Manaus Brazil and the Pertiest Pizza Hut Ever

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, the fun has arrived! Eric and I made it to Manaus today around 12PM Eastern Standard Time.  We're actually one hour earlyier than most of you reading this (GMT -4 hours) Anyway we flew for quite a while over the past 24 hours and despite my nap this afternoon I'm still feeling pretty drained.  

Our flights consisted of this... Quito, Ecuador to Lima, Peru 2.5 hours, then an hour layover in Lima followed up by a 5.5 hour flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil which arived at 5 AM local time which was 3AM Eastern Standard time.  We had a 2.5 hour layover there and then flew for 4 hours to Manaus, Brazil where we've been settling in for the rest of the day.  I napped for probably 3 hours + of the 4 hour flight and slept for atleast a couple of hours once we got here but I'm still exausted.  This heat and humidity takes a lot out of you.  The cool mountain breazes of Calacali, Ecuador definitely were a blessing, but I imagine I'll get used to this too.  

Anyway, we're here and we're doing great.  The missionary family that we're living with is awesome! They took us out to the 1st and only Pizza Hut in Manaus and it is gorgeous! I used to work at a pizza hut and you wouldn't think it was even owned by the same company. I wish I'd have taken a pic of the skyline from the back window where we sat but I got caught up with eating so I kinda forgot.  BTW the two pictures up top I know are horrible but one I highlighted the word PERU to show that I was there and the other I was trying to take while walking toward the door to the pizza hut. sorry for the bad quality of that and the video below but I was / still am very tired.

I'm going to try to upload a video that I took with my camera that will give you a tour of where we're staying too... By the way I don't know if i said it in my video but a general in the Brazilian army lives literally 2 doors down from us, so we have an armed guard that patrols nearby at night so we're pretty safe from anybody that might want some fresh meat american missionaries.  

Anyway I'm about to go get de-Jet-lagged.  I can't wait to see what God's got in store for us tomorrow.  More fun pictures and such to come, stay tuned! -later

1-22-09 Backpost

**1-22-09 Backpost**

So a lot has happened since i've last had a chance to write, so let me catch yall up. We've all been working pretty hard on learning Spanish and despite my opposition to ever learning it, I'm doing quite well and can hold a simple conversation with practically anyone I meet: ie shop workers, taxi drivers, restaurant staff, and I'm learning how to talk to people about Christ as well in Espanol.

So, this week we broke our group up into 5 teams and raced around the city to different locations that were awesome! The IMB Staff that set up the race did an amazing job, making us communicate in Spanish as well as take public transportation all over the city.

We also started doing “low-ropes” team building exercises, have taken over leading worship, and are now responsible for leading the Bible studying sessions. The Bible studying that we're doing is called “chronological Bible studying,” and it is really cool cause you can tell them in a way that suspense is built between one story and the next and it really gives people a since of urgency and an appetite for God's word.

I've also been leading worship at nights up until this point as sort of a way to summarize the day.  I don't know really anything else to write cause i'm tired so I'll write later

 -holla

1-18-09 backpost

**1-18-09 BackPost**

Today was another awesome day that has left me physically tired but emotionally and spiritually full. Ecuador is so amazingly beautiful. I've never been anywhere like this in my life, but it is so visually gratifying everywhere I look that its like my eyes have been closed my entire life and I'm just now being able to use them for the first time. The colors are so rich, the rolling mist blows in from a fairytale once every little while and my words are useless in doing any of it justice. There are no words in the English language that can capture the beauty and magnitude of this place; pictures even do not do this place justice. On top of today being another beautiful day, God decided that He'd bless us with some sun. I doubt many of you reading this have been to the equator anywhere in the world, and since you haven't I don't expect you to understand how intense the sun can be at 10,000 feet above sea level on or 3 miles from the equator. It's nuts, we'll leave it at that haha!

Today we went to Mitad de Mundo or “Middle of the World” at the “Cididad de Mundo” or “The City at the Middle of the World,” Quito, Ecuador. We actually got pictures of us straddling the true equator and the magnetic equator. We also got to try out some of our Espanol bartering skills such as “Quanto Questa?” or “How Much,” and “Pedra Darle ...” or “I can give you … however much.” Utilizing our newly learned bargaining skills Clayton and I managed to obtain a couple of authentic wool Gaucho Ponchos and I scored a sweet Indiana Jones-esq hat for my up coming commercials as Matt Rio: Amazonian Adventurer once we get to Brazil.

I was so pleased that in our adventures at the market how much the people were willing and eager to help us learn to speak Spanish and converse with us for what little we know. Most of our group is surprisingly from the South East, US and we all recognize the importance of the “Hey how are ya's” that go on in beginning a conversation or transaction, so I think that is really an advantage that we might have in understanding the more relationship oriented people that are in this climate. Unlike other cultures in the world the Ecuadorians are people first and business people second, and they expect to be treated as such.

