Estamos Aqui! (We're Here!)

Greetings from Brasil! We made it safe and sound yesterday (Friday), and arrived with all of our luggage in hand! For some, the plane trip here was their first time on a plane. We were welcomed by Tim Anderson, Joann's son, and he set us up in "Sombra" (meaning 'shade') Retreat Center set up for teams to serve in the community and rejuvinate at the center.

After we gathered our luggage, we loaded up into a few VW vans and a truck and went to the center of Sao Paulo. There we exchanged money and were able to view the whole city from the top of a bank tower. Leaving the center of town and heading to Sombra Retreat Center we experienced authentic Brasilian driving. We also saw the different areas of Sao Paulo from the slums ("Favela") to the towering buildings amidst the mountains. It is a beautiful city where we learned a large portion of the people are living in poverty.

The organization we are with ABBA works with rescuing at risk kids from the streets and favelas. They try to place the kids back in loving family homes while doing it in a Christ-centered community. Tim serves at ABBA and is our liaison between the ministry we are doing with ABBA.

Today, Saturday, we toured the community where ABBA has its various houses and office buildings. We began working on one house that needs plumbing work. We broke off into teams and did everything from diggin ditches to breaking up a seepage tank. It was laborous work that will continue on Monday. We will be installing new underground piping that will allow the house bathrooms and drains to be pumped out to the city's sewage line.

God has given us strength as we worked all day today. We are excited to begin our ministry with ABBA, and look forward to seeing what God will do in our time here. It is most amazing to see what God has done in and through ABBA and the people that serve here. Please continue to pray for safety as we work and travel throughout Sao Paulo. Also pray for strength for the workers at ABBA. Although we are friends and come as a breath of fresh air, it is also an extra job to set up stuff for us to do, plan out transportation, etc. So pray for Tim, Thomas, and Robert (another guy that serves here from Scotland).

We miss you all and are very thankful for your prayers. Please view the pictures and feel free to post comments on the blogs as well!!!

~Brazil Team

PS - Tonight we were able to play a few pickup games of soccer USA vs. Brazil style, then we joined up and played random pickup games together.




In this picture is Thomas (director of ABBA) laying out the plans for our work day