Madrid, day 21st

I know, I know... as been a while since I had updated the E's blog but those few past weeks has been really busy. But ... i have tons to talk and guess what!! pictures!!!  :-)

So as y'all know we got internet in our place. Thumbs up for the spaniards! ;-)
In the other hand... we had problems on the bathroom, kitchen and partial electric power all over the house.  so... thumbs down for the spaniards! :-(

The good thing is its all solved now. The landlord came with the construction peeps and solved it all. Thanks Lord! During those busy school days + construction going on + crazy weather and crazy roommates all around I am so surprised with myself in how I was handling all that at once with patience and good humor. I guess the Lord is help me out on that A LOT. :-)   and I am just thankful for all that. What I could resume all that in one biblical verse:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 45-7

OK so... here you are some information about my new life in Madrid - Spain.
I am living with six more friends from Brazil. They all attend the same college campus as well. So we pretty much know each other a lil bet.

The funny thing is that on our group we have 2 boys (myself and David Jun) + 5 girls (Flavia, Karina, Nathalia, Ana and Helena) living in the same apartment. So... I am not used to live on a 99% talking place all day long... lol

Question! Why girls talk so much? hahaha

Ok. So... I have my own room wich is almost done:

           

This is the view of our "Calle" = Street... so that is my new address:
Ermeson F Santos
Calle de la Aduana, 23 - 2piso Izquerdo
    28013   Madrid - Madrid
    Spain

This is the crew:
From right to left David Jun and his fiance Flavia, Helena (purple), Nathalia (black dress), Karina e Ana (hat)

Right on the corner of our apartment rises up our Starbucks. =-p

... as you know we live right on Madrid's downtown ... so ... everything happens here 24 hours a day. Madrid is a very charming city and our neighborhood is very artsy. By 5 minutes walking we can reach the Gran Via avenue = 5th Avenue in NYC. 2 minutes walk and we are at Plaza del sol = Praça da Se in Sao Paulo. 15minutes walk we are right at Del Prado Museum and at Parque de El Retiro = Ibirapuera Park in Sao paulo or the Central park in NYC. Ah... and right in front our house its located the Real Academia de Bellas Artes = Fine Arts Royal academy... i know i know... :-)

Well i have lots of pictures from the Noche en Blanco event and from my visit to the city of Valencia this past weekend. Gorgeous town on the beach area about 5 hours (bus ride) from Madrid.

So... as soon as i upload the picts on my flickr account i'll post the link for y'all ok.

Please keep pray for me to find a job so can help me out on finances. And still looking for a church. Joanne have some contacts about a church so we are trying to get in touch with a pastor around here. And about support... I just have created a new campaign called Emerson's Madrid Support or EMS. You can help donating $10,00 and that is enough help till i can get a new job here. So you can help in various ways: You can donate or just send out the link to someone you know that would like to donate.

The weblink for donations is: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EJCPSCLEGR3D6

Thanks for everything y'all. And Special thanks for the Joanne's Bible study Ladies - Miss you guys. And for Hibernia folks + Circle of Faith... thanks Tons!

I'll talk to y all really soon.

Always in HIM,

- Emerson

Madrid, day 10th

Ps.: hey keith... hahaha Lisa told me you got surprised... lol ... well now keep posted ok. Still owning you the pict with the CF t-shirt in Madrid huh! I'll post it as soon as I hv connection at home ok!

aaahhh... Mrs Perry... thanks for the add on Facebook. I hope you all ladies from Joanne's house bible study are enjoying. Miss you all ladies!  :-D  Plz tell moma Jo to answer her cellphone! lol

    -----------------------------  <>   ---------------------------------

Hello hello dear friends!

Today it should be a great day since we were waiting on the internet company people coming to install our connection but guess what! haha... they came and install everything but we have partial connection service in the house. lol

Its too funny. I can get my skype working pretty well but i can not access any webpage at all. e-mail, Facebook, blog, nothing lol...

So... i had to come down to starbucks once again to share some thoughts with ya.

Tonight in Madrid it will happen the night festival that they call "La noche en Blanco" with means "A night without sleep". All over town - Madrid - all the museums, theaters, movie theaters, and artistic organizations it will be open the whole night for visits. The best thing...  ALL THAT FOR FREE.

So... tonight I may not have any sleep at all because I have tons of visits to make a some of the most important museums in Madrid such "Del Prado Museum", "Reina Sophia Museum", "Belas Artes circle of Madrid" + some live classic concerts that will happen at the theaters and some movies as well. All those visits will count extra points for a good grade this month. The city is working all around that today. I think its gonna be just great. I'll make sure lots of pictures will be taken on that.

Right now its 7:35pm in madrid / 2:35pm in Brazil / 01:35pm in Florida. Still trying to talk with some folks in America but cant go through.