I also love how our leaders are doing the orientation! They are both building us as a team through games and fun as well as through teaching us language and culture at the same time. Today our focus was on how differing cultures have different “World Views” from each other. For instance Christians might acknowledge that Christ dying on the cross as a sacrifice to save all of man kind from their own sin as the most awesome thing ever, but an ancient culture that has a history of human sacrifice might associate a man sacrificing himself as a thing that they would not want to be associated with any longer because of the social stigmas surrounding it or maybe to stay away from any God that would require a sacrifice.

I have decided that this experience in South America is going to be one of the most defining experiences of my life, if it isn't already. I am learning so much about people, different cultures, and myself every day. I love the people here and really have a changed and more open heart for a culture that I've never really given much thought. I definitely will never be the same after being here as I was when I left.

PS it kinda stinks that we don't have Internet here at camp so I can't upload these every night but once I get to Brazil that will be more of an opportunity so enjoy catching up when you're reading these haha -later

1-17-09 Back post

**Backpost 1-17-09**

So, I just read the end of my last journal before I started to write this one and I am beginning to notice a trend in my life here in Quito so far; I'm physically exhausted every night ha ha! However my mind is racing so hard with everything that has been happening during the day that it's taking me a while to mentally calm down and this journaling is really helping. You wouldn't believe how being on the plus side of 10 feet above sea level will tire you out. I also learned today that the equator is about a mile from here, and despite what you might think that implies (hot maybe?) the temperature has been an almost constant 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit and misty/rainy/cloudy.

Today we started learning languages and even though I'm going to Brazil where they speak Portuguese, we've been learning Spanish as a group because that's what the entire rest of South America speaks and it will help us over the next 11 days here in Ecuador with communicating with the staff here at camp and the people in the village near by. By the way: I say “Village” but really there's a hundred thousand people or so living 1 KM from my bedroom door.

We got to go into the village today and get to the Internet cafe (which is dial-up and not facebook friendly so sorry for the lack of updates thus far) to write e-mails and call parents which was nice. Until this afternoon, my parents actually didn't even know if I'd made it to where I was supposed to be. As it happens, though, I am absolutely 100 kajillion percent that there is no where else in the entire world that I am supposed to be right now. God has placed me here with a purpose and that purpose I've yet to nail down in my own head, but I know He is getting glory from my being here cause I'm constantly thanking Him for it. God is SO good!! :D

Our afternoon team building exercises consisted of trust building activities and exploring the vastness of what all our social contract actually covers. We played a bunch of those corny looking but extremely fun games that you play when building a team like this... you know the ones haha! But the thing is that we work really well together and we're all growing close already! I love these kids and I love it here!

I'll talk about the food later but for now I'm actually tired so I'm gonna take advantage of it and conk out. Good night (buenos noches en Espanol or boa noite em Portuguese)! I'm praying for yall too, that God will move in you tomorrow. Holla! -chris

Day 2 (BACK POST)

**BACK POST 1-16-09**

Today I woke up to probably THE most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. I walked out of the door of the room that they have all of us guys bunked down in, to see beautiful rolling mountains covered in mist completely surrounding us. God is a painter and I know He is proud of this particular Ecuadorian valley, He has to be because it is so intensely green and absolutely beautiful. It blows my mind to think that there are people in this world that do not believe that God created it all. I can't fathom how scary that would be, thinking that this all was made by chance.

Anyway today was day 1 of our 12 day orientation here at Camp Refugio and we learned each other's names: Chris(Me), Eric (the guy going to Brazil with me), Clayton, Jeffery, Jason, Ryan, Robin, Tiffany, Jackie, Mariah, Candice, Rachel, Valerie, Kristen, Amber, and Holly. I've written all of them here so you readers can be praying for the other 15 college students that will be all over in South America for the next few months by name, and I'll thank you in advance for doing that cause I know some of yall and how hard core you are with prayer. :)

We also developed a social contract that we have all agreed to live by for the next few months. It involves: Giving 110% all of the time, Being “Here” now mentally and phisically for each other and for the tasks at hand, Choosing Joy over all else, and Choosing choice and to acknowledge choices made by us and others.

I know that all sounds kinda weird but you'd have to be here to really get it, and I've not really explained it very well for brevity's sake. Anyway, I'm exhausted because of the long day and the altitude, so I'm gonna call it a night. Talk to yall tomorrow.

-later

Liftoff (Backlog)

BACK POST 1-15-09 

LIFTOFF

First off I wanna thank God for getting me here safely to Quito, Ecuador. I may not have arrived with guitar in tow like I had planned, but this whole thing is really not about my plans is it?

