home.

If you keep track of my Facebook profile, you will notice my status has a quote from the book "Kon-Tiki." It is a narrative of 6 men who decide to travel across the Pacific Ocean from Peru to the Polynesian Islands. They decide to do this for adventure and to prove it was done hundreds of years ago by the Inca Indians who lived in Peru. These people, according to Thor Heyerdahl's theory, used a balsa wood raft, to travel across the ocean and start a new civilization in the Polynesian Islands. At the time the theory was not even considered because people thought it was impossible to do such a task with the unforgiving, treacherous sea elements. Heyerdahl wrote a manuscript explaining his theory backed with facts with which he presented to many scholars, but it was not even considered for reading. His life was devoted to this manuscript, and no one even wanted to read it because of the impossible task of crossing the sea in a raft for 4300 miles. So he, in a desperate attempt to save his theory and redeem his faulty scientific research, came up with a daring, life threatening plan. He would cross the Pacific Ocean on an exact, ancient replica of the raft used hundreds of years ago which were built by learned and experienced Incans. He round 6 quirky men to join him, and their journey began.

I love this book. The story makes me want to do the exact same thing. It exemplifies curiosity and adventure; something we all have deep down. The quote posted on my Facebook profile is when the men were half way across the sea. Already had they made it farther then what people speculated. Fish, whales, sharks, squid, turtles, and the raft had become a part of them. The raft was their home on the sea and they were attached to the new lifestyle. Occasionally, a little rubber buoy was taken out, away from the raft in order to take pictures, meditate, swim, and take in the plain blue beauty around them. However, despite the beauty and relaxation the buoy offered, the men began to grow lonely and homesick if they stayed out for too long. One time the buoy was nearly swallowed by the huge waves and a man almost did not make it back to the raft. They ended up attaching a rope to the buoy because they were always attracted back to the raft; their home. There was a magnetic force pulling them into the the only home they knew and grew attached to over the months. This reminded me of something...

It reminds me of my walk with Christ. Often I stray away from Him. I wander off because of curiosity and the longing for finding adventure; by myself. The more I grow independent from my earthly parents, the more dependent I am, therefore, becoming on God. My situation is similar to the men on the Kon-Tiki raft. Their home whispered their names whenever they strayed away for too long. Every time I wander off on my own and try to be independent from God, I pathetically come crawling back eventually. I think this might apply to most Christians as well. If it can happen to people on a raft out in the middle of the ocean, I am sure it can happen to all of us. And the cool thing about it is this. God always welcomes us back. Just like home always welcomes us in again. Were never locked out.

lots of things have been happening...

Yeah, I have not been on here for a while. Facebook seems to be my first choice of social connection. I tried posting one of my videos on here last Friday but, needless to say, it did not work out as planned. So I have posted (one of) the video(s) on there. You can go there and check it our if you have not already. I am also posting all the pictures on there. It just seems to work better on Facebook and not a whole lot of people know I even have this blog...

But anyway. Things have started really rolling here. I am getting the hang (sorta) of this language. Its not too bad I guess. Just takes practice. Just like everything else. And being absorbed in it. This past weekend was Fiel with the Central Church. We stayed the nights over at the ranch and on Saturday morning we had a lesson. I wasn't really sure what the lesson was about. And every other word I would sorta understand so I would dwell on those couple words and try to draw my own conclusions on what he/she were talking about. Then I would realize like 50 more words just went by. Ha. So this is how it feels to be a foreigner... I suddenly have a little more respect for the people trying to learn English in the states who are also foreigners. It sorta sucks, but its a very humbling experience. And the only thing you can do is keep listening, talking, and cracking the books.

So the reasons for no posts from me are... I don't know what to say, and... I prefer Facebook. To be honest. And I have not been around a computer for about 4 or 5 days. I hope you all (6 or 7 people) can forgive me.

tchau!

assurini.

