Cafe = Supper

Hi everybody,
Hope all is going well. It is our second day working Celivres and are already having some health issues. We were unable to meet with Johnny today because he is sick and was unable to work with us today. So we started making some hand outs for a night we are inviting the students to hang out with us. We got to hang out with a few students today that we have made relationships with over the past years and we ended up getting cell phones for us while we are here. We fixed a net at the church that was damaged during the flood. It is so crazy to see the damages and after effects of the flood still. They are doing alot of remodeling and painting at the church. It looks way different here. But we also were told to call people to invite them to English camp and thought there would be 100 but they only let us call the english speaking ones which ended up being only 2. We also found out the hard way that when people ask us for coffee they mean a whole meal so we have had "coffee" three times today.

We appreciate yours prayers so much and would really appreciate them for our health and for the health of Johnny and his family.

Love, The Fab Four

Alek's First Day

Today was a very busy day, we got to see a lot of new and old faces and we spent the day planning out the next few weeks and what pastor johnny is expecting out of us. Relationships and preparation are going to be what we will be doing, preparation for when the level 2 team arrives and building stronger relationships with the people in the church. We will also be going out to schools in rio and surrounding cities to meet with teachers and administrators telling them what we have planned for when the level 2 team arrives, also going around and making phone calls inviting people to the english camp. We are having a great time and we miss everyone at home. Keep us in your prayers.

We landed safely in Sao Paulo and went to check in.  A lady picked us out of the crowd and asked if we were in the right line.  Fortunately she was right and we were checking in at the wrong place.  We got in a way shorter line and got through customs, checking-in, and security in less than 20 minutes.  That's what happens when you don't travel with girls.  Awesome.  So we waited and slept in the airport for our flight to Curitiba.  Then we flew safely there and were greeted with a sign that said "Andrew, Alek, Jon, and Roy." We went to a chuhasceria (BBQ/steak place) where we got all you can eat meat for about 7 US dollars.  Let's hear it for Brasil!  We then had a 6 hour bus ride that wouldn't end but we all were off and on sleeping.  We didn't know how to get a hold of Johnny once we reached Rio do Sul but we borrowed someone's phone and made a call or two and are now in our host homes safe and sound.  Thanks for all of the prayer. - The fab four

Its way easier to travel with 4 people

Well, we are off! We left from Lincoln this morning at noon after a prayer and sending off by our parents and church staff. We are sitting herat the Kansas city airport waiting to board our flight to Houston, and then to sao paulo, Brazil. Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts! We will make sure to keep you all updated on our trek! God Bless! -The Fab Four

Day 10

Well, we have pretty much come to the back end of our ministry in Rio do Sul and I can affirm what you have heard already. Families, you have good reason to be proud of your students on this trip. The combination of strong team unity, openness, courage and just plain joy displayed by the members of this team have left a big impression on the Brazilians we have met and we have met many. The different languages have presented the usual challenge but have been no barrier. I may be forever be known to the Brazilians as "Scotch" but I've learned I can answer to that just as well as the name they can't seem to pronounce.

In spite of the cultural and language differences, time and again I watched our students take the initiative to approach Brazilians, strike up a conversation and, before it was done, share their faith as naturally as they were moments ago talking about American football or Brazilian soccer.

If there was any one word I would use to sum up the image this team has carried with it, it is "joy". These American students have effectively demonstrated that the life they have found in Christ is one of joy. When we get home in just a few days now, the pictures we will bring (and there are literally thousands of them between us) will clearly show this.

Tonight we pack back on the bus for Florianopolis. Then tomorrow a day of sightseeing and then, the following day back to Sao Paula and finally home. See you all soon!
-- Scott "Scotch" Kerr

Day 8

Cody Hall: When writing on this blog,I wanted to say something Inspirational wellll I could think of anything,so I am just gonna tell you about myself.
When I left for this trip I was thinking what can I do to change a life for christ? what can I do to help others?
I was always thinking of me...What can I do..I listened to myself and heard I,me,myself continually.But as Iv been on this trip..I see more and more it was nothing to do with me..NOTHING it is always God! who was,and is,and is to come. Iv been in wounder of how God is working through me...working to change lives through me and with me...I just let go and let God take my words and my thoughts and it has been life changing!!
Also the love for one one another on this trip is amazing we have grown as brothers and sisters in Christ Sooooo much you can easily see it from miles away.

Tahner Pinkman Well yesterday Steve Spellman, Hannah W., Taylor Fries and I went over to the town of Lontras. Just about half an hour away from the town of Rio Do Sul that we are currently staying in. We went into four different schools, I think, but they all seem to run together in my mind. We worked with younger kids, ages ranging from five to eight or nine. It was a really neat experience for me personally, a lot of the kids were from out in rural farming communities. But the neat thing was that very few, if any had ever heard the story of the gospel before and I loved being able to share it with them for the first time. Please pray that these kids understood clearly the message we were trying to get across because it is the most important thing that they have ever hear or ever will hear in their entire life.

Today we’ll be going into more schools, so pray that the students will be attentive and open to the gospel. Also, please pray for our group as a whole: that we will continue to have renewed strength every day, as some of us are beginning to get run down a little bit.

Liz Merrett: My time here in Brazil has been like nothing I have ever experienced before. It's the weirdest thing. We have signed autographs, had pictures taken of us, and where ever we go we're stared at. It's definitely taking some getting used to, but to be honest, I don't mind it!