So after a pretty hectic morning of txt messages, phone calls, and general ridiculousness of getting ready to go on this trip I made it to the airport and through security with plenty of time to spare. Me and my folks said goodbye and that was for the most part uneventful. I'm so happy that God gave my mom peace enough to be able to let me go at the gates haha.

The flight to Miami was rather uneventful as well. I was kinda squished but ya know that's what happens when you fly commuter flights.

However I will say this, if you've never taken a plane ride on a semi cloudy day where you can see the tops of the clouds below you, you've never really lived. Just think about this, Heaven itself is going to be even more marvelous and beautiful than anything you've ever seen anywhere on this earth. Basically I could look out at and see a realm of no clouds for a hundred miles and it looked like you could just walk around on the patchwork clouds below me. Coming into Miami I got to see the ocean as green as an emerald, dolphins playing in the wake of a boat, and waves crashing across a reef. It was absolutely breathtaking! Just as nearly breathtaking was the sunset through storm clouds over Mexico as we flew over the Gulf, later on the way to Quito.

And just think, our God created all of this, everything on this world is a craft of his and it is PERFECT and beautiful. I've not gotten to see Quito very much because it's been dark since we got here but the ride from Miami was extremely comfortable because it was practically empty and the time flew by.

Anyway I'm exausted, so I'll write again when I get the chance. I love yall back at home and I'll talk to ya soon. -later

God is good and so is Ecuador

Hey yall! i´m still in ecuador and I´ve been journaling every day but my buddy eric has all my journals on his external harddrive and he´s at a different mall, here in Quito. Soo I´ll have to update those later, but for now i´m alive and well and having an awesome time playing in God´s country! I´m eating well and learning spanish along with portuguese right now so my mind is pretty frazzled all the time. For the most part i´m exausted come the end of the day. anyway i´m at an internet cafe and they charge so i´m gonna go for now. I´ll talk to yall soon! -later

T-Minus 2 days

   So I really wasn't ready for today.  Today I was all excited to get up and REALLY get packing and tieing down some loose ends, but I was even more excited about getting to go pick up my perscription sunglasses (THESE).  Yes I wear glasses and yes I'm aware that 90% of you reading have never seen me wear em.  That's because I really only wear them to drive or read like #4 font size at 6 feet away.  

   Here's the thing tho, I was REALLY excited about getting them and in the process I think I subconsciously may have made them a mini Idol.  I know I'm not the only one that ever puts things on a pedastle, but it doesn't make me feel any better.  God decided that He'd say "Ok, here's the glasses you want... and oops they broke!" all within 30 seconds of the lady putting them down in front of me.  I hadn't even gotten to touch them yet.  There's a blessing in that part of it though because if I had touched them I'd be up that brown creek everyone talks about without a paddle.  But, the other problem was that I leave at noon the day after tomorrow and there is ZERO time to order replacements.  Thankfully I was able to convince the manager to write me a check for the amount they cost so I could run to the mall and grab them a replacement pair.  As soon as I got back I handed over the replacements and the thought crossed my mind "Don't you think these things were a little TOO important?" 

   Immediately I knew what that thought meant, that I had basically made a little mini idol that I had put before God in my addoration because I wasn't thinking about him.  I was so enamored by them that I forgot to thank God for the opportunity and give them over to God as a tool for Him to use.  Once I realized this I began praying for forgiveness and that the breaking of the other ones was just a reminder for me not to store treasures up on earth, but in heaven where they'll never break, get lost, get stolen, or anything else like that.  

Matthew 6:19-21

-holla 

T-Minus 3 days

So I slept like a rock last night and woke up at 10:30 this morning after my folks had aparently (pardon the pun) been trying to get me up for quite some time.  I wanted to make it to church on time for my last sunday in the states for a while so I blazed through a shower, decided to go with a bit of scruff for the day, jumped into some church clothes and dashed out the door with my mother in tow.  

  We made it in plenty of time and got to hear an amazingly preached sermon at Calvary Christian Church in Columbus.  The sermon was on the differences between the books of Joshua and Judges and how in Josh, people actually followed God's commandments and in Judges, people sucked... That's why they needed "Judges" I infer.  However because people sucked as a group at following God's commands, He decided that He'd glorify Himself by showing us what happens if we are completely faithful and we get what are considered to be "Biblical heroes" like Samson.

   Anyhow, I hung out with the folks and then recieved a call back from the folks at Westview Baptist in Milledgeville, GA that I could come be a part of their sunday night service and they would happily take up a love offering for me.  So I grabbed my guitar, a cd, and my best smile and set out for the long 2.5 hour haul to Milly-V.  I arrived just in time to take a breath and a seat as the best praise and worship I've been around in a while unfolded before my eyes.  Those people were moving in the pews, clapping, and singing with an enthusiasm that I've not heard in a while and it was AWESOME!

