context where I truly depended on our interpreters to have conversations, read menus or order food. I know with phones/online translation one could manage but the translators allowed us to have meaningful conversations with people we otherwise wouldn't be able to communicate with. 

We had Arthur and Simei for the week as interpreters. They were great and we enjoyed getting to know them as well. Others helped here and there in restaurants or stores if they knew English. 

The highlight was interacting with other Christians my parents knew or we met. I loved being in a different context/culture and worshiping the same God. How encouraging for the faith! I loved slipping into my parents' Brazilian world and meeting their friends I had heard about and prayed for!  It also brought on a new type of sadness.  Sadness for "North" Americans who are discontent with their abundance versus Christians in Brazil content with what they have because they have Christ. And for that I resonate with Mary, "I treasured these things in my heart". 

A few people I met I want to introduce you to:

This is the Santos family, Claudia and Fernando (parents) with kids Marcus and Miguel (special needs 4 year old in cast in dad's lap). They are so sweet and care so well for Miguel. They were driving him on a motorcycle (4 people) 30 minutes away for doctor/therapies. Mom and Dad got them a car last year and it overjoyed them to no end!  Claudia's contentment as a mom carrying for a special needs child was encouraging and it was evident it was from the Holy Spirit. 

Marcus is the older brother and is super talented and played well with Connor

The orphanage workers (guy on far right is security guard; the guy next to him told us they work 72 hour shifts - he makes 4800 USD/year so does cabinetry work on the side- He and his wife are expecting baby#2)! They really care for the 20-30 kids they have until they can get adopted or reunite with their families (similar to US foster system). 

Socorro is the missionary in Timon that my parents meet 5+ years ago. Their team had built a building for her and the community. She is 57 and pours out to the community, beloved by all. She recently had a wreck and experienced loss that has lead to panic attacks/anxiety. She was scarred if she stepped back from the church staff (she was the only staff) that she would end up in poverty again. She raises her granddaughter too, Emily. To me, she is currently in poverty so I can only imagine. My parents reassured her that will not lose funding. She is still going to church and serving but they have called in another pastor to help. She broke my heart as I can related to the scariness of panic attacks and the dread/despair that accompanies them. Pray for this thorn to be lifted from Socorro. She is taking medication and I also sent her some biblical counseling based books in Portuguese that I hope will be an encouragement. Forever grateful to Dad's friend, Ricardo, who offered to help me in any way. Dad and him met a couple years ago at a restaurant. He is a federal lawyer and has been such an encouragement to Dad. I got to meet him and his enthusiasm for Christ and learning was amazing. He offered to help me so I asked him to ordered the books and drive them to Socorro. So grateful.

Socorro taking us different homes in the neighborhood to invite people to church. 

Andre is a friend of Mom's and college student living in Teresina. He was so engaging, asking us questions, eager to hang out and has amazing artist skills.

dinner with our group, translators, Andre and Fernando's parents/sister (Fernando is currently living in US in Hopkinsville so the parents wanted to meet Mom and Dad)

Last night we were back in the States and headed to church. When the worship music began I could not hold in my emotions. Tears were streaming. I knew coming back would be a mix of emotions but I felt anger at Americans, injustice, lack of real worship while also guilt to get to come home to a good job and spacious house (though small for US standards) and walk down a sidewalk and see yards/homes instead of concrete walls. I also missed the meaningful conversations I had had and wanted to continue that fellowship with believers in Brazil.  I have been to other developing/third-world countries like Nicaragua and Jamaica and remember post-trip blues.... for those trips, I was exposed to new cultures and poor communities, however this time I had more personal connections that impacted me in a different way.  I felt angry, unable to put words to thoughts, longing, and no desire to attempt to share about the trip. I wanted to avoid the question "how was your trip?" that is so easily asked but the weighed answer is too large and inappropriate to give. A short answer seems disrespectful and a full emotional explanation seems impossible. And trying to give one seems like a poor conversational etiquette so I wanted to hide. 

view of Teresina from mall (the tall buildings are condos) 

My current bible study book, The Wisdom of God, by Nancy Guthrie had me in Ecclesiastes today. I could easily identify with many of the words from the Teacher of the book. The depressing questions and statements that all is futile/vanity resonated with me. Thankful to scripture to give me words for feelings though the Teacher of the book doesn't have it all figured out (just like me!). 

“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher.
“Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”

"For with much wisdom is much sorrow;
as knowledge increases, grief increases."

the Narrator actually concludes the book stating that the Teacher has had good purist and wisdom that the work is superficial and wealth, power, jobs, wisdom, etc won't satisfy but doesn't know everything; we know the New Testament fulfillment of Christ that satisfies and saves. Lord do not leave me in a place of despair but to continue to be encouraged by my time in Brazil and point others you! 

The last pictures depict the slap happiness of Katie, Connor, Leighton and I trying to make our way home. In Sao Paula we didn't have our translators so at one point i look over and Katie and Leighton are behind the counter trying to order in Portuguese.

"A mission trip serves as an opportunity to uniquely live as God designed His church to live. This means there's an indictment on my heart when I return, no matter what happens. All of the weird stuff that happened on the mission field is actually supposed to be normal, and all the of the stuff that feels so normal at home was always supposed to be really weird. Praying for random people on the street, giving all of the cash in your pocket to a stranger for food or supplies, begging the Spirit for His words in most of your conversations and building relationships wtih people of another color, religion or social group should all be normal activities. Yet, none of this is normal to us and instead feels pretty weird. Rather, things like consumerism, vanity, selfishness, seeking power, and striving for esteem, which feels so normal are supposed to feel pretty weird to followers of Jesus."