The disgruntled dog barking in the streets is echoing all the way to the tenth floor of my temporary Brasilian flat as my fingers click the keyboard. Cars zoom past the buildings planted along these streets like trees along a riverbank… but not as natural and serene of course, (we must go to the Amazon for that experience)… but I enjoy the white noise nonetheless.
Brasil and I have cultivated quite an exciting friendship for about 72 hours. I am loving the newness of the adventure: the breathtaking views from the sky, the myriad of beautifully colored buildings from below, monster rodents (aka capivara… look em up), flavorful foods, strange looking fruits that I can’t pronounce yet… but could beat up any fruit in America any day! #guaranteed. I have met people of peace and people of chaos. People that “compreende Inglês” (comprehend English), some that look at me funny and giggle, and some, like my house-mate Martha for example, who possess unceasing patience and quite a lot of giggles in hearing me try and pronounce Portuguese. But I get to find amusement in her speaking English in return. “Hannah, how do you know the difference in the pronunciation of skull and school? They sound the exact same to me!” –Martha ;)
Poverty and darkness are all around… from the dark souls of those in the airport and airplane and the bird’s eye view of the favelas, to the passing the homeless on the streets of Curitiba. It leads to the eagerness that is found in me at the thought of Monday. Although they have been going on for quite some time, Monday marks the beginning of the projects for me. I cannot wait to see the children and the families in each of Lionsraw’s locations where futbol, school, and building projects are taking place. I cannot wait to capture moments and memories that will outlive my two-month stay here… and that prayerfully will outlive me.
It is an honor and blessing to take part in the work that is occurring in Curitiba. It is motivational and breathtaking to know and behold the Spirit of Yahweh, the One dwelling in me, and to know He is here as we walk these streets and among these broken people (being broken people ourselves… we have a way to relate ;D ). His hand is in all of this as our team loves and serves the people of this nation in whatever way He leads us to in and in whatever opportunities He places in front of us. I love seeing Jesus in new ways here. It is beautiful to see that His love surpasses any continent, language barriers and cultural differences and I find hope in the promise of His word that people FOR God from EVERY tribe and language and people and nation will sing a new song to the Lamb. I take joy in the thought that I might get to play a small part in the fulfillment of this promise. He is so worthy of our worship and adoration.
Please pray for us as we begin the work we came here to do. Some dear friends have come along with me here and they are a wonderful encouragement to me. Pray that we will continue to be that for each other as we live life together in a new and exciting culture.
This week:
Pray that I will be wise like a serpent and innocent as a dove.
Pray that I will not allow documenting to get in the way of experiencing.
Pray that I would be disciplined in my duties and free in my delight and affections.
Pray that I would increase in knowledge and wisdom, as well as discernment and passion that would spur on my affections for my King.
Pray for His name to be hallowed in Curitiba!
(And if you can, pray as an army that Yahweh would miraculously place the rapid ability to learn and speak Portuguese in me ASAP por favor… He can do it… I believe) :D
to the ends of the earth,
-ht
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”
-Philippians 1:27-28