   Needless to say I was pumped when the music pastor called me up to introduce me.  I prayed for us and me as we got started and thanked the Lord and the church through prayer.  Then I basically zoned out.  Chris Edmonds ceased to talk anymore and God must have taken over, cause I don't really remember much of what was said (maybe a good thing, maybe not) but either way I was on autopilot and going full speed ahead with info about the mission, the projects, what God is doing in my life, and my plea for them to pray for me and my family while I'm down there.  God is great and God is SO good! He blessed me big time tonight with exactly what I needed both spiritually and monetarily.  

  Practically the whole night was a blessing, from seeing my closest friends, to eating at the brick, to getting in some awesome time in God's house.  Man all I can say is Praise the Lord for today!

*Matthew 7:7 came true for me today. I challenge you to pray for it to come true in your life whatever it is you ask for, seek to find, or the doors you knock on.  May the Lord of all Creation bless you in His time.*

**Praise Report: I was informed today that MANY MANY prayers have been answered and another person that is close to me has begun attending church recently, has been for about 3 weeks, and is learning and enjoying it.  PRAISE THE LORD GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!**

T-Minus 4 days

*Warning its late and my diction, as well as my expression of thoughts, becomes quite the bit more colorful than normal.*

    Well today was busy and lazy all at the same time.  I awoke groggily this morning around 9AM-ish after getting home quite late, to my wrist watch alarm that I bought for the trip (and am just now getting used to), and my Dad telling me that I had a busy day ahead of me.  "Busy," I knew meant today was going to be full of taking care of picking up some last minute things for the trip as I was busy trying to shake off the grogg.  During my father's call to attention he managed to remind me of one of my ticks on the to-do list, my second least most favorite activity on the face of the earth, going to the doctor to get a shot.  

    Even at 22, I hate shots and I hate needles.  Nothing good ever comes out of being shot nor out of any needles.  Being shot is obviously never good and all of anything that comes out of a needle is illegal to posess except in doctor's offices, so it can't really be all that good in my opinion either. 

   So, in seeking to off the haze from my slumber and prep for the day, I wandered the house for a bit and found my way to an empty coffee pot; I guess that will teach me to sleep late, or what stands for late around my parent's house haha.  

   Anyway, I got cleaned up and headed off to get vaccinated and recevied both the easiest and the most painful shots I've ever had within 2 minutes of each other.  The Typhoid Vaccine felt like they just squirted me with something on top of my skin.  But the Hepatitus A vaccine felt like they shoved a full sized dull number 2 pencil in my arm.  It's still a bit sore even now while I'm typing this (now a day later).

   Next, I went and got my malaria meds perscription filled and became rediculously drowsy all of the sudden so I subconsciously decided to take an hour long nap in the car in the walgreens parking lot, because when I woke up I never really remember decideing to take one.  *NOTE TO SELF/READERS: taking 2 vaccine shots withing 30 seconds of each other with very minimal breakfast will make probably make you crash.

   The rest of the day proceded like this: Got some batteries and gallon zip loc bags at walmart, installed the new anti-bug flak turrets on my hammock (aka hard core bugspray), beasted some Ruby Tuesday's with my parents and caught the 7:15 showing of Marley and Me at the theater.  By the way, if you have a dog, ever wanted a dog, ever seen a dog, or even know what a dog is either leave halfway through the movie or be prepared to have a lump in your throat.  Marley looks exactly like my dog Tucker, who is getting on up in years, so needless to say my folks and I had lumps in our throats.  

  All in all it was a pretty lazy but busy day. Now if only tomorrow could be as fun! 

T-Minus 5 days

So here I am at 5 days left untill I go... and ya know I'm not even freaking out really.  I was just telling someone yesterday how for the first time ever I'm not really freaking out about getting packed and traveling and all that.  Normally, I tend to get a bit edgy around any time I'm leaving on a trip, things sorta have to be my way or I'll leave you kindof thing, but this time I'm a lot more calm.  I'm not necessarily collected or packed really but I'm calm-ish haha.  

Anyway Fedex just delivered my passport back to me from the Brazilian Consulate so I'm glad to have that back.  I'll post pictures of all my gear as I'm starting to pack it tomorrow.  I've actually still got quite a bit of prep work to do on my Hennesy Hammock Tent with bug proofing it, and I've still gotta waterproof my guitar case, along with several other things.  

Anyway I've been going between 4 parts of the Bible over and over lately, and I guess that's why I'm so at peace with leaving but basically here's it is, my God's Word Survival Pack:

verse 1: Matthew 28:18-20

verse 2: Matthew 7:7-8

verse 3: John 10:1-18

verse 4: Luke 9:57-62

This is where I'm at right now and what is giving me comfort.  I gotta run, lots to do, so yall have a good one. -later