Ah... i got a new cellphone # but i cant remember yet and its not with me right now. So... I will give y'all next time i post here. This afternoon i could talk to my mom back in Brazil through skype and got interrupted by one of my friends. He was asking me to go try to fix the rice that they could't make it. hahahaha... my mom laugh so hard and so did I. So now they made myself the official "rice chef maker of the house. " :-p

One thing that I am really missing here is the peanut butter jelly sandwich. I have found rice, beans and tuna around here, but peanut butter. :-(  I am praying for some one from America come visit me or one of my friends so i will ask to bring that treat :-p  hahahahaa

Life in Madrid as been going great ... still getting used to it but as been fun. Please keep in pray for a job, for my family, in find a church, on my studies and my roommates - boy they smoke a lot :-(

Love you all...
Hit me up on skype anytime or just send e-mail or facebook me.

Always in HIM,
- Eeeeeeeeeemerson

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ermeson

  Skype: ermeosnbrazilsp

  website: http://www.vidanovabrasil.org/lovespain.htm

Madrid, day 9

Hello Hello everyone!

Joanne... haha. I try to call ya several times but i got no answer. Do you keep your cellphone with ya? As I am trying to call ya from skype there will appear tons of zeros on your cellphone screen... so.... thats me. haha ;-)

Adam... you just the same. hahaha.  I know you guys are busy... I am just picking on y'all. lol

So... Its Friday in Madrid. I mean... thats my 1st friday I am spending as a college student resident in Spain.
I have not much to say for now as I just had my last class for today and now i am heading home. This week was fun and some really stressful at some points. But ... life is not only amazing and wonderful times "Bale"!?

Well... tomorrow we might have our internet connection set up in our place. That would be great. i meet new friends from Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and AMERICA! finally huh. Its been funny when i am trying to talk in Spanish. all the mixing languages makes it UNIQUE moments.

Yesterday I was so tired that as soon as I got home I went to my bed and just crashed. Spanish classes will starts monday and i might improve my spanish skills.

Please keep praying for me to find something to do as a job. I really need to find something to help me out on finances.

Tomorrow I will be posting pictures, my new address and probably my new cellphone # as well. So come back soon and check it out.

For the requests. Keep praying for all those I have posted during this week. BTW... My friend Ana just got her cast out from her leg yesterday. She is much better and really happy. Today we might celebrate and walk a lot with her.

I'll talk to you all very soon.
Thanks for all.

Always in HIM,
- Eeeeeeeeemerson

Madrid, day 6

Hello Hello!!  :-D

Holla Thereza, and thanks for your e-mail. It was really kind. Bale its and expression for Ok! So we say bale all the time around here. Actually spells with V = Vale, but they dont have the V sound so they pronounciate with the B sound.  Bale!!?  :-D

Guys... the campus is awesome. From my place to campus i have to take two subway trains (15min) + one bus (30min) ride. Its not a long way for someone from Sao Paulo (Brazil). Things are going great and I might have internet access at home really soon. We have got a infiltration on the bathroom and the next door lady from downstairs came up to talk to us... hahaha a very funny way to say welcome to spain but... we had fun. She has a RED kitchen and it looks so DIFFERENT lol. but She is cool. She already visit Brazil and she thinks that she knows some portuguese. End up we talk all in Spanish... hahaha. Its has been a lil confused to me because most of the time when i do not know the word in Spanish i start talk in English. The most funny thing that as happen it was when I was talking to one of the land lords and suddenly my friend came up and told me i was talking in English. That was soooo funny. I was truly believing that i was having a spanish conversation. BuT ... well.... living and learning.

Today i was walking around through town looking some interesting sites and also i had to make my transportation card. Oh man... very expensive. but i gotta have one. Its the best way to go up and down  here.

I am starting to look for a job so it will help me out while i'll be studying here. That is one of my prayer request though.

And about the STORY on my Sister, and my nephew and nice here we go:

I got to call them before leave Brazil and my mom was so happy because my sister went to the church on that weekend. So i got to talk to them and my sister asked me a Bible. I was truly impressed. As i talk to my nephew and nice... they where so excited with the church, and the class, and the new friends that while they were talking they asked bibles as well. It was so amazing.  So... I told them i would buy the bibles and send those to them before my trip tp Spain. They didn't get the bibles yet but is on the way. Last time I talk to my mom she told me they would go every day and ask her to check the mail box for the package. I have bought and give away many bibles in my life and during the ministry work i do and all that was really special. But i guess when i went to the christian book store to buy that special order ... man... i couldn't believe in what is going on around my family. So... keep them in your prayers as well. that was one of the amazing moments i had in my christian life.

So... I guess i have to leave starbucks really soon to go home wich is right down the corner. haha. Its 08:45 pm here and the sun stills up. For you all here goes my prayer request for now.

Please pray for:
- My Family... so them can open their eyes and see HIS light around them.
- my Sister Michele, Kevin my nephew and Sarita my nice, so them keep up the good work on going to church and learning more about the Truth.
- my semester and all the friendships I am developing for a purpose.
- my finances that would goes well and that I can find a JOB as soon as I can so would help me on that.
- for a church. Its really hard to find one around here.

Thanks for everything. I'll blog again really soon.

