Kristin here. Okay it's been a while since we have updated this. So I will start where I left off.
Thurday. The final day of medical clinic. The morning was a little slower than normal. Lindsey, Collin and I started the day sitting in with Dr. Chuck Taylor. It is interesting to sit in and listen to the people. Then we moved to the vitals. We took blood pressure and weight. Lindsey had a little friend help her. A little boy would not leave her side. He pressed the button on the blood pressure thing for her. So cute! Then it was lunch break. Lindsey and Collin stayed at medical clinic throughout the remainder of the day. They said it was more crowded in the afternoon. They were at vitals most of the day. From what I heard, all went well and Lindsey's little boy stayed by her side! And at the end of the night when they got in the Kombe to leave, he tried to leave too. Lindsey had to tell him he couldn't come. :( I was not at the afternoon clinic. Instead, I went to help out at a VBS at the church in Guadalajara. Steve took a group of us to lunch, then dropped us off at VBS. We did crafts, games, bible story, and snack. It was great to see the smiles on the kids faces! Everyone returned for dinner and down time at the Alcance.
Friday. Three new team members arrived for construction and English camp. We got to sleep in! Yay! We didn't have to be ready to leave until 10:30am. We then drove to Recife for a day of shopping and a Brazilian steakhouse. We started at the mall. A different atmosphere than what we had been in. Things were very expensive. Most clothing items cost 100 hais or more, which is about 50 dollars. Lindsey, Collin, Alyssa, and I all walked around together. Lindsey bought one shirt, and I bought a dress. One of the few reasonable items we saw! Oh and the coolest things we saw...kids in inflatable balls running around in water. Looked like so much fun!! Then we went to a Brazilian steakhouse. There is a salad bar and some sides that you can go get, then they bring meat after meat to your table. Yum! Then last but not least...dessert! So many options...cheesecake, chocolate cake, mousse, and much more! We were all stuffed after that! Next was the beach. There were little booths with handmade items. We did some shopping there, then walked over to the beach. White sand, and clear water. Wonderful! We didn't have much time there, but it was lots of fun! Our final stop of the day, the airport. Six of our medical team members left. It was sad to see them go. We had lots of fun serving with them throughout the week!
Saturday. Construction day #1. We had lots of cabinets that had to be painted white. That was the main task for the day. Lindsey and I were not the best painters either...we had more on us and the floor than we should have had. :) We also had some laundry to do, so we got that done during our down time. Also during the day there was a Pastor Conference going on. Collin decided to sit in on that. To finish the day, we went for a swim and hung out around the Alcance.
Monday. Relaxing day. Right after breakfast, we went to the blanket shop. They had everything. Purses, hammocks, blankets, place mats, etc. We all got a little something. Then we can back to Alcance. After lunch, Collin went outside to help with the cement for the putt-putt course. He helped the guys mix and pour the cement. Lindsey and I painted one last cabinet. Then we read our books and took a nap. After dinner, we had some down time. Karine (Tele's oldest daughter) let us borrow some nail polish, so we painted our nails. Then we learned to play Bohnanza. Seth, Kari, David, Rebecca, David and Alyssa all played as well. Lindsey won, but I think that was mainly because everyone helped her! :) That concluded our day.
Today. After breakfast, we made another morning stop, only this time to the flip flop shop. It is just down the road, so a group of us walked there. We didn't buy anything, but it was fun to look. When we got back, we had some work to do. Lindsey, Collin, and I all went out to help with cement for the putt-putt course again. Mixing, pouring, and leveling. We worked on that til lunch. After lunch, preparations for English camp began. Signs had to be painted, and other small tasks. Now we are just enjoying some down time. Tonight...we are going out to dinner to a place called Boca Loca. I have heard it is amazing, but I will have to let you know after I try it.
Once again, I think I caught you up to where we are. The next 3 days we will be helping with English camp. It starts at 8:30am and goes til 4:30pm. Please pray for us throughout these days, and also for the campers who will be attending. Also, I have been down some today, because I have not been feeling the best. Please pray that I could get back to good health, and that Lindsey and Collin would stay in good health. Thanks for your continued support.
