It's a book....

It’s a long one so go get a cup of coffee and settle in.

There is so much more happening here than teaching and learning English. We are building relationships and learning about each other’s culture. We are sharing stories and playing games. But, I think the most significant thing that is happening is what God is doing.

Every morning we have worship and a devotional. Yesterday, a team member gave her testimony. It was intense and emotional but it is a testament to what God has done in her life in the last two years. One of the students was able to respond to some healing that God wanted to begin in her. It was a powerful day. We were all exhausted afterwards but it is the most important thing that happens here. There have also been some significant things that have happened in the lives of the team as well. This is truly what it is all about.

Later in the afternoon, we went downtown as a group. It was a beautiful day. We had fruit smoothies at a juice bar, did a little shopping, went to the grocery store (one of the students is making tortillas for us tonight and Sue is making pizza for us tomorrow night) and then we had to go and buy our bus tickets back to Rio.

Today in class, Jenn had students and language helpers do an exercise designed to help them appreciate their senses. One partner was blindfolded, had cotton put in their ears, had their thumbs taped down and had pebbles stuck in their shoes. The other partner walked them around the yard and the house. Afterwards, they talked about the experiences and discussed how it gave them a new sensitivity for people who struggle with disabilities and how it was an exercise in trust.

Let me take a moments and talk about the language helpers. This has been a phenomenal team. I’ll start with Deb S because her husband Jack has been waiting for something to be written specifically about her (so this is just for you, Jack!). Deb has been such a gift to this team. Not many of us knew her before the trip but are so blessed to have begun a relationship with her. She has been leading our large group games, which have been a hoot and everyone has loved them. The other day she had us unwrapping Hershey Kisses with our feet!

Lisa is such a sweet person. Her gentleness has made her a safe person to be with for both the students and the team. The students gravitate to her. As a team member, she is willing to do whatever is asked. She has learned a great deal about herself on this trip but that is her story to tell.


Alice has been a surprise blessing on this trip. I knew her to be deeply spiritual and gentle and assumed she would bring those attributes to the trip but she is also a beautician and she brought her beauty supplies with her! She colored and cut the students hair, plucked the cook’s eyebrows and did one team member’s hair TWO times (who shall remain unnamed). Everyone looks lovelier because of Alice sharing her gift.

Pam is a musician. She plays flute. She felt God ask her to bring it along, which she did but she didn’t tell anyone. During our first worship service she played for us. We are all so glad she listened to God because she has gifted us with her playing. This is in addition to her kind, loving way of being with others.

I didn’t know Jeanne before this trip. She is an incredible artist. She has been doing portraits of the students and also helped with some of the drawing we needed to do for class. She has learned a great deal about herself on this trip and I think God will continue this work once she is home.

Sue is our team member from Michigan. I have known her the longest. She is a ‘doer’. She has spent countless hours drawing (we have all benefited from this hidden talent of hers) and helping Jenn with whatever she needs. We would have been struggling to have visuals for the students without her gifts. She also sees where God has been at work in her life during the last two weeks.

Then there is Jenn. Jenn went to Argentina two years ago as a language helper. She had one of the most dramatic transformations I have ever witnessed on a trip. She continued that work once she returned home. Now, she has come along as the teacher on this team and has done an outstanding job. She is fun and she is innovative. We never know to expect when Jenn is in front of the class. The students love her and they have learned so much. She continues to see how God is working in her life, knowing that transformation is an on-going process.


It has been a joy and a pleasure to serve with this group of women. I appreciate what each of them has brought to the team and to my life.

Tomorrow, I will share about the students.

Again, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

Deb
PS: Jack, I hope that was enough!! :0)