Jehovah Jireh - My Provider

I've been gone for 8 weeks. It's hard to believe! My time left in Brazil is becoming shorter and shorter! I am having a WONDERFUL time, but after 8 weeks, I am realizing that there are some things that I am missing:

1. pizza
2. real cheeseburgers (who would have thought I would have put those two foods down?!)
3. homemade cookies (mainly chocolate chip, but any kind would do)
4. seedless grapes (grapes here are no fun at all!)
5. dinners with my family
6. dinners with friends at Cedarville (yes, even at Chuck's)
7. picking up my cell phone to call Alicia just to tell her that it's 10:49 (ha!)
8. driving (Cass you may need to reteach me!)
9. feeling safe on the road... I actually forget what it's like...
10. going out without turning my ring around and praying that no one notices my blond hair
11. scanning my room for any unwelcomed guests every time I enter
12. talking with friends or family without waiting until 7:00 and praying that they are on Skype and that I have internet and that Skype is working, etc.
13. Cedarville intramural games (DRATER & Frolickers!)
14. going out with friends - people my age
15. talking with a sister or roommate right before bed
16. a certain guy out in D.C.

While I have days when it is hard to be excited to be here in Brazil, God has been faithful in showing Himself, continuing to give me peace, giving me strength, and giving me encouragement through joyful situations. Here are some good stories:

Last week during a Bible lesson, I had written some words on the board that the students had given in response to a question I had asked. After we had a complete list, I asked them which word would answer the question in our book. Some of the students immediately began translating for the first grade girl who speaks no English. I looked at the words and realized that I knew many of them in Portuguese/Spanish. I began to translate as well. When they realized what I was doing, the students stopped talking. After I finished, they were silent. My Portuguese speaking ability left them speechless! :) (Porque eu no fala Portuguese....I don't speak Portuguese!) Pedro immediately stood up and applauded me, genuinely saying, "Good job, Miss Herbst!" I was very pleased with myself! :)

Random quote from my favorite director/principal:

In Belem, it rains on the just and the unjust. However, it rains more on the just because the unjust have taken away my umbrella. - Dr. Underwood

Today in Bible, we were talking about Daniel. We reviewed what we talked about yesterday - Daniel in the lions' den. This is how it went:

Miss Herbst: So, the king told the people that they could only pray to him and not God. Daniel said, "Okay."

Students: NO! He prayed only to God!

Miss Herbst: Oh! And so Daniel prayed only to God. The king said, "That's okay."

Students: NO! He was mad! He threw him in with the lions!

Miss Herbst: Oh! So Daniel was thrown into the lions' den and the lions ate him all up, right?

Students: NO! God shut the lions' mouths!

Miss Herbst: Wow! God kept him safe!

Arthur: Is Daniel alive today?

Stacy: (jumps up) Yes! He's alive in heaven with God!

Miss Herbst: Yes! And someday we will see him and we can ask him what it was like to be in a den with the lions!

Stacy: And Noah will be there!

Miss Herbst: Yes! And we can ask him what it was like to live on an ark with all those stinky animals!

Students all begin shouting out Bible characters whom they will see in heaven.

Miss Herbst: Yes, we will see all of those people in heaven and will hear all of their stories!

Stacy: Yay! I can't wait! We can sit and listen to stories all day!

Wow! It was so cool to be a part of this discussion this morning! I remember being somewhat afraid of heaven when I was young. The thought of living eternally was somewhat of a frightening thought. It was so neat to see all of the students excited to go to heaven! I was then able to share how you are able to get to heaven! While most of the kids are in Christian homes, there are some that are not. I was able to share the Gospel message in my class today! How cool!

And now my favorite story from the past week:

During the opening in the morning (when we talk about the calendar, count money, talk about how many days we've been in school, pracitce the Bible verse, sing a song, etc.), precious Stacy (who else :) called me and motioned me to come over. Although I was in the middle of talking, I couldn't resist. I walked over to her desk and leaned down to her level. She leaned close and whispered, "Miss Herbst, I love you." Aaaahhhh!! My heart melted! Now can you understand why it's so hard not to have favorites?

God is good! He is bringing little situations and precious children into my life to fill me with joy and help me through the hard days!

Thanks so much for your continued prayers!

Serving a good God in Brazil,

*Brittany

-Sorry, D - the picture wouldn't post...