Amy in Brazil

I’m sitting at my desk. It’s a glorious Monday afternoon (I can see clear blue skies from my classroom windows), and I’ve just graded my first papers of the new academic year… It was a good day.

School officially started for the students last Monday, August 11th. And now with a full week completed, everyone appears to be settled in and ready to work. Even the sixth graders who spent last week entirely baffled by their class schedules managed to clear the hallways during passing period without too many confused cries of where to next…

I’m teaching six classes this year: 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade English and 12th Grade Bible/Philosophy. My largest class, my eighth graders, has 13 students and my smallest class, 9th grade, has only 6. Yet, in spite of their size, they seem to generate a surprising amount of paperwork, though I imagine that they would argue that as my fault as I do insist upon giving them work to do…. I am thankful that the new year has had such a smooth beginning, and I look forward to the promises that it brings.

In addition to the work at the school, I have already reconnected with the two church- groups where I attend regularly. It looks like I will be helping out with the worship team at the International English-speaking church twice a month. And I’ve been working on the planning committee of the Covenant Church Plant group over the last few weeks, helping to organize for the immediate and potential needs of the church. We hope (me and a few other teachers) to have English and Portugeuse classes ready to go with that group starting in September. So I have many activities to look forward to that will keep my hands full.

But perhaps the greatest blessing in returning to Rio has been rejoining my friends here. A few weeks before the summer, I was eating dinner with a group of girlfriends (one from the school where I work, one in Rio with Word Made Flesh (a missions organization dedicated to ministering to the poorest of the poor), one here with Shell, and one native Carioca), and one of them said that it was amazing to be in a foreign country–pressed together with people because of common background and language–and discover that the friends that you’ve made are the friends you would have chosen anyway had you had unlimited options… I feel so loved, like God prepared a family and a community in advance for me here, and it was so delightful to come home to them all.

-Amy

Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen so that you may live.  Isaiah 55: 1 – 3

I’m sitting on the floor in my bedroom. One of my roommates is at the beach enjoying the perfect weather. My other roommate has yet to emerge from her room, but I have heard signs of life. It is nearing mid-day, but I am still in my pajamas. And other than installing important uploads on my newly repaired laptop, I haven’t done much with my day (unless you count flipping the water bottle without spilling very much an accomplishment). Still, I have a task to do. I just don’t know how to go about doing it…

 Today I am going to write an update newsletter, something a little more formal than the sorts of posts that I put here. Something to mail/email to my friends and family each month. I really do want to stay in better contact with people in the states while I’m down here in the Southern Hemisphere, and I want it to be as simple for everyone in the states as possible. So, a newsletter is a great idea, right?

Right, so why am I so hesitant? Why am I dragging my feet? Because I have to include a section about financial support–my school is making some changes in the way that they pay all us missionary teachers, and so financial support from home is going to become even more important. But I feel awkward and backwards mentioning money to my friends and family, especially during a period of economic recession… Still, as my friend Jenna (a missionary with Word Made Flesh assures me), it’s all God’s money anyway. So I just need to ask, and then let God take care of it all. But, it is difficult, and I am intimidated by my task…

Other than the irrational fear that’s been marring this morning, I have enjoyed being back in Brazil. I arrived last Thursday morning and was met by a friend at the airport. And, I’ve spent the past week renewing/building my Brazilian friendships and working in my classroom to prepare for the upcoming schoolyear. Thanks to the generous support of the First United Methodist Church of Belen, New Mexico my English classes all have new novels to read this year! So, I’ve gotten to organize those in addition to working on my syllabi and creating lesson plans.

And, I’ve also taken some time to enjoy the few vacation days I have before we officially get started next Wednesday. I’ve popped over to the beach a few times–in fact, I may join my roommate there later today. And, I went with a group of friends to hike Pedra da Gavea–a mountain that I see daily from my bedroom window. That was a physically difficult but tremendous day! So many blessings all around me every day…

Anyway, I’m only postponing the inevitable here. I need to stop stalling and move on to the imminent task at hand… Or, at least, I need to change out of my pajamas.