Also, Seth added some pictures to his facebook, so check them out!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
PICTURES!!!!
Kristin here. Yay!! We finally were able to get pictures online! Jeff Turner took all our memory cards last night, and then added all the pictures to this website. So check them out!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Brazilmedica
I will try to update everyone tonight on yesterday and today! Thanks for all your support!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Brazilmedical2009
I will try to update everyone tonight on yesterday and today! Thanks for all your support!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 8, 2009
Kristin here. I am sorry for not updating the blog much..we have been extremely busy. Okay, I will start where I left off. Right after the last post we got to watch the school's childrens program. It was all in Portuguese, so we couldn't understand it. It was about the culture of different parts of Brazil. The children did many popular dances and had costumes to match. It was a neat experience.
Sunday. We attended 2 church services. One in the morning here at the Alcance. Andy Flink, the BRCC children's pastor, spoke and Tele translated. It was amazing to see the Brazilian people worship and be so passionate about it. We then went to an all you can eat pizza place. The pizza here is unique. From cheese, pepporoni, tuna, and chocolate...they had lots of it! When they brought out the tuna pizza no one told us that is was tuna, and when we tried it...well lets just say no one liked. Also much of our appetite was gone. I believe everyone's favorite was chocolate pizza! Yummy! Then we hurried to our next church service. It was different than the first. We got to see a baptism and they even celebrated a birthday. Dr. Charles Taylor from BRCC spoke here, with Tele translating again. Sunday was a great day to see how God is working in the people.
Monday. Day 1 of medical camp. We were at a church located about an hour and a half away from the Alcance. We got to the church about 9am and got set up. For most of the day, we were assigned to entertain the kids. We played many games and had a blast. Also, we got to hold a lot of sweet little ones. We had lunch at the pastor's home, where his wife cooked for us. Then in the evening, Lindsey and I sat in with the doctor. We got to see different illnesses and watch them as they recieved the help they needed. One particular lady hadn't been to a doctor in 20 years and has had an open wound with an infection for 2 years! That explains some of what we saw. We didn't didn't return back to Alcance until 9:30pm. The long hours were well worth it though.
Tuesday. Day 2 of medical camp. We went to another church. Pastor Ricardo's church. We had a lot less space to work with but we made it work. I worked in the pharmacy the whole day. Searching for medicine, having someone translate directions for me, and watching people who are so grateful to have medicine. I loved being in the pharmacy! Lindsey played with kids in the morning, then took blood pressure in the rest of the day. She said that she enjoyed that job and interacting with the people. Collin was on kid entertainment the whole day again. He has been doing such a great job with the all the kids! We started about 9am and ended around 6pm. Then we came back for a wonderful pasta and beef dinner. After dinner, Seth took us to get churros. It is like an tube elephant ear with sugar and carmel or chocolate filling. Delicious!!!
Now we are up to today! We got to sleep in this morning!!! We didn't leave the Alcance til 9am. But today our medical camp was help in the dump. It was an eye-opening experience. It took us a long time to get to it due to mud...LOTS of mud. A few of us walked up the hill and all the way to the city. It was a long walk but we weren't sure if we could get the vehicle up the hill. Eventually after many interesting techniques (I heard from Kari) they got up the hill. When we got there it was a shock...trash everywhere, piles. There were men digging through the piles to find anything they could use. The houses were cardboard and wood, and a couple brick houses. The kids don't get much affection usually because their parents don't want them to be weak. We went in and played with the kids and held them. They had huge smiles on their faces. Collin gave his favorite hat to a little boy and I think it made his day. We left puppets for them and they all loved those. It was very sad to see some of the kids though. Lots of them had worms and other illnesses. Most only had one article of clothing and some nothing. We saw a little boy with no clothes just sitting on the ground. Heartbreaking! Why do we need all this stuff when some literally have nothing?! Crazy! We didn't see many adults maybe 15 total, and some kids, but most didn't want help. It was eye-opening!
