I'll follow you into the arms of the broken, I'll follow you into the world.

There is so much to say that I don't know what to say. 

God- You blew our minds. Thank you.

After traveling for 11 long hours, we were finally there! As soon as we got out of the airport, the heat hit us. We were saying to each other, "If this is how hot it is at 2 am, imagine during the day.." Even from our first impressions in the dark that night- we all felt this was so surreal. Graffiti everywhere, people sleeping in the streets, dogs, garbage, and a fairly constant smell of sewage in the air. It looked exactly like the pictures we had seen and researched and it felt like a movie- but there are no pictures that can prepare you to see the reality with your own two eyes.
The view from the roof of the church was absolutely incredible. You could see for what seemed like forever. Rio seems endless with all the lights at night. On our second night there, two of our teammates were on the roof. There was a party going on at the top of our street and it was very loud. They told us in the morning that they had seen one man (some kind of drug lord in this Favela) being protected by a circle of guys (his security guards). Each one one of them had a gun- AK 47's and pistols and everything in between. They had people in other buildings in higher floors looking out windows. Guys walking up and down the street with AK47s- our street. But the Bible says do not fear. God led us to this place, who are we to have such little faith that He would not protect us? Throughout the trip, we found ourselves in various situations that definitely could be dangerous. There were times I was talking to my parents about all that we were doing and all I was seeing, and as I said it out loud- I realized just how crazy and unbelievable these things were. God protected us every time. We knew who went before us, the God of angel armies is on OUR side. (: God showed up over and over and over during our time in Brazil. He led us to places we never even imagined and blew our minds when we least expected it.

My best experience in Brazil was this place called Crackolandia- Crackland. One night there was a huge birthday party for the owner of the favela, Mr.Important with his big guns and money. We went in the morning at 7am to go minister to the people still there partying before they had gone home. We brought coffee and water and were handing it out. We came across one man, Felix, and found ourselves in a really awesome conversation. A divine appointment by God Himself. Felix is a crack addict and ex-pastor. As we talked to him, he told us he felt that we were Jesus showing up that day calling him back. He had been waiting for Jesus to show up. He said he had some money in his pocket that he intended to buy drugs with, but he didn't want to buy drugs. He knew of a place where people were hungry and using drugs and asked us to go with him to bring some bread, coffee, and Jesus. So we went. There are no words describe or prepare you for the sight we saw as we walked around the corner and saw Crackolandia. Close 30 people sitting, laying, sleeping, or standing in the dirty street. Garbage everywhere, needles, plastic bags, people of all ages and sizes and colours. Some sleeping, some getting high on one side of the street, some happy, some with blank stares almost lifeless. Each one with a story, each one with a past, each one with a future and hope in Jesus. We began to slowly and hesitantly walk around to the people, offering bread and coffee. At the start, a lot of them said no. They weren't sure about us and didn't really seem to want to come near us. Then something changed and they warmed up. They were coming up and asking for bread and we asked if we could pray with them. We started praying for them and hearing their stories. They all have unique stories, individual prayer requests and struggles, but the common theme seemed to be, "Pray that I can stop using drugs. I don't want to use drugs." Drugs is somehow the glue that holds that place together. We spent a few hours there that day, sharing with the people, praying with them, and bringing hope. We so felt the Holy Spirit that day. So, we made it a tradition. We went every Saturday morning after the Friday night parties and we spent time there. We became so comfortable there- sitting on the streets, praying and bringing life. The people knew us, they wanted to talk to us and have us pray with them. God gave us the opportunity to make relationships with the least of these- the homeless, broken, prostitutes, outcasts, unloved, drug addicts- and reveal to us new things about his heart through them,The spirit of God was so strong there- you could feel it in the air. He loves them SO much and so badly wants to walk hand in hand with them like He did with us in the Garden. My God is hope to the hopeless. So thankful for Crackolandia and for Felix.

                                                       Felix the first day we met him :)


We were also had so many other ministry opportunities. We went on many prayer walks and God always placed people in our paths for us to speak life to. People came to know Jesus, we got to value some elders in a nursing home, we visited members and ex-members of the church. We shared our testimonies and we spent time sharing with people in their homes. Demons were cast out and we saw people healed. We did our dramas in the streets, in churches, and we did open evangelism in downtown Rio. We visited a rescue home for girls taken off the streets and we visited an orphanage for special needs children. God blew our minds- Just like we knew He wanted to. Brazil changed us. None of us will ever be the same.

We were incredibly blessed with the hospitality and with the generosity of the people in Brazil. Brazilians have so much joy and LIFE. They literally just love life, they love to love each other and love God. Their worship blew us away. It just so draws you into the presence of God and God showed us another side of His character through them. We felt as if we were at home. Brazil was one of the best experiences of my life. So grateful to have these people around me. The relationships we made with our beautiful Brazilian friends will never be forgotten. We made amazing friends and new family. I won't ever be the same.

The killer hill entering the Favela.

Incredible views.

Copacabana!

DTS picture plus our Brazilians at Christ the Redeemer!

So crazy to think outreach is over and in two days we graduate. Man, time flew.


But this is not goodbye- it's see you later. I know this isn't the end.