We all know that Brazilian beats American in soccer, but that never keeps us from trying. Upon arriving we were informed that we would be participating in a soccer tournament. Believe it or not we actually placed 2nd in the tournament…too bad there were only two teams.

Of course, before the tournament begins we play a few warm up rounds with the younger kids and we dominate them.  This gives us a false sense of confidence that we may actually stand a chance against the older kids (older meaning 16 and 17).  Those high dreams were quickly crushed on the jagged rocks of reality as soon as the game began.  I think we were outscored at least 6 to 1, which in soccer is a butt whooping.  During the course of the game I was moved back to play goalie…fun times.  Well, I blocked the shot of the hardest kicker to ever set foot on the property with the side of my knee.  Immediately it left the imprint of the soccer ball on my leg and quickly puffed up.  The imprint of the soccer ball remained their for three more da;ys.   Fun times.

After all was said and done they presented us with our second place trophy.  I believe they already engraved their names on the first place trophy.  They may forever beat us in soccer but let the record show that we punished them in basketball.  Yes that does help me sleep at night.  Oh well…maybe next year.

“Ain’t No Rock” is the only cool song that I can play on the guitar.  It is, however, a huge hit in Brazil.  As soon as we began to get ready for church on Sunday I had several of the regular Brazilian kids come and ask me, or motion to me, “are we doing the rock song” (said in Portuguese with a pounding fist into the palm of their hand).  They remembered it from the past two trips.  Ain’t no rock is the most interactive song of all the songs that we do.  Every time that we play it it is like we have started a small party.  They love it. 

One of my favorite additions to “Ain’t No Rock” this year was the drums piece.  Jared Shingleton played the drums and they were great.  We got the opportunity to play this song in front several hundred Brazilian students and we had a blast.  It is always cool to be rock stars for a day.  Not to mention that hundreds of lost Brazilian students are dancing, singing and hearing songs that give praise and honor to our God. 

Everybody praise his holy name, as long as I’m alive I’ll glorify his holy name.

In honor of the college service taking its summer break I decided to post a quick blog.  Last week we had about 100 college students partake in our, now traditional, pancake dinner.  This dinner was in the middle of their finals and a huge success.  If there is one thing that I have learned, if you want to grow a college ministry you must have lots of food. 

We had a team of about 15 college students and leaders cooking, cleaning and setting up for this meal.  The night would not have happened without them.  Above is a picture of their most brilliant creation.  Illuminate is the name of our Wednesday night college worship service.  When we named it I never imagined I would see it written in pancakes.  This is the sole reason I believe this ministry can truly change the world.  They are amazing.  I say most brilliant because they also created what I call the “beast mode” pancake that was about the size of my thigh.  It was huge.  I must give props to Seth Hood for conquering that beast in one sitting.  He is a man’s man.  This was quickly followed by the syrup chugging contest.  College students will eat whatever they get their hands on. 

This year has been exciting for our college ministry because of the amazing growth we have seen.  In about a 3 month span we quadrupled in size.  Praise God!  Our college students are amazing and I look forward to serving with them in the future. 

PS. Brazil top ten will continue very soon.

One of the primary goals for our particular team is to gain influence in many of the local schools.  Because we take a team of juniors and seniors in high school the local public schools are very open to us entering their facilities for a “cultural experience”.  This allows us to make God famous among the many unbelieving Brazilian students and it also allows for us to get the ministry of AMO more publicity.  Brazilians are fascinated by Americans.  This encourages many of the students to come to the property for church and to see the Americans. 

One of the local English speaking schools actually came to our property during the middle of their school day.  There were about 50 students coming to practice English and to hang out with Americans.  They also heard the gospel through multiple worship songs as well as through many of our students testimonies. After singing and testimonies we played countless games of both soccer and basketball.  Except for most of the girls. 

Samantha Scott, our dancing pro, definitely got the opportunity to use her abilities in dancing to impact many Brazilian girls.  Sam had about 30 girls packed into the small porch area of the house teaching them how to do the electric slide.  Now you can just imagine a hip hop culture trying their best to do some country line dancing.  It was quite a site.  By the end of the teaching session, Sam had those girls all dancing in sync and enjoying the great electric slide.  It was amazing.  I know it will be a day that those Brazilian girls, as well as our girls, will not soon forget. 

 In honor of Bret and Susie returning home I am beginning my Brazil blogging escapades with a top ten from our latest trip.  Number 10 (though Susie would demand to be number 1) is the collective time spent with Susie (and Bret). 

Upon our arrival Allen Kimble passed out a pack of oreo’s (Susie’s favorite) to each student and adult.  The entire team got on the bus and individually handed Susie each pack of Oreo’s.  The end result being an entire trash bag full of Oreo’s.  Susie was beyond ecstatic about her much awaited gifts.  I don’t think she shared any with Bret. 

