Brazil (debrief)

After our time in Cananeia we made our way up to Rio de Janeiro for debriefing time. I dreaded the trip and just wanted to stay in Sao Paulo because I wasn't feeling well, but somehow God's plan tends to be greater than ours. My best friend from high school, David, spent his two year mission down in Rio. I recognize that I only spent one day there, which is roughly 1/730 the amount of time that he spent there, but I could gain about that much of a glimpse into what his life must have been like down there, which is about 1/730 more than I could before. I just talked with him today and I'm so excited to hear more about his time and know a little of what he's talking about. So this is a good thing that we went to Rio for debrief instead of staying in Sao Paulo (p.s. the Pope was in Sao Paulo the first couple days that we were there, but no, we didn't see him among the 890 billion other people in the city).
In debriefing we went over a lot of different questions about our team, our time in Brazil, and our re-entry into the U.S. I thought a lot about how this trip has changed me, or has it? The end of Motorcycle Diaries (movie) has a quote in it, "I am no longer me. At least I am no longer the same me as before." I don't feel this way after Brazil. Brazil has been another layer in my life that I am thankful for, and it has helped to shape me and my world view, but it has not sent my life in a new direction. This is both good and bad I suppose. I now have a great love for all of Latin America, not just those who speak Spanish.:) I now recognize what it's like to spend a couple weeks somewhere where I don't speak the language, to worship God in Portuguese. The church is a great body of believers all across the world and I got to experience this in Brazil. However, I don't know if I will ever go back...What if I don't?
Some times I'm not sure what my purpose was on the trip. Then I realize, my purpose is God's purpose...my purpose is to show love to all around me...not just the cute children with adorable smiles.=) Thank you all who haave read up on my time in Brazil to gain a little understanding of what it was like. I don't want to brush off my time in Brazil and say that it has no impact on my life...but at the same time I want to recognize that this has not been the single most impactful moment of my life either. None of this would have been possible were it not for everybody who supported me in prayer and financially. I hold you all dear to my heart and no matter where God takes me in life, you will all be with me.=)