Internship Kickoff - June 23

This morning Kat, Amber, and I went to Mark and Ali's house for a Camp Roots staff preparation meeting.  It was amazing to see how much time and heart they have put into making this camp happen. The camp this year will center around Luke 15, the story of the prodigal son.  Today we dwelled in that story, got into groups of two, shared with each other, and then some shared what their partner said with the group.  We also got a breakdown of the how the camp was going to work with activities and groups.  Though many of the people involved in working this camp are bilingual, some of us only speak either english or portuguese.  This is something that will require patience and has the potential to tie the group together.  I was very impressed with the discernment and high level of organization, and the group of kind-hearted, talented, diverse, and enthusiastic staff.  I am now very excited about what God will do for both the kids and staff at Camp Roots in a few weeks.  It was great to get to know some of the great people here! Please pray for Mark, Ali, the staff, and all the kids as final preparations are made and for hearts to be molded at the camp.

After the meeting, Daniel Sancho took David, Rebecca (long-term interns with Mark and Ali) and I to a place called Giraffe Sandwiches to eat! 

During the late afternoon Jerry and Gail sat down with Kat, Amber, and I to discuss what our time with them will entail and what to expect.  They have already been incredibly hospitable and have gone out of their way for us quite a bit.  I really enjoyed getting to know them and their ministry better today, and I can't wait to learn more from them!

This evening a banquet was put on at the Church of Christ in Itu for Camp Roots.  The theme was a masquerade, but I don't think any males wore masks.  There was also a live saxiphone musician who went around and played for people at the tables.  We had a blast serving food and drinks and getting to know more people!  

We Made It!

Today we spent our first day with Jerry and Gail Heiderich in Itu, Brazil.  They drove an hour and a half from Itu to pick us up early this morning from the airport in Sao Paulo.  On the drive back to Itu I was blessed to get to know Jerry a bit and pick his brain about Itu, their family, and their work.  He graciously fielded the flood of questions.
Itu is very small compared the Blumes' city Porto Alegre.  Itu is about the size of Abilene, Texas, while Porto Alegre contains 1.5 million people.  If you didn't know, Summertime in the US is winter in the southern hemisphere and the directional change in temperature is reversed.  The farther south you go, the colder it gets.  Porto Alegre is close to the southern border of Brazil, while Itu is closer to the middle.  Last Summer in Porto Alegre we bundled up and filled hot water bottles to sleep with.  The Heiderichs have never really needed to do that in Itu.
When we arrived to their house, Gail cooked a delicious meal for us before they showed us around town.  First we went to Mark and Ali's house where we met with them and a few of the Aggies.  My friend Daniel Sancho was also there!  Then we went to the town square to look around.  Itu proclaims itself as the town of "big things."  In the square there were a few giant telephones, a giant stoplight, a giant bench, and some giant pencils.  There are also a few stores where you can buy Itu souvenirs like giant scissors, giant pencils, giant cigars, etc.  After that we took a trip to Walmart, yes Walmart, for some supplies went to a paneria (bakery) where we picked up some bread.  We also got to eat a bowl of frozen açaí (small blueberry-like fruit) with strawberries, bananas, and granola.  It was so good. 
We have already had a blast being with the Heiderichs on our first day and we are so excited! 
Sorry that I don't have any pictures from today, I didn't bring my camera on this outing.  There will be lots though!  

Brazil Round Two!

As you might know, I was blessed to spend seven weeks last Summer in Porto Alegre with the Blume family.  My friend Weston and I had an incredible experience there, as were immediately and graciously welcomed by the Blumes and all of their friends.  We spent our time there shadowing the Blumes in their ministry, participating in mens Bible studies, working at the Chacara drug rehab center, and learning about the culture.  We formed many relationships and could not be more thankful for those who went out of their way for us.  There are many pictures and a video on my facebook from that trip if you are interested.
This Summer I was given the option of taking either a youth or a missions internship for my Bible degree at ACU.  I chose to do a missions internship through WorldWideWitness because of my interest in missions and travel.  I was encouraged to spend time weighing out possible options before submitting my top three choices, but once I read Jerry and Gail Heiderich's bio about their ministry in Itu, Brazil I knew that was were I would be going.  I told Larry Henderson about this, and sure enough, I was matched with this internship along with my teammates Katarina Rehfeld and Amber Mills.  This particular internship has many aspects that seem to fit perfectly.  I have developed a passion for missions and Brazil in particular from my experience last Summer.  Jerry and Gail Heiderich are very experienced in missions, and have obtained masters level degrees in psychology and marriage and family therapy.  They specialize in team building and conflict resolution, and started the Family Institute of Latin America.  Because I am also majoring in psychology and very interested in pursuing counseling and missions, I am sure I will have very much to learn from them.
We will spend the first two weeks shadowing the Heiderichs before they go to the U.S. for their son's wedding.   During this time we will fly to Brasilia with them for a spiritual renewal retreat.  After they leave we will be with Mark and Ali Kaiser working Camp Roots (for kids) and the CURA Medical Mission for two weeks.  I will also have the opportunity to visit the Blumes in Porto Alegre towards the end of the internship.
Katarina and Amber, who are also majoring in psychology took a mission internship prep class together lass semester, and we are very excited about everything God has planned for this Summer.  Please pray for us to have a learning experience here, and that we have energy and enthusiasm in serving.  Thanks for reading!