God did not do what I expected Him to do. Isn't that always the way it goes? We returned from Brazil exactly 7 months ago to the day. We were a somewhat acquainted 15 person team when we left the U.S. but we came back a 15 person family. God used our love for one another to speak volumes to a people that often could not understand what we were trying to say with words. Us not speaking Portuguese and them not speaking English made the day-to-day operation of renovations interesting. When we wanted a paint-brush, buckets, hammers, cleaning products and the like, our efforts to cross the language barrier often became frustratingly funny. But when we wanted to communicate how grateful we were for their incredible hospitality, when we wanted them to know that there was no place we'd rather be than sweating in the middle of a barren field covered in dirt from laying pounds upon pounds of sod...there was no problem communicating because we were speaking in one heart language: the love of Jesus Christ.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6
This communication was expressed in a myriad of ways. We expressed and received His love through hugs and smiles at every turn. The ladies were greeted each morning with a kiss on each cheek (my personal favorite!). There was laughter on every side as the kids spoke louder and louder Portuguese, mistakenly thinking this would somehow help us understand what they were saying. (SO hilarious to be on the other side of that loud conversation). And of course, the many tears we shed as we broke our own hearts in half so that we could leave a piece of ourselves with our Brazilian family in Assis.
I really miss them. I miss Andreia and Ana and Sarita. Their sparkling smiles and easy laughter. They loved freely and were making plans to have us stay with them upon our return before we'd even gone home! We were adopted into their family quicker than we could say, "Obrigada". These Brazilians showed me how all-encompassing the blood of Jesus is; truth be told, they loved us long before we arrived. They welcomed us with overwhelming affection and excitement before we even had a chance to try and "prove" we were worth it. As much as we had planned to be Jesus to them, they absolutely beat us to it. They were Jesus to us, straight off the bus. We arrived at our hotel and literally stepped off the bus into dozens of open arms wanting to pull us in, kisses on each cheek, curious and joyful smiles and hands bearing gifts FOR US. The girls from Open Arms got each of the ladies on our team a bracelet bearing the Brazilian flag and let me tell you, I have not been so attached to a bracelet since I was about 14 years old. I absolutely anticipate having that bracelet until the day I die.
Brazil was my catalyst. I jumped into a mission trip I had not felt any particular calling towards and God worked it. I mean, He really worked it. The experience itself was incredible and will stay with me forever, but He's guided every step for my good since I jumped in.
I miss Brazil. I miss our team living on the same hotel hallway. I miss having a red dirt stain on everything I own. I miss the morning kisses on each cheek. I miss the wobbly bus...especially the bathroom of terror. But mostly I miss that incredible feeling - knowing that with every sunrise we were going to be spending the day tangibly bettering a child's existence. That week in Assis was full of those moments; those moments that make you breathe deeper and sleep harder because everyday has been exhaustingly purposeful.
I thank God for every one of those moments. I thank God for my Brazilian brothers and sisters. I thank God for my wonderful life-giving team. And I thank Him for walking so closely with me since then.
Exactly 7 months ago, I returned from Brazil. Exactly 7 months ago, everything changed.
