pack it up pack it in

well, as my time here in brazil dwindles (one more week) i find myself getting more and more emotional. so far i haven't really been crying because i'm leaving, but more so because i don't what i'm stepping into...God has been so faithful to use this last week to continue to reveal the insecurities of my heart to me and help me to bring those things to Him...learning to trust Him with my deepest hurts and fears...

so, today i pretty much finished "packing" all my stuff...i feel like i'm taking so little back to America and i'm actually fine with that...i like the feeling of having less crap/junk in my life, but it is weird to see all my stuff laid out for others to pick thru...like the beginning of saying goodbye.

i got some sun today which was one of my goals for these last 3 weeks here (yes, very deep i know!), but i'm afraid i'm getting to my departure date and i'm not taking advantage of EVERYTHING...the brazilian sky, the city, my friends, my church, the smells, foods, culture, all the things i'll miss and don't even realize it yet...more reasons to trust Jesus i guess.

well, guys in America, i'm a coming and i'm excited to see what God has in store there...i'll need you and i can't wait to be with you again!

gente aqui no Brasil, vou sentir a sua falta demais e mesmo que esteja longe, preciso de vocês e quero continuar nas amizades preciosas que Deus tem me dado em vocês...te amo!

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words

The Apples of His Eye...

These are some of the young girls that I've had the privelege of being involved in their lives and their understanding of Jesus' love for them. They all represent hard, poverty stricken lives...most live in violent homes where they are often the primary care-givers of younger children.


This is Bruno and his mother. These two touch my heart every time I see them. Bruno has two younger sibblings and an older brother that is into a lot of drugs and gangster stuff. I've watched God take Bruno from an angry, violent boy to a boy with a soft heart and a servant's spirit. It's amazing to see that kind of transformation by the gospel. Bruno's mother is very intelligent and though she has no formal education, she is very motivated to learn all she can and to raise her children well. I am humbled every time I'm around her...a woman who has practically nothing, yet manages to hang on to hope and make the most of what she does have in life.



This is Jaqueline. She's about 15 years old and while I was in America these last few months her walk with God has taken off. She began seeking Jesus and her understanding of grace has exploded. When returned to Brazil, she was one of the first ones to run up to me, hug me and tell me how much I was missed. I was taken a back - this girl who suffers so much in daily life is welcoming me with so much love!

Jaqueline's story is an amazing one. She is the oldest of atleast four children. Her mother had twins this past year and died shortly after due to complications with diabetes and lack of available medical care becuase they are so poor. Jaqueline's family now lives in another city where her father hopes to be able to provide better for them. But Jaqueline has chosen to remain in Belo alone due to financial and family complications.

Please pray for all of the dear people...that they would know true hope in Christ Jesus...that one day there would be no more suffering, no more hunger, no more violence, no more neglect...