Brasil Dia 34

Oi! 
I hope you are all trying to stay warm in the States!  I heard there was a big snow in NC and TN.  We are having NO problem staying warm...it is so hot down here!  We are getting sun and excercise everyday...not to rub it in or anything!  I really love it here, and feel that I will one day be back down here if I get the chance.  I love the people, and my compassion is ever growing for the homeless and the street kids living in the slums and favellas.  I try to smile at everyone on the street and pray for anyone I get the chance to.  The people of Brazil need hope and a true image of who Jesus is.

We just got to a new city this past Saturday.  We left Sao Paulo on Friday night, and rode a bus ten hours through the night to Belo Horizonte (Beautiful Horizon).  We will be flying out of this city on February 28th. 
Leaving Sao Paulo was bittersweeet because of the incredible friendships I made there.  The girl that we stayed with and her family were more than encouraging to me, and treated me as a part of their family.  They called me Brazilian at heart, and made me promise to one day return.  Ana's mom gave me her own Portugese Bible, and Ana gave me a Brazilian flag.  I also became close with her friends at the Korean church she attends.  The people there were amazing.....filled with the Holy Spirit and pouring it out on the community.  I think that is the key. 

But it was also exciting to come to a new part of Brazil as well.  Our adventure is over half way completed!  I can't believe it! We are staying in the YWAM "Restoration House".  It is a home for boys.  They have 8 right now living there. YWAM has a book written by the founders of the house called "A Cry In the Streets".  I read it before I came here.  It is so neat to actually be here!  The YWAM ministry here in Belo is huge.   They have 8 different houses...or ministries.  We have been visiting the different houses the past two days, and next week we will be working at them. 

I am so excited about the time we have left here, and I know I am going to be so sad to leave.  However, I am more than ready to see my baby Ava! 

I love you all so much.  Thank you for praying for me.  Please keep praying for our team...that our energy would be renewed, and that we would continue to be bold in our witness. 

PS.  Nate...I just began writing a narrative of my trip here in Brazil!

I will talk to you all soon!
Love and Blessings,
Brooke