I know this is long, but I hope all of you enjoy reading. We have had a wonderful trip and are loving every minute. Thanks for all your prayers! Tonight we are hanging out around the Alcance...I learned to play double decker big euchre! Ahh...so much fun! Tomorrow is our last day of medical camp. And some of the group leaves Friday. Try to update this weekend again!
Sunday. We attended 2 church services. One in the morning here at the Alcance. Andy Flink, the BRCC children's pastor, spoke and Tele translated. It was amazing to see the Brazilian people worship and be so passionate about it. We then went to an all you can eat pizza place. The pizza here is unique. From cheese, pepporoni, tuna, and chocolate...they had lots of it! When they brought out the tuna pizza no one told us that is was tuna, and when we tried it...well lets just say no one liked. Also much of our appetite was gone. I believe everyone's favorite was chocolate pizza! Yummy! Then we hurried to our next church service. It was different than the first. We got to see a baptism and they even celebrated a birthday. Dr. Charles Taylor from BRCC spoke here, with Tele translating again. Sunday was a great day to see how God is working in the people.
Monday. Day 1 of medical camp. We were at a church located about an hour and a half away from the Alcance. We got to the church about 9am and got set up. For most of the day, we were assigned to entertain the kids. We played many games and had a blast. Also, we got to hold a lot of sweet little ones. We had lunch at the pastor's home, where his wife cooked for us. Then in the evening, Lindsey and I sat in with the doctor. We got to see different illnesses and watch them as they recieved the help they needed. One particular lady hadn't been to a doctor in 20 years and has had an open wound with an infection for 2 years! That explains some of what we saw. We didn't didn't return back to Alcance until 9:30pm. The long hours were well worth it though.
Tuesday. Day 2 of medical camp. We went to another church. Pastor Ricardo's church. We had a lot less space to work with but we made it work. I worked in the pharmacy the whole day. Searching for medicine, having someone translate directions for me, and watching people who are so grateful to have medicine. I loved being in the pharmacy! Lindsey played with kids in the morning, then took blood pressure in the rest of the day. She said that she enjoyed that job and interacting with the people. Collin was on kid entertainment the whole day again. He has been doing such a great job with the all the kids! We started about 9am and ended around 6pm. Then we came back for a wonderful pasta and beef dinner. After dinner, Seth took us to get churros. It is like an tube elephant ear with sugar and carmel or chocolate filling. Delicious!!!
Now we are up to today! We got to sleep in this morning!!! We didn't leave the Alcance til 9am. But today our medical camp was help in the dump. It was an eye-opening experience. It took us a long time to get to it due to mud...LOTS of mud. A few of us walked up the hill and all the way to the city. It was a long walk but we weren't sure if we could get the vehicle up the hill. Eventually after many interesting techniques (I heard from Kari) they got up the hill. When we got there it was a shock...trash everywhere, piles. There were men digging through the piles to find anything they could use. The houses were cardboard and wood, and a couple brick houses. The kids don't get much affection usually because their parents don't want them to be weak. We went in and played with the kids and held them. They had huge smiles on their faces. Collin gave his favorite hat to a little boy and I think it made his day. We left puppets for them and they all loved those. It was very sad to see some of the kids though. Lots of them had worms and other illnesses. Most only had one article of clothing and some nothing. We saw a little boy with no clothes just sitting on the ground. Heartbreaking! Why do we need all this stuff when some literally have nothing?! Crazy! We didn't see many adults maybe 15 total, and some kids, but most didn't want help. It was eye-opening!