My thoughts and prayers are with you today and everyday,

Amy

PS- If you would like to receive a copy of my completed newsletter and think that I may not have your email, just let me know.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the might hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  1 Peter 5:6

Hi all. Just a short update this morning, I’m afraid…

I’m back in New Mexico. I arrived here late Tuesday night and spent most of yesterday catching up with friends from church. It has been so good to see so many warm and loving faces–when the church feels like family, then it’s exactly what it’s intended to be.

This afternoon, I’m meeting some friends from my old work to catch up and go bowling. I’m afraid that I’m am going to be beaten pretty severely and must mentally prepare myself to accept defeat graciously. Those of you who have seen me get competitive understand why this is important… And, I’m looking forward to seeing several other friends over the next couple of days. 

Then I will return to Texas to do my final visiting with Mom & Dad and my packing before returning to Rio next week. It has been a good trip, but I am pretty worn out. I lived out of a suitcase for nine months last year, but no amount of preparation ever seems to make it easier. I’m looking forward to having my own room, my own bathroom, and my own closet readily at my disposal… And, more importantly, I’m looking forward to returning to friends who have made Brazil really feel like my home.

With love & prayers, Amy

PS- I am going to be starting a monthly email news/prayer letter. If you would like one delivered to your inbox, please send me an email at amy@amyinbrazil.com and let me know that you’d like to be on the mailing list.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially those who are of the household of faith.   Galations 6: 9 -10

You receive an urgent update from your local embassy. Insurgent rebels are staging a coupe, and you are in danger. You and sixteen others take refuge in a shelter that has been prepared in advance for just such an emergency–you have enough supplies to last you three months if you are careful. An embassy helicopter will be arriving within minutes to evacuate only three of you; they hope to evacuate the rest later if time allows…

Though it is unlikely that this scenario would unfold in Brazil, there are many teachers here at Pre-field Orientation for whom just such a scenario could occur. NICS has schools in Afghanistan, Turkey, China, and Africa. It also has schools in Central American countries that are often undergoing political change. So when our leaders put us in small dark rooms and presented us with this scenario, it was quite a logical training & preparation exercise. It prompted reflection and discussion on personal preparedness, crisis management skills, and the question of if and when a Christian is justified in using physical force against an aggressor.

I think that my group was very effective at organizing itself for action during the scenario and at discussing the implications of the scenario in real-life. For example, our group had one minor (17), one mother, and two fathers. We had no people with poor health or severe medical conditions. And so, it was not too difficult for us to determine who our initial evacuees would be.  Nor was it difficult to quickly establish a simple organization structure in the event that evacuations occur or should we be discovered and separated.

The scenario exercise lasted just over three hours. I was both challenged and encouraged by it. I realized that in such a real-world scenario it would be a blessing to be single and childless because then you have fewer obligations and responsibilities to consider and can willingly offer evacuation to others. Also, it was really brought home to my group that even as we enacted the scenario here in Mississippi that this exact thing was actually happening to people in different parts of the world–we earnestly prayed for them in a way that I’ve not done before.

As much as I don’t always enjoy sitting and listening to lectures for long periods of time, I do believe that PFO has been a blessing to me. In addition to the seminars, there have been lots of opportunities to enjoy being together–going to the baseball game, playing ultimate frisbee and soccer–and it is amazing to hear the stories of how God is actively at work in the lives of my fellow teachers.

To give you just a small understanding of what I mean, let me tell you about my five roommates here… Aly (Alison) is Australian. She teaches primary school. She is on her way back to Venezuela (she lived there once before for a year) to teach at the NICS school there. We practice Spanish together when we should be sleeping. I plan to go and visit her in Venezuela this year if I get a chance–maybe during Carnival.

Karen is twenty-two and just graduated from university in Ohio. She’s on her way to Belem, Brazil (right by the equator). She was just hired for her position two weeks ago and is just getting started on her visa paperwork–she will need prayer to get her visa approved quickly.