Always in HIM,
- Eeeeeemerson

Madrid, day 4

¡ Hola Hola ! 

Well well my friends i have really great news for y'all. Our apartment is all done. We got electric power, water, and tv. The tv programs are funny. They have a law around spain that all the tv content and movies, etc, etc, has to be translated. I mean... not with subtitles but with audio translation... and that makes tv shows like CSI looks and sound funny. Other then that everything is just fine.

People here keep awake the whole night long. Its like the day never ends around here. I am still making lots of friends, last night I meet people from Greece, Holland, England, Italy and Belgium. As soon as you think you will have tons of names to be praying for ;-)

Still having no internet in the apartment but... i am really enjoying coming down to starbucks and making new friends. The coffee is good (Caramel Maquiato) but still to hot around here so i change my order to a good "Sumo de naranja natural" or just Orange juice... :-D 

My classes will start tomorrow, monday 06th. From my Brazilian frat house I am the only one going to school tomorrow :-( ... but I am just fine. I kinda missing the business from college already.

Right now I am in a process on find a nice church so I can go there visit and start working with the locals. Walking around the busy streets of Madrid i see so many opportunities for a very well planned mission trip on this field. Well ... I am sure He will make that happen on the right time.

Ah... one other thing. One of my friends at home decided to quit smoking... and guess what!? She asked me to keep my eye on her so she will not smoke around here. So... at the moment i heard that i though about y'all prayers ... :-D

I really appreciate all your prayers right now.

So my friends... please keep in pray for:

- Good start on monday.

- For me to find a nice church that is whiling to work around here.

- For my new friends that they can see difference through my acts.

- For my Family, specially (my sis Michele, Nephew - Kevin and Nice - Sarita) I got a good story about it that I'll share with y'all on my next post.

Thanks for everything.

Always in HIM,

- Emerson

PS.: Picts will come out soon, lol.

Madrid, day 3

Hello y'all!!!!  Holla para todos!!!

God has been so gooooooood! Yesterday we had our electric power partially settled. So no candle lights last night. I also had a great success about the enrollment process and everything regarding school in Madrid. The Campus is awesome and i started making some new friends already. Ireland, London, Spain, Brazil, no americans yet... but they will come. haha... 

Just from my college in Brazil we have over 100 students. My roommates are just fine but they smoke a lot 8-o.  Ah!!! about my friend ... keep praying for her. She got back from the hospital yesterday and she has a cast on her left leg. She will keep that till next thursday when the classes starts. i spent most  of  the yesterday afternoon with her so she would not feel alone. It was fun. We laugh a lot. Remember her name is Ana Paula ... thanks for your prayers and plz keep her in your prayers.

We still have no internet in our apartment ... thats why I am at starbucks right now. Guess what. its only one block from my place :-D

Today its kind a free day to me and two other roommates. As we have done with our school papers. Now we just have to set up some documentations that is really important to have while you're living here. Its kind of an ID we have to make. I hope it will not be any problems on that issue. The other 4 members of our crew headed to the campus around 09am. Right now its 11:10am in madrid / 06:10am in Sao Paulo and 05:10am in Florida.

I really would like to thank you all for your prayers. I started reading the book of Acts yesterday before leave the apartment heading to the campus. It was the book the Lord put in my heart to read so... you know... JUST DO IT! bale!  btw... bale is something like: ok. They use all the time around here. And I LIKE IT! bale!!!  :-D

well... I might have some picts very soon to post. 

Please keep in prayer for:

- All the friendships I am making it.

- for my roommates so them can at least smoke a little less.

- For Ana Paula.

- for all the ID process in Madrid to go really smoothly.

- and for our safety while here.

Thank y'all very much or muchas gracias para todos.

Always in HIM,

- Eeeeeemerson

Madrid, day 1

Hey hey... everyone!

I have just started this new journey in the old continent - EUROPE. Right now I am located at Downtown Madrid. I would like to say thanks to you all for your prayers. I had a really nice airplane ride from Brazil and we just started a new adventure. Ah ... as some of you know me and my friends (roommates) we were looking for an apartment and it was really hard to find a good one for 7 people to live. I was really worry about it because when i was leaving Brazil we had no answers on the rent. But thanks to God and your prayers before i leave my place in Sao Paulo on my way to the airport I received a call. It was one of my friends telling me that we got an address in Madrid. WooHooooo :-D

So that was such a good news. The adventure news!!! haha... let me tell ya. We got the apartment. But when we moved in guess what!!! hahaha no electric power available. So we just laugh for hours. Well... as the day light goes away really late here (Im talking about 9:00pm) so  we decided to start cleaning the apartment. Tons of work on that. We finished around 10:00pm. By that time we had tons of candles around the place. it was funny. right after we were starving and before go out to eat it was time for a cold shower. hahaha.... oh BROTHER! I have never had a cold shower like that one. The water was FREEZING.

