It has been a hectic week for Team Porto Alegre. We left Brasila on Monday, January 17th, bright and early, with many feeling sick. God truly was with our entire team, and the flight was on-time (the past two years the same one has been cancelled), and no one got sick on the 2 1/2 hour flight to Porto Alegre. When we landed, we had anticipated a three hour bus ride up through the mountains to the small town of Caixas. However, we were informed upon arrival that we actually would go straight on to the Word of Life camp for a much needed day of rest. Just in those few short hours, it quickly became apparent that the Lord had gone before us.
On Tuesday we traveled to the nearby town of Novo Hamburgo to divide up into small groups and go to Brazilian homes for several days. The church had already divided us up amongst the congregation. Myself and Weston have the privilige of staying with a Brazilian family who have served as missionaries in central China for twelve years. It is incredible to see their love and passion for Jesus Christ.
Yesterday, we rode for nearly an hour up dirt roads to a small village in the mountains, that several years ago, the police were afraid to enter. We spent the afternoon in a daycare, which was a stretching experience for a lot of us.
The evening concluded with a service in the local church. Before the service began, Mary Michael told us she had felt as if the Lord were telling her that we as a group needed to have a day dedicated to prayer and truly walking by the Holy Spirit. She felt that day was Thursday (the next day). After the service began, it quickly became apparent the Spirit had decided to come early. By the end of the 2 1/2 hour service, we were all quite literally speechless. There is a lot more that could be said, but I think it is best to save those stories until we return to the States.
Continue to pray for our team. Tomorrow we will make the three hour journey up through the mountains to Caixas, and today in particular, we are striving to walk by the Holy Spirit and spend the day in prayer for the service we are leading this evening.
Our team mantra has become Choose Joy, even when we are placed in uncomfortable situations. I hope and pray that you too choose joy today. Thank you for your prayers and support.
In Christ,
JohnMark Conklin
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2 comments:
Great post, JohnMark. We take great encouragement through hearing what God is doing through you and team Porto Alegre. Know that you are covered in constant prayers back stateside. -Basie
Good word, JohnMark! It has been so encouraging to read how God is using you students in Brazil. I pray that He continues to work in and through you all as you share the gospel. The entire Impact team is being prayed for daily back here. God bless! :)
-Heidi
(PS: having traveled to Central America before, I am very jealous, haha)
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