Then, there’s Alycia. She’s on her way to teach at the school in Singapore. She’s never even been out of the county on vacation much less for an extended stay, but she feels called to go and teach overseas. She’s lived in Texas for the last 10 years.

Michelle has spent the last six-months at the Oasis School in Kabul, Afghanistan teaching music. She’s from Peoria, Illinois, and she comes from a family that is not overly supportive of her teaching overseas. Every night she plays her guitar in our dorm room, and she’s already invited me to stop by and visit in Peoria next summer on my way to Princeton/Chicago (provided we’re both back in the country at the same time).

Finally, there’s Audie (Audra). She’s from Alabama and is on her way to South Korea. She’s going from teaching in an urban setting here in Memphis to Seoul, and, while I’m sure the transition will have its difficulties, I know that she’ll survive it all with her quirky sense of humor in tact.

 And these are just five of the people that I’ve met here.

-Amy

Rejoice in the Lord always; I say again, rejoice.  Philippians 4:4

Hi.

I told you all that I would try to update regularly during the summer, and, though I don’t know that I’ll have anything at all interesting to say, I mean to be true to my word.

I’m currently in Southhaven, Mississippi at Pre-Field Orientation for NICS. I was supposed to attend last summer but was excused because of Belen’s Youth Mission Trip to Puerto Rico that I’d organized that was happening at the same time. So, though I’ve already spent some time in Brazil, I am now here preparing to go overseas.

Things have actually been pretty good so far. There are near 230 participants here (speakers, advisors, and teachers-in-training all told). It has been really interesting to hear the stories of how people have made it this point and to hear about where they’re going. It is amazing how God has been working in so many lives in so many ways to get us all here together at this time.

My visit with my parents in Texas went well. They are finally settled into a small rental house of their own, and out of my aunt & uncle’s hair. Dad is enjoying his “new” new job, and they are both liking the small Texas town more and more as they feel more at home.

My first Greyhound bus experience went pretty smoothly between Wichita Falls and Memphis. I was advised by the ticket agent in Texas to change my late-night itinerary for an earlier one on Sunday–apparrently a ticket is no guarentee of a seat on Greyhound–but other than missing one connection in Dallas, the trip went smoothly.

 I hope that you are all well.

 With my prayers, Amy

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.  Matthew 18:20

There are two weeks of school left, so we’ve entered that time that feels like the roller coaster has finally left the tracks and is speeding out of control. We know where we’re heading, but it seems like it would take a miracle to get us there alive… This is a feeling that crosses continents–the end of any school year is always a hectic time. And so it goes: I have tests to write, papers to grade, and boxes to pack. And in two weeks time, ready or not, my first school year in Brazil will be finished.

I finally bought a plane ticket to come back to the states this summer, and I think I got an okay deal. Air travel just gets more and more expensive with the rising prices of gasoline… There are a lot of things here that I’m willing to pay a little more for on occasion because I look at them as luxuries–things like that one dark chocolate bar that I just couldn’t resist the last time I went grocery shopping–but it’s hard to think of flight as a luxury when you’re on the far side of the world and it’s the only practical way you have of getting home…

I will fly into Dallas/Fort Worth and spend a couple of days with my parents. Then, I’ve got to go to Mississippi to attend a two-weeks training for NICS (this is my whole reason for making the trip home this summer–if I didn’t have to go to the training, I probably would have waited until Christmas). After that, I’m going to go up to Minnesota to see Erik and Ruth and their kids, then to Virginia Beach to see Betsy, Jesse, and Hope. I may make a brief stop in the Chicagoland area in transit, and I’m hopeful about a stop in New Mexico. But, a lot of this won’t be finalized until I determine whether or not I’ll be flying or driving around the country this summer. In either case, I’m excited to see everyone. And, I’m excited about getting good Mexican food.

Then, on the other hand, I feel badly about going. I’ve been here for two and a half months; I’m building a life here. And it is very hard to have my friends here making plans knowing that I will miss out on all of them. I wonder how much will change here while I’m away… And, I worry that any progress that I’ve made in Portuguese will be lost (though I plan to study very hard while I’m in the states). Fortunately, whenever I allow myself to get caught up in the confusion of my current situation, I remember that it’s all in God’s hands. I know that he’s not going to drop anything, and that all things will work together for the good.