I know this is long, but I hope all of you enjoy reading. We have had a wonderful trip and are loving every minute. Thanks for all your prayers! Tonight we are hanging out around the Alcance...I learned to play double decker big euchre! Ahh...so much fun! Tomorrow is our last day of medical camp. And some of the group leaves Friday. Try to update this weekend again!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
July 4, 2009
Bom dia! We arrived yesterday at about 6:40am Brazil time. After 2 flights, passport check, and customs, we were very relieved to see Seth and Kari. The flight to Atlanta was short and easy. It was Lindsey's first flight and she said it was better than she expected. Then the long 9 hour flight to Recife began. We all sat in one row and watched movies, played games, ate, and got little sleep. We were ready to land, but it wasn't as bad as we thought it could've been. Lindsey did fine on this flight too. She didn't really like the turbulance or the lightning outside. Coming down was the hardest part for her, because her ears were bothering her. Last but not least was the hour drive to the Alcance. It was just a small glimpse of Brazilian driving and towns.
Today we visisted some of the local churches that were planted because of Tele's ministry. We learned how the churches reach out into the community by the Living Stones ministry, which takes kids in in the afternoon and feeds them lunch and helps them with their studies. It was interesting how they churches were really "community churches", very involved and truly an outreach. They were small but were making a big impact.
After that, we went to get ice cream and returned to the Alcance for lunch, which was burgers, the first non-Brazilian food we've had. The food here is really good, especially the monkey and the alligator tongue. haha.
This coming week begins the medical camp. Yesterday, we had to pack all the medicine we brought in, dividing it into individual bags and labeling the contents for individual families. We will be providing medical treatment for a few poorer communities. We will be in 3 churches and the dump. We were all talking about the amounts of medicine these people will recieve, which is 30 pills of most things like tylenol, allergy medicine and antibiotics. To us in America it seems like so little, yet to the Brazilians it is so much. It will be a neat opportunity for all of us. On Friday, almost all of the group that came down with us, except for the five of us are going to return to Indiana. After we drop them off at the airport, we'll be dining in a real Brazilian steakhouse and shopping in Recife.
We have made lots of friends here, most of them bilingual, and we're learning Portugeuse through them. We have gotten to know all of the Moraes' children and a couple other children who live here at the Alcance.
That pretty much sums up our trip until now. Tonight the children from the school here at the Alcance will be putting on their "End of the year program" whicch will be neat to watch. The program will include different cultural foods, festive dancing, and some english speaking that the children have learned. Also tonight we will have our second devotion. In devotion time someone gives a short lesson and we sing a couple worship songs. Seth has been playing the guitar for us and Eli has been singing. Tomorrow we will go to a morning and evening church service.
Right now our main prayer request is for the upcoming medical camp. Also we need to develop some entertainment for the families while they wait. We have two days to plan how we will entertain. Also this is going to be something we have never experienced before, already we have been going through some culture shock. But the medical camp will be a whole new ball game. Just pray that God will be with us as we share with the Brazillian people.
Thanks for reading! We will try to get pictures soon!
Today we visisted some of the local churches that were planted because of Tele's ministry. We learned how the churches reach out into the community by the Living Stones ministry, which takes kids in in the afternoon and feeds them lunch and helps them with their studies. It was interesting how they churches were really "community churches", very involved and truly an outreach. They were small but were making a big impact.
After that, we went to get ice cream and returned to the Alcance for lunch, which was burgers, the first non-Brazilian food we've had. The food here is really good, especially the monkey and the alligator tongue. haha.
This coming week begins the medical camp. Yesterday, we had to pack all the medicine we brought in, dividing it into individual bags and labeling the contents for individual families. We will be providing medical treatment for a few poorer communities. We will be in 3 churches and the dump. We were all talking about the amounts of medicine these people will recieve, which is 30 pills of most things like tylenol, allergy medicine and antibiotics. To us in America it seems like so little, yet to the Brazilians it is so much. It will be a neat opportunity for all of us. On Friday, almost all of the group that came down with us, except for the five of us are going to return to Indiana. After we drop them off at the airport, we'll be dining in a real Brazilian steakhouse and shopping in Recife.
