November Continues

Up and downs are all part of life. It takes a lot of prayer to keep myself grounded and not overwhelmed with it all sometimes. But I know God is faithful and I know He has a plan so I keep pushing forward. The rest of the year is basically a sprint; a sprint that had started back in October.

With the testimony project out of the way and most of the Christmas party prep done, it was time to turn my attention to an upcoming team, English camp, and a much welcomed last-minute visit from Papaw, and a Christmas party at our house before the month ended.

Papaw had mentioned coming to visit after the new year but with Nana leaving for Cambodia, we told Papaw he might as well be here with us and lo and behold he took us up on it. He left the day before Nana and stayed the week with us. We were so excited to have him. It’s so nice to have family visit.

We had lots of prep work to do for ministry so his visit was pretty low key. Instead of showing him around town doing touristy stuff, he hung out with us as we did life. I don’t have lots of pictures. I’m sorry; not sorry about that. Sorry that I don’t have lots of pictures of him but not sorry because we just focused on being together. It was nice.

We did take him out of the Lebanese place we like.

He was here for the start of camp and he took us out to Grill Sul and we grilled.

He was also here for our Friendsgiving because it got moved up to the weekend before Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to have him to get to be a part of that.

The next week, we worked on getting everything ready for the team, schedules, food, accommodations, etc for the upcoming team and hung out with Papaw.

We dropped the boys off at English camp which started on Thursday then took Papaw to the airport that evening.

Friday morning Trevor was back at the airport to pick up the Hamilton’s. I stayed at home to make them breakfast.

I made them a German pancake. Tuck loves them. I had made one for Papaw too.

The team that came down were actually friends of ours from back in the States. Their visit coincided with English camp so they stayed at our house for the weekend, since all the rooms at Vinde were being used for camp. They wanted to serve the Lord as a family and we couldn’t be happier to host them.

For this English camp Mason was on Program, meaning he had to interact with the kids more instead of just doing setup and backstage type stuff. Backstage is where he would prefer to be but he knows he needs to be stretched.

I was proud of him for stepping out of his comfort zone. He did an amazing job and I could tell it made him proud too (even if he was burning up wearing blue jeans for the Cowboy and Bandits game).

Tuck was still a camper and living his best life surrounded by people who are dying to talk to him. He’s in his element when he has people around him.

While we were working with the team, Chris and Liandro went shopping for the backpacks that Moyo sponsors bought for their sponsor kids for Christmas.

With camp underway, the team helped with some candy cane tags for the Christmas party and then we took them on a city tour before taking them to see what camp was all about. They jumped right in.

The family has three daughters, two our boys’ age and one a little younger.

From participating in the games to helping in the kitchen they rolled up their sleeves and got at it. I encourage you to travel with your kids, to serve with your kids. They don’t have to be adults to serve. God can use them at any age. I was so impressed with this family.

Sunday was a special day as we got to see Clara, Roberto’s daughter baptised. I LOVE baptisms. They always make me cry, even if I don’t know the person getting baptised. There’s just something special about a public expression of the acceptance of the the gift of eternal life; a life committed to following Jesus, acknowledging his death, burial, and resurrection that moves me cry every time I see it. But then when I know the person it makes it all the more sweeter. What a great day! The Hamilton’s were so gracious to come along to sit in a service they couldn’t understand. With English camp and Clara’s baptism, the only available translators were Trev and I, and we all know, we’re pretty useless in that department. The Hamiltons never complained; they were happy to go with us.

After service we went on home visits.

The pastor for English camp joined us before he went to the airport. The impact of home visits can be quite emotional. Such was the case with these visits.

With camp over, we moved the team over to the ministry property after home visits so they could prepare for the children’s program for Vinde church that night.

After church, they helped set up the Christmas tree. I almost electrocuted myself and Amelia. I plugged in this strand of Christmas lights and they blew up right in my hand. I had reached across Amelia to plug them in and all I saw was the flash of light as I felt the shocking tingle up my arm. I was pretty sure I had blinded Amelia but luckily she had her head tilted down at the time it happened. It fried the cord in two. Thankfully we were all okay. Afterwards, we all headed to bed for some much needed sleep.

Monday evening, after a day of ministry, we had what I call family dinner. It is one evening where the visiting team and our staff (Brazilian and American) come together to get to know each other. This time we had a fun scavenger hunt. Trevor did an amazing job coming up with the idea and the clues. We even had a trophy of candy bars for the winners. Trev divided everyone into five teams, one member of the Hamilton family on each. Amelia’s team won. Tucker, Dawson, and Roberto were excited to be declared the winners. Aline was glad the running was over. I had Paul, Danny, Jose, and Marcella on my team. I just knew we were going to win. We took off like a lightning bolt. But sadly, much to my competitive spirit’s broken heart, we got one clue wrong and it messed us up.

Even though they were just a group of five, they served all week just like a larger team would do.

The Hamiltons handled devotions, testimonies (the parents and oldest daughter), activity time, kitchen help.

They did it all.

They came 110% prepared.

Their devotional were engaging and interactive and they had visual aids. It were great.

With the week over, they gave hugs and left for the airport Thanksgiving night. Trev took them to the airport while I stayed behind and cleaned out their rooms.

Friday I prepared for the Christmas party at our house for the teens and interns. Lots of Christmas goody making, sugar cookie baking, and getting games ready for Saturday.

We had a blast decorating cookies, and of course, we had a contest for best decorated.

We played lots of games, while Giovana and Liandro watched the big soccer match. I don’t have pictures of the games, as I was too swept up the competition. I’m beginning to think our group is a little too competitive.

Sunday morning we were up early to attend early service with Giovana. She has been accepted into the CLD (a leadership and discipleship program) for Word of Life and she was being prayed over at church. I love this young lady. Bia, far right; my friend Denise’s daughter, has also been accepted into the program. So many sweet moments with our “kids.”

After church, we cleaned up from the party and prepared for the next team that was arriving Monday morning. Rooms had to be prepared, beds made, groceries bought, and schedules printed.

And with all that completed, we went to bed to try to rest before December started on Monday. Good night.