In other news, my third roommate, Kelly, will be arriving sometime this week. She got her visa at about the same time I did, but she’d taken a job due to the delay and had to wait until she’d completed her contract to come. But, she has to come now rather than at the end of the summer because the visa only remains good if you make entry within 90 days. So, Teresa and I will have another roommate–hooray! Whether or not she’s planning on staying for the summer or returning to states is still unknown, meaning that we’ve heard both recently. If she does stay, Teresa will be here to keep her company.

I spoke at Chapel yesterday for the second time this month. The topic was Christian Community, and I used Hebrews 11 for my scripture reference… So, I think I’ll leave you all with a little of that today.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support,

Amy

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.  Hebrews 11: 13 – 16 

Today was Service Day for the junior and senior high school students at school. It was fantastic! We went to an orphanage that is run by an elderly couple about 40 minutes away from the school. The students broke into various teams to complete work projects around the site. One group did arts and crafts with the kids. Another group played soccer. My Bible class (the juniors and seniors) painted the building. They worked very hard and still made time to play with the kids. I was so proud of them.

I’ve posted several pictures from the day to my flickr account as a set, so hopefully you’ll be able to access those easily by clicking on the link above.

Also, our Parent Association hosted a staff appreciation lunch today. We had a sushi buffet. Yum! 

Thank you for your continued friendship, support, and prayers.

 Love, Amy

In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.  Matt 7: 12

This week our school is having “Week Without Walls”. The idea is simple–get students out of the classroom and into the world. Several trips and field trips were organized so that students could see new things and go to new places… I really love the idea!

But, I don’t have my students this week. As I was late to arrive here, I was not able to chaperone any of the trips for the older students, so I’ve been working independently in my classroom or helping the 1st and 2nd graders with their on-site activities. While I don’t feel called to work with small children all the time, it has definitely been fun to spend time with them this week. Yesterday, I helped a group of 6 seven-year-olds mix, roll, and cut sugar cookies–there was much flour involved. And tomorrow night, I get to help supervise the sleepover… I’ll let you know how it goes.

Things have been busy here. There were several holidays over the past few weeks, and I tried to use the opportunity that those days off afforded to get to know the city even more. In the US, we place holidays on Mondays and Fridays (an attempt to preserve the integrity of our work-weeks, I suppose), but here in Brazil a holiday is celebrated on whatever day it falls. If it happens to be a work-day; well then so much the better.

I begin Portugeuse lessons this afternoon. I’ll be taking classes twice a week with five other teachers at the school. I’m hopeful about the lessons, as I still struggle with the language daily. I’m at the point where I can usually ask the questions that I want to ask, but I’m not anywhere near the point where I can understand the answers… Frustrating, but still fun.

My laptop has died again, apparently.  I bought it in July and had my first real problems with it in February, at which time the motherboard was replaced. In order for HP to fix it, I need to get it to the United States (or so said the HP guy on the phone this morning)–lovely. But, I am formulating a plan, so no worries. A laptop is a luxury, after all… I wouldn’t recommend the HP Pavilion Entertainment Notebook, however, if you’re in the market.

I’m trying to make my summer plans. I have to go to the states for a training thing in MS at the end of June. Then, I plan to do visiting in July. Obviously, money will be a great determining factor for where I’m able to go, so if anyone out there has any frequent flyer miles that they’re not too attached to, let me know.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers,

Amy

 I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.  Psalm 13:6

Grocery Shopping

It’s been nearly a month now since I arrived in Rio, and it truly is starting to feel like home…mostly… But, when I want to be reminded of my own foreignness in this country or my own awkwardness in it, all I have to do is go to the grocery store.