We have made lots of friends here, most of them bilingual, and we're learning Portugeuse through them. We have gotten to know all of the Moraes' children and a couple other children who live here at the Alcance.
That pretty much sums up our trip until now. Tonight the children from the school here at the Alcance will be putting on their "End of the year program" whicch will be neat to watch. The program will include different cultural foods, festive dancing, and some english speaking that the children have learned. Also tonight we will have our second devotion. In devotion time someone gives a short lesson and we sing a couple worship songs. Seth has been playing the guitar for us and Eli has been singing. Tomorrow we will go to a morning and evening church service.
Right now our main prayer request is for the upcoming medical camp. Also we need to develop some entertainment for the families while they wait. We have two days to plan how we will entertain. Also this is going to be something we have never experienced before, already we have been going through some culture shock. But the medical camp will be a whole new ball game. Just pray that God will be with us as we share with the Brazillian people.
Thanks for reading! We will try to get pictures soon!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Procrastinor
Kristin here. I am dragging my feet along...I just can't seem to want to start packing. I have always hated packing, but this time I am being more of a procrastinator than ever before. I am not sure exactly what it is. It just seems so overwhelming. Today, I have to been running some last minute errands and just buying those last few items. I guess that means tonight and tomorrow I have to pack! In almost exactly 48 hours we will be on our way to the airport. Wow! I remember when our countdown was 47 days and now its 2 days! I think the thing I worry about most is being homesick. I have never been away from home for more than a week, therefore, three weeks seems like a long time!! Lindsey and I have decided that we are going to post pictures next to our beds. Hopefully that will help! :) Many people have asked me for some specific things they can pray for, so here are a few...
- Seth and Kari as they travel today. Their first flight leaves at 5pm.
- Our families
- Us...as we prepare to go.
- Safe travel for those of us who leave Thursday. We have to be at the airport at 3pm and our first flight leaves at 5pm as well.
- The Brazilian people as we go to share with them.
Thanks again for all your support!
- Seth and Kari as they travel today. Their first flight leaves at 5pm.
- Our families
- Us...as we prepare to go.
- Safe travel for those of us who leave Thursday. We have to be at the airport at 3pm and our first flight leaves at 5pm as well.
- The Brazilian people as we go to share with them.
Thanks again for all your support!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pre Trip Post
Hey bloggers!
Lindsey here. Kristin and I just finished making this blog for everyone that will be back at home! All the colors of our blog we chose because they are the colors of the Brazilian flag! The title of our blog "Take my dreams, Lord, come and give me wings," is from Britt Nicole's song "Set the World on Fire." This song is sort of our theme song for the time we are gone. And also the "Lost get Found" a song by her as well. If you have not heard of her you really should check out her music:)! Right now we are just getting ready for our big adventure to Brazil. Nervousness started to set in this past weekend. Last minute things are being taken care of. You know like whose bringing the shampoo and whose bringing the soap. Poor Collin doesn't have anyone to share cool lists with! Anyways, keep checking out our blog! We don't want to be on the computer our whole trip but we will try to keep it updated for all of you readers at home. Keep us in your prayers!
"My hands, My feet
My everything,
My life, My love
Lord use me."
Lindsey here. Kristin and I just finished making this blog for everyone that will be back at home! All the colors of our blog we chose because they are the colors of the Brazilian flag! The title of our blog "Take my dreams, Lord, come and give me wings," is from Britt Nicole's song "Set the World on Fire." This song is sort of our theme song for the time we are gone. And also the "Lost get Found" a song by her as well. If you have not heard of her you really should check out her music:)! Right now we are just getting ready for our big adventure to Brazil. Nervousness started to set in this past weekend. Last minute things are being taken care of. You know like whose bringing the shampoo and whose bringing the soap. Poor Collin doesn't have anyone to share cool lists with! Anyways, keep checking out our blog! We don't want to be on the computer our whole trip but we will try to keep it updated for all of you readers at home. Keep us in your prayers!
"My hands, My feet
My everything,
My life, My love
Lord use me."
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