Week one in the sun!

I have been in Brazil for one week now and it feels more like a month. I have already learnt so much, made so many new friends and I have begun to grow more in my love for the gospel. (There is so much to tell you all I don't really know where to start!)

I arrived last Sunday and was immediately thrown into the deep end (had 20min to get ready for church after I got off the plane). Was absolutely terrified and couldn't help thinking "what have I got myself into! There is no way I can do this!" But thankful Jesus is the prince of peace. Junior spoke that night about "going beyond your limits" and I just thought "yup! that's me" and to add to that my team are absolutely amazing. They are all such men and women of faith and I look up to each one of them so much. not to mention they are looking after me so much and are so encouraging in everything they do. 

There's Emily (19) the Canadian who spent the last year in bible college in England

Jared (24 american) who speaks almost fluent Portuguese and has been back and forth from south america in the last few years.

Stephanie (american) who arrived in Brazil in July and has paved a way for the rest of the team over the summer

Ramin, (29 american) who is our team leader and has worked with youth for Christ and has also been here in Natal previously setting up the bases for the team. 

And Junior  the co-ordinator of Pais here in Brazil, he has been involved in Pais GB and felt God's calling to bring it back home to Brazil

THE TEAM!

Ill tell you more about them as the weeks and months go on but continue to pray for each of them as we step out in faith daily for Christ. 

To start the week I was living in Juniors house, with Jared, Junior, Isma and Jonny (two of Juniors room mates). It was a nice way of getting started and definitely made the initial culture shock a little better. Not to mention those guys could show me the ropes a little. On Wednesday night moved in with my host family Janilson (the father), Wilka (the mother) , Rodrigo, Jullyanne and Tiago Damasceno. They are so lovely and have been looking after me as well, showing me where to get the bus and which one to get, and they speak a lot of English (Rodrigo and Jullyanne) which really helps. I am Sleeping in a room with Tiago and Rodrigo so it is difficult to find some private time to read the word or just rest but I am thankful for a host family that are willing to take me. Not to mention they took me to the beach on my day off! 

Me, Rodrigo and Jullyanne after going to the beach. 

We as a team are spending these two weeks (last week and this week) in foundational training as Pais apprentices. It is really meaty stuff and I am really enjoying it. We watch video from Paul Gibbs (the founder of Pais) about kingdom principles such as "reap what you sow" or "seek first the kingdom" and it really flips my ideas upside down sometimes (which i enjoy to be honest). During the remainder of the day we have various other lessons from elders in the church (such as pastor Bryan or Pastor George). I am really enjoying this time as I feel that it is empowering me and equipping me for the coming months of service.

We have also been doing a few things within the church just to get more involved with the youth while we settle in. We went to bowling (or Boliche) on Wednesday with the younger guys (, went to floca (the secondary school where we are focusing most of our energies it think) and also attended the young adults service on Saturday night (ages 18 and above). 

Me, Ramin and Jared praying with guys at Floca

God is good, and he is already doing really exciting things in the team and in the places were we are ministering, so Praise him for that.

Prayer points:

• God would continue to equip us as a team during this time of training so that we can be prepared for the year ahead. 
• That I may pick up more and more of the language, it is definitely a huge challenge. I am getting there but to be able to speak more would help a lot. 
• For the team as little sickness come along like colds and coughs. Pray for strength as we continue. 
• For the up coming camp with the youth this weekend. Called Incamp is going to be a weekend of praise and speakers and looks like a lot of fun. Pray for the speakers that their words might be the Lord's and not their own and pray for the young people that the spirit might prepare their hearts for what he has to say to them. 
• For the kids in Floca who have already opened up to us pray that conversations grow further towards spiritual things. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and support it means so much and Prayers are being answered! Will writing again soon.

Muito Obrigado 

Mark