Life Upstream

THE VIDEOS ARE UP! Check out Jay's blog post here to see us arriving at the airport, and watch more new videos in the Media and Resources tab above.

It has really been an exciting couple of days getting situated here in Rio. Jay warned us when he picked us up from the airport that we would see some of the best of things and some of the worst of things. How can you possibly prepare for that warning? We have been staying with Jay and Lu at their place while we have searching for an apartment. Here is a little recap of what we've been up to:

Our first night in Rio, Jay and Lu took us out to dinner at a buffet style restaurant. Even though it was two days past my birthday, the gerente (manager) let me eat for free with the birthday special (they told me this was an absolute miracle, they didn't expect him to give in)!

My Portuguese is definitely a speed bump. I cannot speak a lick, but I have been amazed by the amount of content I can pick up when others are talking. My expressions have been limited to "tudo bem" (all good) and "obrigado" (thanks). I'm praying that soon I will be able to create some sentences. Today I told a man at the store "Gracias" instead of "Obrigado". Whoops. Christy's speaking ability is amazing. It seems like she was born here. She impresses me daily.

This picture is of one of the slums we saw on our way home from the airport.

Jay showed us the Presbyterian Church where he works as well as some potential ministry spots. We went to a church-plant in an area on the outskirts of City of God slum and met the pastor and his wife. They have a program that cares for and teaches 2-5 year olds that are brought from City of God each day. They worship in an unfinished building without walls, but the pastor said his only problem now is that "doesn't have enough seats for the people."

Yesterday we walked through our first favela called Rio das Pedras. It was quite the experience and it gave us a real sense of what Restore Brazil is doing and can do there. We walked about three quarters of a mile into it to check out a church-plant there led by Pastor Sergio. Kids recognized Jay and hung out with us for a while. I'm really looking forward to seeing the gospel in action within that context.

Today we got to rest and Christy is starting to feel much better, thanks for your prayer! We braves the streets by ourselves and walked 10 minutes to the beach, quite an experience.

One of many answers to prayer:
We found an apartment! Through an obvious bout of Providence. More on that to come (including pictures)!


-G