Brazil #1

We are in Brazil for the summer. Today is day 5, I think. We are settling in to life here. The weather is great, as is the food. I had one of the best meals of my life last night at Le Chef, trout.

Today has been a great and refreshing day. The morning began with Praise & Worship at the students' house. Streed and I went because I knew he would love the music and I needed it. I was very tearful because of the worship as well as the realization that I have not experienced that in a long time. It reconfirmed for me why we are here, why we do what we do and that we want to live like this for the rest of our lives. We are often asked how long we will be with Campus Outreach. We never have a definite answer. We still don't, but I am confident we want to be in ministry for the long haul.

After the prayer time Chip spoke on the four emotional phases of an International Project. 1st--the Honeymoon--everything is rosey and perfect, 2nd--Questioning--why am I here, can God use me...3rd--Panic--surely God made a mistake in sending me here, ready to bail, can't take it anymore--4th--Home--the place you are becomes home and you are at peace there.

While he was speaking I realized that I never even sniffed the honeymoon phase but went straight to the questioning/panic combo. The first few days were hard including a break down the first night over something that happened with Streed. It probably was not a huge deal but after a full day and night of traveling it was more than I could take. Plus, in my heart of hearts I desire COMFORT. I wrote on a slip of paper on Day 3 that, "At this point home=comfort. My flesh desires comfort, therefore my heart desires home". We are studying 1 Thessalonians and this came from my time in Chapter 3. I am glad to say that today this is not the case.

More later.