It has been a while since I have last posted and consequently there is a lot to share.
Let's start with Christmas.
Christmas this year was a very new experience for me. It was the first time I have spent a Christmas away from home; I enjoyed it but it was also challenging. It was weird being away from home and celebrating Christmas in a new culture. Here Christmas is not a huge deal. People don't have the money for it. They have a BBQ on Christmas eve and gather with family. We had a very Canadian style Christmas with Brazilian flavor. On Christmas day the Buhler Family, Nathan and I went to a water park to escape the heat and relax. I had to consistently remind myself that it was Christmas.
*Left: Nathan and I on Christmas Day! Right: We had a Quest Staff Christmas Party. Nathan conquered the pinata. *
Shortly after Christmas, we left for a city called Pelotas. We traveled there for a wedding and to visit some of Scott and Patsy's friends. While I was there I met a lot of new friends but I made one friend in particular. Her name is Jordana. She is Brazilian, only speaks Portuguese, and is planning on joining Team Quest in July. Even though there was a language barrier, I was still able to connect with her. Also, during that week Nathan and I took some Brazilians climbing, went to the beach, experienced a Brazilian New Years Eve celebration and had many opportunities to practice my Portuguese. My Portuguese blossomed that week and I can not thank God enough for giving me the ability to pick up the language quickly. Keep Praying for that. Overall, the trip was awesome but it was good to get back to our house.
*Jordana and I*
I was back in Jaragua for 2 days before we left again. It was about enough time to get our laundry washed and ready to go again. Team Quest was asked to run a staff training and program for a Lutheran Youth Retreat. I can not even explain how much that experience opened my eyes. People here in Brazil have very competitive attitudes. This attitude was more then noticeable during this past week. Quest vision is all about cooperation and encouragement; so let's just say we planted some seeds but nothing really took root yet. We have a lot of work to do.
*Left: Some of the Staff working through a cooperative activity. Right: A massive bonfire we had with the campers*
*Left: Nathan and I. We went on a hike with 130 campers up a mountain; this was the site at the top. Right: Me and Some staff girls. Barbara, Becky, Aline, Aline, Angelica.
Now I am back in Jaragua preparing for a third camp. We are running a camp for potential Quest summer staff in February. Also, we are in the process of raising money for a piece of property that we feel is perfect for Camp Quest. We have a lot of work to do.
All in all, life here has been incredible. God has been working in my heart so much. There have been countless times where I have wanted to get out of here; Living in Brazil is not Home yet.. and it is far from being comfortable. But God is changing that. Already, I have been here for over 1/4 of my time. I am sure that when May rolls around it is going to be hard to leave this place.
Celebrate yesterday, so you can embrace today!
God Bless,
Becky