Well... quick shower and out to eat. Right now I am at my college campus for a meeting. And i have internet and power ... lol... so thats why I am able to use my computer and let y'all know all that. lol

The spanish people here they have a very interest time to eat. like its 2:30pm and they are out for lunch till 3:30pm. but i guess we will get use to it. :-o

So... if you would like to pray about something that is going on please pray for:
-  That the electric power issue, so the land lord of our place can solve that matter ASAP.
- For a good interaction between me and my roommates.
- and for all the enrollment process might go smoothy.
- ah... also pray for Ana Paula. She is one of mine friends. and she got something on her foot that is looking really bad. We do not know whats going in on but she arrived here with that problem. Right now she was take to a hospital with some of the University staff to see what is going on.

Okiedokie... I'll talk to y'all ASAP.

Big hugs.
Always in HIM,
- Emerosn

SPAIN... here I go!

[-] Well well... as some of you know I got my VISA to go study in Spain for a semester. I love my college. I love my college major. I love all what is happening. BUT ... above all that. I LOVE THE LORD. And I know that I am not going to Madrid just to study. But I am pretty sure HE had planned something else for me while I'll be there. And just as an advise. "When you feel like that... you just go and do whatever you gotta do man."

So... here i am getting ready to go overseas once again. I am really thankful for all your prayers. Plz just keep in touch and follow this new Mission Adventure through the blog.

Read more about it at: http://www.vidanovabrasil.org/lovespain.htm

Talk to y'all soon.

Always in HIM,
- Ermeson

LOVE America 2011!

<> Get ready volunteers of VidaNova Family of Friends.

LOVE America Mission Tour is just an opportunity for you to be your self among the nations. If you need any information about this project please let us know through out e-mails and our website. We will be glad to help you out!

Always in HIM,

Ermeson F Santos

VNMB Director

Donations on-line

Now our ministry is able to accept your friendly donation through the internet with few clicks away. We would like to say thanks to you for your humble cooperation and for being part of this Family of Friends!

Thank you!

VNMB crew

VNMB Mission Tour 2010.

[] There are not enough words to describe how great was this mission trip. Check it out some on the following movie:

Day 9 - Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 9 / last day []------------------------ - - -

Hello y'all!

This was the last day of our mission trip. We visit the girls home orphanage and then we toke them to the park. We had a lot of fun at the park, playing with the girls, eating hot dogs and chips, loving them. Right after we went to have lunch at Burger king and the girls really enjoyed that moment. We got a chance to love on them and spend some fun time together.

Around 2:00pm (local time) we say good byes. It was had. But that is one of the signs that our mission trip is really about to end. We toke tons of pictures, we hug them, we told them "next year we will be back." That wasn't a "good bye" but it was just a "See you all later!"

Following the schedule we headed to the open market, then back to the hotel. We had dinner at the mall and ice cream on the beach. VidaNova team spend those last moments with us just having fun and planning for next summer. We actually didn't get any sleep at all because we should head to the airport at 2:00am so we spend the rest of the time left with the VidaNova Volunteers.

Once again we would like to say thanks to GOD for provide that blessed mission trip. To provide the amazing team we had this year and for all things that He is doing through us. We also would like to say thanks for Hibernia Baptist and for each one of you that was part of this mission work. Thanks also for the VidaNova Volunteers for your love and carrying not only for the lost but also for the american volunteers.

The team left Aracaju this morning at 5:40am (local time) and they might be home around 10:00pm. May God keep them safe and give them a nice trip back to the USA.

Love you all. And I'll see you next year.

Always in HIM,

- Emerson

Day 8 - part 2 / Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 8 part 2 ][ --------------------- - - -

Wow! It is hard to believe we are at the end of the trip! After arriving back in Aracaju, we had our customary lunch at The Golden Arches - McD's. We return to our hotel and prepared for the evening services. Tonight one of the local church's had an "English Hang Out Social". The event was advertised as an English only event - no translators. Many folks came to try out their English skills. There are many people here who have learned English and look forward to try their skills out with Americans. As one young man put it, "I have studied English, but I have never been tested by Americans." We thought that was so funny. Melissa, Zach and Ermeson performed in the praise band. Melissa's singing sounded great. We performed the drama and Zach did a great job delivering the message. Zach was so comfortable on stage delivering a message to these young people - he did a great job explaining the drama and sharing the gospel. To God be the glory. It is always great to have discussions with the Brazilians who have studied English - most of the time they speak very well, but are shy to use their skills. We just returned from eating Chinese food - yep 1230 am. God assembled an amazing team - the Vida Nova team was truly amazing. It boggles my mind to think how Ermeson continues to find such incredible Christian men and women to serve on Vida Nova. To bed now, on the bus at 0800 for a trip to the Girl's orphanage.

God Bless - Steve Faulk

Day 8 - Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 8 / part 1 [ ] -------------------------- - - -

Hello blog followers. Since we have been on the road very early this morning traveling from Paulo Afonso (in Bahia state) to Aracaju (in Sergipe state) I am glad to let you know that we made it safe and sound. We got here around 1:30pm (local time). We headed to McD's and had lunch. Right after that we checked in at the Hotel Pousada do sol in Aracaju. Right now some of the team members are having a little nap, some are doing some other things, some are working for the English program tonight and some are blogging =)

Tonight we are going to have a english meeting with English course students. The program is called "Hang out!". We are going to have snacks, live music, drama performance, chat chat and new opportunity to make more friends. BUT... no translators needed on that time. We will leave the hotel at 6:15. Please pray for us as we are sharing the good news tonight and for the safe trip we had on the road.

