Team Updates in Brazil
Our team is growing and going. Here is what we have been doing the past 2 weeks, and what is coming up
(Note: Team/ministry updates are usually sent to paid subscribers/supports, but I have chosen to share this update to everyone so you can see a full sample of what we are doing)
Yuri in Recife
Hello, dear reader friends.
Sorry for the almost two-week hiatus to write to you, but nothing has been easy.
I don't know how to start telling you everything that's been happening. Some will say: "Start at the beginning!", but it's not that simple.
Let's start with yesterday... For the first time since I arrived in Recife, I was able to rest and take a walk. I went to see places that I didn't even dream could be so beautiful and that carry so much culture and stories.
I was lying on the sofa when the new guests arrived, happy, talkative and super excited to see the city and the tourist attractions.
They called me and, at first, I didn't accept. They ended up insisting so much that I gave in to the wishes of the 5 young people and we headed towards Recife Antigo.
Everything was so beautiful and it was so full of tourists. From there we decided to go to Olinda, my hometown and Frevo's World Capital. The carnival previews have already started and are in full swing there.
Everything went well and we returned home at 9pm. Maybe this was the only part that was really good in these 11 days that I didn't write to you.
I've been looking for a job since I arrived in Recife. It has not been easy. Sometimes I find a day or two as a waiter, but nothing more.
I try to see things in a positive light and I have hope that God is preparing something very good in my life.
I have been volunteering here at the hostel, but it is only in exchange for accommodation. I'm a "jack of all trades" here. I help with maintenance, communication with foreign guests and I also work at the reception in 6-hour shifts.
It's not something heavy or difficult to do, but it leaves me a little stuck when it comes to going out and looking for a job. Friends, money may not bring happiness, but it helps you buy many things that make you happy, never doubt that.
Note from Chet: When we first met, Yuri made a statement about money bringing happiness. I started to react as I do when people from the United States say things like that. God told me to listen with my heart! He showed me that Yuri was speaking from a place of poverty, not a place of abundance. When you struggle on a daily basis to scrape together enough money for a place to sleep and food to eat, yes, money brings happiness not through material possessions, but peace. That is a huge difference from seeking happiness in over-abundance. I really appreciate Yuri’s heart and point of view.
I continue my journey alongside Chet, who in addition to being a great friend, has been a great teacher and has taken care of me in a way that no one has ever done. I will be eternally grateful to him.
A lot more things are happening at the moment I write this post, so be sure to follow us.
To subscribers, please share the blog and, if you can, donate any amount to us so that we can support ourselves and keep you informed. For those who are not registered, register and when you feel comfortable, follow in the footsteps of older subscribers.
Stay with God everyone and don't forget: "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." [Henry David Thoreau]
Chet from Goiana
I spent the past 2 weeks in Goiana. I was mainly there for Renato’s wedding, and to spend a little bit of time with him before most of the wedding party arrived. Everyone was so busy with wedding preparations that we didn’t get much time for much other than wedding preparations. Plans kept changing, and Renato and I had to give up his house so that the bridal party could use it during the week before the wedding. A family from Renato’s church graciously opened there home to me.
Their home is in a poor part of town. They told me that this was an “invading” area, and that this neighborhood was once all sugarcane fields. So from what I understand, this area is where the poor have taken over part of the land to build into. Their neighbors were very kind and care for one another. This is one of the things I love about Goiana. The community truly takes care of each other.
The family I stayed with was Marcos, Pamila, there teenage son Miguel and daughter Michelle. Miguel had to give up his room for me, which think was a little hard for him at first. He was home with me during the afternoons, so we bonded while watching Pokémon. We had a several conversations in Portuguese, and he also enjoyed learning some new English words from me. He took me to fly kites with his friends one afternoon. He told me about the time last year when the field was too muddy and he fell and broke his kite, which made him sad. I am proud to say I was able to understand his entire story in Portuguese.
Marcos works, I believe, on the maintenance crew for a company in town, and Pamila sells hot food at the market at the town center. Yuri will accompany me to Goiana in a couple of weeks so that we can learn and document more about life there. I learned much just observing, but he will be able to get the details that are hard to get through Google translator.
The first night I was there, several neighbors and friends came over to meet me. A couple of their friends spent much of the night calling other friends because they had never seen a foreigner before. They apologized in case it seemed rude, but I assured them I understand and was not offended. They sent a video of me to their English teacher. While I was staying with them, Pamila also took me to pray for a couple of families in the neighborhood.
There is an Assembly of God church across the street. The second night, one of the church members pulled up in front of the church with a large pot of soup in the back of his car. People lined up with containers to fill for soup for their families. They offered me a bowl of soup, which I graciously accepted. They do this regularly, at least once a week to help out the people of the neighborhood, they explained.
There are several projects we will be helping with in the community. Pamila told me that she would like to start an addiction recovery program. There is much medical need during the sugarcane harvest, and of course the youth activity and events center the church is building. Yuri and I will be documenting those needs in a few weeks so that we can start working on those projects and tell you more about them.
Renato and Ingrid’s Wedding
Renato and Ingrid were married on September 9. The wedding was held at the beach at Carne-de-Vaca near Goiana. It was a very beautiful location. I couldn’t get any pictures myself because I still haven’t replaced my cellphone after it was stolen. One of the men from his church (also named Renato) gave me permission to use some of the pictures he took.
Renato and Ingrid will spend the rest of the year in Goiana while she finishes out the year at her job. During his time in Goiana, Renato continues to help with the youth ministry there. I will let them share more details of their plans later.
Where We Are Going
I do not remember hearing that quote from Henry David Thoreau until Yuri put it in his post. But it fits with one of the scriptures that has driven me to follow the path that my life has taken. Specifically, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and then, all of these things will be added to you.” I go where and when God tells me regardless of what financial resources I have. I trust that He will provide, and He always has. I do not seek to do things on my own power, simply to be in place for God to use me. I have done some amazing things and seen some amazing things as a result.
Yuri has nothing to lose and everything to gain by going where I go (or wherever the Spirit leads him.) So he will likely follow the same crazy path I am following. I encourage Renato and Ingrid to seek God’s will and follow the path He lays out before them. I doubt it will be quite as crazy as I have been living. I will continue to seek ways to support whatever ministry God leads them in, and they both plan to be a part of our virtual tent-maker team of digital nomads living a missional life.
Yuri is finishing his volunteer time at the hostel on September 25. After that, we plan to go to Goiana for a couple of weeks to document the needs and projects. We hope to travel to Manaus in early October to meet with a corporate executive about supporting a robotics program for the children in a tribal community near Manaus.
Ways You Can Help
Our team has doubled in two weeks. We have many things going on throughout the rest of the year, which is why I have been working to launch the Travel Create Inspire community and training system. During the next two weeks Yuri and I will be marketing the launch of this platform. With any business it will take time to build. The technical work being done through the Unswivel platform (initially bundled with TCI) will also provide jobs and training opportunities to people in Brazil and Argentina.
Please share this newsletter!
If you would like to support our work, please join as a paid (or founding) subscriber to our newsletter.
You can find donation options and products/services plans listed on the Support Plans page on my website.