God's love :) ..-in from Lauren Jimison

Where do I start? It was a pretty rough trip here. From the long flight, to a frustrating and trying time in the airport, God has shown that our plans aren’t always His. It’s humbling. As we landed in Sao Paulo, Jimmy, Patty, and I had to go through a separate security because of our bags. After over an hour of confusion, frustration, and miscommunication, they took and kept our bags of toys because we did not have any claims that they were donations and they taxed the speakers as well (a lot of money). But, we made it out safe!

Our journey had just begun. We made the trip out to beautiful Camp California. It was rainy and muddy, but we were determined that God would work despite all of the rain. As we pulled up to the dirt road leading to the camp, our bus got stuck deep in mud. We hoped and prayed and did what we could to get the bus up, but a pretty 45 minute walk up to camp was the outcome. And, thankfully, the bus was pulled out later. Hooray! Sadly, because of all the troubles, the kids were not able to come up Friday night. Yet, the next morning, they arrived, after walking the long climb as well, with excitement. We instantly became celebrities. God was and is at work.

The camp was great! It was full of God’s grace and love and His peace flowed from the dewy rain that kept us inside all Saturday. That did not hold back the extatic kids from running around and grabbing our hands and jumping up and down during worship. :) It is incredible the relationship you can build with kids in a day, even with a language barrier. Though it may seem like a barrier, at times, it is not, in fact….it may push us even closer to using love to show God to kids yearning for a heavenly Father.

After walking back down from the camp and the buses getting stuck again, we made it to the hotel ..showered quick, and joined Restoration Ministries for church. It was wonderful!!! Jonatas gave an amazing message and we felt God’s love fill the small, but powerfully loud room. It was great! Well, I could write tons and loads, but I gotta go! Pray that God’s grace and presence fills our tour of the flavelas tomorrow :) We are excited to see what God is going to do.

-Lauren :D