More to come. later gator!

Always in HIM,

- E (Ermeson)

Day 7 - Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 7 [ ] -------------------------- - - -

Wow! Has it really been a week? I guess so because we are headed back to Aracaju in the morning... or should I say later this morning. Today was our last day in Santa Brigida this year. It is always a sad time to leave the people behind that we have come to love over these last 7 or 8 years. There are so many heart wrenching stories in this little town. There is not enough time to list them here. We worked with members from the church again today and the 4 teams continued to reach out into areas of town that had not been covered before. I had Pablo from the church, Shannon, Taisa and Emerson on my team. The goal was to get Pablo comfortable in sharing with the E-Cube so we made it a point to get him to discuss the cube in several homes. I am greatly impressed with 19 year old Shannon. She has a spiritual maturity that allowed her to share with several people in a way that was authoritative but at the same time genuine and friendly. Her easy, friendly manner resulted in open arms from everyone she talked to. Not, all received the gift of salvation from God but all heard a clear presentation of the Gospel and a warning that this decision is not something they should put off.

There is still a great need in Santa Brigida for the Truth and for someone to tell it. Please pray that God will send a pastor to this little Baptist church.

Emerson has come through again with a super team of translators. These girls are very talented and capable as well as being Spirit led and focused on serving God. We are very fortunate to have Emerson handling all our logistics from Brazil. This allows the whole team to focus on the mission without worrying about things like hotel, food, transportation, etc. etc.

Tonight we did an open air event in the town square. Central Baptist had invited all the English teaching schools to bring their students to talk to Americans. We played music, sang, did the drama and then Zach spoke. The people in the square got to practice their English on us but they also heard the Gospel.

Now we are back at the hotel and I can hear some of the team laughing over stories out in the lobby. It is 1:15 and we have to have the bus loaded at 7am. I have to decide now wether to go hang out with the team or try to get a little sleep. Oh well, sleep is overrated.

Love in Jesus

Rob

Day 6 - Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 6 [ ] ------------------------- - - -

Hello everyone! Guess what we had tonight????? ICE CREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM ... lol

And it was really good! Delicioso! Cold! Yummy! MMmmmmMMMM... Sorry I had to say that!

Well... its enough for now. I'll talk to you soon.

Always in HIM,

- E (Ermeson)

[] ------------------------------ - - -

Hello Peoples,

Today has been a pretty interesting day full of being put on the spot. All I have to say is thank God for patient leadership and translators. I have always struggled with shyness but in spite of that I have been able to share the gospel with the guidance of our team, and this being my first mission trip I am very grateful for them. The people are absolutely wonderful here. They are very welcoming and always make you feel at home. A lot of them think I am Brazilian. I have also had the opportunity to sing in the church out here which was the most nerve wrecking thing ever. A couple of us got to go to the radio station where Steve, Shannon, and Rob spoke and I sang. Every time that I have sung there had been no rehearsal... AHHHHHHHH!!! so that was a challenge. I have really had to rely on God more than I ever have before. This has not been easy but I am being stretched so much right now that I'm a little overwhelmed. But I am learning to trust God and to get over myself and my fears. You know? learning to let go of what you are so used to hanging on to is hard, but once you do there is freedom. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks,

Melissa Ayala

[] ------------------------------ - - -

So guys it has been a really blessed mission trip. The other day my group and me just met a couple (Mr Emanuel and Mrs Jovelina) married for 49 years. They had 9 kids all of them married and they still in loved for each other. Without asking Mr Emanuel told us that they will only be apart when they die. We talk for about 30-40min and it was a good talk. Pray for them specially for his lady because she is sick.

For now I will leave to you some of the names that you should add on your prayers. Those are names from the people we got to meet on the streets, at they own homes or at they work place during our home visit's in St Brigida up till now:

#Hilda Souza, #Maria Lucineide, #Valdinete Silva, #Hildenilton Souza, #Silvania, #Valdir,

#Celia, #Dercy, #Sonia, #Maria Eunice, #Clecia, #Edijanete, #Patricia, #Lara, #Luciel, #Renata, #Maria Aparecida, #Erilene, #Wallison's Family, # The man in the porch, #Socorro, #Jovelina, #Emanuel, #Gilda, #Miguel, #Maria Branca, #Detino, #Vicente, and #Henrique.

I am sure that tomorrow we will have more to tell you. That's all. For now. =)

Always in HIM,

- E (Ermeson)

Day 5 - Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 5 [ ] -------------------- - - -

Hey guys,

Today we set off to Santa Brigida at about 7:30a.m and when we arrived we split up into four groups. Three of which had a member from the chapel of St.Brigida. We did door-to-door visits, in order to keep in touch with the locals and also share the Gospel. I realized that many people are not very concerned about life after death and they also need someone to teach them the Word of Salvation because many of them are illiterate.

