Finally "home"

Well, I've been here for almost a month!!! I can't even believe it. The time has flown by. And it took almost a month to feel like it, but I finally feel like this is my "home" right now:). Ever since I got here, I knew I was supposed to be here. I had a peace which made it easier. But at times I would have been ok with just going home just so I could get a momma hug and a dadda embrace. In this past three and a half weeks, God has done so much in my heart. He has stretched me, broken me, opened me up and then put me back together, a better and more whole person. It's been a crazy adventure, already, but one that I don't think I'd give up for anything.
In being here for about three weeks, I've gotten to go out on the street multiple times and every time, it's an exciting adventure. I'm presented with men and woman who don't see themselves and God does. They "feel" different, they "want" money, they "think" this is filling their deep desires. They just don't know anything else. My heart still breaks for these ones, but at the same time, I have so much joy in seeing them, and so much hope. And I have SO much love for them, His love:). I've created relationships that I will never forget. I come up to these men and women with love and acceptance and I know they can see it. They show me their new hair styles and colors and I compliment them. When they are wearing pretty eye make-up, I tell them I love it. I love them. Not what they do, but who they are. It's amazing, getting the opportunity to share Papa's love with these people and I can't wait till the day, wether that be in Heaven or here on earth, that I get to see the fruit from sharing who He is with them. I'm honored and blessed that I get to be apart of this crazy thing, we call the Kingdom.
Other things that I've been doing while here in Brazil, helping with the Global School of Ministry Brazil. I didn't think I'd even be apart of it, at all, but it turns out that I've been playing a small part in the school. And I've liked it! :) There aren't a ton of students in the school, but each of them are amazing, world changers. They've all got such a heart for the Lord and a hunger for who He is. It's great to see and I can't wait to see them out on the streets, with us at one point. :) Another thing I've been doing while here has been going to favelas (slums.) I've gotten to go love on the kids, pray for the poor and share His love. Part of the team was actually there this morning. I decided I'd stay back because I've been sick and haven't gotten much sleep in the past couple of days. So I decided I'd rest up to try and stay healthy. That has been amazing and it's reminded me that the people there were another reason I fell in love with Brazil.
This past week, at the ministry school we had Tracee Loosle and then there is this amazing church called Vida Plena that had her speak there on Friday and Saturday. A little history about Vida Plena from me, that was the first church I ministered at, in 2009 on Youth Power Invasion, in Brazil. It was funny, because when I got on the bus that night, I had no clue what we were doing, I just got on the bus thinking we were going somewhere. Then when we pulled up to the church full of thousands of people, Tim Berry, our bus captan, told us what how the night was going to go down. I freaked! I thought to myself, I'm going to be praying for people! I didn't know this was going to happen!! Lord, HELP! haha I think it's very funny how I started off there and now it's become kind of our main church that we go to. Nic and Rachael lead worship there sometimes because we are very good friends with the lead pastor. So I started off there in Brazil and it has become my favorite church and in a way, my "home" church while here in Brazil. So anyways, going back to Tracee, she spoke on Friday and Saturday night at Vida Plena. And let me tell you, AMAZING both nights. The Shores of Grace Team and the students from the ministry school were the ministry team both nights so of course, I was included in praying for people. I felt like I was on a Global Awakening trip again. I couldn't speak their language, but they were still getting touched by the Spirit. It was amazing. I wound up praying with one of my Brazilian friends at the end of the night on Friday. This little, maybe 10/11 year old girl came up to us, crying. Her mom was in hand and her mom told my friend what was wrong with her daughter. She had a bladder infection and it hurt. So we sat down and started praying for this little girl. It looked like she was getting touched but I'm not sure if she was healed. After we prayed for her, her mother proceeded to tell us that they are being kicked out of their house in three days and the mom doesn't have a job. My heart broke. I've gotten SO comfortable with the fact that I have MORE than enough that I find myself complaining about the base I'm living at or the food I'm eating, more times than not. I sat there, in tears, thinking about how selfish I am yet how incredibly blessed I am. This lady and her child, have almost nothing except for the clothes on their backs. And every day, I have something to complain about. I sat there with tears in my eyes, thanking God for His faithfulness to me and even to her. Because I know in every circumstance, He IS faithful. Wether we see it right then or not. This was such a challenging moment for my heart and when I left them, I felt so blessed and so sad at the same time. But I know He is faithful and He will provide.

God has been so faithful this whole trip and I am SO blessed. My heart is still being pulled, stretched, and broken but being made so whole, at the same time. I love that I will be here for two more months, even though I know there will be challenging times. I know that this is where I'm called for right now and I'm trying to keep my heart open for ALL the things God wants to do in me. He mine and I am His.


Know Him
emma