My local grocery is a mega-store similar to a Super Walmart or Target—meaning they carry things like clothes, towels, and electronics in addition to food, though they are sadly lacking in dry erase markers and construction paper (see Mercenary Requests). It is called Carrafour (ka-ha-forh), and its in easy walking distance of my apartment.

Now, I have always been a notoriously bad checkout-line picker. Even in the states, I somehow always managed to end up behind the woman who had deceptively crammed four carts worth of goods into one cart or the man who discovered, after being told his total, that he’d left his wallet in the car but, not to worry, he’d be back in a jiffy… This is a talent that has traveled across hemispheres with me.

But it’s not so bad, generally, I’ve found. In the states, I often found comfort in those sorts of situations by sharing commiserating glances and/or conversations with the cashier and/or other patrons who had the luck to be in the same line with me. We’d share glorious moments of friendly and meaningless line bonding—alliances forged for a moment and then forgotten that act as a great reminder of our common humanity… (I realize that this sounds a bit over the top, but bear with me for a bit).

Here, all the lines are long, and all the lines are slow (this is not an exaggeration; it’s observable fact). The cashiers are in no hurry to scan your items, and everyone self bags. So for a person like me who’s going to inevitably pick the slowest of the slow lines, you would think that I would be delighted to enjoy such ample opportunities to suffer alongside and bond with my fellow shoppers. But, really, nothing kills a good shopping line gripe more quickly than having to say to the patron or worker who so foolishly decided to include you in a discussion of your common plight then to have to smile and say, “Eu não entendo” (aka I don’t understand).

So, I’ve spend my anxious minutes looking at magazines that I can’t understand and eying the impulse candy that doesn’t even look appetizing, all trying to avoid eye contact with my neighbors who might take that as encouragement to make me declare in front of everyone that no, I don’t really belong here…

Favelas

This past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in a homeless/soup ministry in and around the Cidade de Deus, one of Rio’s many favelas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favelas). There is a small Wesleyan Methodist Church right inside the favela that has an amazing focus on missions—though their weekly income is less than R10 (1.7 reals = 1 dollar). It truly touched my heart to see pictures and hear testimonies of the work that one tiny church is accomplishing with no resources, only the heart to share the Gospel of Christ and to improve the lives of their neighbors and others around the world.

The soup ministry is simple; every two weeks, volunteers make a hearty soup from donated food items and pour drinkable water into recycled soda bottles. Then, they pile the soup and water and some donated clothing into a van and drive around the surrounding neighborhoods late at night, at the time when the homeless are likely to be settling in on some bit of pavement or other. They distribute whatever goods they have to offer, and they pray with the people. Simple—feed the body and feed the soul.

But, for a tourist like me, the six hours spent doing this was quite difficult. It is always uncomfortable to see such extreme poverty and such desperate people, and it feels as though distributing a carton of soup will hardly go far in righting the wrongs of the world. But, it is heartening to see simple men and women with hardly enough of their own reaching out to share the little that they do have, putting their faith in the plenty of the Lord.

Hummingbirds of Unusual Size

The hummingbirds here are enormous. Seriously. They must be three times the size of their North American cousins. And, they are quite nasty to each other. I am actually nervous while walking by them during their aggressive battles, worried that those wings or beaks might get a little too out of control… I’ll post a picture if I ever have my camera nearby when I see them.

Prayer Requests/Praises/ Updates

1)      My mom’s last lab results actually showed some improvements and amazed her doctors—please continue to pray for her.

2)      The Dengue Epidemic is still in full swing down here, and it is hitting the very poor the hardest as they are the people most likely to not receive medical care. I’ve been told that it will stop when the rainy season stops… so probably not anytime soon. However, Juliana, my former substitute, is completely recovered now.

3)      My birthday was fantastic! My students celebrated with me all day and my roommate threw me a little party—much fun was had by all.

4)      There was a problem with my last paycheck from Belen not going into my account when it was supposed to which meant that I had to absorb some checks into my overdraft, and I was really worried about this month’s finances. However, now it looks like things are going to work out ok. Please pray that I would be able to continue to generate financial support for this endeavor.

Best wishes to all of you,

Amy

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58