My time in Itu was spent with the Barros family who was gracious enough to house me and make me feel right at home. Feeling right at home was made easier by the fact that my Brazilian mom, Aleni, is an english teacher and I didn't have to struggle with my portuguese or lack thereof. Every evening when we got done working I got the opportunity to converse with Aleni's students in english (thank goodness)and tell them a little about why I was there. They held Aleni in very high esteem and it was obvious that she is a very positive influence on all of her students. It is evident that God is at work in Itu through the things I have seen, the people I have met and the actions of my host family. The church is raising money to pay for a house they are fixing up to become a halfway house for drug and alcohol addicts that they will run. The most important thing I have realized in Itu is tying in your passions and interests with how you can serve, show love and show God to the community.
And so a chapter of our lives comes to an end...
Let me just say it's been a wild ride with our ragtag bunch. On a more serious note it has been a blessing to be on this trip gaining perspective and growing closer to God and one another. It has been interesting to see exactly what the missionaries in each location do and the different stages in which they are in. When the trip first started I wasn't exactly sure what mission work was but throughout the trip I have come to realize that it mainly consists of working with and loving the community. I can honestly say that I have been very blessed by the people who came on this trip and by all the people we have met along the way.
The Few
And now for some of my favorite pictures:
No comments:
Post a Comment