This past weekend I went on a trip to a region on the other side of the Xingu River called the Assurini. It was awesome. Such a beautiful place out in the middle of the jungle pretty much. In the mornings you could here the constant din of the howler monkeys and birds in the jungle. Which was in walking distance and you could see the dense forestry from where we were.
So these people in the region have only recently heard about Jesus' gospel. But in the community where we were staying, the people who were saved were concerned because they had no idea what to do next. How do they meet together and talk about Jesus when not everyone is a believer? What do they say in these meetings? How do they deepen their relationship? Keith Wilson and his wife Marsha are trying to guide the new believers into being independent believers so they don't have to come out once every two months to have a service. It is going well. This weekend more people decided to join us in the kingdom of God. It was a great time of fellowship, discipling, and worship.
Please pray for the ministry their in that little community. They are thirsty for Christ, but do not know where to go from there. But it is a happy thing and worth praising God for. I feel privileged to have been able to experience this trip.
Unfortunately I am not able to upload some pictures of the scenery and experience due to maintenance on the web page... figures. I will try later though.

doxology.

A poem of praise. Let everything that has breath, praise His Holy Name.

You are good to us.
Showers from above are your blessings everyday.
We are small.
You are. Big.
Yet you fit in us so well.
From the day we crawl
to the day we draw-
our last breath.
A mother's caress.
A father's correction.
We love you.
But not like you love us.
We are shallow
And you are deep.
And you keep, keep, keep.
For us its a "leap of faith,"
But for you its the ability to create.
Perfection. Its natural in every sense.
But it goes to waste
When we communicate
Our lust and hate from our wicked, twisted soul.
Your power will make us whole,
Yes one day we will be full.
Filled with your celestial mercy and eternal
conceptual existence we do not, cannot,
understand.
Yes, Lord. Your brand will set us apart.
We have a part in your kingdom.
This life in only the start.
Why you love us, Lord,
And how you ever could love us, Lord,
Remains to be a mystery.
But our shallow minds will ever be faithful
And thankful.
Wake us from our lull, oh Holy One,
All great, powerful, ever loving God we proudly serve!
All Glory, Honor, Power is Yours and forever will be-
Yours. And let every body proclaim:
Hallelujah!
Amen.

oh my.

This morning Bud woke me up at 5:30 in the A.M. He didn't surprise me, I knew it was coming. He is training for a half marathon so he wakes up and jogs pretty much everyday. So today was the toughest, because after running 3 1/2 miles we went to the gym and lifted. The rest of the week he either jogs, or just weight lifts. I have not worked out since... swimming season. And even then, we were working different muscles and did not lift weights as much and with much intensity. So I am feeling pretty good right now.

I have decided to train with him for the half marathon. It will serve as motivation for me because I have never loved running. Or getting up really early in the morning. But change is good.

And weight lifting is always a good time.  :)

family night.

Every Thursday night is family night for the Simon's.  I am so thankful they so warmingly include me as part of their family.  Tonight, we went for a short swim.  Our time was shortened because a storm was rolling in and we wanted to go to this place called "Mr. Berg."  It is the Brazilian version of a pizza and burger joint.  We all had burgers the size of our faces and I... spilled my water. Haha. (oops. My bad, Bud and Sam...) And after we were sufficiently stuffed, we had ice cream.  Just enough to satisfy our sweet tooth.

So then we came home and had a game of Fifa World Cup 2010. Well, I didn't play.  It was Daniel, Bud, and Caleb.  After a gruesome battle, Caleb's Brazil won 3-0.  Daniel was devastated.  Caleb was thrilled.  Bud... confused.  He is still learning the ropes. :)

Very good night.  I think the title should be "fun night".  But I think those terms go hand in hand.

an opened door.

Things are starting to roll here.  I told Bud that I am interested in studying English in college to perhaps be a teacher.  So this opened the door to me being able to teach English here at the school.  I had a little "interview" yesterday with a woman in the school in charge of organizing schedules and whatnot.  I will officially be helping out other teachers on Mondays and Tuesdays in the evenings to the under privileged Portuguese speakers.  Last night was the first official night and I loved it.  The people are so interested in learning English and how to speak in English.  We have many laughs because of the way they pronounce words, and because they are not the only ones learning... I am also learning to speak their language.  So I listen to every word they say very carefully and often repeat what they say so I can get the pronunciation down.  Its a fun time.  As time goes on, maybe I will have my own class... but I would like to know Portuguese a little better before that happens so I can translate for them when needed.

I'm so excited about this!  Who at 19 can say they have experience in teaching English to foreign people who speak Portuguese??  I can.  Thanks God.  Your pretty cool :)