At about 12:30a.m the groups went back to the chapel in order to have lunch. At 2:00 p.m we shared a Bible study with some of the people we invited during the visits. After that, we came back to Paulo Afonso. That evening at 6:30, we went to a public school and had informal conversations with the students. At that time, we presented the "american group" and asked the students if they had any question for them. It was funny because they asked questions like: " What would change if you were Brazil's president?" and, "how is social life in the USA, comparing to Brazil?". People were impressed with the reason why they had come from so far, and had come so often. Then we explained what an evangecube was and used it to share the Gospel with them. We were able to share God's love through the plan of salvation. I really enjoyed it.

Shannon and Rob became famous and they were asked to give autographs. After that, we came back to the hotel, had dinner and as usual we hung out and went for ice-cream. The night ended with a game of Apples-to-Apples, but unfortunately I didn't get any green cards. =/ .

Keep praying for us! God bless you!

With love,

Taísa (VNMB Volunteer)

[] ------------------------------- - - -

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love it here! the people, the culture, the weather, everything. I feel as though it is home, which is strange because this is my first year coming to Brazil. We are having a great time with the Vida Nova team , lots of laughing, fellowship, and ice cream :). I know that God has me here for a reason, and that reason is to share the love that Christ has shown me to others. I have definitely been stretched out of my comfort zone during the street evangelism and home visits. I am now getting more and more comfortable sharing the Gospel with every visit, for this I am very grateful. I count it a privledge and a blessing to have had numerous opportunities to share my faith with the people of Santa Brigida. I know that God is using our team to advance the Kingdom and to encourage fellow Brazilian brothers and sisters in Christ.

I look forward to what God has planned for us the rest of the week. I pray that he will continue to use all of us to minister to the people that we come in contact with. This week has been life changing for me. I feel a definate spiritual tug at my heart for missions. I hope that I can go on many more mission trips, especially to Brazil because I feel a strong connection to this place. God is doing great things here. Thank you for all of your support and prayers, keep them coming. Please continue to pray that people's hearts are softened and that lives are changed through the acceptance of God's gift of grace.

In Christ,

Shannon Ostrowsky :)

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That was a really nice day. Not only in St Brigida but also in Paulo Afonso. Its 2:23am and I got lots of things to do including get some sleep =)

Thats all for now guys and plz keep us in your prayers.

Always in HIM,

- E (Emerson)

Btw... David I read your blog comment to the team and it was very special. I got two word for you also "Good Job, Good Job, Good Job, Good Job..."

Day 4 - Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 4 [ ] ------------------ - - -

Hey Everyone Monday was a long and busy day. We helped the Brazilians with the Fada. The Fada is like a huge outdoor market.The church had a booth with games and give aways to encourage the locals to come. I thought it was cool that there were so many people at the Fada and the business of it all. I saw a lot of strange things, like live chickens for sale and Pam was talking to a goat. We also shared the gospel to a lot of people telling them about the local church . I thought it was awesome to share the gospel with people that don't speak english with the help of our translators. Yesterday I gave away my silly bands I was amazed that they don't have them here . They were a BIG HIT.They keep asking for them, I don't have any more. Tonight we went to a house for a Bible study , Pam shared her testimony. She did a awesome job. Steve shared the gospel. I met a man, his name is Sandro, he was working on his English and I learned some portugese. He call me simpatica, it means happy and friendly . It was a great ending of the day.

Laura

[ ] ------------------------------------ - - -

Hey, guys!

Today we just woke up really early! We took off to Santa Brigida at 7:20 and when we got, we went straight to the market. That's probably the best time to find people to talk to. They are all over the streets and, when they first heard that we were going to be there, they started lining up to receive some gifts. They had to play this game (beanbag) to win the prizes, which were stuff like t-shirts, pencils, soccer balls, hats, flipflops... We stayed all day morning and, in the end, the group performed the " everything" drama. After that, we had a raffle. The prizes included a bike, a radio and a panini maker. Then, Steve, Melissa, Rob, Shannon and the translators went to a radio station, where Melissa performed some songs. By 15:30 we went back to Paulo Afonso and after having a cone pizza for dinner, we split into two groups. Each one went to a home service in a different place. This was a really great time. My group had Steve, Pam and Laura. We were able to talk about how salvation depends on what you choose to do with the gift that God offers you. That was it, and it was really nice! Keep in touch! God bless you all.

Larissa.

Day 3 - Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 3 - part 2 [ ] ------------------- - - -

Have you ever been called a shrimp? Not because of your size but by the way you look? Well today was a first. Coming from the smallest boy probably in Santa Brigida, I was given the nickname shrimp. Due to my spiked blonde hair and fair skin, red from the sun, the name Shrimp has now been given.

