Week One Recap

My first week in Brasil is nearly over, what a blessing it has been.  This week I have seen so many new things.  God has truly blessed me by allowing me and calling me to make this trip for him.  Brasil is beautiful, and so are it’s people.  To explain the orphanage a little bit more it is like a bunch of intercity kids, except they live with you.  I have never had to do kids ministry 24/7, for you parents this would probably be no big deal.  Mom and dad I get it now, and I am sorry. haha.  But seriously God has been answering my prayers for patience, grace, and Love.  This past week my job was to shadow one of the full time missionaries here, Andy.  A typical day was as follows; I would wake up at 9 (not to bad right), then have my own time of cleansing, both physically and spiritually (shower and devotions).  Then Brenna and I would have breakfast together around 10 each morning.  After breakfast we just hang around incase we are needed for odd jobs until 11:30.  At that time CLM has their prayer meeting.  After the prayer meeting we set up lunch for about 45 people, getting pitchers of water, cups, silverware, plates, and the food set up at each table.  We then eat lunch with them.  After lunch I would either help do the dishes, or go work with Andy and the older boys (11+) if needed.  Then around 3 they have a snack time.  After snack time Andy and I would switch to work with the younger boys (4-10), or should I say “work”.  This is the time when Andy would explain a job to the young kids and then Andy and I would end up doing the job ourselves after about 10 minutes.  It’s important to remember though that while CLM pays for the schooling of these kids, most will not go to college.  Therefore it is important for the kids, even at a young age, to see what work is really like and learn how to do some sort of trade.  That is why Andy takes the time to work with the younger boys, so that they can see men working.  After work is dinner, Brenna and I get a break from 4:30-6 for dinner.  It is that long because we have to make our own dinner and are frequently “visited” by kids.  :) We normally get done eating around 5:30 and then get online.  The evenings are pretty relaxed, when we finish eating the kids are normally finishing too. So we go down and help them get cleaned up and changed into their pajamas.  Then they have free time until about 8:30 when they are supposed to start getting their teeth brushed and ready for bed.  Brenna and I help put the youngest kids to bed, then our work for the day is done.  We typically then watch a movie and skype with our parents until about 11:30 or midnight then we go to bed.  Like I said, it has been a great week.  I hope you all are doing well back home and seeing God’s blessings in your own life.  Love you all.

-Ryan

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