PCA TEAM-2015 Day 1-2

Oi from Brazil! We are having an amazing time and The Lord is moving in so
many ways! Our first day of traveling was long due to delays, but when we
arrived those delays were worth it. On our long journey down the Amazon
River we have made relationships with each other, the translators, and even
the amazing crew. We spent most of the time playing card games, journaling,
eating good Brazilian food, and seeing Gods beautiful creation. Each morning
we have started the day with a devotion time, as Mr. Beeson would call it,
"church." The first morning as we were traveling down the river, Birkley
Oliver shared the first devotion about God's love for everyone. The next
morning, right before our first day in the village, Caroline Carpenter
shared about how there is more to the American Dream, and the key is that we
use the Dream to glorify God. When we arrived at the first village, we were
greeted with warm smiles and joyful people. Each of us tried different
things at first, but eventually each of us found where we were needed. These
past few days have been filled with VBS, men's and women's ministry,
medical/dental ministry, door-to-door evangelism, and of course, a soccer
match. When we first arrived we gathered all the kids from the village and
taught them songs in Portuguese, followed by crafts and games. After one of
the soccer matches, Bryce Young and Caroline Ford shared the Gospel using an
Evangecube. We had the opportunity to have a Worship Service at the end of
Monday, where to local pastor spoke along with Caroline Raub and Landon Lott
who shared their testimonies. Specifically, Jenell Wyatt shared her
testimony with one of the translators during the medical ministry. This
impacted the translator greatly as it showed that we think we are only
coming here to minister, but we are also being ministered too.

Today, March 10th, Philip Hazelip led the church service with his devotion
about how the time on the boat gave us time to see God's creation in a
different perspective, and not get caught up in the worldy things going on
back home. Our day in the second village was different than most because of
how developed it was. This is one of the biggest villages Mr. Beeson said he
has ever been in. Each of us had to take on a bigger role and get out of our
comfort zone more to reach more of the people. Caroline Carpenter, Sara
Sterling, Birkley Oliver, Eric Stevenson, Rebecca Birkenmeier, Carol Young,
and Scott Carpenter got to witness in the home of an elderly lady and her
two kids (both 22 years old). She shared their struggles and we were able
to pray and comfort them. Each of them were taken back, butt God blessed us
even more through them. Also Hannah Causey, Philip Hazelip, Connor Ryan, and
Mackenzie Cruze had the opportunity to share the Gospel with a mother and
her two children. The mother was a believer, but the daughter was still
questioning why God allowed certain things to happen in this world, as her
nephew had an incurable disease. Through their testimonies and the Holy
Spirit, the mother accepted Christ into her life. Everyone in that room
realized how accepting Christ was a personal decision.

Although we are half way through the trip, we are all missing home and each
of our families. Scott Carpenter misses his little puppy Jace. This trip is
surreal and we can't wait to share all of the experiences we've had. To all
the families we love you and miss you!

XOXO <3
Sara Sterling
Hannah Causey
Caroline Carpenter
Birkley Oliver