On a more serious note, the start of this trip has truly been a blessing from God. I truly feel that this is where God wanted me to be at this given time. When all seemed lost, the door opened and I followed God's call and here I am, with an awesome team from Hibernia and an amazing group from Vida Nova here in Brazil. Today we heard from Evanildo in the Santa Brigida church. He shared a verse with us today that sums up this entire trip for me. If anyone was to ask why I would spend my summer off from school to come over here I would share this verse with them. He read from Romans, chapter 10, verse 14 and 15. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feel of those who preach the gospel of peace. Who brings glad tidings of good things!" This team was not formed by accident and because we have been sent, we will be blessed. I hope that the faith that is shown from this team from the states gives those reading this, a sense of encouragement and hope that when you follow the call of God, things might not be smooth, but they are much better than not following His call at all.

God Bless <><

Zach "The Shrimp" Duke

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ONE MORE YEAR!!

Has been a great time so far and we're only in the beginning.This is my first year as an official translator not that would make any difference in the way I feel about Jesus work through me. But this is a key point for me as I am wondering how much can I can give to Him. Matter fact I'm pretty much enjoying this time here in Paulo Afonso and Santa Brigida. Not just because I'm hanging out with a group of friends that touches my heart by making sure I'm having the best time but mostly because I could answer the call when Jesus said GO and make disciples. Today we were at Santa Brigida working on the Sunday Bible School with the children and was amazing how God wants us to do good things for Him because we are His flock, a girl got saved this morning, PRAISE GOD.

Before I start to write a letter...and We don't want jammed the blog. So before I blog tonight I was doing a devotional with Larissa, Taisa, Laura and Melissa and We read this awesome passage that says we have one body, one baptism and one Father and as body of Christ we must love one another. So... I love Jesus, I love Hibernia team and definitely I love the VidaNova members. I pray that our Lord and Savior bless us today and until they call us to be with Him!!! Thanks for the person who wrote above....

P.S: If you like ice cream clap your hands!!!....CLAP, CLAP!!

Lais Feijo (Official Translator Mission Trip 2010/Kids Ministry/Lord's Kingdom worker)

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And Just get ready because tomorrow morning we are going to the OPEN Market at St Brigida to give away things and tell them some GOOD NEWS!

See y'all later,

- Emerson

Day 3 - Brazil Mission Trip 2010

Day 3 / part 1 [ ] ----------------------- - - -

This morning we got up around 06:30 (Local time) and after get ready we had some yammy breakfast at the hotel. Man it was Go-oooood... lol

Suddenly Eeeeeemerson says "To the Buuuuuuuus!" wich means its time to hit the road. So we got on the bus and to St Brigida we go. It was sunny. It was nice. It was a blessing morning. We had a safe trip to the church in St Brigida and an awesome service/ bible school with the kids.

Lunch time came, but the food got a delay so some of the team members stay at the church or on the surrounding area talking to the locals. And then after 2 hours late the food arrived. The really good thing that really impressed me was the fact that no one complained about being starved.

That is what i always say to the teams: "RELAX. You are in Brazil."

More to come at night.

Always in HIM,

- Emerson

PS.: September thanks for the words of encouragement on your blog's comment. I read to the team today. ;-)

Brazil Mission Trip - HBC 2010

Day 2 /part 2 [ ] -------------------- - - -

Hello, guys! My name is Mariana and I am a VidaNova Volunteer. It's really nice to be part of this mission. The Lord truly shows us the mysterious ways that He can use us.

Today we woke up early to travel from Aracaju to Bahia state. We arrived at Paulo Afonso around 2:00 pm, and the weather was really hot. I got to unpacked and we went to the supermarket then we got back to the hotel to have some lunch. Later on in the afternoon we had some free time to get to know everyone. Tonight we had been invited to go to a pizza place to have dinner with the locals in Paulo Afonso and then we had some ice cream right after the dinner. It was DELICIOUS!!!!

I'm looking forward to go to Santa Brigida tomorrow morning. It will be good to have some contact with the locals there. I hope the Holy Spirit will be guiding us in every way possible.

So, for now i would like to say thanks to you VidaBlog followers for being there for us! Hoping to write back soon, Mariana.

Hello everyone! This is Pam from Hibernia Baptist!! I cannot describe the excitement that is in the air, although many think of a third world country as a place they would not won't to visit, personally I have been at peace as we traveled to Paulo Afonso . The countryside was beautiful, and everyone we have encountered has made us feel very welcome. We have met most of our

Vida Nova Team, a few new faces this year...and although we may not know some of them, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ..and the bond that has been created so far is indescribable. We have spent the day traveling and getting settled in to our home for the week. We have already had a lot of laughs as we have been getting prepared for our week here in Brazil. Tomorrow we will travel to Santa Brigida in the morning, and attend church in the one we built 8 years ago. We have much to do this week, and we are ready to do God's work.

We are in much anticipation of what God has in store for this team. I am excited to see the 3 new members on the team as they are able to experience Brazil, the people and their culture for the first time. This is just the beginning, I know God will do great things for us and through us, and we are ready. Thinking of you all, and appreciate the prayers that are being lifted up for this team. I know all family and friends back home are being missed, so we send hugs and love to all. God Bless, Pam Piedlow.