On a more serious note, this morning, Andrew, Ryan,Bianca, (one of our translators and my roommate) and I all went to a school in Lontras, a small town west of Rio do Sol. In the mornings the classes are more elementary-aged students. We went to 3 classrooms and when we shared the Gospel Bracelets the kids really quieted down and paid close attention. They had many questions about Nebraska and our lives. The children were so excited that we were there and we received many hugs and kisses goodbye.

Ryan Pramberg: Hey Lincoln! I personally just wanted to thank everyone for the prayers that are continually following us and thank you for being such amazing prayer warriors. Because of the time you and us have spent on our knees God has honored those and we have seen many amazing things occur. Personally the best parts of this trip have been threefold. The first was being able to pray for 20 minutes with the adults of the church. Jon and I had them in our English group during camp and we took the time to pray for the camp and thank God for the amazing things he has done and will do. Even though I did not understand every word there was a power in the air that was undeniable and a joy to experience. The second for myself was listening to what others have been learning so far. It has been sweet to push others to be uncomfortable and then hear how they were used and how they went ahead in faith! Muito Legao! Finally, on a more selfish level, I go the chance to go to two classrooms without a translator…I was the translator with Eric Rock. That was so difficult but so cool because Eric and I both were given great clarity and somehow stumbled through the whole 50 minutes in Portuguese. Crazy! So thanks again for all of your prayers, they are with us wherever we go and I thanks you! See you Monday!

Andrew Goode: Hey everyone! Just wanted to share a little bit about how God has been using me. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights we are having “Happy Hour” at the church. This is where people can just come to the church and hangout for a couple of hours and play games and talk about whatever they want. I met this guy named Beto at the English camp and he came to the Happy Hour Monday night. As I began to talk to him he shared about his addiction to drugs and alcohol and how they consumed his life. He said that he had been clean for 20 days, but just before that happy hour he used again and he was feeling very alone/bad. I prayed for him and then we began to talk more about his life and how God is his comforter and everything. Then towards the end Ricky came up and we all talked and then prayed again when we all left. He rides bikes, and hopes to help little kids get out of drugs and that lifestyle through his dirt bikes. We talked for about 2 and a half hours Monday night and then he came back last night(Tuesday) and we talked about for 2 hours in broken English/Portugese. He has accepted Christ as his Savior but is still struggling with the hold that drugs have on him. He asked me and others to pray for him so that would be much appreciated. I will see him again tonight at Happy Hour and I would like prayer for him and me for the Holy Spirit’s words and direction. Thanks for the prayers!!

Robb: This trip has been a huge blessing to me. Seeing the gospel shared with so many, and being able to share God’s good news myself with the people of Brazil truly makes me feel a part of what God calls all believers to do in Mathew 28:19 – 20. Yesterday, a girl named Tailine had been identified in her class as being a Christian. During an impromptu soccer game, I was able to talk to Tailine and hear the story of a miracle in her life involving a brain/spine tumor that was removed, but later came back. Her church prayed for her during the 11 days from her initial visit to the appointment where the doctors would determine the course of action. When she returned, the tumor was gone. I was able to share the gospel message with her friends that were listening by using the bracelets we brought. We gave Tailine a handful of extra bracelets with the understanding that she would give them out after she was bold in sharing the message others. In return, she took a bracelet off of her arm that they had made at her church and gave it to me. Please pray that God will use Tailine in amazing ways as she shares with others.

Today at lunch my birthday was celebrated with the team and so many of my new Brazilian friends. The cake had sparklers and two candles in the shape of a “0”and “4”. I’m not quite sure why they chose those numbers.

Please pray that we finish our race here in Brazil well, and we look forward to taking the boldness of sharing our message and our heart of service back to Lincoln.

Day 6

Luke Brown: The other night I was asked to share the gospel for the whole entire English camp. My initial reaction was ..uhhhh funny?!? But then I remembered before the trip praying to God to truly challenge me on this trip. I then knew this was God giving me the chance to push myself and share his good news. Although I was very nervous it went well and I finished without fainting or soiling myself :). So far this trip has been pushing me in many ways and I praise God for each and everyone of them. I am so glad to be here and to watch God work through all of us in different areas. I cant wait to see all you back home but until then God bless.

Jesse Mills: This trip has been a wonderful blessing to me, and it's been awesome to see how unified our team is. Even the Brazilian people have noticed this, and commented on how close we all are. I think I grow as much from watching and praying for others on the team who are actively doing God's work, as I do from participating myself! My most powerful experience thus far has been the church service yesterday evening. The combination of worship in two languages, a skit representing the freedom from sin found in Christ, and Ricky's message touched my heart in a rare and wonderful way. I cannot wait to visit some schools and share the power of the cross with many who only know its shape.

We spent this morning having team time/personal devotions. It was a wonderful change of pace. Hunter and Luke led the team devo about how to avoid being a "lukewarm" Christian.

After lunch we'll be splitting into two teams that will go into different schools to share the Gospel, play a game of basketball/soccer, and then come back to the church later this evening for "Happy Hour" (meaning socializing/having intentional conversations with those that came to English camp). Busy day but we're all excited to see how God will work through us in the schools and in the conversations tonight.

Parents, don't forget that Ricky will be calling tonight at the prayer meeting.

Thanks again for your continued prayers and comments,
Hannah W.

(P.S. 2D)