Brasil - Day 14, "Home - to never be the same"

I do not know how this can be so, but it is... for this year's trip to Brasil was - once again - the best mission trip we have taken to this region - EVER.  When God puts things together they are something else, and God certainly put this year's mission trip to Minas Gerais together - including the team, the city's we visited, the Brazilians with whom we worked, the funds, your prayers, and... the results, which will last into eternity.  

 We began the "long journey home" on Sunday morning (07.20.08) by way of visiting one of the city's and churches we will work with next year.  The city is named, Indihabira (pronounced as "In Die a Bira"), and there we had a brief but meaningful service and lunch, exploring nest year's possibilities.  The city sets alongside a range of mountains that slope gently up and away from the town, and are separated by verdant pastures and meadows.   Horses and other livestock graze along the hillside, and in this very clean, cozy town we plan to offer next year a VBS, Sport's Activities, a Medical Clinic and evening worship and evangelistic services - just as we did this year.

The most amazing thing about this whole operation (the P70 church planting and strengthening initiative) is what I must call, "God's timing," so evident in every way.  For everything about this region and our experience - including the people, economy, pastors, churches, the movement of God's Spirit, and even the municipal and governance structures - are ripe for a great harvest of souls and new churches.  It is the most amazing thing I have witnessed in all of my ministry life.

On Monday we spent a day of 'relaxing' at a country retreat center called, Hotel Fazenda Eldorado. There many enjoyed horseback riding, relaxing at the pool, jogging, hiking, and gorgeous scenery - either from a hammock on the porch or through a walk around the compound.  The place, which is set in what seems to be the middle of nowhere, was a far cry from our past 10 days but such a blessing.  Before loading the bus that evening we sat on a deck overlooking the river and shared about our days.  There were tears of joy as we expressed what these days had meant to us all.  

Then, the journey home!  

Through the night we bused approx. 800 kilometers to Rio de Janeiro, where we enjoyed a bit of 'sight-seeing' and shopping while waiting on our evening flight home.  From Rio to Sao Paulo to DFW, we did just that - arriving home this morning (07.23.08) at 6:00 am, exhausted but full from a 'journey' that had meant so much.  

So we thank you for your prayers and your support.  It was an amazing 14 days, and none of us - neither the team nor the people of the places we visited - will ever be the same.     

Deus te Abencoe, indeed

Pastor Sam