God Knew

God knew what He was doing when He brought seventeen seemingly random people together for a two week stint in the heart of Brazil. Fifteen days that I will never forget, sixteen people I will always love, and not one thing I would go back and change. Thank you to all who gave, thank you to all who prayed and thank you Father, most of all, for allowing us to share in your sovereign plan for the Gospel to go forth to all nations. Praising God for the seeds that were planted... - Lacey Hendrickson

I know without a doubt that God orchestrated every detail of our Brazil trip.  From the canceled flights and twelve hour layovers, to the mosquito bites and falling hammocks.  He knew from the beginning what we would experience on this trip, and while we do not know all the reasons behind those experiences, I am confident they were for our good and His glory.  The best thing about this trip, for me, was watching the students as they poured their lives into all that they did for those two short weeks.  I was continually impressed with their dedication and encouraging attitudes as we faced our work.  What an example they were to me!  I know that trips like this can change lives and perspectives.  I pray that God continues to bring the memories of this time back to our minds as He uses it to mold all of us into the person He wants us to be.  - Tara Rehrig

We had a great...sometimes almost overwhelming...time with the team of 17 people from Christian Heritage Academy in Oklahoma City area.  They were with us for 10 days.  God sent with them some really special young people and school staff, one of the boys who just graduated from high school was Jordan Bowen.  He was so incredibly talented with children and getting them to imitate him in action songs.  Mercy, I wanted to keep him forever.  He is planning to enroll in a Baptist seminary and become a pastor like his father. He´ll be a good one.  One of the young single teachers was Glory Yocum.  She attracted kids to her arms like honey does bees. I had never seen anything like that before as she, and several other girls, would go to a new area and within minutes almost be smothered by children obviously wanting love.  Glory!!!  She walked around with tears in her eyes almost constantly and muttering, "I´ll never be the same again!"

We went to one entirely new and different area of town where we had never been before.  Wagner, with his megaphone, went around around through the poor shacks and down the alleys announcing the meeting.  Over 120 kids and adults came to the soccer field where the team did its presentation and I had the opportunity once again to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His death on the Cross for them. 

We spent two nights five hours by boat up the river at a settlement called Pucallpa (like the city in Peru) and the church there was packed both nights and we were busy speaking at local schools during the day.  Yesterday the team left and they are all back in Oklahoma now...and we are still glowing like those glow sticks they brought down for the kids!!  - Duane Howe