Another long, but rewarding day. We went to yet another town 2.5 hours away today and did another three sessions with three different groups of kids. They have three sessions of school per day here. Kids go for 4 hours each day either in the morning, afternoon or night. We're there for all three. We taught a little basketball, shared the Gospel and sang many of the same songs we have sung the past however many days we've been here. This afternoon we all kind of hit a wall. Energy levels were low and it felt like we were just going through the motions. This evening's session though seemed to re-energize the group. The kids were really into what was happening and we fed off of their energy. We played a little basketball against the Brazillians. With Jake, Jon, Alek, Ricky and myself representing the USA, we won pretty easily...then they rolled out the soccer ball. Our guys held their own, but eventually lost 3-2 in a close matchup. The middle portion though, was Brazillian girls against our guys. Anyway, it was another great day and the statement yesterday about how all of your kids are incredible...was vastly understated. They are stretched beyond what they believe they can do every day and exceed every expectation put on them. As leaders we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them for this amount of time with this level of intensity. You should be very proud of them.
In the last two days alone, we have presented The Message to approximately 2000 kids and generated interest in the E-Free churches in the towns we've visited.
Tomorrow is our last day in Rio do Sul. We go to a school here in town for two sessions and then the church here is hosting a pizza party for us as a send off. I'll try to get on tomorrow night and let you know how everything went, but with the way the Brazillians work, it very well could be very, very late before we get back to the house. I've posted a few more pictures below for your viewing pleasure...bw
These first ones are from yesterday...more of our group playing with the kids:
The kids at the school made a poster for our visit today:
We have sung the "Brother Song" so many times we're starting to have nightmares about it, but the kids at the schools and Ricky (Hicky) still seem to love it so we keep doing it:
JBarr was enamored with the signs they made:
Tonight the band played some worship songs and our kids got into it right along side the Brazillian kids...it was a good time:
It's mind boggling how many kids you guys have shared the gospel with so far! That is so amazing! I can't imagine how tired you all must be, but just think of the rewards that await you, even though you may not see them in this life. Think about all the seeds that are being planted! Praying that you will have supernatural God-given energy for the last day, and you will finish strong!
ReplyDeleteMelony Johnson
Nick, miss you soooooooo much. I've decided that you can't go to bootcamp next year. The Marines will have to get along without you! Love you all my heart!....mom
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful reading these posts - you all are being used by God to touch so many lives. Many more lives will continue to be impacted after you leave. We are praying every day for you and those around you.
ReplyDeleteJared, we can't wait to see you Tuesday!!
Love,
Mom
Sooo proud of you kids! Not a surprise that you found a wall today. But I can't believe how close to "come home" time it is. Have a great day tomorrow! You are all doing such amazing work down there.. WOW!!! 2000 lives touched. God is so good to give you that kind of opportunity.
ReplyDeleteSam,I can't wait to see you on Tuesday. The girls finally came back home tonight, but I'm really ready to have my whole family back!! ... and not only that, but the pig misses you too! I'm praying that your leg continues to feel better. I know you know how to take care of it... just don't forget to do it!! Love you tons! Praying hard - especially for 1 Corinthians 13 love for everyone on the team. Have a fantastic Friday!
mom (rhoni)
Praise the Lord! 2000 kids! You all are amazing! God is so incredible to give you this opportunity and you have met the challenge. We absolutely love seeing your faces. Only a little bit longer and God will give you the rest that you need. I am already beginning to pray for your safety as you start the journey home in a day or two. Be sure to express our (your families') extreme gratitude to your Brazilian families for caring for you so well during these last weeks. Let them know from me how much we appreciate their gift to the Lord in the form of opening their homes and hearts to all of you. You all are a blessing and we at home, couldn't be prouder!
ReplyDeleteLove you Brandon and Darryl! When you get home, you may never get to leave home again without me. I don't care if you only need to go to the store to get a can of pop!. . . and Joe Smith can just unlock his own car!
Sam,
ReplyDeleteExciting news! The night before you left, you and Annie made a new friend... I believe you guys named the friend "Billy"... This morning I discovered that perhaps Billy's name is Billi Jo. Billi's two younguns were playing underneath my west bedroom window! Not sure how old they are, but they sure are cute!
Hope you all have had a great day/evening/night. What an amazing almost 2 weeks you have had. I can't wait to hear all the stories.
Love you and miss you,
mom (Rhoni)
Brock thank you so much for all you're doing to get the messages out! Not only are they copied out to go to all the parents and their families, but I send them to all of Jon's family and supporters and have received numerous responses from adults that are VERY impressed with what this team is doing. You are being stretched to the max and I'm sure you all realize that you couldn't possibly be doing this without God's power in each of you! You all are a blessing to each of us! Your messages also remind us daily how critical it is for us to be praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteWe love you guys and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.
Jon...Avari loved seeing your picture on the blog. She misses you! Dad & I are headed to Holdrege today for Dad's high school reunion. Rachel Dority arrives tonite.
Keep hanging in there!
To you ALL...this may be the only time many of these kids hear a clear message of who Jesus is and what He's done for them! "Beautiful are the feet of those who bring GOOD NEWS!"
Lv you all,
Connie
What you guys have done so far is amazing and what you will continue to do. It's not easy to be able to do what you've done. Teaching so many in so little time. I'm sure they're soaking in all they can learn.