Shubie Shubies were the most amazing popsicles that you have ever put in your mouth and Susie and a ton of them.  Susie did not mind sharing these amazing treats with her many guests.  I definitely ate more than my share.  So if you travel to Brazil plan on eating a shubie shubie but you better keep your hands off of Susie’s cookies.

On a more serious note, it was amazing to be able to spend that amount of time with Bret and Susie.  Bret commented that his old teams would have a goal of encouraging the Brazilian missionaries and he felt that was exactly what are team had done.  Bret said that it was the hardest that Susie had laughed it quite awhile.  It was a privilege to be used by God to encourage the great work in Brazil through our family, the Cox’s.  I know that God has been doing a great work through the Cox’s ministry.  God has used their submissively placed “Yes” to draw a people group to Himself.  It has been great to see Bret and Susie this week.  Just seeing them has greatly warmed my heart.  Continue to pray for how God uses them and if you haven’t gotten the privilege of meeting them please make it a point to do so.  Bret and Susie (in case you read this) you are greatly loved by your church family, by the many traveling students, and greatly my wife and I. 

Let’s also pray that I actually blog the other 9 of the Brazil top ten. 

Greetings from Brazil,

 Wednesday we ate an amazing meal at a Churrusceria. The servers brought around endless trays of meat. Some of your students ate boar, ostrich, and giant rat. David and I stuck to the basics: chicken and steak. Then we went to Gleba B (favela) for the last time this trip. Some students made crafts with the ladies while the guys played hours of soccer. Then we had a church service and handed out hot dogs and candy to the kids. Also, parents, you will be pleased to know that many of your students got to share the gospel again via the evangecube. By the end of the night, we had truly formed friendships with many of the precious people there. There was not a dry eye on the long bus ride home. Those of us who have been here before had an especially difficult time leaving our friends. We will miss our family here in Brazil!

–Jennifer

Jen and I decided to tagteam this one.  She is correct in saying that there was not a dry eye due to our parting.  However, I reminded the students that our relationship with them is of little significance in comparison to their need of a relationship with Jesus.  I challenged them to pray for the children that they held so tightly because when it comes down to it we have no ability to provide or protect these kids, only God can.

Yesterday was a work day around the property and work we did.  We completely finished the busport (a huge garage for the bus) and we mostly finished digging a water line trench so that Brett and Suzie can have water in their future.  Jen demanded that I tell you about the three hours of leaf raking that our ladies (plus Jordan P.) completed.  The pile truly was a large one.  Then that evening we had church on the property.  CRAZY!  The children here come out of the woodwork to spend time with your students.  It was close to 11 before buses started taking the people home and was beyond 1:30 am before the last run was finished.  Could you even imagine loving God and church that much?  And could you imagine driving them twice a week that late? Talk about a love for God and people. 

Today, we again spent time in some local schools.  Jordan Prewitt was the superstar again.  He was so dreamy!  This is really great face time for Pete and the church here in Brazil.  Us entering the school will allow for the students already involved in the church to tell their friends what we are about.  Exciting stuff.  We are off to host another team from an English speaking school.  Pray for us and get excited.  Tomorrow we will be on our way back to you. 

–David

Hello all,

 Just wanted you to know today went great.  It has been a late night so I am going to save my post for the morning.  I will then have time to do todays amazing events some justice.  So until tomorrow boa noche (that’s goodnight for all us country folk)!

Today was an incredible day.  God really did some cool stuff with your students.  Today many of them got the opportunity to share the gospel with many Brazilian ladies.  They did amazing!  We got to present the gospel to them and then we gave them clothes and food.  A lady told us about her son recently running out of clothes completely (a concept completely foreign to our girls) and this was a much needed blessing from God.  You should have seen the frenzy for these old clothes that we haven’t worn in months or even years.  They loved them.  It was quite an honor to be able to provide basic needs for these wonderful people. 

Before that we spent the morning painting an entire soccer/basketball court wall blue.  I cannot wait for you to see the before and after pictures.  Needless to say your students finished looking like a pack of smurfs.  It was amazing.  Once we started working many of the kids from the favela began to help us.  That was neat watching them actually working toward cleaning their own neighborhood.  You students have been awesome to work with.  I truly believe this is the best team that I have ever taken to Brazil.  There has been zero complaining (if you can believe that).  Their attitudes have been a pleasure to be around. 

Continue to pray for our team.  God is daily changing your students and breaking their hearts for the things that break the heart of God.  That is our goal right?  To love what He loves and hate what He hates.  My quite time yesterday was in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 and it talks about our mortal things being swallowed up by life once we enter heaven.  It struck me that the opposite of living solely for our mortality, personal gain, selfishness and death, is life.  God is showing your students what real life is.  A passionate pursuit for God.  Everything else is waste.  To quote the lady receiving clothes in the favela, “Praise God!  Praise God!  Praise God!  For He has blessed me greatly today!”

p.s. Me and my wife, in our attempt at running the half marathon in april, went running to maintain our running legs.  As we ran through the Brazilian wilderness we were nearly eaten alive by a vicious blood thirsty knee-high canine.  Being the heroic man that I am I put Jen behind me so that I would take the first blow.  The dog, however, merely wanted to scare the daylights out of us and then went on his way.  I think we may save the running for the mainland.  I now keep telling Jen that since our three year anniversary is tomorrow, saving her life is a pretty amazing present.  Here’s to hoping.