More to come. Please keep us in your mind and prayers.

- E (Emerson)

Brazil Mission Trip - HBC 2010

Day 2 [] -------------------------- - - -

Oh maaaaan.... the sun is bright and we are just awaking up to get ready and get on the road. Its 6:30 am (Brazil local time), temperature about 79º F and the bus just arrived so we can load it.

Some are already having breakfast, some still on the rooms but we will be ready to leave the hotel in Aracaju at 7:30am. It will be a long ride to Paulo Afonso, something about 5 - 6 hours drive. BUT I am sure we are going to have some fun.

For now i got to go ... but later on we will keep you up dated in what is going on.

You have a good day, and keep us in your prayers.

Always in HIM,

- E (Emerson)

Brazil Mission Trip - HBC 2010

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We arrived after 27 hours of travel, thank the Lord. We were finally able to change our clothes and shower. Rule number one: Don't drink the water and don't flush the toilet paper. We have a lot to learn. We felt refreshed, recharged, and ready to go. After a short nap we met with the vita nova team and went to dinner. Food, fellowship, and beef swords ( Swords with chard meat on them). How many americans does it take to write a blog? apparently 4. We are wrapping up the evening witha patio chat with the wonderful breeze blowing in. Continue to pray for us as we go and follow the call that God has given us. A long bus ride tomorrow takes us to our next destination and another door that God has opened.

~ Shannon, Zack, Melissa

(first timers)

VNMB Mission Tour 2010.

Ola queridos amigos e voluntarios do VNMB.

Estamos muito contentes com o lançamento das inscrições 2010 para o VNMB Mission Tour 2010 que sera realizado durante os dias 17 a 23 de Julho aqui no Brasil.

As inscriçōes estarão disponíveis ate o dia 30 de Junho no valor de (R$ 20,00). A partir de 01 de Julho ate 15 de julho a inscrição passa a ser no valor de (R$ 50,00).

Informaçōes sobre valores e datas os interessados deverão procurar o coordenador de campo VNMB de sua localidade.

Aracaju/ SE .........................Mateus Lopes

Sao Paulo/ SP .....................Ermeson Ferreira

Belo Horizonte/ MG ......... Thiago Rodrigo

Paulo Afonso/ BH ............. Carmen Rejane

Desde já agradecemos a cada um de vocês pelo interesse em estar conosco e aos interessados contate nos através do e-mail para realizar suas inscrições o mais breve possível.

Segue video de divulgação para a campanha 2010.

Aproveite!

WHINING for nothing!

The fact that we see GOD everyday is totally acceptable. And most of the times we are aware of that. But there are some times that to realize that ... man... is so amazing how it just happens right after our personal thinking. Its kinda a reminder that HE send to us saying: "look that is the reason I have you there." so don't whine about it. haha.

Last night i was on my way home from college around 10:40 and i was so tired that i just wish get real soon at home and lay down but guess what. The bus was so crowded , i mean, was really full but i decided to catch that one or i would be home only on the next 40min after that ride, so i got inside the full bus.

While Im inside the peeps wouldn't smelling good (you know after a long day working) and i started to think about why i do not buy myself a car and just end this for my life. I thought so many things on that 20min ride home. "I would be home right now if I have my own car" i thought. "I would be listening some good music while I on my way home and relaxing" I thought that also haha... well thinking thinking thinking... that was all about me last night.

Well... suddenly i turned my ears to my right side where a couple was having a small private discussion. The guy told the girl that was the right bus to catch but the figured that wasn't the right one. The guy already had crossed the turnstile (wich means he had paid the ticket) while the lady was desperate to pay her ticket and she got no credits on her bus ticket card. The bus stopped for drop off and then they guy left and i heard he saying to the lady "what are you going to do?". I could see on her watery eyes she was really mad at him and she was about to go on the unknown location in the city at that late hour AT NIGHT. She was so nervous that when i asked her " do you need to go off the bus right here?" she looked at me and crying out loud she said "I DONT HAVE ANY CREDITS ON MY CARD" then her card fell off on the floor. while she was looking for her card i just paid her ticket. She stands up again and i said "go now its paid" she was so desperate that she didn't understood what i said and she said: " I Got no money". I told her no no ... you may go now ... i already paid your ticket. She crossed the turnstile and i said "Happy Easter" she was gone. I was sad because there was tons of people looking at her, asking about what was going on but no one did anything about it.

That was the way GOD told me to stop whining and make me realize that was the reason HE put me there on that bus last night. Then after that i prayed for her to be patient and easy on the guy, because i knew she was really upset on him. Poor man.

well... things happens all the time. BTW... she didn't say thank you, and i know that for some people that would be the end of the world. But ... when you do something like that you don't expect a thank you note from the person you just helped. You feel in your heart that someONE higher than she is saying thank you to you already.

I just wish a GREAT EASTER for you, for you family and for your friends!

Always in HIM,

- E