ReplyDeleteI cheat, having an elder in the house helps with that. I can learn whenever where ever about whatever. Try to remember they don't have that. They have you guys for the days that you're down there. I understand hitting the wall though. It's not easy, but you guys just keep on makin it look like its easy! 2000! That's crazy rad!
Matt-
Heard about you leg. (Your momma is very awesome.) You seem to be forgetting that I'm the clumsy one and you shouldn't be the one hurting yourself. We can't both lean on eachother to hobble..... we'd look funny! :]
Be safe. PLEASE! Miss you sooooooo much! I like your mommy's 'come home' time idea. Few more day.
Love ya lots
Lex
REMINDER...It's 8:00 a.m. here now and the Mexico team headed out at 3:30 this morning for the airport...should be in the air about now...keep them in your prayers!
ReplyDeleteAnd Jon...haven't seen your hair this long in years!! =-0 Lv you!
Bambie - you look right at home in a circle of kids with a smile on your face (and a blurry hand, so I knew it was you by the gestures!).
ReplyDeleteI loved Connie's verse about the beautiful feet of those sharing the good news. I'm sure you are all tired right down to the bones in those feet, but think what you are doing for the Kingdom - and how someday you will see these new Brazilian friends around the throne in Heaven because you were willing to GO!
Again, to you all, thanks for being an extension of us here at home by being the ones willing to travel for Jesus' sake!
love
Barb
Lauren & First Free Team...
ReplyDeleteSo excited to hear about the way God is using you. There are so many seeds being planted, that will become a harvest between now and eternity. We miss you Lauren and are looking forward to your return. The Mexico team left this morning. We left the church at 3:30 AM.
Blessings on your remaining days in Brazil.
Dennis Nun
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI see the pics of you having a great time with all those kids...I know God has called each of you to be in Brazil for such a time as this...it is no accident that you are there! God is working in and thru you in ways you never thought possible. We've been continuing to pray over the full armor of God in Ephesians 6. We know that Satan is not happy about the 2,000 you've shared with. We pray that you would be fierce warriors for the cause of Christ! The helmet of salvation to guard your thoughts, feelings, attitudes in these last few days. The feet shod w/ the preparation of the gospel. The breastplate of righteousness...not a righteousness of your own but of our dear Jesus! Hold up your shield of faith and be ready w/ the sword of the spirit!
We love you and cannot wait until you are home! (I don't know if you'll be a little jealous of this of not...we are heading to Gothenburg Saturday after Kim gets back from Wisconsin and going to the Nebraskaland Days Rodeo in North Platte. :)
Love you!
The Pram Fam
I was looking at the times that families were posting comments thru-out the day (and night). Notice that there isn't hardly a moment that you are not being prayed for!
ReplyDeleteJake,
ReplyDeleteJust praying for you over my late lunch hour. Raining here, but it is 73 degrees. The heat index last night at 10:30 was 91 degrees. Very, very humid. It is awesome to see how many kids you guys are getting to worship with. It is the 4th quarter of your trip and you know what that means. Now is the time to really make a difference and finish strong!
Glad to see you took the Brazilians in basketball, soccer or football whatever they call it was probably out of your league.
Missing you, hope you are writing down all your experiences so we can get a full picture.
Love Dad
Hey Eric,
ReplyDeleteHow is it going? Your trip definitely not been out of sight out of mind. Our family misses you, perhaps getting us use to you being gone all time on the road playing lead guitar with Relient K, Toby Mac, or the Cameron 5.
I was on my usual walk at lunch and got caught in the rain, had to run about a mile back to work to keep from getting more soak than I already was.
I am teaching Sunday School again this Sunday, we are going to take a look at Joshua 10, the day the Sun stood still. We here in Lincoln can hardly wait to hear all that God has done in you and through you in Brazil. Finish strong, no coasting......like taking finals at school. The most important part is how you finish.
Why are there so many Johnsons in the phone book? They all have phones.
What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work? A stick.
If you jog backwards, will you gain weight?
Just a little, very little humor for you.
Much love,
LeRoy (Dad)
And remember, no matter where you go, there you are!
Alek and the whole Brazil Team.. All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!! I am left speechless at all the work that you are doing. So many seeds planted in the hearts of so many people. You have done your part in all that God has called each of you to do on this journey.. you have been obedient beyond measure. Don't ever forget anything that is done for the Lord ever goes in vain, He sees and hears it all. I pray God's Blessings on each of you as your time in Brazil comes to a close. You have made lasting friendships with these kids that will last beyond your time on this earth...
ReplyDeleteLove you all,
Becky
Hello All!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking you all might get a kick out of hearing some of the really important national events back here in the homeland and see what news you will come home to. So here are a few headlines.
New iPhone coming out today!
Melissa Rycroft from Bachelorette and Dancing with the Stars joining Good Morning America "cast".
Mini-Van marks it's 25th anniversary.
Ahmadinejad wins Iran election
Osborne agrees to remain Nebraska's Athletic Director indefinitely
(And here's one I'm sure you'll all be very interested to hear)
Iowa teen wins $50,000 in "texting" championship.
Didn't want you to feel out of touch!
Jbarr, sorry I did not include you in the note a couple of days ago. I was unaware you were on the trip until after I sent it. Thanks for your willingness to serve Christ and help lead the team.
ReplyDeleteScott Holmes