Today was quite the experience.  We took our students to the local schools to sing some songs, tell their testimonies and to just love on students.  They (the brazilians) loved our students.  Your students got to sign their autograph more times than they wanted I am sure.  It was as if we were famous.  And boy the girls just loved Jordan Prewitt.  I think we may have a difficult time getting him home.  I am going to have to spend the rest of the evening bringing your students back down to earth.  Seriously, we were able to be a great promotions for AMO ministries and ultimately Jesus Christ himself.  Hopefully many of those students will be willing to come back to church this Sunday. 

I can’t tell you how great your students have been.  What an experience they are getting.  Hopefully when they return to you they will have a much greater appreciate for all that God has blessed them with.  I love watching your students in action, loving on the poor and just willing to get their hands dirty for the cause of Christ.  We have truly encountered some hurting people.  You would not believe some of the stories and life situations that we hear about.  These kids really to have a hard childhood and desperately need our prayer, support and love.  Also, what a blessing it is to know that people from our church are sponsoring several of the kids we minister to.  It is great to hear how your money and resources have be put to great use, kingdom use.  I pray the Lord blessing greatly those that give to these people. 

Tonight we will be suffering for our Lord Jesus as we venture to the all you can eat pizza buffet.  After the morning activities we have taken a much needed relaxation time and tonight will be the great reward for such a hard working team.  I love this trip.  I pray that some of you parents would consider and pray about making it here one day soon.  There is much work here and on us that needs to be done.  Imagine bringing your entire families to serve the poor people of Brazil and ultimately the Lord together.  Wow! 

Your prayers are being answered.  Please continue to be faithful in praying for us.  Excited about all the God things your students are involved in here.  Until tomorrow….Chow from Brazil.

David

Here is a post by Allen from today.  Enjoy.

We are here and everything and everybody is doing GREAT! Travels went very smooth. We had a great team that checked us at the Nashville airport and went above and beyond for us. They even checked 5 of our carry-on bags that we did not really need during the travel for free (a $1000 deal). We were late leaving Nashville because of the snow in New York that morning, but our lay-over was long enough that we still had 3.5 hours to wait even after arriving an hour late. We landed early in Sao Paulo. In fact, we cleared immigration, got luggage, and cleared customs all before we were scheduled to land originally. One note on luggage is that because of our group size, and our first leg to New York being on a smaller plane, the airline shipped some of our luggage through Atlanta and it actually arrived a few hours before we did. I was nervous about this process, but everything was sitting there waiting on us with nothing missing when we arrived at the airport Saturday morning. In other words some of our luggage took a different route but all of it showed up!!

We managed to visit three different favelas on Saturday. Lunch was an interesting event as we ate sandwiches under a highway bridge on the edge of a favela in a recycle center. It was an event that you can be sure that will be remembered. The group got to see what true poverty was and it had an impact on many of the students. The comments being made by many actually put a smile on my face because I knew this trip was going to be a rewarding experience for them all.

The skit, crafts, singing, and other events have been very smooth. All the hardwork and preparing done by everyone has paid huge dividends. The kids we have worked with have enjoyed what they have been presented.

This morning at the church service there was about 120 people here. The students did a great job with singing and testimonies. David, Jared, and myself all taught the individual classes and it appears that part went well too. We did the usual serving of lunch after the service and then everyone spread out on the the property and enjoyed different events: soccer, swimming, volleyball, basketball, crafts, frisbees, and just hanging out. The group is abuzz about the events of the last 48 hours and all are wired to the max. We are preparing to travel into Campinos tonight to visit two more favelas: Monte Cristo and Gleba B. We should be in around 1030 tonight for a late supper and quick showers and then a few hours sleep

Tomorrow we are visiting two different schools where we will do some singing and have the opportunities to speak to Brazilian high school students. It should be an exciting day.

Susie says hi to everyone and that she is not letting anyone down here leave. She is absolutely having a blast having all her friends around her. She told me that I had to bring this many of her friends down everytime. Her and Bret are doing GREAT and starting to speak the language very well.

One last note for up to date news. The Brazilians challenged the team to a “World Cup” type soccer game today. They even had trophies for 1st place and 2nd place. We will be sure to show the 2nd place trophy when we return. We wont share to fact that there were only two teams. HEY, at least to held them to single digits.

You should be proud of your loved one that is on the trip. The whole group is doing GREAT, being positive, and making impact in the lives of others. I will try as hard as I can to get another update by tomorrow night or Tuesday afternoon.